"Ah, why did I want to save my appetite for the party? I'm going to be performing instead of eating!" Ebina mentally kicks herself. Ebina had been nervous all morning and so she skipped breakfast. But after relaxing in the guest room for an hour or so, her tummy finally to growl with hunger. "Haha, me too." Bale chuckles. Of course Bale's appetite was supressed due to worrying about other things not necessarily related to the party.
"Don't worry, you can eat after you perform." smiles their mother as she leads them to the drawing room where the guests have gathered.
The drawing(guest entertainment) room's dimensions are 40 meters by 25 meters. It's decorated with blue and brown drapes with gold tassels around the edges.
Bale, his sister, and mother stop a few feet away from the raised platform as a young demonkin girl is playing a lute on it with the rest of her band. Bale instantly recognizes her as the one he helped out from the human bullies a few days before.
"Oh, it's her." Bale says. "Yeah." responds Ebina. "I'm glad she's fine." she sighs in relief as she puts a hand onto her chest. Next to the demonkin girl is a dwarf boy playing a flute, and behind them are 3 more demonkin playing what looks and sounds like chellos.
(Chellos huh? I wonder what other kinds of instruments exist in this world?) Bale observes the chellos. They were similar in general shape to those on earth, but still had many subtle differences.
Some of the guests clothings suggests they were of high wealth and nobility, yet they were very respectful and clapped politely when the demonkin girl was done with her performance. The guests were a healthy mix of Humans and Elves.
There were a few Dwarves of course, but they're just generally scarce due to their hermit-like nature. And as for demonkin, there were what seems to be children from an orphange sitting on a long table next to the wall. An older elf woman -their chaperone- is sitting with them.
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP! "Great job Liva!" lady Lumilla stands up and shouts. "Ugh." Veena puts her face in her palm. "That girl..." She utters.
She then begins to rush towards Liva, the demonkin girl that Bale saved. "Come on, lets get something to eat--!" But quickly stops in her tracks as she sees Liva grabbing Bale's hands. "Thank you again for the other day." Liva smiles "We were able to fix our instruments because of you." "You're welcome." Bale smiles politely.
His eyes then open wide in realization "Wait! That wasn't me!" Bale sweats. "Okay if you say so." "What did you do brother?" Ebina looks at her brother, confused. "I just convinced the boys to leave her alone, that's all haha..." Bale scratches his head. Liva moves into Bale's field of view and smiles at him, still holding his hands. "My name is Liva by the way, may I ask for yours?"
"Um...Bale." Bale big-sweats. She then turns to Ebina "And you are?" "I'm Ebina, Bale's big sis." She then grabs Ebina's hands "Can we please be friends?"
"I would like that." smiles Ebina. "Come on Liva, lets go get something to eat." Lumilla interrupts and grabs her hand to drag her away. "Um...I gotta go!" She shouts as Bale and Ebina politely waves.
"Oh no, is my brother going to get married before me?" asks Ebina worriedly. "Not happening." Bale puts a hand on his belly as he suddenly feels sick to his stomach.
"I won't be ready for love for another thousand years." Bale knew that the subject of love and marriage is something that he won't be avoid when he grew older.
"Ehh why not?" smiles the mother.
"I'm not like those animals."
"Er-nevermind." He then grabs Ebina's hand and walks up upon the platform with her. "Come on, it's our turn now sister."
"And now next up is a pair of performers who captivated the marketplace with their original music!" shouts Lady Veena to the audience. Ebina then sweats "T-these people look very rich and powerful..."
Lumilla and Liva have plates in their hands as they're going around taking food from a table. "What was that about?" asks Lumilla. "Do you know those people?" Liva then nods "They bought flowers from me the other day."
"And Bale...he beat up the boys who tried to steal my money." Liva blushes. "Hmmm...so that's the one?" Lumilla sets her gaze on Bale as he begins to strum on his lute. "...all men are animals. You shouldn't trust him so easily." She frowns, annoyed at how easily her friends heart is swayed. (Just how gullible is Liva?) She thinks.
"I...I think I can trust him though."
"Hmph, lets see how good they are." Lumilla crosses her arms. In her eyes, there was no better performer than her best friend Livy, from the orphanage.
Ebina has her eyes closed as Bale strums the lute, Trying to calm herself. She was scared, but she had been able to overcome that with her love for singing. Her brother had been giving her nothing but courage and strength, and she didn't want to betray that. She then smiles to herself, feeling so lucky to have such a wonderful brother.
She then opens her eyes and begins to find the rhythm with Bales strumming. She then looks straight at the crowd and begins to sing.
