Kusa Moon-Bite Tea House [T] [O]

[Zeriq Haruk]

??/10 - 0/125 SP

SPOILER: Click to show

Stringed Instruments (Shamisen)
Rank: "D"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A skill that allows a user to play a specific Stringed Instrument.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill indicates the player knows how to play at least one stringed instrument. Once this skill is acquired, the character can choose a specific type of stringed instrument. Each time he repeats the course he can add another stringed instrument. Stringed instruments include violins, lyres, harps, lutes, guitars, etc. Basic skill indicates the musician can play simple tunes. Specialization means the character can play more complex tunes and compose simple tunes. Mastery indicates the character is a virtuoso and can compose intricate pieces for his instrument. Those without this skill cannot play any instrument of this type. Look in Task Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

Zeri would make his way from Kusa Keep to the market district; his new bag on his waist behind him, filled with books. His Shamisen is slung over his back, with his new wakizashi Ketsueki on his left side on the tied sash. Along his legs are tied some pouches, which contain his kunai, shuriken, and senbon; pretty much everything he owns is in these pouches, as he has no where else to place them. He sometimes feels like he's a little over equipped, but it's sort of necessary seeing as how he didn't feel the need to have a house at this time.

It was the evening time, the sky was becoming darker as the world slowly turned upon its axis, bringing out the stars and the moon was soon to follow. Being early evening, Zeri would decide it was time to eat, so he'd go to one of his favorite places to go; the Moon-Bite Tea-shop, a nice place that serves some great teas as well as a lot of wonderful BBQ. It wouldn't take him long to get there, and would take his usual spot outside on the veranda, bags and sword taken off before he sits with the Shamisen leaning against the wall. He would order some Goddess of Mercy tea, and a couple of large beef skewers, giving his payment to the beautiful young lady who works here... though she had short hair, Zeri did find her to be attractive. As he waits, Zeri would pick his Shamisen up and begin trying to find a comfortable position while holding it, his forearm resting on the dou as the body rests on his thigh. Looking across the way, Zeri would notice a man who is playing the Shamisen, and was rather well at it from the sound of the music he was playing; so Zeri did his best to imitate the posture of this man, his fingers splayed to copy him. His thumb would rest squarely on the Bachi, pressing into the material it was made out of... could be ivory or something synthetic.

It would be some time before the food and tea would arrive, so he decides to try and get acquainted with the proper playing method as well; giving the string a bit of a thrum with the bachi to produce a crisp sound. He kinda looked up to make sure no one was really staring at him, not wanting to disturb anyone with his antics... why did he receive this thing, he didn't know how to play the Shamisen, but damn if he wasn't going to try. Continuing to strum the strings in a clumsy manner, Zeri would look back up to stare at the man across the way; his eyes staring intently at the way the man's fingers would glide around the bar of the instrument, and how clear the sound was. Zeri would look between himself and the man to do his best in mimicking the movements he produced, not being a stranger to this as he was a martial artist. Perhaps this was the better way for him to learn how to play this stringed instrument, was by watching someone else and try to copy them.

After a few more minutes, around thirty or so, the young lady would come back to lay the tea and skewers on the little table next to Zeri before eyeing his clumsy attempt to learn to play this blasted instrument; at least before she leaves with a small knowing smile. He was slightly embarrassed, but it wasn't really anything to him as he gave it a few more minutes of little strums along the strings of the Shamisen before putting the bachi down. The hunger was nagging him slightly, as well as a need for delicious tea; leaning the instrument on the wall before he would take a nice big bite from the skewer, after lower his mask of course. The juices from the meat would rejuvenate him almost instantly, and after a couple of sips of tea, his mind would begin to flow a little more with creative energies. Once half of the first skewer was gone, and he had finished the first cup of tea from the full pot that was given to him, Zeri would pick up the Shamisen once more and begin trying again.

Trying to learn the proper basics of this bloody thing was actually slightly fun for him, mentally he was getting tired from the constant training back at the retreat. Learning how to find his way properly earlier in the day was also fun, his hands slowly starting to work themselves slowly along the strings to being out a bit of wonderful sounds. These successful notes in proper would spur him forward, giving him a bit of confidence to continue forward and learn more and more of the basics. Though he would take a break here and there from the learning from the guy across the way to have a bite of steak, and a few sips of lovely goddess of mercy tea.

