songerein | open ✧ you are invited

Entry tags:

open ✧ you are invited

Who: Phantom and you!
Which: Open log/mingle
Where: Phantom's Music Studio
What: A music studio has opened! The staff are seeking students, but everyone's welcome to just hang out and chill.
Warnings: N/A

I. A Letter

[ Sometime on the 10th, a neatly-written invitation appears on everyone's journals: ]

Music Studio Opening on Theatre Row
Seeking students and fellow appreciators of acoustic arts
[ There is a hand-drawn map below that indicates where to go. The studio is located on Theater Row beside a bridge. It's not difficult to find Phantom's ID on the message, but he seems to have signed it with a facsimile of a wax seal shaped like a cat mask. ]

II. The Opening Act

[ There are two bluebirds perched on the stairs leading up to the studio asking passersby to drop in. There are no posters or other advertisements put up around town, as Phantom did not wish to attract too much attention. In fact, finding him is a whole hide-and-seek game on its own.

The reception room is rather cozy, with a few talking animals staffing the counters and offering cupcakes to any visitors. Right now, the studio only has basic equipment, so they are also looking for people who can help them expand their repertoire and build more instruments. Most of the animals are able to play at least one instrument, and they are willing to teach anyone who wants to sign up for regular lessons. Currently, there are beginner courses offered for piano, violin, flute, and singing.

The back half of the first floor is occupied by a small library dedicated to music scores and instruction manuals. However, the shelves are pretty much empty save for a couple collections of popular songs with no discernible origin. Oh, and this.

Sometimes the staff members will perform on the second floor to showcase their chosen instrument, or invite a visitor to take the stage. The more the merrier! ]

III. Behind The Curtain

[ The small music studio is staffed by enough people to ensure everyone's entertained. Notably, all of the employees are talking animals - birds, cats, dogs, and a bear with a truly impressive vocal range - and none of them have claimed authorship of the journal invitation. Asking the employees will reveal that the message was written by the studio's manager... who happens to be quite averse to showing himself.

Occasionally, you may feel a presence behind you, only to turn around and find nobody there. Maybe a gust of wind ruffled the curtains behind you, as if a ghost is haunting the studio. Or it might be a two-tailed black cat strolling leisurely through the rooms with a refined, self-assured air.

Eventually Phantom answers the call of his employees and reveals himself - a tall man dressed entirely in black, his hood not quite doing its job of concealing his Feline ears. He tends to hang out near the corners and away from conversational groups, though he would not turn away anyone who tries to talk to him... mostly.

Later he's talked into going upstairs to play the (sadly upright) piano. He spins one of the sonatas he had committed to memory on its ivory keys - only the first ten minutes or so remain in his fractured memory, but it is enough. ]

IV. Intermission

[ Feel free to tag in with your own prompts/tag each other in the studio! It's open to everyone. I'm also up for any and all wildcards! Feel free to PM or find me in the game discord for plotting owo)/// ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(Anya has become very interested in checking out the new music studio the moment she saw the invite and the map on the journals. So here she is, checking out the lobby, planning to sign up for singing lessons (maybe even piano lessons), and seeing if there is anyone who is also in the party that she can chat with.

She doesn’t have Pooka along right now as she doesn’t want him to cause a ruckus at the studio opening and give people a rather awkward impression on both of them.)

[ Sholmes arrived in Reverein with relatively few of his personal effects, and he already misses one of his most beloved: a trusty Stradivarius. No sooner had the message been delivered to his journal than Sholmes makes an appearance at the studio. What better place to hunt for a replacement?

... Or should he take up a new instrument?

At present, he's getting rather red in the face trying to play a flute while a very put-upon bird instructor attempts to politely excuse himself from the whole situation: "Sir? Sir, please. Shall we try a different instrument?" ]

And cut short this burgeoning talent? [ Sholmes turns to the young woman nearby, looking for a second opinion. ] What do you think of these dulcet tones, my dear madam? Am I not a born flautist?

[ He inhales deeply and prepares to blast out more notes. ]

My, you’re quite a natural with that flute, aren’t you? I think that you’re doing really great so far.

(Well, he is at least trying out something, nothing wrong with getting into new hobbies or instruments so far. She is looking at the music sheets that she has picked up a while ago, though it has been a long time since she remembers someone like Olga or Tatiana playing a piano piece in ever.)

