Duets and Dastardly Deeds: A Harbor Herald Exclusive!

[The Palazzo Aldenard, Mist.]

Good day, lovely readers! It is daytime where you are, perhaps, yes? Or perhaps the stars have begun their slow scrawl across the darkened bowl of the heavens, the sun a memory to be gossiped about while Her Radiance is raising crops and crisping skins on the other side of our own star. Whatever light is creeping across your parquet floor, your larboard, your patch of forest, I hope to find you in good health and with a hankering to read about a most curious concert that took place at the Palazzo Aldenard’s Opera House a few days past.

This concert hall is well-known to many, but I confess, lovely readers, that it was this reporter’s first chance to visit the venerable venue for herself, and it did not disappoint. A crewmate of mine (ah yes, yours truly is a captain now, of her very own definitely-haunted ship; quite the tale of an unlikely inheritance, and utterly better-suited for another column entirely) and I took our seats, sharing uisghe and waiting for the show to begin. As this reporter is a long time fan of Savo’s (she is indirectly responsible for a prison sentence I served some years back, another story best shared over a plate of steak frites and a gallon of stout), I knew that her gnarled, underfed-despite-everyone’s-best-efforts paw brings a twist to every show, and inspires the audience to loosen up when confronted with the unexpected. Little did I know how much of a twist this show would wring itself into, like a wet rag squeezing water over still-smoldering embers! However, I am getting ahead of myself, lovelies. 

The evening began with a dueling duet; T’ahlia and D’ahlia! D’ahlia played classical piano with poise and elegance, fingers running over the keys nimbly. T’ahlia echoed and responded with her ceruleum guitar, sending reverbs into the rafters. Still, D’ahlia was dauntless, playing the act of straight man to the showy comedy of T’ahlia’s riffs. Both showcased skill and playfulness with ease, getting things off to a joyful start.

The duo was joined by Hani Dan’na, singing a song about lost relationships. Resigned, lovely lyrics left many an eye wet; surely, it was the profusion of springtime blossoms outside that caused such a thing. Surely, that.

Lionnellais Deveraux and Rythas Brynelle next took the stage, a pas de deux in lyrical form about looking at oneself in the looking glass and resolving to change. The two tall, lithe performers did, indeed, seem to be looking into a mirror as their eyes met and their melodic runs tumbled into harmonies. To this reporter, they seemed to encapsulate the desire to make today the first day of the rest of their lives—to use a quote oft-seen in cross-stitch on one’s grandmama’s wall—but were almost daring the other to be the first to change.

Aero, a new performer to this reporter and many others in the audience, was as forthright about being high on Shroud mushrooms as he was about body positivity; he performed entirely in the nude, and one was certainly larger than the other (pupils, I mean. Pupils!).  Savo provided riffs on her famed ten-stringed viol, and the pair brought levity to the stage. I do believe in a thing called love, even if it comes at the cost of Keepers of the Moon dragging you out into the woods and making you question all you’ve ever known. 

Zanin Briggs and Rythas continued in this vein with the next piece; it seems they, too, are reluctant-yet-indulgent caretakers of Savo and Fheyla. Family may make you question everything, dear readers, but if they lead you to great adventures, things like fleas, questionable manners, and spotty hygiene can be overlooked. 

A pair of mysterious Elezen women took the boards with a back-to-back set filled with as much fire as a bellyful of my late Papa’s famous uisghe. Injecting the room with a raw-hearted, toothy roar of lyrics meant to ignite the still-simmering resentment in Ishgard, these mysterious performers dressed to impress did just that! Yes, dear readers, although word out of those stony, snowcapped spires is that the Lord Commander has done his level best to close the gap between high and lowborn, it seems a thousand years of rigid social structures and war leave those still in the social depths wondering when their voices will really be heard. It was then when this reporter began to notice something of a theme throughout the night’s performances; unease, discontent, loss, building into…

FIRE! You read that right, faithful readers; a fire erupted backstage, and we were all summarily evacuated to the lawn for half a bell’s time. Take heart; the Palazzo’s staff were professional, efficient, and informative. I have now learned that if one must shout fire at a crowded theater, this is the theater in which to do so, lovelies. Once the blaze was contained, the show did indeed go on; and that, I believe, is my quota of cliched phrases for this article.

Once we had all filed back in—neatly and in single file, I assure you—Lionnellais and Rythas welcomed the audience back with a jaunty tune with the refrain “Under Censure”. This reporter must confess that the untimely fire combined with the lyrics that speak of restraints fraying under pressure had her wondering a great many things. Still, just as the show went on, so, too, must this article. 

