Bluebird’s song

Member created stories, poems, & other creative work.
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ravin
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Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Tweeyurrr. The mournful wail of a reed flute bounces off of the walls of the small inn room.

“Don’t leave me this way....”

The pale elven woman sighs heavily and sits back shaking her head.

“ no, too desperate....”

once again a few tortured yet quiet notes escape the pipes of the primitive instrument.

“ how can I make you...pay me lots of gold! .. urrggghh!!”

With a frustrated , guttural sound she tosses the reed pipe across the closet-like room.
Taking a small leather pouch from the small side table she extracts a sheaf of small tissue thin papers and another pouch of sweet smelling pipe weed. She deftly rolls and lights a cigarette.

With a deep inhale and a sigh she leans to look out of the tiny, grubby window at the building across the alley.

“ city of splendors , huh?”

She exhales . A stream of blue white smoke drifting from her lips , wafting out of the window and being captured by the frigid , rank breezes of the city .

Silver eyes watch the heavy gray clouds roll over head for what seems like hours. Darkness falls casting it’s deep shadow over the vast cityscape before the elf moves again.
With little effort she packs away her notebook and retrieves the reed pipe from the floor. In the darkness she turns the pipe over in her hands.

“ thanks asshole”

The words are hardly whispered before she grabs up a long blue coat and her satchel and leaves the room.

The walk was short, but icy. She wasn’t used to these northern climes especially during winter.

“ could be worse. At least it’s not Neverwinter...”

she takes a long, warming pull from a fresh cigarette as her eyes alight on the lantern lit sign .
The Hanged man. A smirk curves her cold-chapped lips as she takes in the cracked windows, clapboard walls and hastily repaired door that all add up to one unmistakable conclusion. A Dive.

“ my kinda place..”

she pushes the door open. The taproom is dimly lit with low ceilings. The smell of stale beer, stale sweat and...various other bodily fluids was like a great hammer to her senses. It was also , almost comfortingly familiar.
Ignoring the various leers, glowers and stares from the shady patrons in shadowed corners she saunters up to the bar and presents the balding, middle aged , paunchy barkeep with the contract.
The meaty fist closes over the scroll with a grunt. He nods to a slightly raised dais before returning to the customary barkeep activity of spreading the film of bar dirt evenly on the counter.

It should be noted that in such cases , introduction is pointless. Most patrons at this point are either already paying attention, don’t care, or dead.
As she steps up on what passes for a stage. Taking the reed pipe in her hands she blows none too gently over the aray of hollow wooden pipes.
The screeching wail that rose from the instrument is enough to silence even the brothel upstairs.
With the attention focused on her, her demeanor changes. A light shines in her eyes as she launches into a Smokey rhythmic tune on the pipes.

Do dwe dododo...

Her husky mezzo voice cuts through the haze of the dive like a velvet blade.

“I see the way you’re lookin baby
I see it in your eyes”

Do dwe do do..

“Say, I see the way you’re lookin baby
Yeah I see it in your eyes”

Dwe do do....

“Way you look at other women baby, sure ain’t no surprise.”

Do dwe do do...

“You want all my lovin’ baby
Say I’m the only one “

Dwe do do...

“You say you want all my lovin’ baby
You say I’m the only one “

Dweedle deedle do...

“You’ll break my heart and leave lonely
Before this night is done.”

Do dwe do do....

“Well I can do without you baby
Just you wait and see”

Dwe do do...

“Yeah I can do without you baby ,
Oh just you wait and see”

Dweedle dweedle dweeeedle do.....

“Ohh this time, honey, you’re gonna be crying over me.”

Dweeeeeeeedo dododwee dodo dooooo.

Oh yeah baby, crying crying ohhhh-ver meee”

Do dwe do dodo Dwe do do Do Doooo.


As the last few notes fade and dissipate into the smog of the taproom one singular pair of hands claps uncertainty. As if afraid that other hands in the vicinity might disagree forcefully.

“ Thank you, you beautiful bastards. I’m Wren Bluefeather and I’m here all week....”

As Wren walks from the stage to the sounds of apathetic crowd noises she just shakes her head.