Hopefully I can try to put the piano keys to good use.

[ Sholmes stops the wheezing flute music long enough to catch his breath and say: ] Finally! Someone with an ear for excellence!

[ He shoots a smug glance at the bird, whose feathers are fluffed in abject misery. It chirps, "Well, if my instruction is no longer required, I will leave you to it, Mr. Sholmes!" And flits off to another visitor.

It's about now that Sholmes realizes he's extremely lightheaded from his overzealous tooting. He leans against a table and (thankfully) sets aside the instrument. From here, he continues talking, albeit a bit hoarsely. ]

I was about to ask after your instrument of choice, but yes, it's clear to see you have a pianist's unmistakable presence. Have you a favorite composer?

Hm, it seems that I have no specific preference to anyone at the moment. I guess that I will have to figure that out through trial and error, I suppose.

(Indeed, it seems that she may have gotten a random assortment of music sheets and she is in need of start with one soon, not to mention having some insecurities over her piano playing.)

I don’t know if I can play piano as good as any of my older sisters, but I’m going to try though.

[ A dog discreetly trots to the table and makes off with the abandoned flute. It will need to be drained of the detective's spit before someone else has the misfortune of taking it up. ]

One should never measure oneself against older siblings. They do so like to lord over their younger brethren with experience and maturity, but they are just as likely to be profound failures. [ Someone has Strong Opinions on this matter. ]

But should you choose to distinguish yourself with a different instrument, might I suggest the winsome violin? I've found no better tool to express the peaks and valleys of human emotion. [ His eyes light on a far wall, hung with an array of handsome fiddles, and he immediately strides across to fawn over them. ]

Hmm, never thought about learning to play a violin before. I doubt that I can remember any of my family members playing that often, well, I could switch instruments for now.

(She assumes that the music sheets provided to guests and students can be played with a variety of instruments, but she could be wrong on that.)

I suppose that you can give me tips as to how to play one since you sound like you know how to play with one.

Of course, when embarking on one's musical journey, one need not follow in the footsteps of others--your family or a charming stranger in a shop--but it certainly can't hurt to meander.

[ Sholmes runs his fingers over a few of the instruments before finally taking one down. He gives the strings an experimental pluck. ]

Now, are you left- or right-handed, my dear?

I am primarily right handed for the most part, so that is a good starting part.

(Approaching to get another violin and taking it out from the wall, she tries to hold it the way professional violinists hold them in concerts.)

Yes! You have the right idea, but feet a tad wider, if you please. [ He gives one of her feet a gentle nudge with the toe of his shoe. ]

The next trick is maintaining a proper hold--it should be quite snug between the cheek and shoulder. [ He demonstrates on his own, arms raised and fingers wiggling in a "look! no hands!" gesture, while the instrument stays firmly in place. ] This way, your fingers are free to dance over the strings with wild abandon!

[ He runs his left hand up and down the neck with an illustrative flourish. Only at this point does it occur to him that a vital piece is missing. He turns left and right, violin still tucked under his chin. ] Now ... where have those animals put the bows?

Um, like this?

(She tries to carefully mimic the stance Herlock is demonstrating to her, although it is not without problems as she nearly hit her cheek with the violin as she is adjusting its position.)

Further up the shoulder. A bit more cheek, a tad less chin. [ He helps shift her violin as described, his own still neatly held in place with an awkward tilt of his head. While these adjustments are made, a bear trundles up. Two bows are held in its claws with surprising grace. ]

Thank you, my good sir--or madam? [ The bear shrugs indifferently at the address. Sholmes takes one bow in either hand and pauses there. ] Oh, but where are my manners? It seems I've become entirely too accustomed to the celebrity I enjoy back at home.

[ He tips forward at the waist, twirling one bow before offering it to the young woman, handle first. ] Herlock Sholmes, consulting detective and occasional violinist, at your service!

(Thank goodness that the position has been finally corrected to how many professional violinists would hold their instruments when the bear attendant shows up with bows at hand, otherwise she might accidentally hit somebody with her violin.

She graciously takes the bow from Herlock once she is able to get the position right.)

I’m Anya, nice to meet you, Mr. Sholmes.

