Anisha Whisper moves along with the Princess Arianna on her arm - the Softest wearing both her customary mirrorsilver quarter-mask, and also a pair of duskstone lenses in a stygian setting. Her hair set up in an elegant fall of curls, spilling down her back. Wearing her layered half-cape over one shoulder, opposite to the arm offered Arianna. Her dark garb contrasted by the floral themes of (most) of her jewelry.


"Looks like a nice enough crowd," She muses, conversationally, to the Pravosi walking along her, raising her arm to offer a small wave to Corban, to Nina, to Verity - and a bright smile and a small wave to Sydney - before she offers a series of curtsies to any and all noble-folk, especially those she recognises, such as Niklas, Sebastian, Lora, Rosalind, and of course, the queen herself.

"Where would you like for us to seat ourselves, your highness?"

Niklas has joined the lower center seating.

Narcissa has left the upper left seating.

Nevermore, the sulking raven, 3 Fidante House Guards leave, following Narcissa.

Bianca has joined the upper center seating.

Sophie arrives quietly, the Lantern of Lagoma clutched tightly in her right hand. There's a tense smile on her lips, but still... it's there, and she looks around the room, smiling to whomever catches her eye before she slips into a seat quietly.

Verity has joined the upper center seating.

Sophie has joined the upper right seating.

Nevermore, the sulking raven, 3 Fidante House Guards arrive, following Narcissa.

Symonesse arrives with her usual contingent of King's Own and quickly looks for a place to sit. She gives brief nods as she passes those that she is familiar with, but seems more intent on finding a seat than making casual conversation.

Narcissa has joined the upper left seating.

Sophie has left the upper right seating.

Sophie has joined the upper center seating.

Nina, from up in the right side balcony, gives Anisha a wave. It's nice to be acknowledged. Arianna... she has never met in person though of course she is quite famous by reputation. So Nina looks curiously at her.

Lora and Narcissa are among those who meander into the performance hall, arm in arm like winter and summer. There's a momentary pause just inside the doors, the marquessa taking a moment to look around, but there is so much to see - so many people - that she can but offer a tilt of her head by way of greeting here and there before she and the Poet of Tor continue on to find seats.

Brother Chester, Fidget arrive, following Jeffeth.

Aisha enters, looking as though the cold never bothered her anyway - which may be true but for the redness in her face and hands. She looks around and surveys the area for people she knows, veering over toward Sebastian and Beatrice. "Well met. May I sit?"

Symonesse has joined the lower center seating.

Striding in to the bard's college as though she owns the place, the pugilist makes for the good seats before they all fill up - she may be from the Lowers, but that by no means makes Sydney want to go for the less expansive views. Besides - she spots a few familiar faces amidst the center seating. Anisha gets a quick nod, and the Champion moves to seat herself next to Legate Bianca, "Lovely day for a bit of song, no?"

Sydney has joined the upper center seating.

Niklas steps in, passing off his heavy winter coat to his assistant who runs off to find a place to put it. He takes a moment to smoothe out his outfit, all white brocade and aeterna with touches of sky blue, paired with planety of mirrorsilver and a coronet inlaid in platinum. Once his assistant returns he starts down the steps to a pair of seats right up front, though one remains empty. When his assistant goes to find his own seat, Niklas grumbles a bit and then waves to Sam to sit down in what would likely be Sabella's seat any other time.

When the Queen enters, Sir Corban, who was here as a sort of advance team, apparently, moves to stand behind and just to the right of her chair, the classic defensive position for the royals. But he nods to her politely.

Sebastian is late, of course -- but fortunately he isn't the only one. There's choices scattered here and there for seating, but the Provosi Prince is headed directly for the front, getting nearer to the stage, his gaze casting about for sight of Arianna before he sinks into a seat. Just a moment's pause in his regard before he acknowledges Beatrice with a low voiced greeting. "Of course," is his immediate answer and smile for Aisha, gesturing to a seat -- as if it was his to offer.

Corban has joined the lower center seating.

Beatrice kisses the cheek of a portly Lycene noble in passing as she weaves and wanders to a comfortable seat. This is an event at which to be seen, which means there are rubies and irridescite are polished to shine. The entire affair is a glittering one, dazzling in person and dress. Her gaze falls to Aisha and her smile beams. "My Lady! Of course. Of course you may." Dark eyes turn to Sebastian, all solicitude. "If you do not object."

Teagan has joined the lower center seating.

Micana, 1 Saik Guard arrive, following Lucita.

Aisha has joined the lower left seating.

2 Ivory Shields have been dismissed.

Esme comes into the area, a bit late, but she doesn't appear to have missed the start of it yet. It seems. She hopes. There is a radiate smile for Niklas as she sees him showing off that pretty crown of his. For now, she tries to figure out the best place to sit.

Verity Locke /was/ a pile of coats when she arrived, but that was out at the entrance. Since then, she has taken advantage of the wonderful concept of 'leaving your coat with someone friendly' so she doesn't look like a pile of furs amongst all these glamorous people.