"♫ I hea~rd that you're settled down, that you found a girl~ ♫ " Bale chuckless quietly, he had decided to brutally mess them up with the saddest song they've practiced -and plagiarized.
At first, the guests were just being polite, as the wise baroness loved to show off talented demonkin from her territory. But this time, she truly struck gold.
Milly had tears of both sorrow and joy streaming down from her eyes uncontrollably. She was unable to control her tearducts because this was the first time she's heard this song. (How does my son continue to keep coming up with such profound music?)
The guests couldn't help but be enchanted, their teary eyes fixated on Ebina as she continued to sing. Bale was blended into the background, exactly as he planned.
Captain Fiotta managed to keep her face stiff and stern, but her fogged glasses and torrent of tears betrayed her emotions. Next to her, the baroness clenched the sides of her dress hard in her hands.
But she gave up and just smiled at the performance, letting her tear ducts go to work. The last time they ever worked this hard was at her husbands funeral.
Liva has her head in her hands. Due to this, she could not see the performance, but she could hear it just fine. (O-oh no! I'm a mess right now! But I just can't stop...!) Sitting down next to her is Lumilla, drumstick in hand. She continues to gnaw at it while tears stream down her cheeks and flavor it.
(I can't believe my ears...this is the best song I've ever heard!) "Why is this drumstick so salty?" She complains aloud.
After a brief pause, the guests were sure the siblings were done. So they clapped as loud as they could, forgetting their etiquette.
The children from the orphanage were also clapping as they wiped down their tears with their clothes.
Lumilla eyes Liva who is clapping furiously while standing up. She then asks "Do you think they're better than you?" "Absolutely!" smiles Liva. Lumilla then shrugs "Fine." She then begins clapping politely.
"Goodness Milly! Your childrens performance exceeded my expectations!" The baroness walks over to Milly. "I'm so proud to have you be a part of my estate!" "Thank you. That means a lot to me, Lady Veena." Milly smiles as she wipes the tears from her face with a handkerchief. Although Lady Veena was a noble, she always made it a point to remember the names of those who serve her. After all, she was just a commoner before she married her late husband.
In the doorway between the kitchen hallway and the drawing room, the maids and chefs were clapping excitedly. "Those were Millys children!" "Wow really?!" "That's amazing!" They chat amongst themselves.
"I want kids too now!" "Too late, you're already 60!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" Bale finally raises his hand and waves. "But that was just the first song, we have 4 more coming right up!" He shouts. "WHEW!!!" The crowd then begins whistling and hollering, forgetting about their ranks and status.
"Are you ok Ebina?" Bale worriedly looks at his sister. "Yes, this is no problem." states Ebina with fire in her eyes. At first Ebina felt uncomfortable with the praises and accolades, but now they've begun to serve as her fuel.
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The siblings continued to perform the rest of the songs they've practice. For the next half hour, only Lumilla and the orphanage children ate their fill.
When they finally finished their performance, the siblings bowed as the crowd let loose. They whistled, roared, and clapped their appreciation at the best musical performance they've ever experienced.
(This is just like watching a yowtube music reaction video, but live) thinks Bale. (I'd make so much money if I could film this and bring it to Earth).
Once the guests have settled down and collected themselves, embarassed at their own lack of self control, baroness Veena finally walks up to the front of the raised platform.
"Dear guests, it looks like you've all enjoyed yourselves. I know I did." She looks back and smiles at the siblings. "These demonkin siblings are a fine example of talent that surpasses race and gender." The crowd this time claps politely.
"Can you imagine what you would've missed out on had these sibling not been given the chance?" She continues. "My dear daughter Lumilla, I know that you will take this to heart when you succeed me." She then smiles
"Happy 11th birthday."
"Of course mother, thank you." smiles Lumilla as she quickly wipes the grease off of her face -and hugs her mother. "Happy birthday, Lady Lumilla!" shouts Liva proudly as she wipes a tear from her face. Lumilla then unlatches herself from lady Veena and bows towards the crowd "Thank you to all of our guests who came here to celebrate!" "Please enjoy the meal and wine!"
As soon as Bale and Ebina stepped down from the platform, they were suddenly swarmed by the guests. "Wow, your performance was mesmerizing!" shouts a guest. "I can't believe how talented you young'ns are!" "Please come perform at my son's birthday party!" says a noble. "How much do you charge?!" shouts another one. "Please come to our tea party!"
Veena then walks in front of the siblings to shield them. "Now now, please let's not forget your noble standings!"
"If you wish to invite these children to perform, you may send invitations to me, and I will try to accomodate everyone." "But they will not be cheap." She then looks back at Bale, acknowledging that he is the leader of the 2-person troupe.
