A private roleplay between harakun and myself.
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Name: Tarian
Age: 22
Appearance: Long brown hair that reaches the middle of his back, amber eyes, and lightly tanned skin.
Status: Noble
Hobbies: Painting

Name: Knox
Age: 21
Appearance: Long blonde hair that doesn't look like it's been combed for a long time, bright blue eyes and slightly pale skin. He wears tattered clothes but there's one thing he keeps in good appearance: a violin given to him by his grandmother
Status: Beggar
Hobbies: Music, specifically playing the violin or the piano (if the inn lets him)

Tarian made his way through the bustling city streets. The sun hung high in the sky, it's a rays beating down with a comforting warmth. Normally he did his best to avoid going into town, he had servants to run the majority of his errands, but it had now become inevitable. The various books he owned had all been read and he needed new ones. Not to mention he was running low on paints and canvases. The canvases could wait for a day or two, but he needed the paints now. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to finish the painting he had been slaving over this past month.

It was yet another day. Another day for Knox to share his music, another day for him to make people happy. Though he doesn't get enough from it, he didn't really mind. In fact, even though there weren't people awake yet, he'd already set himself up by the buildings of the rocky path and was already playing a quiet lullaby that should wake the people without making them angry. Those that would pass by would feel its silent ambience and give them a fleeting feeling.

(I'll probably reply to this thread every other day, just so you know.)

After purchasing the supplies he needed, Tarian decided to wander the streets a bit. He hadn't been in the town for a while now, and since he was already here he figured he might as well. The size of the city never failed to amaze him. The people were colorful, and the buildings seemed to hold their own personalities. However, right now he had no interest in painting such things. He wanted to depict nature. The gentle colors that complimented one another, the sereneness of it all... It was something that this town lacked.

He made his way through the winding streets, thinking about anything and everything. It was then that he heard music. It was faint, but... beautiful. Tarian's ears perked curiously, and before he could stop he found himself heading towards the noise.

(( That's very fine. XD ))

Knox's eyes were closed as his fingers continued to smoothly run through the strings. He could hear some people throw coins in his open violin case but not once did he stop with the said music. It wouldn't be surprising if he ends up with nothing again. Children always did love to take his coins from his case. Not that he was particularly mindful in the first place. Some believed he was blind, too, with him playing with his eyes closed. He wasn't showing off; he just wanted to share his joy in music. Some of the people stayed long enough to listen to him, most just stopped a moment and then went on to continue their days, and some children actually stand beside him to mimic what he was doing making a few of the people who decided to stay longer to laugh. It gave them a sense of amusement, it seemed, and Knox wasn't at all disturbed by it.

Tarian wound himself through the crowded streets, his ears staying trained on the music that had captured his interest. When his eyes finally fell on the individual that was the cause of it, he was astonished. It was a begger. He knew of no other words to describe him. The player was a male with with lengthy, tangled, blonde hair, was of fair skin, and wore tattered clothing. And yet the instrument he played, a violin, made the site of him beautiful. It was a strange kind of magic. One that was only strengthened by the lovely notes elicited from the small instrument as the man's arm drew back and forth. The music was soft, slow, and held several emotions behind each note, though he couldn't quite determine what they were.

The noble normally did not listen to music. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it, but when he painted (which he did frequently) the musical notes would always influence him. And that was something he didn't want. Because of that he listened to music less and less until he stopped completely. Tarian felt that he did not need such a thing in his life, not when he had his paints. But now... with the beautiful melody that slipped into his ears, he felt he wouldn't be able to get enough of it. Before he knew what he was doing, he leaned back against the building he had been standing beside and listened. At first his eyes gazed with curiosity at the way the man's bow slid across the different strings. His movements were slow and fluid, as if the begger had been playing since birth. But as the lullaby washed over him, his eyes slipped shut. Not he wanted to do nothing but listen.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's this trouble here?"

Knox's fingers had started to become quick on the fingerboard, playing a quick music that almost seemed comedic while the police came. A lot of the people around seemed to laugh as the said officer came closer enough to slam his baton on the wall. "Seriously, stop doing that," he told Knox who only smiled at him and suddenly stopped the said music, "If you want to play, you should go over to the inn and ask if you could play."

The musician didn't reply and the officer sighed. Apparently, he hated the way the musician always seem to ignore him even though he was well aware of him being mute. Knox apologized to everyone with a sad smile and he'd started to pack up his violin. A lot of the people complained to the officer but Knox knew better than to go against the law. He brought up a hand to scratch at his grungy hair and made a face at his stomach grumbling. Maybe... he will ask the inn for food in exchange of playing.