As Verity follows Bianca to her chosen seating -- ever faithful to the legate like a good protege, naturally -- the courtier's gaze moves rapidly from interesting face to interesting face. "I'm not surprised it's so crowded," she murmurs to Bianca. Well, too loud to be a murmur, considering the amount of people. She tries. "The story of the performance is exciting by itself, isn't it?"

Seated in the upper balcony, like Nina, the appearance of Anisha draws a polite wave to the whisper from Strozza before he turns to speak to Orelia.

Merek makes a way into the place, finding a nice place to settle in!

Teagan is neither on anyone's arm nor has anyone following her save her usual guard. It is, however, not at all uncommon for the Blackram Marquessa to attend events alone. She takes but a moment to reguard those gathered before moving forward towards the lower seating where she sees a couple familiar faces gathered. Unlike some, she does not seem bothered by the cold outdoors and the flush at her features seems healthy rather than the look of someone harried by the biting winds.

Aella has joined the upper center seating.

1 Greenwood Tribe Blood Warriors, 3 House Riven Soldiers, Lianna, Feydin, a white-tailed eagle, Vigilance, a juvenile female Oakhaven Bloodhound, Berthold, Tinsel arrive, following Mia.

Esme casts a lingering look at Sebastian, but she moves to sit by Niklas with a soft comment to him. She may move. She does this sort of thing a lot.

Esme has joined the lower center seating.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly, 2 Bisland pride guards, 1 Inquisition Confessors, 1 Graypeak Aerie Warden arrive, following Delilah.

Mia has joined the lower center seating.

Delilah has joined the lower center seating.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Teagan before departing.

Anisha takes direction from the guest of honour, moving to settle at a space with an excellent view of the stage alongside the Pravosi Princess.

Showing up in his dress armor, Sir Jeffeth Bayweather seems to arrive alone save for the little crow perched on his shoulders. Both crow and behemoth do a little flapping to get the snow off as they head into the audience. The big man takes a look among the seating, shining a bright smile at some before making his way to sit where there are relatively few people. His hammer is eased off his back and into the seat next to him as his eyes slide to the stage.

Jeffeth has joined the lower right seating.

People are still filing in and taking their seats as the bards who will provide accompaniment for the singer tonight strike up the introductory overture with zeal, perhaps as a suggestion that people should settle in and get ready for the concert. They sit to one side of the rear of the stage, nondescript but talented nonetheless. The music they play is beautiful, hopeful and proud.

Robyn, an artful archeress, 2 House Velenosa Guards arrive, following Ophelia.

Lucita comes into the performance hall, shedding her cloak and tucking gloves in her pocket before turning and giving a glance around. On spotting what she thinks is a wave from Sophie, she ascends the steps to the seating near her.

Lucita has joined the stage.

When Mia arrives, it as she so often does -- at a brisk pace that sends the hems of her skirts into a flurry, as if they, too, were simply trying to stay out of the woman's path, the poor things. Dark eyes scan the room and, picking out only a few familiar faces, she moves to inflict her company on some of those she knows best -- Niklas and Corban. Poor dears.

Marius, Vladimir, 1 House Corvini Guard arrive, following Giulio.

Giulio has joined the upper left seating.

Lucita has left the stage.

Lucita has joined the upper center seating.

Swift on Mia's heels, another of the Crownland duchies presents its offering for the evening. In this case, Lilah weaves a smooth enough path in the wake before it closes up entirely and makes climbing over others for a seat that much more of an interruption. The better that she negotiates her route with ease, following up on the marquessa. A murmured greeting from behind might give notice, even as she slips onward.


Cloak and other layers of warmth shed at the entrance hall of the Bard's College, there is a thrumming thread of subdued excitement and fascination that strings its way subtly through Bianca Wyrmguard's body language as she makes her way within. Dressed in the regalia of her station -- with a few bits of rather striking gold jewelry besides -- there is a certain light to that silver stare as she casts a look towards the not-quite-murmuring Verity at her side.

"Exciting," exhales the legate as she takes her seat, gesturing for Verity to join her. "Yes. That's certainly one way to put it, isn't it? There's a certain energy to moments like this that are unmistakable. I quire like it." Recognition and welcome warms at her expression for Sydney as the brawler makes herself comfortable beside her. "A lovely day to see what comes of it, too," she asides to the redheaded woman, smile growing just a bit. "It's good to see you, Sydney." And as Sophie settles in, she offers her cousin a warm smile and a, "Much the same to you; we must rectify that fact," before falling into quiet murmuring at her place.

Kiera enters the host of individuals, not likely to miss the chance to hear the princess sing even if she has to occupy the farthest seat from the stage. She notes Verity and Bianca so heads for that section and chooses a seat that while near enough for a friendly wave hello does noy intrude on what privacy they may be seeking

Kiera has joined the upper center seating.

Giulio quietly makes his way in and, on spying Lora and Narcissa, heads towards them.