"Is that alright with you two?" She asks. "Yes, thank you very much Lady Veena." Bale and Ebina bows. (Things are definitely looking up. But now we're going to need more than just a lute) Bale thinks. Music seems to be the best path to money -at least for Bale- in this life that he was looking for.
(All we've been doing is crude imitations, we should perform the songs as close as possible to the way it was envisioned. Now that my path has been determined, I should get serious about it).
"With that settled, you're free to talk to them. Just don't be too pushy, they're only children after all."
Veena then grabs Milly and walks away. "Come on Milly, do you want something to drink?"
"Ah okay." Milly follows her.
"So what're your names?" they ask the siblings. "My name is Bale, and this is my sister Ebina." Bale smiles polite. "Ebina? What a lovely name. Would you like to marry my son?" Another person asks. "Um..." Ebina sweats. "Sorry she's not ready for marriage yet!" Bale shouts, protecting his sister. "Please ask us anything else!" Bale smiles.
Milly is looking back at her children, but it doesn't go unnoticed. "It's a little scary, but your children should get used to socalizing with adults if they plan on continuing with this career path." Veena grabs a glass cup filled with a purple beverage from a passing servant. "I know, I just can't help it." Milly smiles. Veena then sighs "I had to let Lumilla grow on her own as well, so I know how your'e feeling." She then smiles "But if you're that worried, why don't we just watch over them from here?" "Alright, lets do that!" Milly nods.
During the party, the guests paid more attention to the siblings than the actual birthday girl herself. Which didn't bother Lumilla much. But sitting next to her is her best friend, Liva, looking down. The obvious reason was that Liva could not find another chance to talk to Bale and his sister.
"Urgh, fine." Irritated, Lumilla grabs Liva's hand and drags her through the crowd. "Eh? What's going on?" asks Liva, confusion showing on her face.
"Excuse us!" Lumilla shouts. "May we talk in private?" She asks. "Of course!" Bale seemed oddly a bit too happy at her invitation. (Does he have the hots for me? Men really are animals) She mistakenly thinks.
But in reality, Bale was just happy to be able to get away from the enthusiastic crowd. And to get his sister away from the random marriage proposals with the nobles children.
In the afternoon sun, the 4 children arrive at a small garden lush with perfectly trimmed hedges. They all take seats under a wooden pavallion. "Thanks, you saved us back there, lady Lumilla." smiles Bale. "No problem."
"Y-you two were really good out there." smiles Liva awkwardly.
"Thank you, you weren't bad yourself." nods Bale.
"O-oh no, I couldn't dare compare myself to your performance."
"I never knew a lute could be played that way. You showed me that there are much more musical combinations than I ever thought possible." "Heh, glad to be of help." Bale humbly scratches his head as he smiles.
"Hey... Ebina, right?" asks Lumilla with her arms crossed. "Y-yes." Ebina stammers. "You were pretty good."
"T-thank you."
"How long have you practiced the lute?" Bale asks Liva as he begins to formulate a plan.
"About 4 years."
Liva recalls a woman giving her younger self a lute. "My elder sister gave it to me." She smiles at the cherished memory.
"Where is she now?" asks Bale.
"She...." Liva hesitates.
"O-oh I'm sorry. You don't need to tell me." Bale apologetically raises a hand to stop her from speaking.
"Hmph, have some tact, fool." Lumilla interrupts. "Her sister left to get married and never returned."
"..." Bale and everyone else big-sweats. "What?" Lumilla asks standoffishly.
"Hehe. It's nothing." Liva shrugs at her friends lack of self-awareness. "As long as she's happy, I'm fine with that."
"Anyway, where are you two from?" asks Lumilla. "We're from the village of Mardane." smiles Ebina. "About a days travel on wagon."
"That's pretty far." states Lumilla. "Yup." Bale replies.
"Oh." Liva looks downwards. She had hoped that the siblings would be closer. But it makes sense since she only met them recently.
"Um, so this is probably the last time we'll ever see each other?" She smiles, trying to hold back her tears. "Please come visit whenever you're in town."
"Actually, I was thinking of expanding our troupe." says Bale. "!!!" Liva is surprised. "R-really?"
"I was hoping that you could join us. I don't really know anyone else who can play the lute." Bale stands up and extends a hand to her across the table.
"!!!" Liva then has tears stream down her face. "Y-yes! If you're fine with me!" She shouts as she grabs Bale's hand in excitement.
"I've already made some money, so I was thinking that maybe we could meet up at an inn and practice or something."