“ this is gonna to be a long week”
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
Rumple C
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by Rumple C »

<3
12.August.2015: Never forget.
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Wynna
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by Wynna »

Love it.
Enjoy the game
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oldgrayrogue
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by oldgrayrogue »

And they call that the Hanged Man Blues.
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ravin
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Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren sits in a quiet corner of an all-night eatery.
Silver eyes glancing from her notebook to the half- eaten plate of eggs and sausage.
She pulls a flask from her coat pocket and takes a long drink.

Absently she hums as she writes:


Midnight crawls the streets
Taverns call their last calls
Light rain falls in silver sheets
Tired of staring at these walls

There’s a whisper in the dark
That only speaks at night
The streets know how to talk
If you listen right

Dragon eggs and spell sausage
On a cold and rainy night
Whiskey at the right dosage
Can make you feel alright.

Up till dawn ,the night oil burns
Walk the lamp lit paths
Find respite within the arms
Of an all-night dive , and friends

Dragon eggs and mystic bacon
On a cold and lonely night
Spell- link sausage and coffee’s brewin
To make you feel alright.

The dawn tips o’er the walls
My last cigarette is done
The inn room bed’s cold comfort calls
To wait for night to come


With a faint sigh, Wren closes the book, shoves the plate aside , drops a few gold on the table and heads out into the night.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren lays on the narrow bed in the Safehaven inn. A fat gray tabby sitting on her chest.

Her husky mezzo voice sings quietly


This weight on my chest
I can barely breathe
Are you comfortable now?
You don’t want to leave

You show me you’re happy
With whispering tone
With Warmest affection
You claim this as you’re home

But one false move
And the claws will dig in
The slightest shift
And you’ll rend my skin

In a blink you’re gone
The wounds left behind
Yet the memory of warmth
Fresh in my mind


Ooff!


Prophetically, the cats claws dig in as it leaps to the window that had been its entrance and , in the way all cats, unhurriedly saunters across the rooftops of Waterdeep.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren watched the rain falling outside the window of the Adventurer’s Guild hall. The fire drove away the cold of the early spring, but there was a deeper cold that no fire would warm.
She had ran, locked Vale in with the rats. Turned her back on the shade of a crying child, then that bird had seemed to peer right into her soul.

Did it find the same thing she found? Nothing....

She wrote, as she always did when she couldn’t speak.


Jesters grin

Tears that fall like rain
But only in the dark
All the unspoken pain
Left in a shattered heart

Just Smile through it all
Laugh and dance and sing
Don’t let them see the tears that fall
They won’t suspect a thing

The walls you build will keep you safe
From heartbreak, loss and fear
Stay within , behind that face
Don’t let them see the tears

Play your song and let them dance
Sway them with the lute
Drink and sing in merry trance
They’ll never know the truth

They don’t want to see Beneath
The shadows deep and dark
They don’t care that hearts still bleed
Once they’re torn apart

They’ll never know the lies you tell
Nor the gaping hole within
Just keep smiling and all is well
Just hold the jesters grin.


——

Wordlessly she lit a cigarette and sat back, watching the rain fall.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren sits on her bunk. Her hair still damp from the thorough washing it took to rid her skin of the smell of the sewer.

She sits, wearing an oversized shirt that reaches to her thighs. In front of her is her notebook

She begins writing


Too soon

I just can’t do this ,not this soon
My heart still feels the pain
Why then when I look at you
Do I want to try again

Madness, that’s what this is
To test this path once more
Is this a fight I cannot win?
Dare I open up that door?

Is there even a chance at this?
Am I fool enough to try?
Is there warmth within that heart of his?
Or will I , once again, just cry?

Forward into the unknown
Or do I stay as I am?
Outside smiles, inside alone
Would that change with him?

Only time can find resolve
There is no turning round
What joy or pain the future holds
Remains yet to be found

Staring at it for a long while she fashions a flower from a piece of paper, scents it with her own lavender oil and quietly makes her way to his room. She fixes the flower to the door then quickly leaves. Crawling back to the sanctuary of cigs and booze
At least those things can’t reject her outright...
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Later that day similar flowers show up for all the Guild members
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Sitting alone in the lounge of the Guild hall, Wren stares down at her book for a long while.
When she finally is able to put quill to paper , the fear and anger of the latest events begins to manifest in the Only real way she can express it.

