Finals Crunch

Log Info

• Title: Finals Crunch
• Emitter: Patch
• Characters: Patch, Slixvah, Schara
• Place: The Bardic College
• Time: November 15th, 2022
• Summary: Its nearing the end of the semester for the Bardic College of Alexandria, students are all in a mess getting their projects and papers squared away for their finals, as well as prepared for Midnight Madness. Patch, recently having been inducted properly into the Bardic College's fold, is playing assistant to a Professor Foxli, her grading assignments as she takes in the antics of the afternoon. Speaking of antics, a man chats with her. Finding out that she's gotten some more responsibilities, they reveal themselves after a rhyme on time, to be no other than Slixvah flexing their disguises. She agrees to go to the Midnight Madness, just before they find a lone, bundled elf conducting studies on the wind instrument players. The two engage them, Patch offers to be a marching buddy in the morning to help with the elf's windedness. Slix dips to take a nap, and the two elves converse lightly about favourite colours and family before Schara excuses themselves to find food before the markets close.

The Bardic College -- Performance Square #1 -- Afternoon (2:12PM)

It's a chill day, but it doesn't stop the students of the campus from gathering and goofing off in one of its many performance squares. A small group has gathered, the elevated stage being where they are flyting and teasing one another. The semester is drawing to an end, and with it comes the crunch. Finals, projects, and papers all coming due. Perhaps the group is rehearsing a sketch?

Patch sits away from the group, nestled on the open seating of the small outdoor stage. A stack of papers before her weighed with a stone as she works on scribbling and marking each of them as they make it to a board on her lap. She's dressed a bit more formally, a pin of the college's emblem pressed into her coat, and some golden-yellow cords dangling from her right shoulder. Anyone curious enough could peek and see she's grading with an answer key. She's helping the instructors with their academic load, an assistant of sorts. It means she only half listens to the others, only raising her eyes and smirking when a joke or insult deserves a response from the crowd.

They're there when one least expects it.

Or, at least, right when they're needed? A figure melds into the edge of the group, a boyish looking man with slicked back black hair and sky blue eyes. He's got a heavy coat on, and hold a pack against his stomach.

The human peers over Patch's shoulder. "Been seen around here enough they making you a professa'?" the man chirps, giving a grin.

GAME: Patch rolls perception: (3)+10: 13
GAME: Slixvah rolls disguise+10: (9)+8+10: 27

Patch snorts, not looking up. "No, more like assistant." and then a pause, a blank page slid over the answer sheet. An eye raises to peer at the human man, eyebrow arching high with a sigh. "Can I help you?" she asks, but the tone isn't rude, it's confused. "Sorry. Been at this since lunch." A couple hours then. Her smile faltering. "Do you know Professor Foxli?" seeming to wonder if this is about the grades.

"Or are you here to watch the practicing? The Midnight Madness is coming, and everyone is getting something ready for the fun." Patch mentions, trying to be helpful.

The man makes a 'click' sound in his throat. "Ah. I see, I see!" he chuckles. "Congrats on the position."

"Hmm, can you help me? Maybe, I was wondering how one could get all that college brand?"

Sky blue eyes shift to the practicing folks. "Perhaps that as well. I do tend to enjoy fun festivities." A glance down. "Oh come now, I wouldn't cheat unless I had ta."

A laugh erupts from Patch, grinning as she hears those words 'brand'. "Well, many of the students have some 'brand' made or gifted to them as they progress in studies, but the pin?" a hand rising to thumb at it on her coat. "It comes with a commitment to the college. I've practically lived here for almost three years, and now I get to be a dorm mother! A bigger room too." a grin flashed. "Get to help corral and usher the little chickadee students about."

"What of you? What's the interest in the arts and expression?" Patch asks the human formed Slixvah. Totally fooled by the disguise. Though the last words get a suspicious eye, but it passes. "I'd be lying if I said that cheating isn't something tolerated, but it depends on the cheating. The how's and why's." she finally reasons. "The students of the arts are professionals at tricking the eye. Or, someday will be, ya know?"

The man's brows tick up at the mention of a bigger room. "Ah, I see. Responsibilities to boot. Figured after three or so years they'd already have you committed by the first month. But I guess things flow a little slower for elves, yes?"