T’ahlia returned to the stage with an acoustic guitar, and was joined by Hesper of Trinity. The pair sang a soulful duet about an “army of two” that would stand against all odds and defy the world. Your faithful reporter was very much lost in her own thoughts and suppositions, but was briefly brought back to attention by the songstress Sif, who joined T’ahlia for the next piece. This one spoke of T’ahlia’s conflicted feelings of yearning and betrayal directed at her mother, a woman of the Shroud who did her best for the young Miqo’te and yet left her wanting. The duo of Sif and T’ahlia singing call-and-response that melded into soulful, wistful harmonies drew the audience in and included us in such tender, bittersweet recollections.

As their last chords were still lingering like dark tea on the sides of the tongue, we were all drawn to our feet by an upbeat, glittering tune about calling on shinobi when in need! True to the legacy of those infamous assassins, the stage effects were superb; one might even believe that said shinobi were hiding in plain sight, deploying mudra and shadow-smoke to great effect amongst the waving glow wands of the enthused crowd. This reporter could not help but muse over how some of the other performers might, indeed, be inspired to hire a shinobi for their current troubles that simmered along the floorboards along with the occasional puff of singed scenery.

T’ahlia and Dane Escherra brought us all back to those melancholy undercurrents, with the latter offering soulful vocals recounting being a wartime prostitute. They fight like men, die like boys, and the women are expected to pretend it doesn’t affect them, offer themselves up as trophies. It was a simple yet poignant view into a world that many would rather pretend does not exist; this reporter, for one, was more interested in the stories of these women than the wars that raged around them.

Oh, dear readers, how I do eat up the ilms of column space on this one! The final two acts followed the evening’s emotional hills and vales, leaving us on a hill of humor. Zeraia Reynard crooned and Savo clawed tunes about male Seekers of the Sun, and…well, the lyrics are not entirely fit for print, but in the interest of public health (and allowing for poetic embellishment), this reporter must firmly suggest that all those who have enjoyed sexual relations with male Seekers of the Sun be tested for diseases at your local chirurgeon. E’rin Rae’s finale piece, in which she joined the dogpile (catpile) upon male Seekers, was a humorous lament about how they all seem to prefer the same sex, and how she has resigned herself to this fact. 

Though this sennight’s issue has been dedicated to my personal review of this revue, I must let you all in on a little secret; the fire that occurred backstage is quite suspicious, and this reporter will be writing another article or two as she investigates it. In the next sennight’s issue, please look forward to a collection of thoughts, statements, and observations by those that attended the show. In the meantime, I wish you all health and happiness, and would highly recommend the Palazzo Aldenard for its fine facility and superb entertainers.

Song and Scandal,

Idanwyn Lluanswys

Harbor Herald Food and Lifestyle Columnist

((tagging @palazzoaldenard​ , @savothesewercat​ , @rythasbrenelle​ , @fheylahaken​ , @whitherwanderer​ ! Please tag others, I am sleepy and forgetful. Thank you for the excellent show, and please stay tuned as Idanwyn does her best to investigate! I also enjoy going to concerts, restaurants, and other such fun social events to write articles, so message me here or on discord at #esper3592 if you’ve got something fun coming up!))

A NIGHT OF DUETS AT PALAZZO ALDENARD! 🎵

A night of awesome talents and friends. <3

Had a lot of fun, was a great even to go for my birthday.

Happy 39th (IC) Garinn

In the aftermath of that show, methinks the Palazzo is gonna need some love, and some help with the refurbishment.  Thanks to everyone who came and tolerated the antics.  At least all of us now know how to say ‘oh my god Fire! Fire!’ in whatever language Hani (la Gatita) uses when she’s panicked.  Thanks to the @maelstrom-command and @krick-ff14 for their prompt response to the conflagration.  I hope @idanwyn can get to the bottom of it.     Cheers -Savo

Krick also hopes to get to the bottom of this fire.  He sees it as an attack on the Palazzo itself.  He is working closely with @idanwyn, gathering info the best way he can - attending many events (lol)

We regret to inform you that Tempo Rubato will be closed on April 10th, 2019.  We will be only be open this month on the 17th for our drop in open mic, please look forward to it! Tagging for visibility, @balmungrpcalendar @balmungrp @mooglemeet @crystalxivrp

This closing may or may not be Namazu related.