Tarian's eyes flicked open as he heard someone speak up above the lullaby being played. And then, suddenly, the music stopped. His amber eyes narrowed into a glare as he realized it was an officer that had caused the disruption. Why was he making the begger stop? He wasn't doing a single thing wrong; if anything, he was doing the area a favor. Everyone who had been listening seemed to enjoy the man's music. The noble's irritation was written clearly on his face. He hadn't heard music so lovely for several years. He had been enjoying himself, and for that enjoyment to be cut short he was obviously a little irritated.

The man let out a sigh as he pushed himself away from the wall. He knew he shouldn't interfere, but despite that he found himself moving towards the two men. "Is there a problem here, officer?" Tarian questioned politely. As he spoke he took the pouch of coins hanging from his belt and gently grabbed the begger's dirty hand, turning it and placing the donation in his open palm. The man deserved every coin for his music, and judging by his appearance, he needed it. He directed his full attention towards the officer then, a curious smile of his lips.

Seeing nobility on the roads such a place like this was obviously a surprise for everyone, especially for the beggar and the policeman's part. "Well, sir," the officer started, trying to stumble for the words to say, "The crowd's blocking the road and I wouldn't want to have to deal with the damages." While the beggar was still looking at the pouch of coins, to the point of being mesmerized, the officer nudged the blonde's arm. "Come on. To the inn. I'll even come with you."

Knox ignored the officer for now. He was far too curious as to why this noble man had given him a pouch of coins. He'd even dirtied those hands of his by touching him. Because he could not speak, he gave the man a deep bow and a smile as he'd hid the pouch in his violin case. The officer on the other hand, reached out to grab the beggar's arm. "I'll even talk to the innkeeper for you." Anything, it seemed, as long as he was away from this noble man. He didn't want to lose his job.

"No." Though Tarian's voice was stern, a small smile still played across his lips. "I will take him. I need some help to orient myself with this growing town, anyways." He looked kindly at the strangely silent violin player. "Besides, I would like to know where I can find him when I wish to hear more of his music." The noble wasn't accustomed to saying such things, especially about strangers. He supposed that it was the music that had put him in such a kind mood. He truthfully did not want to stop listening to it. It was beautiful.

He turned towards the police/guard then. "Is that alright with you, officer?"

The officer was too surprised. Knox, too, when he'd heard what the noble man had said. The officer's eyes were wide as Knox watched the two converse. He could hear them but he couldn't speak a word. When the man had looked at him, Knox could only find himself casting his gaze down. He was obviously embarrassed because this is the first time he'd ever seen another noble man eye-to-eye. The officer, too.

"He, uh, he lives anywhere on the street," he paused for a moment to clear his thoughts, "This man is a street rat. He makes money from his playing the violin and it seems that he cannot speak nor write." The officer turned to Knox. "It'll be hard for someone of your stature to be communicating with him but why not? If it'll be helping you, sir." He smiled at Tarian. "I'm sure he'll be happy to play his music for you."

Knox brought his gaze back up and nodded at the officer's words.

Tarian's amber eyes flickered sightly. "I see..." So the man was a mute. He supposed that this fact made sense, why wouldn't it? However.... it was something that was new and somewhat unusual to him. He had never met a mute, nor anyone with any other type of handicap. And with this man as his temporary guide it would surly be interesting. However he desperately wanted to know where he would be able to find this man in the future. His music had awakened a part of him, and now it needed to be satisfied.

The noble lightly placed his hand on the musician's shoulder, not caring about the dirt that surly covered his clothes. "I believe that I can handle him," he said with a mysterious smile. "Does he know sign language, by any chance?" He knew that it would not be likely, seeing as the man lived on the street, but it was possible. Tarian happened to know a little sign language, and any way of communicating with the man would be a big help.

Knox and the officer was very much surprised at the noble putting that hand of his on Knox's shoulder. The beggar's eyes had widened and he'd looked at the noble with an almost fearful gaze. He didn't want to dirty him in anyway, after all. When he'd heard the words 'sign language', he found himself tilting his head a little and then looking over at the officer who sadly shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't think so, sir," came the reply of the officer.

As if brought about by shame, the musician also bowed his head in what seemed to be apology before he'd looked back up at him with a smile. He pointed at his violin case and motioned to the noble. It seemed the officer got the message because he'd said, "He says he'll be happy to play his music for you. Maybe he could... come to you instead of you having to come to him?" When he saw Knox nod his head vigorously and smile at the officer, the man in the uniform couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that Knox had made a new friend - a special friend, that is. A noble.

Tarian nodded at the officer's words. That was certainly a shame. It seemed that this man, this begger, could only communicate through music. He couldn't imagine how lonely he must be at times, not being able to properly communicate with anyone. His hand tightened gently on the begger's shoulder.