"What of me?"

A playful glint crosses his eyes. "A trick of the eye. On the sly. Living an easy lie. Sometimes the beat /is/ to cheat. To sneak on by with subtly and know when to scuttle. Proper huddle when there's trouble but know when to flutter when mother's got 'er gaze fixed to braise."

A big, toothy grin splits his face. "Braise. Upgrades. Congrats on the new stays."

"I dabbled originally. Part time, between here and the Arcanist Society." Patch finally admits. "Didn't know where I belonged, and it took a while to commit to things." The bard says with a casual shrug, shifting as she begins to pick up her papers, and sort the graded from the ungraded.

The rhyming causes a sigh, that part something she now can't ignore. "Slix, that's a terrible joke!" she says seriously, huffing with puffed cheeks. "What if I had been rude, ya know?" pausing and thinking on it for a long moment. "Glad I wasn't." she admits with a slight grin.

"It's partly your doing they offered it to me anyways. I graduate in a few weeks, and their decision was made when I turned in some of the observations on leyline changes." Patch says. "So, thanks are in order."

Not-Slix bends to poke Patch on the puffed cheek. "If ya'd been rude, I woulda taken it in stride," he giggles, pulling back. "'sides. The amount of people I trip up is in the tens now, so I'm used ta some rudeness here and there. Comes with the playin' around."

He takes a seat, shifting the bag around so its on his lap. "Oh? Glad I could be a good influence. You're very welcome, sugar. I can't think anyone mo' fittin' of helping 'round this place. There a ceremony or somethin'? Or is it invite only?"

A pondering look. "... well, if it's invite only, I'm sure I can /easily/ get in."

"Ceremony for an induction? No, they simply made the offer behind closed doors." Patch muses. "I thought I had caused some fuss at first. Summoned me to the Dean, and Mr. Foxli was looking a bit mad." she admits, sighing. "Thought I had interrupted his performance at the TarRaCe the other night, but it's because they had read our observations." connecting the dots for Slixvah. "So now I am Mr. Foxli's assistant."

"The Midnight Madness is open to everyone. It'll be crazy here, but the entertainment district will be full of mini-plays, skits, and projects." Patch informs, thinking a moment and tapping at her chin. "I'd like it if you came, there is lots of painting and shenanigans to get into."

"So, no. If you mean the Midnight Madness, it's open to the public. Most of it." Patch adds with a wink. "So, what are you doing out here?"

The man snaps a finger. "Ah. Got it. Figured there'd be something for graduation and the like, ya dig?" Though, one question wasn't answered. "Why was Mr. Foxli upsetti? 'cause of the data?"

Now that gets her attention. "Ooooh. I already was gonna go, but now I'll double go! I'll dress raucously! Painting! That sounds fun!" he snickers.

He loops an arm around Patch's shoulder. It feels feathery. "Most of it? Tch. We'll see how long that lasts. I'm here 'cause..."

He taps his chin. But then gives up and admits freely, "... I was bored, wanted to see how we'll I could pull some stuff off."

"He wasn't mad. Apparently he liked my performance before his. So, he advocated for me." Patch admits with a small and warm grin. "Diggle Foxli is a great professor here, but the man is wild." she muses, laughing and leaning into the male human next to her. "His words to me were pretty encouraging." she notes, repeating it in her best impression of the an."Even if people don't like what is found, eyes and ears must always witness. Ya dig?" her impersonation ending with a shrug.

"I'm excited, makes me feel like this place is slowly becoming more like a home. The city, it's people. I'm now part of it." Patch says in a wistful tone, looking at the Egalrin-turned-Human. "Never thought I would be happy about a 'real' job."

Speaking of goblin bards, out near the band stages on one of the many benches and other seating prepared was a brown haired elf, bundled up in a heavy jacket and purple wool scarf with matching beanie, a large clipboard propped up in their lap as they scrawled down a few different notes in between low mutterings.

The man bobs his head. "Ah! That's good! And well, sometimes there's a little mad with tha genius, ya kno'? Same side of the coin." He snickers at the impression. "Sounds like wise words. I'm happy ta hear all that. See? Ya got the smarts."