Sebastian does indeed seem to note the lingering look from Esme, regarding the woman for a moment with the smallest of nods, before his gaze moves on as he talks quietly with those seated close by. His attention seems to shift, moving across the crowd for now while there's no performer to pull his attention.

Ophelia Velenosa arrives dressed in red and looks for a vacant seat. Familiar faces are smiled at and she gives little waves before spotting a vacant seat up front, clack clack clacking in her heels toward it with purpose.

Ophelia has joined the lower center seating.

Nina folds her hands and goes quiet in the balcony as the musical presentation seems about to start. She looks all over the crowd, seeing lots of unfamiliar faces as well as a few that she knows.

Esme has left the lower center seating.

Esme has joined the lower center seating.

Olivando shifts in his seat as the places fills up around him, clearly feeling uncomfortable in his drab robes against the elegant eveningwear that clads his fellow audience members.

When Princess Sorrel takes the stage, all in green embroidered beautifully, glittering sorrel leaves with their red veins, she moves with lively grace and ease. She is tall and commanding, and when she smiles at her audience, it is a beautiful and welcoming smile. As she takes center stage, the bards who accompany her fade out to give her the opportunity to speak. "Tonight, I will sing a song of freedom and hope. As some of you may know, I have written this song as a favor to His Majesty, King Alaric Grayson IV, to award Princess Arianna Pravus her royal boon for winning the Tournament of Roses. Ancient texts from the War of Stolen Names speak of the power of song in breaking the chains of the dark god who held souls and minds in his claws. A holy knight embarked on a holy quest to gather the prayers of the faithful and endure trials set upon them by the gods. Those prayers were then delivered to a Singer, chosen by Jayus, to turn those prayers into song. Thus did the song become a powerful weapon in the hands of a Singer such as the Lianhan."

"Lianhan was not the first who could break chains with her song, but she is one of the most famous due to her aid of the remarkable Queen Alarice," Sorrel continues, spreading her hands as she seems to seek out each audience member with enthusiasm and pleasure, as if she is sincerely pleased to be putting on this performance, which she likely is. "Other queens of the Compact have sought to break chains. It was Queen Triscali who enforced the ban on slavery. What's more, she enforced a ban on a more terrible sort of slavery: writs. Not literal shackles but magical ones, and those enslaved by a writ could not even think to break it. It is those sorts of terrible bindings that the Metallic Order began to break in their founding."

Her evergreen eyes gaze out upon the crowd to gauge their reactions, though Sorrel seems confident of her audience.

Ugarte arrives, following Fortunato.

Fortunato has joined the upper center seating.

Corban has left the lower center seating.

Reedy, a King's Own aide have been dismissed.

Corban has joined the lower center seating.

Kiera blinks as she takes in the words around here. Until this moment, she had failed to consider implications of this many people and the power of sorrel's voice, . the look of concern is but passing replaced by pride and eagerness as sorrel begins to speak

Shard sits up a little straighter as things begin, though it's really a feat that she can still be slightly slumped in her chair, and yet obviously still fairly tense.

Anisha offers a bright smile, clapping politely as Sorrel takes the stage - looking over to the Princess seated next to her, and even glancing over to various known people to her, once more, before focusing on Sorrel and her story.

Shard also suddenly coughs several times, rather loudly, definitely rudely, though her fit dies down after a few moments.

The concert hall is quite full, so many having come to see Sorrel's performance. It's a matter of curiosity that the hall is surprisingly cold, far moreso than one would expect. In fact, it seems to have become markedly moreso just as the performance come closer to starting. The audience can see their breath in the air as they speak, an almost oppressive hush of stillness that most would associate with anticipation. Though there is some remark at the clever effect of having all the torches in sconces that line the walls of the hall suddenly turning green. A most cunning and unusual touch.

Sydney is paying rather close attention, or at least making a noble attempt, given the light murmuring from the seating around her. Rather the polar opposite of Shard, Sydney seems blissfully relaxed, and regards Sorrel, as though letting the details of the story drift over her. She pauses to regard Shard during the coughing fit, and clicks a tongue in mock reproach.

Near the stage sits a small contingent of Lycene nobility, Beatrice among them, who try to strike a balance between the casual flaunting of wealth and being bundled to death lest they die of frostbite.

There's a glane over to the sconces, a general shifting in his seat. Jeffeth jaw sets as his breathing goes shallow as if to prevent his own breath being seen in the air in some minor act of defiance of... special effects. The big man glances up at the little crow on his shoulder, then looks back to Sorrel.

Ilvin has joined the lower right seating.

Olivando's expression is bright with curiosity, his attention fixed upon the sconces with the proceedings unfolding on the stage apparently forgotten.

Lucita takes her gloves out her pocket, sliding them on her hands as the white whispy flag of her breath shows as she speaks very softly with those around her. Her jaw tightens as she goes quiet to listen.

At the flare of green light, Mia's dark eyes stray to Delilah at her side. She otherwise remains still, saying nothing, but there's something meaningful in that glance.