The noble smiled then at the officer's suggestion as well as the musician's enthusiasm. "Yes... that sounds like a lovely idea. It would definitely be more convenient. Plus I've been needing a muse lately, and this man's music seems like it would do the trick..." Tarian fell silent, thinking. His smile grew slightly then as he came upon another idea. "I suppose I could pay him for his music with shelter and food, if he so chooses. I do live on the outskirts of this town..."

Knox could feel his chin drop down to the ground. Had he... heard right? The officer, either, couldn't believe it. A noble was actually... housing a beggar just with his music! It was uncalled for and definitely was unexpected. The officer nudged the beggar's arm with his hand and Knox only realized then how rude he had become with his surprise at the noble's kindness.

Although he was hesitant, he couldn't bring himself to think how he could travel every single day to the outskirts of town to get to the noble's house. That, and he knew he'd just be invited over to the noble's house if he does sleep outside the man's front doors. Knox gave the other a nod and he'd smiled. Opening up the pocket in his violin case, the beggar brought out what seemed to be a smallest of the small violins that seemed untouched, clean and brand new. He held this out to the noble with his outstretched, dirty hand and his other hand moved to rest on his chest. The officer saw this and he knew instantly what that meant. He'd done that a couple of times to him, after all, when he was grateful for the food he spared him or him saving him from the number of thieves who wanted to get what this beggar only had.

"I believe he's saying 'thank you' and that he'd come to your place, sir. But... will it be all right?" The officer, obviously, didn't want to risk losing his job should something bad happen. That, and he felt a little hesitant about having someone else take care of Knox. He's been doing it after all for quite some time now. "He will not be a bother to you, will he now, sir?"

((I have to be active during events. xD It's in my nature.))

Tarian smiled softly, amber eyes staring gently at the mute. Thank you... So he would come along with him. At least that's what the officer said. "Yes, it shall be fine," he assured him. "I have been rather... lost, lately. It will be nice to hear some music while I work for a change. I can also have one of my servants teach him sign language, if he'd like. I'm sure it will become useful in the future..." he mused aloud. "I would teach him myself, but I fear I would not have the time."

The noble paced a hand lightly on the musician's back. "Come along," he said with a kind smile. "I'm sure you will rather enjoy staying with me. Clean clothes and meals everyday to fill your stomach." He looked up at the police officer then. "Thank you for... translating his actions for me, but I believe I can handle it from here on out."

(( Lol. Feel free to fastforward. xD ))

Knox didn't exactly have a choice. He did want to please a lot more people but to be offered lodging and food while he played music for this noble would be a great pleasure, as well. He could please the other people and perhaps perform in the streets once he'd be able to with Tarian's permission. "All right, sir," the officer said as he'd tipped his hat a bit as a polite action of good-bye. The musician gave the officer a smile and he turned to look back at noble with a nod and another smile of his own to return that said kind smile.

The musician zipped up the pocket of his violin and he adjusted the strap on his shoulder. Clean clothes and meals everyday to fill his stomach sounded very much appealing that the bread he'd eaten not very long ago wasn't enough to hold his stomach from grumbling and complaining while he smiled sheepishly as a sign of apology.

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The moment Tarian entered his estate a female servant flocked to him. "Oh, sir! You're back already?" Her eyes then fell on the mute. Though she was not of high status herself, she was not and never was a beggar. And she couldn't help but be curious as to why he was here. "Um... sir..?" She gazed at the man curiously. He was filthy, and yet her master was allowing him into his home.

The noble simply shrugged as he removed his coat and handed it to her. "This man will be staying here for a while," he explained simply. "See to it that he is bathed and given clean clothes as well as a warm meal." Without saying more he straightened his clothes slightly and began to head into the next room. "Oh. One more thing," he added. "This man is not a normal servant. He is a musician, and is a mute. I want you to have Martha give lessons in sign language if he is willing to learn."

The servant girl, Lillian, nodded towards her master as he left the room. She then turned towards the musician. "Well..." she said as she took his coat, "My master seems to have taken a liking to you." She offered him a small smile then. "I'll get a bath started for you."

Knox didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. After all, this was the first time he's ever been welcomed to a noble's house. Not that he wasn't a noble himself back when he was younger but he'd chosen not to remember such things as it only brought back memories not even worth reminiscing about. The woman's small smile was contagious and though he was hesitant about her taking his coat, he replied with a smile and a nod. Yet again, he put his hand on his chest as his silent sign of thank you and idly wondered what the noble had meant with the words, 'sign language'.

Was that a way to communicate with people? If so, he was excited to learn it if that meant he could relay what he actually meant or was meaning to say to someone else. While he thought this thought, his eyes wandered over to the noble's home and he looked down at his soiled feet and had on a troubled look as he looked back at the servant girl. Was it okay for him to soil such a clean home with his presence? Though he didn't think much of it back on the streets, he felt out of place and tightened his hold a little at the strap of his violin that was hanging on his shoulder.