"Eeh? An inn?" Lumilla scoffs at the idea of obviously poor children ignorantly spending money. "How about you just stay at our estate? Isn't it a pain to keep traveling back and fourth?" She waves a hand
"The roads leading out of the city have gotten more dangerous you know, we need to find a replacement Guardian Crystal soon."
"Guardian Crystal?" asks the siblings in unsion. "What? You don't know?" asks Lumilla. "You country bumpkins really are idiots." She huffs. "It's what disperses the miasma and keeps it from gathering inside and around the city."
"Um..." Bale raises his hand slowly. "What's miasma?" "Wha?! Do I really have to go from there?!" Lumilla shouts, exasperated. "Sorry for being stupid." says Bale deadpanned. The insults from Lumilla didn't bother Bale one bit, he didn't feel any malice from her hash words - They were different from the insults that his bullies spewed in his past life.
"L-lady Lumilla..." Liva tries to calm her down. "Hmph, you explain then." Lumilla leans her head on the table.
"S-so a miasma is bad energy? Uh, negative energy?" Liva points her 2 index fingers together. "Anyway, that's what creates dungeons and boss monsters." She then continues "And if it's strong enough, it can mutate the dungeons and boss monsters to become even more powerful."
"Oh. That sounds really bad." says Ebina worriedly.
"So in short, the guardian crystal is getting weaker, therefore the roads are more dangerous." states Bale. "Yes." nods Liva.
"So until we find a suitable replacement, it's safer if you just stay at my estate." Lumilla sits upright and pounds her chest with one hand. "Of course it won't be for free. But it'd still be cheaper than staying at an inn all the time." She makes a money sign with her hand.
"I'm fine with it. What about you, sister?"
"Um, yes. But I think we should talk to mother and father about it first." Ebina nods
"Of course, that's what I intended." Bale smiles. He then crosses his legs as he then shoots back "But what about you, Lady Lumilla? Is your mother okay with you making these kinds of decisions withour her knowledge?"
"It's totally fine!" smiles the Baroness as she appears from behind a trimmed bush. "M-mother?! How dare you eavesdrop on us!" Lumilla shouts angrily.
"It's a dream come true for my children to live in luxury!" Milly appears out of nowhere. "You have my permission to stay here!" She grabs her children's hands. "You too?!" Bale shouts.
The baroness then says "The fee will be just a small percentage of the profits you make from your performances." She then continues "Of course the staff meals will be included for free."
"What if we don't perform for a while due to injury or sickness?" asks Bale. "What a wierdo. Who even asks such questions?" Lumilla frowns. "Hehe." Ebina and Liva giggle.
"If you perform at least twice a year, that'll be fine with me." says the Baroness. "But I'll charge 10% of the profits." She continues.
Bale then says "5 percent." "Wha-brother?" Ebina says worried that the deal will fall through. "S-son don't be unreasonable...!" says Milly with the same worries.
"9 percent." returns the baroness. Bale then retorts with "6 percent." They have a staring contest as Veena then sighs
"8%, and you will get an armed knight escort to your performances." "Brooother!" Ebina whispers to him loudly with her hands clenched. "S-sorry, I just had an urge to haggle." says Bale as he sweats.
"Can our parents come with with us too?" Bale asks Veena.
"I appreciate the thought son, but this is a great opportunity for Ebina to learn how to live out in the world." Milly rubs Bale's head. "You two wouldn't be able to grow if we hung around all the time." She continues.
"But I'm just 8 years old, don't you think I still need my parents?" Bale raises an eyebrow.
"Oh Bale, your father and I already know that you'd be fine if we were to pass on today." She then continues "But don't worry, we'll come visit okay?" She embraces Ebina and Bale. "Feel free to visit whenever you wish." Veena nods.
"Oh alright, Thanks mother." Bale closes his eyes to feel his mother's warm embrace.
Bale then stands up and bows to Veena. "We are unworthy of your hospitality and kindness. But we will gladly accept your generous offer."
"It's my pleasure. I'll draw up the contract later." Veena smiles.
"Yay!" Ebina shouts. "This is wonderful!" shouts Liva as she hugs Lumilla. "I know your father will be proud." Milly wipes a tear from her eyes.
"KYAAA!!!" A blood-curdling scream could be heard in the distance. "!!!" Everyone suddenly turns to the direction of the scream.
"Stay here children!! Milly!!" shouts Veena as she rushes out of the pavillion.
"Captain Fiotta! What's going on?!" she asks as Captain Fiotta rushes to her side. "Milady! Stay by my side!" She shouts. "I heard it in passing just now, but Commander Haz was found dead!"