The story seems to continue, then, as Sorrel's smile turns a little bittersweet. "Once upon a time," she says gently, speaking to her audience as closely as one might speak to a dear friend. "Nearly all humans were slaves. They had no names, for slaves need not names. And one of these was a girl with copper-colored hair. She was like a musical instrument to her owners, who kept her bound to do their will, and her song was beautiful and incredible and appropriate for the fantastic land in which she lived. But this girl, she was more than an instrument. She was more than a slave. She learned the secrets of the world. She learned that magic is about answering the questions that matter very much to the world. And thus, she learned to weave magic."

Sorrel smiles here, spreading her hands to her audience, and if she seems at all cold, she gives no sign of it. "No one believed that a human could do magic. Humans were slaves! But this girl, she could. She was the first human who could weave magic. A woman who did not even own a name, but she had magic. It was the first thing she owned, and from the moment she weaved, it would never leave her. She became known to a Prince, and with his power and influence, he freed her, and he gave her the name Copper, and she joined his Metallic Order, free. Because she knew what it was to be bound by writ, she swore that she would never be bound again, and she had the members of her Copper Guard take oaths to never be bound by writ. She valued freedom above everything, and she gave her life to save the world."

There is a single caw of protest from Nevermore, the raven, puffing up chest feathers in protest against the cold and inching towards Wendy the Wren as if to shield the little darling.

Sebastian definitely doesn't seem to appreciate the sudden chill in the air, pulling his cloak tighter around him. At least the obvious visual clue of talk seems to have quietened the chatter, his gaze on Sorrel but not staying there as the speaks.

As Sorrel's story continues, there's a murmur among the audience as they continue to be wowed by the impressive special effects. What would seem to be snow has started to lightly drift from the ceiling high above, light and delicate. And the eerie green glow from the torches has grown even brighter.

Esme is smiling. Always smiling. Her eyes are watching, but her hand rests so casually near her blade. So very casual even. Although, her gemstone eyes seem to give a show of surprise to something in the story. She listens and every so often she moves to watch the crowd as the green glows. The color causes her brows to lower just a bit as she moves to look at those around. Almost like she's waiting for something. A soft comment made to her seat mates.

Merek seems to be content in watching from the seat which he settles back into, dark attire on with a light scarf which he wears, adjusted about him. He does take a moment to watch the special effects as well as the performance.

Giulio has left the upper left seating.

Marius, Vladimir, 1 House Corvini Guard leave, following Giulio.

Olivando's eyes fall to the hilt of Esme's sword, and his body tenses as he reaches to his side for an object that isn't present.

Ilvin arrives late, but at least with a studied lack of sound to disturb the other concert-goers. Cloak pulled tight around him against the strange cold, he takes a seat and leans his chin on one hand to listen.

Nina is definitely saying something, in astonishment, about "Green flames," as she huddles a bit toward Strozza for warmth. They're quite distracting, even with the show going on.

Anisha draws her cloak around herself a little tighter, though it's hardly a good shield against the cold. Shifting a little closer to the Pravosi princess, she lets her gaze drift through the crowd as she listens, and the lenses of her spectacles gleam as she looks over to the sconces and the torches in them brightening and changing colour, murmuring something to the woman at her side.

Whereas Sorrel's history lesson might be fascinating, the snow drifting down from above is far, far more, green-tinged as it is by the strange glow from the torches. Lora ends up looking upward, lifting her shoulders and drawing her coat a little more tightly about her, though she's briefly distracted by the Count Corvini's hasty departure. She watches him go, then murmurs something to Narcissa.

Sydney shivers in spite of her cloak, muttering under her breath about the chill in the air. She eases her hands into her coat pockets and there they remain while her shoulders tremble a touch. Winters are the worst. Still, she does seem suitably fascinated by the special effects, craning her head to the side and regarding it with obvious fascination, her brilliant green eyes ... looking ... more or less the same as usual, given the intense green-glowing effects. If anything it makes her stand out less. Pout.

With a subtle signal from the princess, the band of bards begins to play music with a steady beat, as rhythmic as a heart. It is uplifting and hopeful, and Sorrel smiles, takes a deep breath, and begins to sing. Her song is exquisite and powerful and intense. She sings of Freedom, of Choice, of breaking the chains that bind and enslave. It is an anthem, inspiring, and it would not be entirely out of place on a battlefield to boost the morale of the troops. It is about Arvum and humanity, and the music is both breathtakingly simple and intensely complex at the same time.

The princess has a powerful voice, and she brushes a hand against the hilt of her sword before raising her hands as the song swells in crescendo to fill the performance hall. If she is concerned about the snow or the cold or the green lights, she gives no sign. Her focus and concentration is entirely on the song.

Sorrel checked mana + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 9 lower.

Preston moves forward a little in the upper seating, peering down at the stage and the lower seating, as though he has lost a cat or a very nice bag of theatre snacks - suspicious meat on a stick? - and can spy it if he just peers long ago. And rather ignoring the clearly stage theatrics of snow and torches while he shakes his hand repeatedly at his side, like he is trying to dislodge a stuck piece of a sweet.

