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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 7, 2016 6:27:31 GMT
(If I haven't already talked to you personally about this thread, please get my permission via PM before jumping in. Grick, Houyo, Coop, you're all in, of course.)
Over a hundred pounds of metal shines from the display cases. Studs for piercings, rings for fingers, rings for piercings, rings for toes, necklaces, anklets, bracelets, and even a slim tiara compete for space. Some are steel or other base metals, but many sparkle in silver and even gold! Some even sparkle with pinhead gemstones, and a pearl necklace shows its luster under the bright lights. Perhaps some of it is "gently-used," but still, it is a king's ransom.
Monty shifts a little under his rainbow cloak; he turns to the centaur who helped him set all this up. "I... thank you, for your assistance," the bronze-skinned thunderbird says. "How might I repay you?"
This would have been impossible without the convention worker's assistance; Monty never saw his illiteracy as a weakness, but the reality of the situation was that his booth would have fared far less well without a name... or prices on the wares... or display cases... or a booth. Yeah.
Monty still sports an excessive amount of jewelry under his cloak, but far less of it now; indeed, he looks far less silly. The words of a certain individual had convinced him he could stand to part with some of it and still be majestic, and besides, the thunderbird had made his own observations, including the realization that booths drew the attention of pretty girls.
As customers approach the thunderbird scans them with his intent gaze; to his sky-blue eyes, material objects are just one more layer of smoke to be seen through. He is ready to gesture to the centaur if any bear actual weapons. Not that he's put his own aside; indeed, his ironwood warclub still hangs at his right side, just under his cloak.
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Houyo
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Post by Houyo on Jun 7, 2016 12:52:51 GMT
Johnathan let out a sigh as he had finished helping set up the booth (Or really, finished setting up the booth while the feathered man helped). Not that he minded though. Honestly, it wasn't his job to help set up people's booths for them. But he felt he might as well. He didn't shy away from work either, and the other man was... In desperate need of assistance. Plus making sure the man wasn't making a scene with his lack of human skills helped keep the masquerade up. Still, a mix of wanting to help and pitying the man was his main motivator. After earlier, he wanted at least somebody to like him around here.
"No need to pay me." He said as he gave a stoic shrug, acting as if it was no big deal. "We gotta take care of each other, you know? If I ever need you to crawl into a tight space or something though I'll let you know." He laughed and pat the thunder bird heavily on the shoulder. "I'll be back to check up on stuff in a moment. I need to take a look around real quick." He said as he turned his naga costumed covered backside to the man and began to trot off.
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Grick
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Post by Grick on Jun 7, 2016 14:41:29 GMT
Though Thitero had been raised in captivity from a young age, certain behavioral patterns and preferences stamped into his genome over hundreds of thousands of generations still guided his thoughts and actions. Just as humans enjoyed sugary foods and feared perilous heights, so too did male harpies love dazzling objects and feared uncleanliness. Most of all, they bore an unyielding hatred for anyone or anything that resembled other male harpies, particularly those poised to out-compete them with more shiny objects and frivolous clothing.
One could imagine Thitero’s horror, then, when he first spotted a newly constructed booth sparkling like a geode with myriad metals and gems manned by none other than a frivolously dressed man with sharp, avian features. Like a threatened cat, he froze in his tracks and stared, not even bothering of offer an insult to the congoer who bumped him in the back. The harpy had considered that he might encounter others similar to him at the convention, but he had assumed he would far exceed their flare. This creature, however, threatened to outshine him, and overriding impulse demanded that he put a stop to it.
Without a clear plan, without a clear goal, without even adjusting his newly acquired dress, Thitero charged the booth labeled ‘All That Glitters’ in an ostrich-like dash shouting in the deepest snarl his talented syrinx could muster, “You, go away! Nobody wants you here, leave!”
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 7, 2016 15:15:40 GMT
Monty smiles as the centaur passes. "Very well! I shall see to the-"
Oh, goodness. A harpy. The thunderbird thought he might've seen one earlier, in the periphery of his vision, but hadn't paid enough attention to be sure of whether it was the real deal or a costumed imitator. Now, though, he could see it was quite real, and that meant one thing: trouble.