Not-Slix gives a closed eye smile. "There's a comfort in familiarity. And when it's a job ya like doin'? Even better. I'm excited for you. And excited for the Midnight Madness. I'm guessin' that new room's got enough space fo' a bird ta crash?"

The presence of muttering makes the boyish man look over, him squinting across the way. There's a beat, then he gives a light nudge to Patch. "Ey, is that one of the students?" he asks, vaguely gesturing towards the bundled up elf.

"Not one I know, no." Patch says of Schara to Slixvah. "Haven't seen them about either." that being enough to cause the Dawn Elf to sit up, and begin to stash her papers in a small bag she'd had hidden under her board.

"I don't know what they're muttering about, but we can always ask." she muses, standing and pulling away from Slix. A bag hoisted over a shoulder as she tucks the board under an arm.

"Slix, thanks again."

"Not all musicians are athletes, but there are other ways for training lung capacity and cardiovascular endurance, but what are the limits, and what is redundant? Of course, there is no benefit to playing stringed instruments, but still." The elf continues muttering to themself. "I should ask some of the ones who play trumpets and flutes about what their training regimes are, to find any similarities. If they have one, that is, some of the bards seem to spend most of their time in bars after all."

They lift up the pen they had to tap it against one of their cheeks, the hand covered in a white satin glove.

The man nods to Patch, him pulling away as she gets her things together. He smiles. "Of course, hon," he hums, leaning in to bump his head against the side of her head.

A boyish looking human man with slicked back hair in a jacket ambles over to the muttering elf. Just starting to pick up some of the murmuring. And he pauses. Smiles. Then clears his throat to get their attention. "Excuse me, do you need a hand with anything?"

Patch ponders some of the words of Schara as she twitches an ear. "It's an interesting idea, but if you were worried about just physicality, wouldn't it be better to observe and talk to the Angoron and Kor followers?" she asks with a grin as they approach the brown-haired elf. "I'm Patch, this is a friend of mine. I'm an assistant here at the college." reinforcing 'why' they are there to help. "So the offer is valid and true."

"Do I need any help? Probably, but I am unsure if you are able to render any. Unless you know anything about how to play a flute or any other instrument which requires blowing air." The elf notes in a quiet voice as they turn their attention to the man. "Oh! You are assistants from the school. Well, I am not a prospective student, I am just here on some independent research, that is all. I understand that those there are a possibility, but I do not expect everyone who plays a trumpet or saxophone or any similar instrument is versed in combat, so I thought it may offer a different perspective."

The man grins. "Yeah? Assistant Patch here is good with instruments. Plays a mean Hurdy-gurdy. And can fight."

He dusts off his coat and shifts his belongings, stepping aside to glance between the two elves with an amused expression.

"Well, I don't play a reed or brass like they'd need." Patch notes of Male-Slixvah, grinning. "And yes, I am an assistant of sorts." she agrees with Slix, rolling her eyes playfully. "I could introduce you to some people in the music study that could help, or see if Mr. Foxli has time to meet with you. He loves question."

Patch's coat is adjusted, the board under her arm juggled a bit while in thought. "The bardic skills vary with each student. I'm better with my fingers than my lips, but.... that's just me."

"Oh, you can fight? Well, that is always a good thing to know how to be able to do." The elf nods to the man. "I suppose that being capable of playing a hurdy-gurdy would require stamina as well, due to the weight of it, and singing does require a good understanding of breath control as well. There is more to it than just playing brass and wood wind instruments, it is true."

"I would like to speak to mister Foxli at some point, to inquire about their training regime and how they manage it."

Male-Slix glances to Patch. Buffs his fingernails on his coat as he comments with a straight face, "I'd say you're rather skilled with both."

He smooths his hair back, allows himself a giggle before adding in his two copper. "I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing: practice. More use. Can hold your breath longer. Fingers get stronger. Ya know? I'm sure it took Patch a while for callouses ta build on them hands, yeah?"

"Yeah, the same with dancing. People think those shoes we wear last a while? I can go through two to three pairs a week." Patch says in agreement to the man, sighing. "The fingers too, years of practice. Some find ways to mitigate it, or use picks, but where I came form, callouses were a sign of professionalism."