Dazzled perhaps by Sorrel's song and the breathtaking effects, Beatrice lifts a hand upturned, as though to catch a snowflake on her palm.

Esme glances around and her eyes slide over towards Ilvin for a moment, if he catches her look, she'll smile vibrantly at him. Though her green gaze just looks back towards Niklas for a moment. Then she looks up and around at those sitting. The ones with masks are curiously glanced at but, such is a thing at these events, no? So she looks back towards Sorrel.

A stunning noblewoman up in a VIP box flicks a folded fan open despite the chill, her expression distant and challenging. The fan; embroidered with elaborate serpents coiled among shining gold coins - perhaps she challenges the cold itself, while catching a snowflake on her tongue. She peers briefly over the side of her box and winks at someone in the audience before relaxing back, enjoying the show. Golden eyes fixate on Sorrel and her beautiful performance.

There is a hush about the hall when Sorrel begins to sing. It's as if everything else begins to fade into insignificance, into silence. The falling snow begins to fall... slower. It doesn't stop, exactly. But what appear to be a very good imitation of snowflakes somehow drift down at a much slower rate. And most impressive of all, the green flames in the torches flicker slower. Everything has slowed down.

Until Sorrel is joined by a Chorus.

There is a mist on the stage behind her. It is icy-blue and emerald-green, the two colors bickering among themselves, warring for dominance as they swirl about. They separate into two clouds behind her, and reveal two groups of six singers each. One appear to be a group dressed in motley and green, a band of fools wearing rabbit masks. The other is a group of dead men and women, covered in frost. And all sing with Sorrel, each group taking their turn, though their songs are different, and in a language only few would know as they sing in ancient Draconic.

An undead chorus says in Draconic, "Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! / Help us! Help us! Help us! / Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! / Help us! Help us! Help us! / MERCY! MERCY! MERCY! / HELP US! HELP US! HELP US!"

Symonesse has left the lower center seating.

5 King's Own Guardsmen, Tulip leave, following Symonesse.

Mr. Hops arrives, following Jules.

A chorus of fools says in Draconic, "Sing sweeter, that was a touch rough / You did so well! / Pretty close, But not quite well enough / Try again! Sing clear as a bell!"

Jules has joined the lower center seating.

Jules sneaks into the performance hall ever so quietly and then makes his way to seating without a peep.

Shard mutters, "... very, very ... enemy, and I'm not ... to ... his ... ... her name. ... /any of ... names/."

Anisha sits a little straighter, looking at the two choruses, a brow arching over her lenses. Once again, she murmurs to her companion, suppressing a shudder from either the chill or the sheer eerieness of the situation, once more casting her glance over to the other seating areas and the people she knows.

A chorus of fools says in Draconic, "Oh, and eff why eye, you have a choice / He really doesn't want you to know / Just pick who to free (like those in Arx) and use your voice / After all, you're the star of the show!"

Merek watches on with curiosity, this is not that new to him, or well as to say, not the craziest thing he's seen, perhaps the... Weirdest. Either way, he seems amused in thought, listening to the chorus, though not understanding.

Lucita turns pale, her gaze fixed on the stage as she listens to the singer and the chorus. Hands are clenched tightly in her lap.

For once, Ilvin is not smiling. Lips pressed lightly together, he leans forward to see around the people in front of him and catch a better look at the choruses.

Strozza checked composure at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Sebastian seems to have stopped breathing, at least for a little while, eyes fixed on the chorus behind Sorrel -- flickering from one to the other.

Watching this very odd chorus, Jeffeth leans to the side in his chair. The man does not seem to be terribly enjoying the perforance, he looks rather upset. But his reaction is minimal. One elbow is brought up, knuckles going white as he leans his chin into his fist, glaring at the chorus line.

Watching the strangeness that is unfolding before her--the chorus, the flames, the just--everything--Rosalind looks confused. Nothing about this is enjoyable. At all.

The bards playing the accompaniment falter a bit, and there are a few missed notes, but Sorrel is absolutely fixated upon the song. Snow sparkles in her dark curls, and yet she sings more intensely than before. She motions to the undead chorus on one side of her, and then she motions to the chorus of fools on the other side of her, as if to encourage both sides to sing more intensely. Her own song pours out of her throat, and it's clear that her control is very good. And then she sings, far higher than the original song called for, as she raises her hands towards the sky, "OH GODS THAT I MAY FREE THEM ALL!"

Once the Whisper and Princess Arianna were seated they had lapsed into silence. When her cousin arrived, she offered him a wave and an easy smile. Others still were offered fertive glances but for the most part she was a passive participant in this concert and was enjoying the show. When the snow started in and the other special effects were a-happening the young, silvery-haired blonde just smiled and clapped as if this were all just the absolute greatest! Even still she wasn't prepared for the strange and unusual choruses singing so eerily.

