User blog:Redknight910/WWYD Gandharva Rexir2

I was testing the strings on my lute, making sure it was tuned, when a soft thud comes from behind me. A gandharva is standing behind me, looking at me with a smile.

"Please, don't mind me." She says in a soft voice. "I wish to see the one who lifts others spirits with their music." Slowly nodding I return to my practice and tuning. As I continue I hear the rustling of feathers, then another tune playing alongside my own.

I look back at the gandharva, who has her eyes closed and is playing her own instrument. As I continue so does she, playing more and more passionately. When I'm ready for my performance and stop, she continues for a few seconds, before stopping, opening her eyes.

"May I ask you something?" She asks with a smile. I nod. "Would you mind me playing alongside you? I think your music is exquisite, and would love to be able to play with you." I hesitate for a moment. I've never played with someone before. I'm not very good at following another's tune I warn her. She giggles quietly, then shakes her head.

"Oh no, this is your performance, I will be playing to your tune." I nod, accepting the offer. I step out of my room at the inn and step outside. Once in place I begin to play the song I practiced. After a few moments the gandharva joins in, playing a perfect accompaniment to my tune.

As we play a crowd begins to gather. And before we're halfway through the piece the crowd has grown significantly. When we're finished the crowd explodes into cheering, all but deafening me. It looks like everyone who's walked passed is in the crowd, cheering at me and the gandharva, who's wearing the brightest smile I've ever seen.

We bow and the crowd begins to disperse, some of them offer us gifts for the entertainment. I thank them and accept whatever they're happy to give. I return to the inn, getting a drink for me and my friend.

"A wonderous piece of music that was. You have talent, and did you see all of those smiling faces?" I nod, thanking her for the comment. Coming from one such as her it means a lot, even if she did play it better.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Oh, but you led the piece, I simply played to support you." I tell her she shouldn't be so modest, she easily drew most of the crowd to us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Perhaps you, too, need to stop being so modest." I sigh, clearly this conversation's only going to run in circles. "Only if you let it. Otherwise, I would like to speak of something else." I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "You play wonderfully, and this war leaves many drowning in despair. We cannot stop a war on this scale, but we can make people happier. I would like for you to travel with me, and bring the same smiles we did here to other towns and cities. To the courts and the slums. A note for all who wish to listen. It's what we gandarva do best. Sing people smiles and lift their burdens, even if it's only temporary." I sit for a few moments, thinking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">She wants me to join her on the road? To travel and sing across this war-torn land? It'll be dangerous, my music's saved me from thieves in the past, but the roads are full of bandits, not to mention the possibility of hostile soldiers. But those smiles. Everyone was happy weren't they? Even if only for a time. Sighing I slowly nod, accepting her invitation. She beams at me and wraps her wings around me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Thank you." She whispers into my ear, her soft feathers caressing me. I go to my room upstairs and grab what I'll need, paying the innkeeper on my way out. I step outside the gate into town, the gandharva waiting for me by the wall. She steps off, still smiling at me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">I approach her, asking what our first stop is. She gestures with her wings. "Wherever the wind takes us." Is her response, and before I can think to hard on what that means I'm gripped in her talons and lifted off the ground by her powerful wings. After a few panicked moments I start to relax, feeling the wind in my face, the sensation of flying through the air. No wonder harpy's are normally so happy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">We travel from town to town, sometimes invited, but more often just passing through on our aimless journey. We play for the poor, the noble, and everyone in between, not asking for anything, but thanking those who give anyway. Me and the gandharva grow closer with each performance, and after one particular performance I kiss her. This leads where it does, and we're married a week after. Together we travel, bringing joy to all those who will listen, but from all the smiles I see, there's one that I will never grow tired of seeing. The smile on my wife's lips, after a performance brings them to everyone else’s.