A short, but interesting RP session. Nakoi's player came down with a bad headache half way through, so Antharro ended up pushing the RP along to bring it to a quick conclusion, but with the added challenge of trying to maintain the quality of the roleplay. Did he manage?

It's a fun piece of RP that is part of the ongoing storyline. Nakoi finds herself as the unexpected center of attention from the barryd's finest.

Characters
Antharro
Nakoi
NPC: Barryd leaders

Location

Freshwater Lake

A well groomed stretch of sandy beach leads down to the gently lapping fresh water lake. Along the south side, a large pad of bullrushes grow to provide natural filtration for the water, in case any young residents have...accidents...while swimming. The water ripples from time to time as the silvery-blue sides of various fishes break through. They sometimes jump out to catch low-flying pests that the Dimarenes may have missed. The sand in the water eventually gives way to smooth river-stones until finally, the bottom of the water is no longer visible at all. It's your usual idyllic swimming hole. Enjoy!


On a wide section of beach, just a short distance from both the lake and the grass of the recreation area is an open sided marquee, large enough for several Dimar to stand with comfortable space between them. In one corner of the marquee is a table with all manner of snacks and drinks freshly prepared in the Telka kitchens. A banner grown into the front of the marquee proclaims "WELCOME HOME, NAKOI!". Stood under the marquee's shade are a couple of Dimar, Acolytes, judging by the silks, a couple of Arrallin betas and a couple of humans. Everyone is in a jovial mood, as if just waiting for Nakoi to arrive. Inside the marquee, Antharro is in light conversation with a couple of others.

Nakoi pads into the area, headed toward the lake. Her emerald eyes are downcast and slightly unfocused as if she's concentrating hard on something. A soft song is thrumming from her throat, and it takes her a moment before she realizes there's something...different about her surroundings. Immediately, the humming stops and her ears flick up, alert, as she quickly raises her gaze. What she sees has her stopping mid-stride, one gracefully-tapered paw suspended midair as her eyes widen. If Dimar could blush, she would be a deep shade of red. As it is, her mouth hangs open slightly in surprise. It is a moment before she contains herself enough to set her foot down, but her mouth continues to hang open. She seems...speechless.

As if a proximity alarm had sounded in his head, Antharro pauses mid-conversation and looks up. Spotting Antharro, he excuses himself from the conversation he's in. Raising his voice, both mentally and telepathically to speak over everyone present. A good number of people have now turned up from all three species, and ... could that really be an Arrallin alpha in the group? << My fellow Acolytes, honored members of the Telka hive, representatives of the human council and all our guests. We are here to celebrate the returning of one of our most celebrated Nakai artists, Nakoi. She has been a proud ambassador for Telka, representing our barryd all around the world. It is the least we can do to recognize one with such fine talents, and it is with great pleasure that I present you Nakoi of Telka! >> As he's been speaking, he's been slowly walking over to the speechless musician and is now standing alongside her. He grins at her with a typical Dimar non-toothy grin, one forepaw extended as an invitation for her to take it so he can lead her to the marquee, now surrounded by applauding and smiling folks.

Still speechless, Nakoi takes his forepaw and allows herself to be led to the marquee. She looks absolutely mortified, although she seems to be trying to hide it. After a moment, she swallows and turns to look at the Acolyte. << Antharro, >> she says quietly just to him, << Thank you, but this truly was not necessary. I'm merely here...I mean, I'm not a...I'm still just a student. Surely this is more something befitting a...a Master, yes? >> She is too embarrassed to worry whether her words come out as ungrateful. Still, she tries to grace the crowd with a Dimarish smile, albeit a distinctly faltering one.

Antharro releases Nakoi's paw as they reach the marquee. << Did you think we wouldn't celebrate the return of one of our own? Trust me, when you become a well known and highly sought after musician, we'll be lucky to get hold of you, and when we do, we'll throw a big party. You're one of our own, we're proud of you and we'll look after you when you're here. >> He grins at her again, then turns to introduce a number of the VIPs, starting with the Arrallin alpha male who inclines his head to her and comments that he likes what he's heard of her music and looks forward to her future works. He adds, "you are welcome in the hive here whenever you wish," an open invitation from the leader! An Acolyte First is next, one of Antharro's colleagues, then it's on to the human delegation. While they are making small talk with Nakoi, Antharro slips over to the refreshments table and picks up a Dimarian-sized drinking glass, more like a bowl, and returns, offering it to Nakoi.