To Anisha and those close enough to here she utters something softly,"Strangely beautiful," or something like it. Although her attention is drawn to the VIP box where that stunningly beautiful noblewoman was and offered a knowing smile. To her Whisper, she leaned in and exchanged something private with her gesturing towards the performance with a charged expression.

Nina looks across the balcony at the strange noblewoman that she doesn't recognize. Nina is cold. The chill is uncomfortable. But she seems more curious than afraid.

"Shut up," Shard snaps at someone sitting near her. It's not particularly loud, not with all that music going on, but it might very well be audible all the same. "Shut up, /shut up/." She looks...stressed.

Aisha watches the stage show with an equal mixture of intrigue and something like disdain written over her features. She tilts her head as she watches Sorrel and the ghastly chorus, narrowing her eyes.

Sorrel checked mana + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 2 higher.

Mia watches the stage, the singer -- no, the singers -- with narrowed eyes, as if making some judgment of the fantastical sight she's being presented with. But then Sorrel hits that high note and she sucks in a breath, a soft, hissing sound not unlike she might at the burning sting of a wound being cleaned.

Lora watches, entirely without expression save for that slightly wide-eyed look. And for the slight tilt of her head when Sorrel reaches the crescendo, that high note raised up to call for very, very broad freedom. She's otherwise perfectly still. Watching, waiting, frozen into the moment.

Niklas has spent the last several minutes looking at the ground, as if genuinely concerned with the damage this snow might be doing to the floorboards, but when Sorrel starts to sing this last he looks up, eyes fixed on her.

Narcissa remains an ivory statue bedecked in blacks and twilight beside Lora, her aureate eyes remaining on the singer and her chorus.

As Sorrel's voice raises again in song, joined by the ghastly chorus, her voice amplifies, carrying with it a force that none in the audience could ever have imagined. The entire hall seems to tremble, causing a stir among the audience at this impressive effect. The snow abruptly vanishes, and then green lights flicker and turn back to normal. Most impressively, there's another swirl of mist behind Sorrel, engulfing the two singing choruses. When it lifts, the performers of the 'undead' chorus lie limp on the ground, playing their part most convincingly as dead bodies. The chorus of fools is nowhere to be seen, aside from a smattering of rabbit masks upon the stage, all of which have somehow had frowny faces added to their visage.

Beatrice exhales sharply at the song's climax and sits back abruptly in her seat, dazed and baffled and utterly entranced by Sorrel.

Fortunato exhales sharply. He sits higher on the bench. He watches Sorrel with a kind of impressed relief. The awe is not tentative. The relief is tentative. Hesitant.

"Excuse me - pardon me - excuse -- excuse me -- oh, blast it, didn't mean to step on your toes --" Malcolm's carefully wiggle-worming his way through a row of seating since he's spied his wife in attendance. "Pardon," quietly "she promised me a game of Stones." Then he freezes in place.

Sydney can't help but be enthralled by the magnitude of the special effects. She looks on in awe, making absolutely no secret of the fact that she's been drawn into this performance rather fully.

Though the lenses of Anisha's spectacles make it tricky to read her expression, her mouth is slightly open, and at the apparent end, she applauds - slowly at first, but with more vigour and cheer after.

Ilvin grips lightly onto the edge of his seat, head bowing as the hall trembles. When he looks up again, his gaze skates away from the stage and across the rest of the hall, as if to be sure nothing has been put out of place.

Malcolm has joined the lower center seating.

Shard has had her head in her hands for the past little while, though at this point her fingers are splayed and she's watching the stage again. Though she says to Cadern, not quite low enough, "I'm. Going. To. Kill. You." That's probably not serious, but she doesn't look as though she's having any sort of a good time.

Teagan has remained fairly stoically in place save for a few acknowledgements to those around her as well as a brief word with the Queen before Symonesse departed. It leaves an empty seat next to the Marquessa; one which her hand dangles into almost absently. Her eyes are on the stage, studiously, before flickering away to regard the rest of the hall instead. Perhaps surveying the responses from others.

Ophelia grips the armrest of her seat tighter than she normally would and then lets go when she sees the 'undead' chorus lying limp on the ground. Her eyes sweep to the rabbit masks and then to Sorrel soon afterward.

When the song ends and the chorus left to their various states, Sebastian stays quiet as if unsure how to react. Or maybe as if quietly processing what he just witnessed. Then, after a moment, he stands, as Anisha begins her slow clapping, he joins in.

Sitting near the stage, a prime placement where watching Sorrel is involved, Delilah leans in to whisper something to Mia. The hall quaking and trembling as though contemplating falling in on the lot of them doesn't cause a whole lot of reaction. The starry mote of a duchess proves herself to be every bit as distracted as ever, wrenched away from the rabbit masked performers to the better part of the Graypeak duo appearing.

Rosalind murmurs to Shard, her voice low,"Aella's told him that lots over the years,"her eyes still on the stage. But you can see she still loves the guy.

Merek looks thoughtful about the whole performance, and watches. Eventually, he nods a bit, then begins clapping along with the people that do.