Monty had encountered harpies before on his mountain, but his only experience was with females, whose plumage was outright dull by comparison. He had eaten the lot of them over the last few years, but not before taking the choicest among them as lovers first. With this male, though, he has little interest in doing either; instead, he braces himself to receive the peacock's charge. If Thitero comes closer, he will use the harpy's momentum against him.
He also answers the harpy, with a voice like the music of a flute.
"Do you think you can make me, birdie?
Do you think you can shake me, nerdy?
I'm here, ready to throw you down,
I'm here, ready to take your crown,
No one wants me? No one wants you!
I'm gon' do whatever I want to!
Step on up if you wanna buy a ring,
But otherwise, fool, better shake your wings!"
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Grick
New Member
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Post by Grick on Jun 7, 2016 16:17:49 GMT
Thitero halted when the thunderbird spoke, listening intently to the challenge’s return. Eyes widening, he analyzed his adversary's words: irregular meter, couplet rhyme scheme, two contractions, no assonance or alliteration. Best response: retaliate with the same rhyme scheme, tighten the meter to iambic octameter, heighten the vocabulary, conclude with blank verse for emphasis. Without pause, he answered in a Shakespearean voice:
“I’ll shake my wings, and more besides.
I’ll shake away your crude disguise.
Expose the fragile flesh beneath
Your tasteless, garish, frilly wreath.
Rip free the baubles that you hoard
Dig up the treasures that you stored
Tear down your flimsy peddler’s stand
So all who see might understand
That I am Thitero, and you are nothing!”
More than anything, Thitero felt relieved. At first, he had expected the bird to assault him physically, and the ensuing rout would humiliate him greatly. A battle of words suited him much better. Between the attentions of his owner and his brief duties to her illegitimate business, Thitero had copious free time. The hours he did not spend preening his feathers and selecting new outfits, he spent watching and listening to all forms of media and developing his voice. In more ways than he knew, he had spent his life training for moments like this. This was a battle he could fight.
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 7, 2016 17:08:09 GMT
Amusement turns to annoyance; does this upjumped songbird think himself a warrior? Monty steps closer, throwing open his cloak and slapping his lean, muscled chest! It also gives Thitero a glimpse of the sturdy ironwood club at Monty's side; to Thitero, it would carry the weight of a sledgehammer, but to Monty, it was but a feather.
Before speaking, he yanks off his wooden mask and raises his voice!
"You think your wings intimidate me?
I'll unfurl mine, show you my majesty!
I'm a thunderbird, fool! Take you to school!
I look so good, make all the ladies drool!
Fly away, child, got no fear of mortals!
Keep up this act, you be hearin' chortles!
You best go right back on through that portal!"
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Grick
New Member
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Post by Grick on Jun 7, 2016 18:18:59 GMT
Thitero smiled. His oppoent’s rhyme and rhythm remained unchanged, and his retort had shortened by a half couplet. Perhaps he struggled to keep pace? If so, then this was the perfect opportunity to press the attack and increase the tempo. Picking the fastest musical number he knew, Thitero returned the stormhawk’s boast in a flurry: “I am the very model of a prima donna avian, My singing is from heaven while your grunts are subterranean, My feathers are all straightened while your mop is neigh untamable, My fashion sense is eloquent, my visage unattainable By war club-toting brutes who find their pleasure on the battlefield, You’ll find no pleasure here as I spit lyrics out until you yield, My singing voice: sheer eloquence, far faster than you’ll ever get And if the need arises I perform my very own duet! Concluding with the obvious, you cannot match my elegance, Against my frequent insults you are exposed and have no defense, And speaking of an insult: your fat carcass smells of carrion, I am the very model of a prima donna avian!” Flourishing wildly at the close of his performance, Thitero panted as he glared smugly at the thunderhawk. (listen here starting at 1:05 for added effect: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSGWoXDFM64) |
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Post by 1ring42 on Jun 7, 2016 18:49:19 GMT
Nathan was returning to his booth from the pool when he spotted the kerfuffle around the jewelry booth. Obviously one of the birds had taken immense offense at the other and it had turned into an impromptu rap battle. He grinned as the obvious chance for some harmless mischief presented itself and ducked into a nearby changing stall to adjust his form. He had entered as a basic human but emerged as a multicolored phoenix, with gold, copper, metallic feathers sprinkled among jeweled ruby, emerald, sapphire, and amethyst feathers. Keeping his newly beaked face serious he approached the booth glowing with multicolored "fire".