Twitch streaming~

https://www.twitch.tv/kricketune Gonna try to get into regular streaming on Twitch.  Every evening (except Saturdays due to work) at 9, 10, or 11 PM EST, and going for at least 2 hours or longer. Plan on playing games from the following: DOS/Windows 3.1 Nintendo (NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA) Some modern games (PC, Nintendo Switch) As for genres, mostly anything but RTSs, horror, and certain puzzle games.  I’m very fond of platformers, adventure games, exploration games, and RPGs (both offline and MMOs). I may also deviate from this list depending on the game. I have the following games planned for future streams: Chrono Cross .hack (first 4 games: Infection, Mutation, Outbreak, Quarantine) .hack//G.U. Last Recode Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

Currently playing: ActRaiser Borderlands The Pre-Sequel Borderlands 1 Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 .hack//INFECTION Feel free to tune in and give me a follow (9 followers away from 50!).  Following me would be the best way to know when I’m streaming. I upload my past streams on Youtube for archival reasons.  You can find my past streams here:  https://www.youtube.com/user/Kricketune402Boosting is appreciated if you wish to.  :D

Updated.  Been keeping this happening for a month or 2 now!

Haven’t had the health to play FFXIV recently, so I’ve been slowly making of our Balmung OCs as Sims (when I’m conscious). XD Looking forward to posting their Sims 4 shenanigans soonish.

Also, feel free to add me on Origin (luckiselki).

Also, Kikilu’s way too tall - it’s freaking me out. XD

(Also, credit and thankies to Fionn for their Sim - I just changed the skin tone to fit with everyone else, and also the CC clothes that I didn’t have)

@titaniumplating @baxter-ffxiv @valisinallforms @acolyte-turner @sukishire @archmagesarto @bexli-nelhah @missmeela @poor-rhyan @zarmanderoo @twin-moons-ffxiv @fionn-tayuun @kitanitayuun @sawyer-black @anna-ffxiv @kazumibalmung @thebaileymail @krick-ff14 @kikilukilu @zezedoku @savothesewercat @fheylahaken

LOL.  Sims Krick looks sketchy.  I love it.

Come celebrate Heavensturn!

❄️What: The First Annual Heavensturn Fete

❄️When: 9:00 P.M. EST, January 5th, 2019

❄️Where: The Pillars, Balmung Server

Join the Palazzo Aldenard, House de Bayle, and the Ashen Clinic ring in the new turn, Ishgardian style.

For charity, of course. Donations will be collected on behalf of Hestia de Bayle and Elayne Hornwood to design and produce coats for children living in the Brume (All donations made will be IC).

Come dressed in your finest with a date on your arm, or partake in the dance roulette and allow chance to rule your night. Music and refreshments will be provided.

(Many thanks to @progeny-of-the-fury for the flyer)

Today’s Card Is: Danger!? Tsuchinoko?

I have two of this card and also play Danger!.  Not that poisonous FTK version, tho. Also, this card is based on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuchinoko

FIGHT CLUB! TONIGHT! Kicking off at 9pm EST!

Your host today will be @bexyamalaryssia ! 

Want more info? Click here!

We hope to see you there!

LF RP Contacts: Kip Skyskip

Physical Appearance

Personal

Relationships

Traits

Additional Information

RP Hooks

Availability

I am in the EST timezone. My schedule is a bit in flux, but I’m usually accessible from 4-8 PM EST most nights, and then again around 11 or 12 PM EST to around 1-2 AM EST. Some nights I can be on from 4 PM to 2 AM depending on the day! I have some flexibility from week to week.

I prefer in-game RP but I’m more than happy to RP on Discord as well! Feel free to shoot me a message in my inbox if you’re interested in setting up some RP, or contact me if you happen to see me online in-game as well!

Really looking forward to branching out with Kip a bit more! I think it’s about time he interacted with others outside his inner circle.

boosting~

The Elysium’s Kiss Kiss Burlesque returns with a rampant night of fire to fuel your desire on a NEW NIGHT. This Saturday, come and mingle for a night of off the cuff, and off the shoulder, entertainment, drinks and music renowned across the realm in a newly refurbished manse! It’ll be a night of slightly mitigated showtunes, musical numbers and…barring that; raising a few eyebrows or legitimizing the complaint box! 

Puns are free, drinks are not! Tip your bartenders!

☢ The show will be mature/sultry/risque centered in nature, which in short potentially means people taking off their clothes! … Okay, almost guaranteed people taking off their clothes. 18+ audience. Y’all know by now.☢

We appreciate you any shares. ♥

Poster credit to the creative talents of @etani-a. 

The Keeper’s Kiss is currently accepting applications! Follow http://www.keepers-kiss.org/recruitment to apply.

Menu over  http://wanderselysium.wixsite.com/elysium

And for some shameless boosts: @balmungrpcalendar @balmungrp  @mooglemeet

Tempo Rubato Wednesday!

We’re back for your mid-week chance to unwind in a laidback atmosphere with fine drink and entertainment.

This week we’re back to the jazzy interludes and soulful songs with ample time to relax and RP between numbers. Maybe you’ll meet someone new at the bar.

We’d love to see you!