[Zeriq Haruk]

??/10 - 0/125 SP

SPOILER: Click to show

Stringed Instruments (Shamisen)
Rank: "D"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A skill that allows a user to play a specific Stringed Instrument.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill indicates the player knows how to play at least one stringed instrument. Once this skill is acquired, the character can choose a specific type of stringed instrument. Each time he repeats the course he can add another stringed instrument. Stringed instruments include violins, lyres, harps, lutes, guitars, etc. Basic skill indicates the musician can play simple tunes. Specialization means the character can play more complex tunes and compose simple tunes. Mastery indicates the character is a virtuoso and can compose intricate pieces for his instrument. Those without this skill cannot play any instrument of this type. Look in Task Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

It was an hour later, the skewers were gone and the first pot of tea was finished; he decided to order up a pot of Ginger Lavender Tea, along with a plate of dumplings. The lovely serving lady would bow happily before leaving giggly once more at Zeri's attempts to learn how to play the Shamisen. He felt like he was getting the basics down without much leeway into learning how to actually play, but through his mimicry he knew the proper stature as well as the proper holds that he needed to do. He was able to properly play a few notes, but he needed to listen to a song and see the way it's played before he was able to fully play... he didn't want to play something stupid while out here in public. There were a few people in the tea house now, though everyone was more inside the building, spending time with families or friends, not many people were hanging out alone on the veranda as he was. One only had to look up at the sky to realize why he was out here though, the night sky was showing through as brilliantly as it ever did.

Looking up at the night sky, Zeri would begin strumming the strings a little bit, having his fingers dance across the strings as he begins playing a little bit from the heart. The smell of the BBQ was all around him with the happy sounds of small families and wonderful friendships, those bits of laughter would dance alongside the stars on the strings of the Shamisen. Bachi would dance like a wonderfully small geisha, plucking the strings with both the forth and back motions of the hand. The sounds produced weren't exactly known as being wonderful, but the heart and intent could possibly be sensed through the amateurish playing. Fingering the bridge was a bit of a new feeling, but he was slowly getting used to the different way his fingers were able to move in this position.

Halfway through the rather impromptu playing of the Shamisen, the lovely tea lady come back once more to deliver the warm tea and the dumplings, a good plate full. She sits there for a second to listen to the strumming of the instrument, before leaving with a smile. No giggle this time, Zeri thinks and mulls that over for a little bit as he pups a dumpling into his mouth... the flavor sinking into his tongue before the heat of it; it was obviously a delicious bit of dumpling, but it did burn a bit as well. It was a wonderful night to be alive, that's for sure, everything was in a great mood this evening as the people started to flow a little more through the market and the night continued to flow onward. In between bites and sips of wonderful tea, Zeri would give his instrument a few strums to get the hang of the sounds that each string made, while moving his fingers around the bridge to see what sounds that were produced as well.

[Zeriq Haruk]

??/10 - 0/125 SP

SPOILER: Click to show

Stringed Instruments (Shamisen)
Rank: "D"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A skill that allows a user to play a specific Stringed Instrument.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill indicates the player knows how to play at least one stringed instrument. Once this skill is acquired, the character can choose a specific type of stringed instrument. Each time he repeats the course he can add another stringed instrument. Stringed instruments include violins, lyres, harps, lutes, guitars, etc. Basic skill indicates the musician can play simple tunes. Specialization means the character can play more complex tunes and compose simple tunes. Mastery indicates the character is a virtuoso and can compose intricate pieces for his instrument. Those without this skill cannot play any instrument of this type. Look in Task Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

It wasn't long before he was able to play quite a few chords, smiling softly as the sounds coming from the strings were rather beautiful; this Shamisen was crafted rather tenderly. His fingers would dance around on the bridge, the lovely lady from the tea house would have been sitting there for a short while now listening to him play; though he hadn't noticed. Full concentration would be on trying to play some form of song before too long, something simple and neat, but playing it with the same heart that surrounded him right here and now. The lady sitting next to him, the people inside who were enjoying time with loved ones, the people of Kusa all around him; and even the night sky with the moon and stars shining up above, fueled his playing to learn how to do this properly.

So it would seem that the man who was playing across the way is now playing alongside him, both playing on some similar footing as they conjoin the wonderful sounds coming from each of their instruments. With both playing together, some people did stop to listen to the playing of the amateur and the man who seemed rather proficient at this instrument. His eyes closed, as he felt the swirling energies all around him, the very nature of the music were all around and one could hear it if they tried; bachi strumming the strings to add more swirls to the design of the music. Would it be easier to say that the world was made of this design, and that everything was just a mere swirl to the beat of a greater song being made.

After a bit of time has passed on by, Zeri would put down the bachi and take a sip of the still warm tea, this place had some wonder heating techniques. The flavor of the Ginger Lavender tea was rather delicious, relaxing the muscles of the body and clearing the mind of any troubles it would have. The lady sitting near him would pour him another glass as soon as it was empty, perhaps this was service they reserved for people who entertain the guests... or was it because he paid well enough for the service. Well, as long as he was able to relax and enjoy the evening, with a wonderful dumpling getting popped into his mouth and chewed with vigor, he'd just take his time and enjoy everything given to him. Of course by the time he finished off the dumplings, he would have to order more of the steak skewers, as they were very juicy and delicious; plus the protein would be good for him gaining some muscle mass.