"With both you say? I thought we were talking about music." A teases, Patch's tone a bit sultry as she hip-checks Slixvah in play. "So naughty! Here I was trying to be professional. Mostly."

"Yes, I would not be surprised. If you do not need your mouth for an instrument, it leaves it free for singing along with your music." The elf nods obliviously. "Yes, we are talking about music, that's what I came here for after all."

"But that's not helpful, just saying 'practice'." They sigh, rolling their head back. "Un directed practice is often not ideal, it can generate bad habits and is much less efficient in terms of results and time spent for the most part. Something structured that would help with stamina in particular would be ideal, I guess?"

The man giggles as he's bumped. "I was talking about making music too. Mostly," he looks aside, smirking somewhat before returning his attention back to the topic at hand.

He looks to the notetaking elf, a small sigh going through him. "Good form was sort of implied. No one's gonna say, 'Swing the sword by the blade and hit 'em with the hilt'. But like Patch says, there's people here that teach ya all that."

He tilts his head to the side. "What're researching anyways?"

"Well, I don't want to give directions before I even know what we're teaching and why." Patch muses, looking back to Slixvah with a grin. "You're right too, of course. It's about proper form, instruction, diligence, and effort. Practice is just part of a long complex process of learning." she says with a shrug.

"I concur with my friend here. You sound like you have a goal and purpose in mind, but need help with execution, or implementation?" Patch asks, prying, but not too much with a grin.

"No, but sometimes people are very vague about what they tell you to do, that's why I'm trying to figure out what the specifics are." The elf sighs, tucking the pen they were using into the corner of their mouth. "It's just like I have been saying, I'm researching how to improve breath retention and control, as well as associated stamina based on a variety of factors. Noting the forms of the musicians playing, when they stop to breathe, and how deeply they breathe, among other things."

"Implementation or execution, I am unsure which is the concern at this moment." They answer finally. "I find myself easily out of breath, so I thought it would be prudent to rectify that if at all possible."

The man just winks back before shifting his belongings to be under an arm, watching and listening. It's hard for him to keep the endearing look from sliding onto his features. "Cardio," he answers after a beat. "All them musicians are on they feet, walking around, on stage, lights on them, breathing their lungs out. Their heart is pounding. You might have some luck of going to some place that has a pool, swimming around a bit, then going underwater ta hold your breath. Or, honestly, just go for a run. All of it will help ya from getting winded."

"Miss Assistant Patch? Have you any sage advice, o' muse that marches on?" he says with a bit of flair, smiling.

"Not at all. That's about my advice." Patch says with a wide-eyed glance at Slixvah. "No, seriously. I was going to tell them to come join me in the mornings. Walk about and marche the streets." she muses with a laugh. "It's conditioning, really. I owe all the muscle I have to my professions, even if it's not a lot. It's mine."

"All change comes with great effort. I may drink in the evenings, and have my fun, but I do start my days early, and finish my work by noon." Patch says, meaning she works first, plays later.

"Cardio, yes, right, that makes sense. The only place I know of that has a public pool is the Tarrace, and that is more for soaking than swimming." The elf nods, jotting down a few notes. "I don't know if it would help, but further excercise would not hurt. Though that is interesting, extremely so. To just offer some person you just met to join you in the mornings? You must have an entire running circle in the early hours of the day if that is the case. Though I suppose bards are usually known for their outgoingness, it isn't that strange entirely."

The man gives Patch a closed eye smile and a thumbs up. "Sweet, glad I guessed right. But yes, you should join her! Patch is a great buddy buddy with whatever needs be doing. And is absolutely in better shape than me," he snickers.

And his smile grows. "And what is strangers without names? You can call me Lis."

"A few of us march and play, and do such things together. Another is not unwelcome, even if they don't have an instrument." Patch says with a wave of her hand. "It's more about just, doing things together, and not having to do it alone. Plus it helps others keep a sync and pace to have more marching."

"I am more outgoing than most, though. This city was a strange place to me, and its people were kind and gave me a home when I no longer had one." Patch says, even daring to look back at Slixvah's cheeky smile. "So I try and do the same to those who come after me. Especially those who work for the guild. A little bit of nice goes a long ways, and it helps. Helps a lot of things."