Stand back step aside, let me show you how it's done
Shooting fast flowing rhymes that'll burn like the sun
I'm Lean, I'm mean and I'm burning clean
Spitting fire of desire Straight from New Orleans
Shooting flows straight down like a waterfall
Got rhymes so ill they'd fill a hospital
Not like the puffed up prick or the half brained Okie
Who think they can rap but they can only karaoke
I've been from Nome Alaska down to Kathmandu,
But I ain't seen anyone as whack as you two.
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Houyo
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Post by Houyo on Jun 8, 2016 0:33:47 GMT
Josuna had suddenly began clapping.
She had of course been standing there since the first harpy had been so furious in his approach. She had been alarmed at the sudden violent outburst and had worried that he was seriously angry. And so when they suddenly burst into song she was caught off guard. And so she just stood there watching as they rhymed at each other so vigorously, not drawing attention to herself as to not interrupt.
But now she was clapping as she had assumed the mock confrontation had come to an end. She had also assumed a crowd had gathered. So as she realized she was the only one clapping she grew rather self conscious and blushed. She gave an awkward smile as she stopped and cheered in a monotone. "Uh... Wooh." She said as she tried to remain stoic.
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 8, 2016 2:34:15 GMT
The Eater of Flesh cracks his knuckles, contemplating silencing the harpy with a quick throat-punch. However, the approach of another avian makes him reconsider.
Monty tosses his head as the second contender belts out his own rhymes. His wild varicolored mane plays about his head, showing his contempt for the offerings of Thitero and Nathan.
He opens his mouth to begin his next verse when Josuna applauds their efforts. He wheels to face her, this woman over a foot taller than he! His belly quietly reminds him of how empty it is, how nicely this cutie would fit into it… but the fact remains that there were two other monsters who might try to claim her. Well, I'll have to claim her first.
"Welcome, fair maiden, to All That Glitters!
Just come with me, hon, I'll make you titter!
Girl, you look so sweet, taste like apple fritters!
Take a walk with me, not these two quitters!
My name's Mountain Shrike, friends call me Monty!
Hope you liked our show, knowin' I been jaunty,
Now my eye's on you, girl, not your auntie!
So come here, lovely, and call me Monty."
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Grick
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Post by Grick on Jun 9, 2016 3:56:37 GMT
Already prepared for much louder applause, Thitero was mid-bow to the audience of one when one of his competitors cut in with another verse. This time, however, the sing-songy tune was aimed not at Thitero, but at the woman who had wandered too near. Ordinarily, this might have used this opportunity to launch another attack at the stormhawk. However, Josuna somewhat resembled a female harpy in her size and strength, and so Thitero felt compelled to join in pursuit of her in spite of his better judgement.
Sifting through his accumulated knowledge of popular culture, the harpy concluded that the most romantic form of human communication was that of the sonnet. So he switched from quick lyrics to slow verse and quickly constructed the following:
“By spectacle summoned into this fray
Bespectacled beauty, I now beseech
Your eyes to wander wherever they may
Yet careful to keep from the other’s reach.
The shrike’s shrieks are graceless and cannot hold
Your beauty within their stuttering verse.
The third bird speaks slang now many years old,
The pair could hardly perform any worse.
So forget these pretenders, heavenly thing.
