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His eyes flitted around the Tavern, a smirk growing on his face as he settled under his audience’s gaze. He inhaled, closing his eyes as he felt a small tug in the back of his head, a shiver passing down his spine as he rolled his shoulders. Releasing his breath, he opened his eyes, alight with a light blue glow, and licked his lips.
One hand hovered above the other, palms barely separated as his fingers coalesced a small ball of blue energy. He sunk his fingers into it, pulling it apart and into five strands. He forced them apart longer and longer, releasing one end and summoning a base for one end of the strings. He released the creation, severing the connection and leaving behind a makeshift instrument, of which suddenly began to pluck in deep bass tones.
He flicked a hand behind him, a small spark of teal light bursting from his fingers with a snap as the lights dimmed. He chewed on his lip for a moment before smiling, letting the audience take in the environment—settle into him, and his voices.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, mentally flipping through which voice he wanted to use. He settled on a man he met outside a chapel a couple years back. A half-siren, from what he remembered. A good one, for this occasion.
Honeyed voices always make for easy choices. Yes, he thought, this would be a good night for his collection.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and began to sing.
I'd be the voice that urged Orpheus
When her body was found (Hey, yeah)
He kept his eyes closed, letting the tavern-goers react accordingly. The echo he projected with his other hand caused his fingernails to glow a dim blue-green, pulsing with the words. His other hand lifted in the air, suspending his words, drawing them in.
I'd be the choiceless hope in grief
That drove him underground (Hey, yeah)
He took a step forward, letting his hand dip as one eye opened to view his audience. All of them were paused, transfixed upon him and his siren-song. His smile broadened, letting his head dip forward as he stepped off the small stage.
I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee
That made him turn around (Hey, yeah)
He stepped forward yet again, slowly working his way towards the first tables, letting the lights dim just a bit more until his eerie glow caught the attention of the rest of the drinkers. He needed their undivided attention—their thoughts, minds, and feelings, all in a perfect line. Like the perfect hand, roll, chord, or note, it all needed to be in line for this to work.
He lifted his head, one hand coming up to make a gentle ‘turn around’ motion as he closed both his eyes yet again.
And I'd be the immediate forgiveness in Eurydice
He ducked towards the nearest table, where an old dwarf whose eyes were barely visible under a large brow sat. He pressed a hand to his chest in earnesty before suddenly spreading his arms out wide, opening his glowing eyes to his audience.
Imagine being loved by me
The cord struck, a soft wave of blue smoke pushed out from the strings of the instrument, passing through the crowd and illuminating coils of thread at the bargoer’s throats, all in various swirls and designs. A trail of thin glowing lines, that same blue as his eyes, spilled down from his lips to his neck, all passing below his collar. He scanned the crowd, looking for a particular pattern that piqued his interest as the chorus drifted from his lips.
I won't deny, I've got in my mind now (Hey, yeah)
All the things I would do
He locked eyes on a young elf maiden, seated with her party on either side, guarded by a tiefling, human, and half-orc—she seemed untouchable.
However
Her coils had taken to a plant-like shape, looping into fern leaves across her jugular that looked oh-so enticing.
He needed to hear it for himself.
So I try to talk refined for fear that you find out (Hey, yeah)
He stalked a little closer, eyes trained on her throat as he let himself muse what it must sound like.
How I'm imaginin' you
He changed pitch, quickly blinking away the obvious interest as he straightened. He must have come across as leering, as the half-orc sneered at him and the tiefling placed a hand on her shoulder. She was obviously entranced, as was the human, but I had neither of the others fooled.
Too bad.
I'd be the last shred of truth
In the lost myth of true love (Hey, yeah)
He smiled widely, bowing his head as he took a step back, sweeping his eyes to the room for an easier target. None had caught his eye.
I'd be the sweet feeling of release
Mankind now dreams of (Hey, yeah)
He flicked his eyes back to the maiden and winked, letting the small point of his canines' glint in the dim of the lights. He furrowed his brow as he centered his attention on the tiefling and orc, who sent him equally challenging looks back.
That's found in the last witness
Before the wave hits, marveling at God (Hey, yeah)
He lifted a hand towards the ceiling, his other behind his back, a spell weaving its way together as the tiefling began to mutter under his breath. The half orc growled audibly, but the human lightly elbowed him, still transfixed.
Before he feels alone one final time and marries the sea
The illusion came to life from behind him, a great wave of light crashed just beyond him, rushing towards the party, blinding the two skeptics. He smiled, fangs and all, as he continued.
Imagine being loved by me
He swooped in behind the party, guiding the girl up from the table before leading her quickly through the crowd to the stage.
I won't deny I've got in my mind now (Hey, yeah)
All the things I would do
He smiled wide, crouched lower as he guided her by the hand. She was utterly entranced as he licked his lips, hands subconsciously moving towards her throat to grasp at her chords.
So I try to talk refined for fear that you find out (Hey, yeah)
How I'm imaginin' you
He steeled himself, taking his hand back as he moved her up the stairs, front and center before the crowd. He could hear her party scrambling to right themselves, but he continued.
I won't deny I've got in my mind now (Hey, yeah)
All the things we could do
He moved a hand to her cheek to move her gaze to his, his words directed at her.
So I try to talk refined for fear that you find out (Hey, yeah)
How I'm imaginin' you
The thrum of the illusion held out as he climbed up on the stage, quickly finding the door to the back, before slipping the two of them inside. He looked back at the crowd, all easy smiles and glassy eyes, and the panic in the girl’s friends as he sent them a smile before shutting the door behind them.