"Strangers without names? If you give someone a name they're no longer strangers, so, a stranger without names is, a stranger? Although it is always possible for someone to give an incorrect name after all, such as omitting an x somewhere within it." The elf offers with a look of mild confusion.

"Sure, I could join you for some marching practice if that is the case, it could not hurt. My name is Schara, since giving my name now will save any future worries or struggles in the process."

The man grins. "She is very good at marching and gets up way too early for me. Her niceness is a welcome wonder to those that get it."

Lis just laughs, a hand going to his belly. "Oh goodness me, you're so adorable, Scha-Scha," he croons, tone going up an octave and sounding more silky as he wipes a tear from his eye.

"Oh, Schara." Patch says in mild surprise. "I. Well, you already know my name." she says with a stammer, looking away with a small grin. "Lest I now know two of them, but I suspect you're just without armor." that grin ceeping as she looks to Slixvah. "Never seen them without it. I'd never of guessed without the admission and banter."

"And it's somewhat niceness, but also a desire to meet and see what others are doing." Patch reasons and winks to Slixvah as they are busy being amused with the fun. "I am a firm believer that people need friends, the real kind. Some accept, others don't. Those who do always seem to linger." a grin and wink.

"Yes, you have said that before, Slix." Schara laughs, cracking a small smile. "No, it is not a common name in Alexandria, I felt it was much simpler given Slixvah was here to just get it put straight. Though, I am quite surprised, you know, as I believe Lis thinks I have a very distinct form of rambling thought out loud."

She ponders for a small moment, and nods. "Yes, you are probably correct in those matters. I did not have any friends for a long time, so having a few is not a bad idea, at least I believe so."

Man-Slix giggles as Patch is stymied. "I've seen them once before, wasn't going to say anything until they admit it." He makes a show of hopping forward and flaring a hand out to the side, presenting the bundled up elf. Gloved fingers waggle. Sparkles emit. "Aren't they just the cutest thing?!"

He abates, snickering and ambling back to bump a hip against Patch. "Hard ta not linger around you, you're much too fun and sweet," he smiles back.

The "man" grins. "You sure do love your rambles. But... so few friends in a long time? We can fix that! Right Pattie?" he enthuses.

"I mean, now that I can /see/ them? Yes, they are adorable." Patch says to Slix with a bobbing nod, the hip-check causing her to stagger a few steps with a laugh.

"Me? No. Some linger, most just leave the bard alone. I just keep the friends I do make close." grinning as she stoops to peer at Schara, stepping closer. "Plus, being friends with us is easy." teasing words as she joins Schara on the bench, sitting next to them. "Just talk, offer opinions, and learn that life is to be laughed at sometimes. Not all the time. But, sometimes."

"If it makes you feel any better, my name's Siofra. Only about four people know it." Patch finally blurts. "If you're serious about the friends thing, that's the first secret I'm willing to share."

"Yes, you did not, which is why I felt comfortable trusting Patch with it as well. It is not bad to be seen out like this, but I would rather there is not a big deal made, either."

Schara looks to the hand, and blinks. "You, you make me fear for the health of my cheek, Lis." They state. "That is how most discourse works, does it not? Talk and sharing opinions, and finding things to laugh about. I did not ask for any secrets in return, but thank you for sharing regardless, I promise I will not share it with anyone else."

"So easy!" Man-Slix echoes in a chirp. There is a bit of surprise that flits across his features at the name drop, but he easily recovers after slicking back his hair. He giggles. "Your cheeks aren't safe with me, I'll make em rosy red!"

There's a playful tongue being stuck out before taking a step past the two elves. "Like Pattie says, life sometimes has things to laugh at. Even some discourse is silly. Anywho, I know you'll make a fine friend."

A hand pats Patch on the back. "I'm gonna find your room and crash into it to take a nap, if that's coo'? It's the one at the front of the hall, right?" he asks, taking a step towards the dorms. "It was good to see you both. Catch you on the flip! Thanks for the quip! Practice the lip! Dip, bip, snip, tip, pip, kip!"