Cast out these offenders and listen while I
Sing of your splendor and offer my wing
Take it and faultless I promise to try:
To act on the impulses you have inspired
And show you the talents that I have acquired”
As he spoke the ending couplet, Thitero extended his right wing and held it out in a beckoning gesture.
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Post by 1ring42 on Jun 9, 2016 12:00:00 GMT
Nathan paused as the direction of the rap was shifted towards the hapless woman who had applauded, however he smirked as the harpy dropped into a sonnet. If prissy boy wanted to play old school than he would cock block the both of them old school. After all there was a reason the bard had put so many fae in his plays. Dramatics were in his blood.
Nathan ruffled his feathers, extending his jeweled crest in a dazzling display designed only to piss the harpy off. He opened his mouth to take the harpy to a school so old they still spoke middle English.
"And thy praiseth us with applause so few
To watch as with words we engage to fight
As I educate feathered students new
and attempt thy entertainment tonight
Humble jesters with our rhythm and rhyme
Each strive against the other to compete
But we as players take our roles in time
To bring about a false costumed defeat
The thunder shouts and the vain peacock preens
Within these ancient mystic back dropped halls
We are mere players with humorous scenes
Acting upon loves and conflicts so false
And thus we must go till all is mended
And bow to Declare the play has ended"
Nathan gave a deep theatrical bow, spreading his jeweled wings and flaring his tail feathers.
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Houyo
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Post by Houyo on Jun 12, 2016 22:05:45 GMT
Josuna was horror struck. People were singing. At her!
And now one was hitting on her. She looked down at Monty with a surprised look, her cheeks softly glowing pink. "Oh, uuuuuuh... I was coming to look..." She grimaced as she backed away a step. "At stuff..." She gulped. Okay, this wasn't so bad. She had dealt with this kind of thing before. She was just caught off guard. She could even sing, if she wanted too. Though not rhyme this well at all.
Oh. And now the flamboyant one was singing at her. And he was much more articulate. More... Romantic? She heavily blushed now. She rarely had guys hit on her. And now two of them? With singing? Singing romantically? No, this was out of her league. HE looked out of her league. He could tell he was the prim and proper and rich type. And the other man had been the strong type. They both looked at her as if she were a prize to be won. One was strong, the other suave. Her heart suddenly fluttered for a moment.
And now the third one had turned to her as well. And off he rattled a delightful diddy and bowed dramatically. If only she hadn't been the only one in the crowd. He looked to be the most sensible of the lot despite his garish outfit. She would have enjoyed the show. Been quietly thrilled even. Hell, she was still quietly thrilled. But the fact that people would see it was almost too much for her to bear.
She grinned at all of them and tried to think of what to say.
"I can't sing
so please stop.
I can't sing
I'm just here to shop."
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 12, 2016 22:45:43 GMT
Monty applies just enough of a push with his sandal to Nathan's rump to send the faux bird off-balance before he can straighten up from his bow. He also brushes past Thitero, coming close to the grinning Josuna. He extends his left hand to take hers, before she can back away much further.
"If you're here to shop, then I'm here to sell. Come in and see all that glitters... my belle."
He gestures into his booth with a winning smile.
"Come buy a bauble. No singing required, sweetie."
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Grick
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Post by Grick on Jun 13, 2016 0:58:39 GMT
When the thunderhawk grabbed Josuna’s hand, Thitero recoiled slightly. She had clearly rebuffed them, and in harpy society, males did not touch females without express permission. Harpies only grasped prey against their will. As a result, Thitero assumed that Monty meant to eat the looming woman here and now. That would not do. The main event had not yet begun, and none of them had even checked the woman’s number. How could the thunderhawk be so selfish as to eat someone so soon without even knowing whether they matched? Clearly, he had to put a stop to this. If they didn’t have rules, they were no better than animals.
Hopping forward like a pigeon crossing the street, Thitero blurted, “Give me all of your jewels. I will buy all of it!” whipping out several $100 bills as he did so. That should make enough of a distraction for the woman to escape, he reasoned.
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