open mingle ✧ songs of summer

[removal]

Who: Everyone!
Which: Open Mingle
Where: An open-air area at the riverside
When: Evening of July 18th
What: Summer Concert!
Warnings: None

I. Prelude

[ The riverside square is bustling with activity as the sun rises on Songerein. Many members of the Music Studio have pitched in to help run the concert, humans and talking animals alike. The orchestra's instruments have to be moved to the concert venue, the seats have to be laid out neatly, the stalls have to be set up with sufficient serving equipment... there's no shortage of tasks to be done, and any passersby are welcome to pitch in and help out.

A few bluebirds are fluttering around the square, offering leaflets advertising the music studio to anyone who might be interested. The studio now offers tutoring in saxophone and composition in addition to its previous offerings! They'll practically talk the ear off anyone who is willing to listen. ]

II. Andante

[ Most of the concert stage is set by afternoon, allowing the musicians and stall owners to relax for a few hours. Some of the musicians take this time to rehearse their segments, but it's difficult to tell what they are supposed to be playing without the accompaniment of their fellows. Occasionally one of them will take the stage and play a spirited solo - anyone is welcome to join in, true to the music studio's relaxed atmosphere.

The stall owners have also opened for business: there are a few instrument makers displaying their wares in the hands of the performers, as well as some vendors selling instrument care supplies and small trinkets. The offerings range from hand-copied music scores, wooden metronomes, to crystal globes that play a short piece of music when shaken. Some of the globes might look a little familiar. ]

III. Scherzo

[ The musicians return after dinner in earnest, and the show begins on the dot at 8pm. Today's announcer is a bear wearing a bright blue bow tie, reading out each performing group's names and their chosen piece with great care. It's never too late to join the stage - even if you haven't signed up beforehand, the announcer is more than happy to give any musician some time to share their music. While most of the musicians are NPCs, a few familiar faces can be spotted as the night goes on. Anastasia, Venti, Sholmes, Tifa and Eustace will also be playing on stage. The Wild Harvest has also arrived with their refreshments in tow! Now is a good time to check in with old friends.

As the music fills the nighttime sky, fireflies start to gather in the riverside square, landing on nearby greenery and perhaps on the hands of attendees as well. Their light blinks in time with the music, as if they are also sharing in the show with the larger audience members. ]

IV. Allegro

[ The twin moons of Songerein now hang overhead, and a sense of anticipation begins to crackle in the air. All the music studio performers stand ready at their instruments, and at last Phantom makes his appearance at the concert. He is dressed in his usual dark and formal style, though he does not take his place in front of the piano. Instead, he walks toward the podium set up before the assembled players, and retrieves a slim baton from his pocket.

The bear clears their throat and signals for silence.

"To all our guests on this beautiful evening, we present the fruits of our labour. Next up is our final piece: 'Summer', a violin concerto crafted in a distant world to honour the brilliant season around us. Let the verses of summer infuse your heart with great joy."

Phantom raises his hands, and the musicians begin to play. ]

V. Coda

[ While the concert is technically over after the finale, there is no shortage of encore requests and people willing to honour them. The music studio will need to pack up and move their instruments back eventually, but there's still half an hour or more to go until then. As always, everyone is free to mingle or congratulate their friends on a successful performance. It seems the fireflies will see you home, so there's no worry about walking alone in the dark. ]

Comments

[hearthwarming]

[ Sure, she's going to mull over that particular part of their conversation once she's back at home and then not say a word of it to Diluc, despite the fact that the two are of very similar minds these days when it comes to the concept of crossing over worlds...

Anyway...

At Susato's prompting, she hums thoughtfully, mindlessly continuing to pet Fang all the while. ]

Hmm... There were so many amazing performances, it's difficult to pick just one! But I think the one at the very end where everyone came together to play one piece was the most incredible one. I've never seen anything like it before!

[judicialassistant]

Hehe! [ There's a giggle. Susato visibly perks up at that with the atmosphere lightening between them. ] That was the highlight, wasn't it? "Let the verses of summer infuse your heart with great joy."

...I think it was my favorite, too.

[ The words from Phantom echo in her mind, and she allows it to hang in the air for a moment before continuing. Fang continues to bond with Ori as Susato packs up the last of their things. As she closes the bag hung around Fang's neck one final time, she can feel two spherical objects, tapping against each other in a light klink--the sound of glass. ]

Such lovely souvenirs available today as well.

[hearthwarming]

[ As Ori continues to bond with Fang, she idly wonders if she would be able to speak with the dragon. Her magic doesn’t typically work on more mystical creatures, let alone ones that are even more far removed from her home realm than, say, the flower-covered woodland creatures of Reverein.

Well… Her being able to speak with a creature has never been a requirement for her being able to get along with them, at least.

As Susato finishes packing and makes mention of the souvenirs, Ori smiles curiously. ]

It sounds like you found something nice. What did you get?

[judicialassistant]

[ At the very least, Fang doesn't appear to mind. She is plenty well-versed communicating in other ways. Susato watches them as she answers the question. ]

Did you see the lovely display of globes earlier? Right there. [ She points to roughly indicate where its location, before the merchants collectively started packing. ] Not far from our booth.

[hearthwarming]

[ She follows the direction of Susato's pointed fingers; her expression lights up with recognition, and she nods with a smile. ]

Oh, yes! They were so pretty. The ones with the little houses and such in them, right?

[judicialassistant]

Yes! Well, not all of them had houses, but...

I found two that seem to be based on countries from my home world of Earth. I've decided to take them home with us to see if I can't find a place to display them.

[hearthwarming]

[ Ori smiles at the sentiment. She's found a few things here and there that remind her of home, and it's a bit of a heartwarming feeling every time. ]

How delightful! I'm glad you found a few pieces of home to have with you here, in a way. I'll have to keep an eye out next time I see those vendors around.

[ And then she winks! ]

I'm sure your boyfriend will appreciate them too!