When the young lady was away to refill his order of beef skewers and of course another pot of ginseng tea, he would slowly get back to strumming away with the bachi on his shamisen. He would try a few different chords this time as he strummed away, getting different sounds with the different placement of his fingers. His eyes would close once more as he tries to memorize the different variety of sounds he can create with just the simple strumming of the strings, slowly bringing the world to a dark silence in his brain besides the sound of the strings. These would once more swirl around him, bringing his mind closer to being calm and quieting the rage that he holds within him.

[Zeriq Haruk]

??/10 - 0/125 SP

SPOILER: Click to show

Stringed Instruments (Shamisen)
Rank: "D"
Skill: Skill
Effect: A skill that allows a user to play a specific Stringed Instrument.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: This skill indicates the player knows how to play at least one stringed instrument. Once this skill is acquired, the character can choose a specific type of stringed instrument. Each time he repeats the course he can add another stringed instrument. Stringed instruments include violins, lyres, harps, lutes, guitars, etc. Basic skill indicates the musician can play simple tunes. Specialization means the character can play more complex tunes and compose simple tunes. Mastery indicates the character is a virtuoso and can compose intricate pieces for his instrument. Those without this skill cannot play any instrument of this type. Look in Task Skills thread found in the Skills and Traits Index for more information. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: ---

His fingers would continue to tickle around the strings of the fancy instrument that he found himself playing without much thought about anything else in the world. Everything was rather beautiful as the sounds filled the void within his heart, the bachi plucking away as he quickened his pace and filled the air more and more with music that seemed to drift along side the winds that filled the air. With the people around just listening to him play now, Zeri would feel eager to continue playing the music that fills his heart without caring, the strumming of the strings continued on and filled the night sky with song. The heartache that filled him would come out along side the notes of bliss, sorrow mingling with the happier times that have come recently; a multitude of lovely colors masking the rage of an inner beast that is barely held. Slowly his fingers would move themselves to a stop with the final notes of the Shamisen fading away into the night sky, echoing around for a short time before finally coming to a complete stop.

Once the sound was fully gone, Zeri would reach over and grab himself one of the beef skewers, taking a large bite out of it and munching away with satisfaction. If anything, this place had some wonderful food and tea, and was a calming experience to enjoy and relax, if only he had someone to share this with. It was apparent now that he was here, and that he could experience for himself that he didn't really have any friends to speak of. His ears would turn the attention to the interior of the tea house, every person in there was happily chatting away with the ones they loved, the people who would miss them if they were not there. It has been a while since Zeri felt that anyone truly cared about him... ever since the Geezer, he has been alone to work out the path that he was currently on. His mind filling with memories of the time he spent with the man, all the happy times of him sharing food, and of the training that he did; munching away at the beef skewers here and now would have been better with him. The bachi was taken back up once the skewer was finished up, a few strings were plucked absentmindedly, as a soft smile creeped on his face, and he decided to continue to play.

The sound that came from his Shamisen now would be one filled with happy memories of his time spent with the only person who showed him the true devotion of a father. Every moment from the first meeting with him, to the final moments they spent before his death, would be replayed in his mind and transferred through the strings into the night air. The hard times would be played with a lower tone and a slower pluck, while every happy memory that came through, would be plucked quickly and played in a higher pitch; the higher pitch coming through more and more than the lower pitched tones. Anyone listening to the music would hopefully feel the emotion that is put into the music that now floats through the air. Mixing together slower plucks and quickened plucks, the music would swirl through the air in a dance as if they were the exact memories of the combat training he received everyday.

The music would continue on like this for another many minutes, his eyes closed so he doesn't notice if anyone is stopping to listen or if the world is even spinning right now. His senses are now fully dedicated to the music that if flowing through his veins. Full concentration was being put into this piece that came from the heart, the notes flowing rather easily as if he wasn't much of an amateur at this instrument. His heart beating with every pluck of the strings, the bachi striking down on the metallic chords as if a lightning bolt was running through Zeri's fingers and mind into the instrument. Once the melody was completed he would just lean against the wall with his eyes closed; his newly enhanced nose picking up the aroma of the tea... reaching out to grab the glass and enjoy a few sips of the delicious elixir. It was indeed a beautiful night to be alive, and to be able to express one's emotions without having to speak.

[Skulking Shinzu]

Rolls

+40 TP. Learned 4 times.
+88 SP.

[Zeriq Haruk]

Deciding it was time to go, and get some rest back at his little retreat; Zeri would pay the final tab he had and pack up all his things. Cracking his neck and knuckles, he would as the last bit, put the Shamisen onto his back with the Bachi going into the waist back he has strapped to the back of his waist. He gives everyone a fond farewell, before hopping over the veranda railing, and walking along his merry way to the place he currently would call home.

/exit