Dark

Shadows

on the ground on the wall
Watch each step or you will fall

In the night, in your head
No control, waking dead

Nightmare

Can’t wake up can’t get back
All alone in the black

Soundless scream
Waking dream

Run

Fly little bird, the night is burning
Run little girl, the shadows coming
No one can save the soul you lost
Fly little bird...just don’t fall...


Madness

Eating at your heart and soul
Terror will exact it’s toll

Nameless fears
Shed your tears

Darkness

Footsteps follow just behind
Can’t escape, running blind

Out of breath
Nothing left

Run.

Fly little bird, the night is burning
Run little girl, the shadows coming
No one can save the soul you lost
Fly little bird...just don’t fall...

All you can do is run...


——

She wipes away angry tears from her cheeks and closes the book

“It’s not over...”
the words both a vow and a warning to herself. She stands and shuffling makes her way to the liquor cabinet.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren lays quietly in her narrow bunk, the notebook proper open on her chest, Leafing idly through the pages in the hopes that sleep will somehow find her.

Her silver eyes fall on a marked and dog-eared page.
A slight chuckle escapes her as she reads it.

Put some mud on it

Some girls like things clean and bright
Some girls dream of that shining knight
Damsels in a castle spire
Hiding from the dragon’s fire

That’s ...not..me

I like things a little dirty
I like things a little dark
You wanna impress me baby
You wanna cause a spark

Put some mud on it

Give me a dive on a hot summer night
Give me a man who’s good in a fight
Leather clad and hard as steel
Kiss to make my senses reel

That’s ...for..me

I like things a little dirty
I like things a little dark
You wanna impress me baby
You wanna cause a spark

Put some mud on it

I ain’t sayin I don’t like the shine
But , dents in the armor’s what I have in mind
Don’t give me something new
Just a little grit will do

Baby

Put some mud on it

With a tired smirk she closes the book, sleep wouldn’t come but at least now she has a reason to smile. For the moment.

With a sigh she whispers to no one in particular

“ damn I could use a cigarette “
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren looked down at The folded paper. She had given the original to him a week or so ago. He had said that it warmed him to know her concern.

The response, however measured was still a response. As she so often did when trying to work out her feelings, she put quilt to paper

“ a journal entry? Maybe. I couldn’t think of a song for this.
The last few days have been a banquet of fear and frustration.
We survived the vampire, most of us, but Gardner is alive so I suppose that counts. I promised I’d quit smoking if we lived. The fates don’t like you going back on promises. So here I am... day four and I wanna gut something. It’s getting better though. There are apparently herbs that can cleanse poison from your system. But will it cleanse the want in my head?
The need in my heart?

What the hells am I doing? It’s like slamming into an ice wall over and over and yet...I still think I can get through. If I just don’t give up, I can find a way to get past the barriers and just see him really smile. Gods that would be devistatingly beautiful. Usually, guys are easy to figure out. They either want sex or control or both... or they’re total fucknuts who burn the inn down along with all of your stuff....thanks asshole.
This one is different. Difficult. Terse, almost mechanized. But then just rarely, there’s that flash of some remote elusive emotion. And I’m curious. What would he be like if cold calculation gave way to passion? Damn is that selfish . Didn’t ask yourself if he wants that to happen did you Wren? No. I didn’t. Why do I think helping him feel passion and freedom will make things better?
Because right now he can be a cold, harsh , uncompromising dick. And I get this feeling that’s not all there is. I see why he does it but I wonder if he realizes that there’s other ways to get the same results.
Why am I hung up on this? Ok yes he’s exquisite. When he fights it’s like a painting come to life. But usually that means I’d have a night or two and be over it. Why the concern for his state of mind? Because you care. Yes we’ll, we established that . But why? Maybe because he gave me something no other man has. A chance at a future.
The commission that will have me center stage in front of half the city, the gloves, the necklace, the Tuition into New Olmans. Maybe he does this for all of the apprentices ? Maybe I’m reading too much into this. There it is. The doubt. I knew it would show up sooner or later. Regardless. I still feel like I have to try. Almost dying to those goblins...scared the hells out of me. But I think I might have realized a way to reach him. Equal footing. Become more than an apprentice, learn the ways to survive. Show him that his dreams are valid. That even a fuck up like me can learn. Then maybe....I dunno... to hells with it. I need a drink.
W”