Slix cackles as (s)he goes.

"First floor, the monitor's room! Number 130!" Patch calls after Slix, grinning. "They're a funny one, but a truly great friend." she says with a long breath.

"The secret isn't shared because you didn't ask. It's something you now know that implies trust. I trust you. To a degree." Patch muses, grinning again. "Real secrets are something that take time. My name is more to make it fair that I have seen you without the armor." she admits, shrugging. "Honestly? I had assumed you were human. Like Master Robert."

"That was not what I meant, rather, I feared that my cheek may be pinched off." Schara sighs as Slixvah vanishes. "Well, they are gone now, so the threat is passed. She is, very outspoken and enthusiastic."

"I did not need to have some implied form of trust either, but still, again, it is appreciated. I figured that putting yourself in harms way in the sewers was a show of trust already." The elf shrugs in a somewhat stilted motion. "Why assume I am human? I do not know this master Robert, but perhaps it is just strange to see elves dabbling in kulthian technology? I know I am weird, that is true."

"No stranger than anything else these days, Schara." Patch says in a softer tone, shrugging again as she shifts and sets her board on her lap. "Honestly? I don't think highly of most of our kin these days, but I see you're not like them at all." an apologetic gesture offered with a wave of hand. "Not that I was 'judging' you. I was just surprised." a leg kicked as she casts her glance out among the student stages. "Weird is good, Schara. I like weird. I appreciate it. So, don't go thinking your ways are silly."

"I am not like my kin? Well, I suppose that is true, but I do try to be a good person like they are supposed to be, and like my family." Schara sighs. "It's okay to be judging of people though, it's only natural. And weird isn't always good, sometimes it's a massive pain for all sorts of things. But I understand you are trying to be supportive, and I appreciate that."

The elf shakes their head, and ties their hair back with a bright purple ribbon.

Patch shurgs and laughs to the description, nodding. "I am an idealist, but I have a streak of Vaire in me that keeps me from really understanding my family." Patch admit with a casual tone. "It's a long story, but not for today." a laugh following as she shifts and drums fingers on her board. "Do you like purple? Well, or violet. Lavender. Those colors?" she asks, kicking her foot again. "I have a thing for red."

"Oh, I am sorry. Not that you believe in creativity, but that you find it hard to get along with your family." The artificer frowns for a moment, before they nod and smile. "Yes, I like purple, it's a nice color, even if it's hard to replicate outside of nature. That's why I made some dyes for myself. Red is a nice color too, is that why you're friends with Slixvah and Aelwyn?"

"No, it kind of just happened that way." Patch's words followed with a rolling laugh, looking back to Schara with a small smirk. "Slixvah's my study buddy, and Aelwyn is my dance partner." she offers. "I know a lot of not red people too. If you're serious."

"Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking. It's dry. But I sometimes think I sense your humor. It's in there, and someday I shall understand it." Patch says, sitting back and looking skyward. "But that's why it's great to talk to people and make friends. We're all different."

"Oh no, I am sure that you know other people that are not red. After all, most people do not tend to be those colors to begin with, I don't know enough sith makari or egalrin to make a judgement on them. Arvek nar though, I guess." The artificer offers. "I don't get out much, so I don't know a lot of things to be honest, but I'm trying, at the very least. It helps to talk to people and get to know them."

She stretches her neck one way, and sighs. "I am sorry, I like talking to you Patch, but I need to get going. The markets close soon when it is this cold, and I need to get there before they do. Food is a lot cheaper if you buy it before close, and they can't hold on to it for the next day."

"No need to be sorry. Go take care of your business, Schara." Patch says with a nod, standing and whipping her board back under an arm. "Good lessons, and happy food hunting. If you ever find you can't find a meal, come bother me here on campus. You know where I live too now. So drop by any time you need." she says, offering a half-bow which causes her hat to jingle.

"I am apologizing because I have been enjoying talking to you, but if I do not leave, then I may not have food for tomorrow." Schara explains, finally taking the pen and stowing it away. "I would not infringe on your hospitality, but at least I know where to find you. I hope you will have a good day, and your work at the school goes well." She adds, bowing back before turning and heading off.

-End Scene-