Shadows of Bankor

Dak had had a rather busy day and decided that going home and relaxing before the art festival tonight. Dak sat on his couch and plucked the strings on his batanga, the Cathar had gotten out of practice with the instrument but it was a nice way to pass the time and relax. The past couple of days had shown that the future was both uncertain and sure to be interesting.

He had a somewhat unsettling feeling that he would miss the quiet days.

There was a knock at the door. She had left the hunting lodge a little early to head to the art fair. Her hood was drawn up tight, the purchased art supplies in her hands.

Dak set the instrument down and crossed the room one hand was on the hilt of his knife as he opened the door. He smiled wide seeing his friend on the other side and he snapped closed his knife holder opening the door wide.

"Juri, what a pleasant surprise. I haven't really had a chance to see you since you returned. So much has happened lately."

"I was on my way to Rygor for the street fair. Thought I would stop by. And yes, a lot has happened. I saw something weighing heavily on you yesterday, but with everyone around," she spoke softly, standing in his doorway.

"And so much more will happen, I fear."

Dak stood to the side and invited her in with a sweeping motion "please Juri come in."

He thought for a moment "I mean after what we had just seen I think we all had something weighing on our minds. It was a tragedy and one the Empire was solely responsible for."

She cross the threshold, then quickly removed her boots, and socks, setting them aside for easy recovery. Her bare feet touching the flooring, respecting the home to not bring in the detrius of the walked path.

"Darkness clouds everything, Dak. It's hard to not just succumb to it. To let it consume us. Hope, though, for a better future, is a dim light, but we have to stoke that fire to see us through these dark times."

The Cathar smiled as he followed Juri into home "I think I'm using righteous anger and a thirst for revenge push me through these dark days." He said in a blithe manner "Please sit if youd like, would you like something to drink? I've got water, some fruit juices I squeezed earlier, or something harder if you're looking to pre game for the festival?"

"Water, please. I don't feel like having my senses dull with the Empire about." She spoke softly, moving to take a seat. One leg cross over the other, hands resting on her lap as she sat up. She considered chiding him about righteous anger, but that would be hypocritical.

"Did I interrupt your practicing? I'm sorry."

Dak returned with water in one glass and a ruby colored liquid in the other. He handed her the water and sat down on the couch. "That's smart I suppose but the empire will be here for a while I suspect, even with our best efforts."

When she asked about interrupting he chuckled as waved a hand dismissively "Oh no nothing as formal as that, I was just plucking at the string a little to relax, have you ever heard a batang before?"

"No. I have not." She shook her head, before mouthing thank you as she took the glass. "Are you presenting a song at the fair, or just here? If at the fair, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise of the audience experience." She beamed a bit, eyes half lidded as she regarded her friend.

He thought for a moment and then shook his head ruefully "No I wasnt planning on it, never been much of a stage performer. But I wouldn't mind playing a little for you if you dont mind listening to an amateur." He said grinning.

"Please, I'd love to listen." She leaned back, drinking from the water. An arm crossed over her torso, watching the Cathar with interest.

Dak sat and plucked at the strings experimentally for a few moment before he went into a song it played low and soulful. He made some errors but nothing that would entirely pull out an audience.

He added his voice which was nothing special, but it was honest in a way.

"That was lovely, Dak. Thank you for sharing." She clapped as he finished, and then kept her hands folsed togethet. "Maybe you should play something for the faire. Move someone to pay you, or just lift the spirits of those who need it."