She closes the book. The storm of emotions still raging non-stop and from under her bunk pulls a bottle labeled “ wren’s basement burner”. Taking a swig, she winces at the sensation of grain whiskey and probably traces of fire beetle guts. With a sigh she tries to find sleep
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren turned the marked and worn pages of the notebook. She flipped past songs of joy and pain. Past notes , dates, and a very thorough inventory of the Guild crafting supplies.
She pauses on a sketch of a set of eyes. Detailed yet flat and dull when compared to the original.
Under the sketch in her careless handwriting
“ just come back”

She touches the page with a fingertip for a moment.
Then, she writes

Living Without you
What can I do?
You walked out the door
And left me so blue

Tears on my cheek
Pain in my heart
How can I heal
Where do I start

Call me a fool
Tell me I’m lost
I want you to stay
No matter the cost

I’ve done something now
That can’t be undone
I’ve given my heart
It can’t be returned

As you walk your lone path
With each step you take
Know that with you
My heart has it’s place

I know you must go
I can’t change that fact
My heart goes with you
Just, please bring it back.




The ink dries on the page, but the tears take longer to vanish.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren sat in the Beer Golem , the exertion of her performance coursing through her like whiskey fire
She has sung his song, in hopes he might hear it and take some comfort.
She had sung his song and would do it again.
And again and again. However many times it took , until he heard it and came back if only to tell her to shut the hells up.

She look at the words written in her careless hand.
The smile is sad, tired but determined.

Who

You look in the mirror and don’t know the face
You look at the walls but don’t know the place
The past stares at you from out of the dark
But that can’t change what’s in your heart

Who are you? Deep inside.
What is it you fear?
From yourself you can not hide
But, I am always here.

Theres so much that I wanna do
But not much I can say to you
I see the pain that’s in your eyes
I see the fear you can no hide

Who are you? Deep inside.
What is it you fear?
From yourself you can not hide
But, I am always here

Together we can walk this path
And soon enough again will laugh
You are you no matter what
Always know you have my trust.

Who you are, deep inside
You should never fear
From your heart you can not hide
Know, I am always here.



“Always “. She whispers and closes the book. Finishing her drink she pulls on her signature blue coat and heads out towards the Tower of the Order with questions.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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ravin
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Re: Bluebird’s song

Post by ravin »

Wren looks down at the pages of the well worn notebook. Days had passed now. The situation was settling. Understanding was taking hold. Clarity always seeming to follow emotional recklessness. Realizing the foolishness of the nights past and her own deepening resolve to find answers , once more she sets quil to page.

Fly free

The night you walked out of that door
It broke my heart in two
Pain it cut me to the core
But what else could I do?

If you love someone, let them go
If they return, it’s meant to be
Love encaged can never grow
The heart it must fly free

Letting go of you, it broke my heart
But I’m not what you need
Now we stand here worlds apart
Still your wish I’ll Heed

I love you so I’ll let you go
Find the truth required
But I just want you to know
I’ll be here to fly to

I love so I’ll let you go
An watch you flying free
In my heart I hope you will
Fly back home to me.


This time no tears accompany the drying ink. Only the determination to find the truth, not just about the object of her seemingly unrequited affection, but the truth within herself as well. Yes she would be there for him. But she wouldn’t let his lessons be lost in the process. She would use the terrain to her advantage, “ make your target come to you”

With that thought, she begins to scribble several short notices on a pile of unbound paper.
Current PC:Wren Bluefeather
Finnea Chaestina

<Maxcell> as I was saying, nobody steps on a virtual crotch like Ravin
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