Enchanté! [ He says this with a smile, but it's hard to tease out whether he's actually happy to meet her, or simply enjoys having a captive audience. ]

Now! Holding one's bow is a similarly tricky matter. Your grip should be ginger. Delicate! Like you might drop the thing were it not resting across the strings. Your hand must remain flexible, ready to move and bend.

[ Sholmes demonstrates the bent-fingered grip that barely keeps his bow aloft and pulls a long, slow note from the strings. ]

Indeed, the violin demands a unique individual: one cannot be rigid, no, a proper violinist must flow with the music--versatile and spirited! I cannot help but see the glimmer of that in you, Miss Anya.

Alright then, here goes nothing.

(She tries to do the grip on the bow the way he is demonstrating to her and tries to make a note with it. Hoping and praying that it will work out well for her in the first time.)

[ That smile is certainly being pushed to its limits. ]

I-incredible. So like very like a feline in the throes of agony. If I may ...

[ Sholmes gingerly takes her hand and adjusts the position of the bow. ] Be sure to keep the bow parallel to the bridge--this bit here--and roughly between that and the fingerboard.

Ease up on the pressure. Remember! Loose! Relaxed! [ Sholmes demonstrates again, bowing out an even tone. ]

(Anya does her best to relax her position of the bow to the bridge a little more as she begins to try out playin a note on the violin as relaxed as possible.

Playing a violin is going to be a little trickier than she is hoping it could be, but she could do her best and learn new things very slowly.)

[ Sholmes is in no position to judge; he was a beginner once himself, subjecting his roommate to the caterwauling of a poorly-played instrument. ]

Much improved, Miss Anya! [ The praise seems genuine enough. ] So? Do you feel the call of the violin? Or do you long to return to the piano?

Hmm, I think that I’m starting to get the hang of this instrument already. I could try to get into piano someday, but I think that the violin is starting to take up much of my interest right now.

(Despite her initial concern of getting a instrument wrong, she is doing very good for just a novice. She is quite capable of being flexible when the opportunity calls in.)

The piano is such a stuffy, proper instrument! And quite impossible to carry around.

[ Sholmes can't very well ignore a chance to show off, and bows out a few bars of Carmen's Habanera. ] Learn the chords, put in the practice, and you'll be utterly unstoppable, Miss Anya. Your sisters will be entirely beside themselves with jealousy.

(Anya soon begins to play one of the music sheets she picked up, playing it the first notes and bars of the music, slowly loosening the stiffness as she bows out the bars.

This is becoming a lot of more fun than she is expecting. It does certainly help that the person she just met is very competent with the instrument she is learning to master.)

[ Sholmes observes, quickly recognizing the melody, even if it's played a bit clumsily. When she's done, he claps. ]

Au Clair de la Lune! I often played it for my flatmate when she had difficulty finding sleep. [ He carefully omits that his so-called "flatmate" was a toddler at the time. ]

Not bad at all, my dear. The next challenge is working on your finger technique. That is, timing it with the push and pull of your bow for smooth transitions between notes.

Why thank you, Herlock. I really appreciate the compliment.

I will do my best to get the finger technique on point as good as I could go.

(She loses the stiffness more gradually, and slowly one note at a time, it becomes less pronounced as she continues to play the music sheet for Clair de la Lune. Her playing becomes less janky and more smooth as she plays on, keeping the advice well in her mind.)

[ Sholmes tucks his own violin under his arm and fiddles with the bow--unscrewing the frog and setting a bit more tightness in the hair. He hums along to her song until, between attempts, he finally speaks up again: ]

Miss Anya, as I mentioned, I am a consulting detective, celebrated across the British Empire for my astounding powers of deduction. Would you care to hear my conclusions about you, and perhaps confirm their undoubted accuracy?

[ He laughs, and quickly adds: ] I only ask, you see, because some people can be put off by the terrifying precision of my observations.

So you can deduct things about people with a lot of accuracy? Well, I have never asked anyone about finding things about my life correctly so far, so I guess that I can safely say, um, ‘yes?’

(Anya has literally no idea of what she has gotten herself into the moment she just said yes to Herlock making a guess about her or her life. She has said some things about her past to some people before, but never has she explicitly confirming about her status as royalty.)

II Opening Act OTA

Look, I know the link isn't a flute, but same energy

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