Nakoi blinks at Antharro. << I don't know that I'll be so sought after... >> but she trails off as she's escorted to meet others. As she is issued the invitation, her eyes go wide in surprise, but she dips her head graciously low to the Arrallin Alpha. << Your invitation means much to me, Sir. I would love to visit, and hope that I may repay the kindness of such an offer with my humble musical skills. I can only hope they will be sufficient. >> She favors him with a genuine smile before she is pulled away by yet another big-wig. As she mingles, her embarrassment begins to flow away, and her manner becomes increasingly more confident. From Arrallin, to Acolyte, to human, she begins to carry herself with echoes of the ambassador she has the potential to become. Every expression is gracious, every comment complimentary...and it becomes obvious that she is beginning to enjoy herself--so much so, in fact, that she hardly notices when Antharro slips away. She blinks at him when he comes back, then offers him a smile. << Thank you, Antharro. I didn't realize until this moment just how thirsty I was becoming. >>

Antharro nods a reply to Nakoi as she thanks him. Waiting for a break in her conversation, he chips in. << If you all could possibly spare our honored guest for a moment, her adoring public are waiting for an opportunity to meet her briefly. I promise I won't keep her from you for long! >> As the gracious "of course" and "ah yes, adoring public" replies are offered, he offers his paw to her and escorts her out to those gathered outside. << May I suggest just a few minutes here? Can't keep the other leaders waiting too long, and they would love to spend a little more time with you before you have to move on again. And I'm sure you would like some private R&R time in your home barryd, having travelled for so long recently. >>

Nakoi appears to be mostly at ease, now...at least until he mentions an "adoring public." She blinks. << I have...a public? >> Her eyeridges come together in a Dimarish frown before she takes a steadying breath and, smoothing out her expression, thanks the Acolytes, Alphas, and alike before allowing herself to be led outside. << I will try to be quick...but...who would this adoring public be? I didn't realize I had a single fan, let alone an entire public... >> As she spots the others outside, she swallows hard, then again smooths her features into a smile and dips her head in a bow to the crowd.

The "adoring public" may not be so much of a crowd as more a small following of dedicated supporters waiting around the marquee. Made up of a cross-section of Telkan society, members of all three species are present, some of whom Antharro recognizes, some of whom are strangers to him, but may be old friends to Nakoi. He introduces her to the first one and lets her work the crowd as she sees fit, keeping a watchful eye on everyone present. After a few minutes has passed, he reaches out to Nakoi privately. << We should be heading back into the marquee. I'd rather not keep the others waiting to long. >> Out loud, and giving Nakoi a moment to register what he's said first, he calls << Alright folks, that's all for now, thank you. Nakoi took a few moments out from the formal gathering to spend with you and I'm afraid I must recall her to the gathering now. Thank you. >> He gestures with a forepaw towards the front of the marquee.

Nakoi sighing softly, she offers the supporters an apologetic smile, thanking them, before going to join Antharro again. She shoots him a sidelong glance, saying privately to him, << Perhaps...not to seem ungrateful...but...perhaps we could make this short? I have been traveling for quite some time and...well, quite frankly, I'm a bit exhausted. I wouldn't mind a little time for rest... >> Her tone is very apologetic. << I truly am thankful for the...wonderful...celebration you threw in my honor. I never imagined...well...I did not think I would warrant anything close to this. >>

Antharro nods his agreement. << Of course. This wasn't intended as a formal gathering, I'm sure they'll all understand. And you're very welcome. As I said earlier, you're on of ours, and we take care of our own. >> Entering the marquee again, a round of smiles and comments surfaces as a couple of the guests approach to open conversation with the musician. After some time has passed, enough for Antharro to do a circuit of the room greeting everyone and saying hello to people he doesn't often get to see outside of formal barryd meetings, he returns to Nakoi. Seeing she's putting on a very good cover for her tiredness, he takes the initiative and steps in in a lull in the conversation. << It might be a good time to slip out, if you still want to, >> he tells her. After waiting a moment for her confirmation, he continues out loud. << Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, Telkan colleagues. Our young musician has had a long day and a long journey and it is starting to take its toll. She must unfortunately take her leave so she can rest in preparation for her formal duties tomorrow. I hope you will all join me in expressing our gratitude towards her and our best wishes for her continuing success. >> He turns to her. << One day, you will return to banners on the spires and in the hallways and throughout the barryd's communal areas and its lands. Until then... enjoy the rest, because as an upcoming member of the Nakai arts, I have a feeling you're going to need it. >> Turning back, he finishes. << Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen... Nakoi. >> A round of applause and supportive laughter and comments breaks out, everyone smiling and grinning and passing on their best wishes. Antharro simply stands by Nakoi's side and lets her drink it all in and enjoy the moment.

Nakoi ducks her head with a shy smile. << Thank you, everyone. It was...amazing to meet you all. I do hope we'll meet again. Be well. >> She ducks her head again, this time in a bow of farewell. As she lifts her head again, she looks to Antharro and smiles. << Thank you again, Antharro. Perhaps one day, I truly will make the Barryd proud. But before I can do that, I do need to rest. I shall see you later, once I am a bit more alert. Farewell. >> And she turns and tiredly pads away from the scene, presumably headed toward her quarters, albeit slowly.