Shard growls low to Rosalind, "Yes, well, I have a lot of /sharp objects/."

Fortunato raises his hand. "No killing, Shard." He's still watching Sorrel and the fallen chorus. "Some people don't get that affected by shit. Imagine he's trying to be helpful in his way." His voice /barely/ carries. Wary.

Esme watches the stage as the higher notes are hit. There is something that seems a bit familiar suddenly. Her eyes pull away at the and then she looks around. Her eyes slide over those around, but they definitely track towards Arianna to see her reaction, then Sebastian for reasons, and then to the others. She's watching the reactions.

As the song ends, the band looks quite at a loss, but Sorrel still has an intense expression on her face. Without accompaniment at first, she starts to sing an old folk song about unrequited love, common with bards in roadside taverns. It's bittersweet and lovely and sort of a strange choice after what she just sang, but the band picks up at the chorus, which repeats, "Remember me..." in soft notes.

Sebastian is overheard praising Sorrel.

By the end of the performance, Verity is leaned forward, eyes wide. She is silent for several long seconds after the performance ends; a silence she eventually breaks with a "Huh!" She is /far/ from the type to pass up a good slow clap, and so she happily adds her hands to the effort. "Hopefully this isn't premature!" she says to Bianca. A moment later, Sorrel begins another song, at which point Verity clasps her hands together. "It was premature."

After Sorrel hits that note and the mist dissolves Jeffeth waits for a moment, murmuring to Ilvil before he is popping to his feet. Quickly bounding towards the stage. But when Sorrel seems to just continue on, the big man just pauses midstride, tilting his head looking somewhat onfused. The massive man then just sort of awkwardly lingers near the side of the stage before tucking his hands in his pockets, lowering his head and sliiinking back to his chair.

Esme is overheard praising Sorrel.

Aisha claps her hands at Sorrel politely, but it's a rather mechanical act at this point. Her facial expression has turned to confusion. "What did I just watch?" she asks no one in particular.

Cadern doesn't seem unused to feminine death threats. Though he does consider Shard's tone. He apparently doesn't know her well enough to judge without a look. Cadern seems to have been taking notes rapidly throughout the performance and as the song ends he places his notes down and begins clapping to. Totally Verity's fault. Though he stills as well as the next song begins. Cadern for all his impact on his companions seem to be raptly fascinated by the performance with the apparently the minor dialogue. Probably one of those assholes who talks during mov...plays...

Sebastian's applause begins to die as Sorrel's voice rises again. It is a strange choice, but the Prince takes his seat again, murmuring quietly to those nearby.

Finally, the music stops and Sorrel takes a bow with flourish. Her skirts are wide and full, and she flashes them around her as she makes a sweeping curtsey to her audience, smiling in what looks like delighted exhaustion before stepping forward to sit on the edge of the stage, eyes closed.

Laughing gaily, Beatrice presses a hand to her chest and links arms with a seatmate, quieting beneath the second song to converse with her group.

Malcolm has left the lower center seating.

Delilah has left the lower center seating.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly, 2 Bisland pride guards, 1 Inquisition Confessors, 1 Graypeak Aerie Warden leave, following Delilah.

Delilah leaves, following Malcolm.

Shard abruptly pushes up out of her seat, while most the rest of the audience is clapping, and then settling down for the next song. She threads her way through the seats to the aisle very quickly, and then she departs with /considerable/ haste. It's not a run. Not quite.

Shard has left the upper center seating.

Sorrel's next choice of song does draw Ilvin's smile back, creeping into the twinkle of his eyes and the slight curl of his lips like a small animal returning from a bad scare. When Sorrel sits, the smile blooms into full force and he applauds, rising to his feet. Whatever else may have gone on, Sorrel clearly put in an Ilvin-impressing performance.

Nina applauds from the top balcony, a sound just slightly muffled by her theater gloves. She doesn't seem too disturbed by the show compared to some, finding it merely a special effects powerhouse of sorts.

Ophelia loosens her cloak and stands up, smoothing the red silken fabric of her hips before clapping at the end of the performance. As the crowd begins to leave the hall she, too, makes her way out with a clack clack clacking of her pointy heels.

Strozza clapping politely for the performance, rising from his seat, looking to those whom had been seated with him, speaking quietly

2 Ivory Shields have been dismissed.

Esme comes to her feet, but she doesn't run away just yet. She smiles in Ilvin's direction, but moves in Arianna's direction. Her lips pull up a bit as she attempts to offer a soft comment to her.

When the fog clears revealing a pile of 'bodies', Niklas pushes himself to his feet, wipes off from snowmelt from the bench seat. "Gods, what's the name of the clean up crew the Nightingale keeps on retainer?" He sighs. "Eh. I'll let Evaristo deal with it." and turns to follows others to the exit.

Orelia likewise rises as she applauds.

Sophie looks incredibly shaken by this performance. At some point her gaze shifted away from the performance entirely. She's not clapping, but she is giving a polite cough, and she's moving to stand. She glances toward Fortunato, and then Preston, and then Lucita. "I have to go. Patients.. House of Solace..." Then she's gone.

Esme has left the lower center seating.

Ophelia has left the lower center seating.

Ilvin has left the lower right seating.

Robyn, an artful archeress, 2 House Velenosa Guards leave, following Ophelia.

After already slinking to his chair Jeffeth then.. gets back up. And wanders back over to Sorrel as she takes a seat on the edge of the stage. The massive knight goes to slowly sit next to the princess, one hand going to her shoulder as he leans in to murmur to her quietly.

Jules has left the lower center seating.

Olivando has left the lower center seating.

There's another murmur from Lora to Narcissa before she rises and straightens out her skirts, gaze drifting again. Down toward the stage, to where Sorrel sits. Then up to the box seats, briefly contemplative. Briefly. Then she, too, turns to join those exiting the hall.

Lora has left the upper left seating.

Wendy the little brown wren leaves, following Lora.

Aella has left the upper center seating.

Ilvin catches Esme's eye. Loosening the tight grip of his cloak about him and nodding a goodbye to Jeffeth, he makes his way around the seats to where Esme stands, giving her a smile and a touch on the arm.

Aisha has left the lower left seating.

Jeffeth has left the lower right seating.

Rising from his seat and pulling his cloak tight around him, Sebastian escorts his seatmates towards the exit, talking in low tones.

Sebastian has left the lower left seating.

Beatrice has left the lower left seating.

Briar, a quiet young woman, 2 Pravus Honor Guard, Intruder, an excited Oakhaven bloodhound, Beatrice, Aisha leave, following Sebastian.

Sophie has left the upper center seating.

Dame Rosario Nevarre of the Oathlands, Anouk Ardennes, Anais Ardennes, Triage, The white dove of Mercy, 3 Valardin Knights, 1 Templar Knight guards leave, following Sophie.

Narcissa rises from her seat after Lora makes her departure. There is a moment when the Poet of Tor flicks her wrist, brandishing a fan of stygian and seasilk, fluttering echoic of the noblewoman in the balcony. Golden eyes focus for a moment on the masked woman before she nods once in greeting, a flourish of the fan in farewell, then moves to depart.

Teagan brushes gently at her gown to set things to rights as she gets to her feet. Both to depart the benches, but also to allow others to pass. She looks towards Corban and offers a brief smile. "Not so bad as feared," she comments, though the smile doesn't reach her eyes. In fact, she looks towards the torches now back to normal. "At least for the time being."

Esme leaves, following Ilvin.

Sydney sits patiently as everyone makes a move for the exits. She's rather in less of a hurry to get caught up in the throng of those leaving. She folds one leg neatly over the other and applauds, casting a slightly baffled look at the acoustics that such a motion now provides, as though it's going to take some getting used to.

Teagan is overheard praising Sorrel.

Nina is overheard praising Sorrel.


Lips parted, eyes wide, Bianca watches with a rapt sort of attention that has superseded most anything else -- even the particularly loud joking (??) death threats going on just beside her -- in favor of seeing the events before her through to their completion. It's only when the song ends that Bianca leans back, thought lacing through her expression, electricity sparking in silver eyes as she cups her chin with her free hand. "Mm. ... Hm?" she begins, half-aware, as Verity addresses her. She blinks, looks to the other woman, and it takes her a whole five seconds for her to put together what she's referring to when the strains of Sorrel's song reach her ears.

Bianca can't help the brief, tiny snort. "You'll just have to make up for it when the real ending comes, I suppose. At least life never has a shortage of opportunities for recompense."

Anisha, too, is more than happy to be settled back, studying the departure, digesting the event - and casting a glance over to Sydney and her friends, glancing about and looking over to Arianna. "...An exceptional experience. We should thank Princess Sorrel once we get the chance..." A quirk of her lips, offered then. "...Was it everything you wanted?"

Merek is overheard praising Sorrel.

"Let's hope I'm paying attention when the 'real ending' comes," says Verity to Bianca, in good humor. She stands and offers the cloak back to Bianca. "Let's find our way out. It seems to be the popular thing to do."

Niklas snorts at something Mia says and gives her a real that's what I've been sayin' look.

Anisha is overheard praising Sorrel: An astonishing song. And what clever collaborators!

Narcissa has left the upper left seating.

Nevermore, the sulking raven, 3 Fidante House Guards leave, following Narcissa.

Sydney waves neatly over to Anisha when she notices the Whisper's motion. She glances aside to Verity and Bianca as they make their exit, offering, "...Have a wonderful evening, Legate."

Seeing the Princess off, Anisha then pauses to wait for Sydney, offering a curtsey to Verity and Bianca. "...That was an experience..." She notes.

Sorrel looks up as Jeffeth comes over to where she is sitting on the edge of the stage. "Thank you," she says softly. "Thank you for your help in all of this."

Lucita rises from her seat once matters seem to have finished and Sophie had slipped off so quietly. She turns and bids those with whom she was sitting a goodbye and then heads out, herself.