Music in the Blue Jug

Inside the Blue Jug
The tiles of the floor here are hexagons of red clay, each stamped
in the middle with the emblem of a tiny jug, glazed blue. The room itself
is low-ceilinged, the heads of the taller patrons almost brushing against
the dark wood of the rafters. Low set round tables are scattered across
the space, surrounded by bright cushions rather than chairs. Against the
north wall are shelves, stacked high with jugs, mugs and glasses, kept
separate from the rest of the room by a low wooden bar. Clay lanterns,
painted in garish, gaudy hues, hang from the ceiling, casting a steady
illumination. Two wide windows look out onto the courtyard, allowing air
and light to enter. A dart-board, bristling with black-feathered darts,
is hung to one side, the space in front of it kept clear of tables. The
walls are white-washed, though smoke has darkened their dazzle, and all
along them hand-prints, in varying sizes and colors, have been splotched
in decoration.
A multi-ringed dart board hangs here on the wall.
The lean, silver-haired old man sits watching the dartboard.
The grizzled, leathery skinned old man fills a row of shot glasses.
The man with a dimpled chin sits near the door, scowling.
The brown-haired half-giant sits crouched by a table.
The short-haired young woman is here, sitting at a low, round table.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman is here, sitting at a low, round table.
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man is here, sitting at the bar.
The indigo-eyed toddler is here.

(from the point of view of the indigo-eyed toddler)

Brandishing your tiny wooden guitar, you exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Look!"
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man drinks horta wine from a dark glass jug.
Looking up for a moment, without enthusiasm, the brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"Oh.... Good.... good afternoon."
Moving closer, you ask the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"You wanna play it?"
With a sad smile at you, the brown-haired half-giant shakes her head, dangerously close to the rafters.
The short-haired young woman smiles.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman settles back onto her cushion, tucking her legs up underneath herself.
The small, indigo-eyed boy wavers uncertainly before pushing the guitar at the brown-haired half-giant.
You give a tiny wooden guitar to the brown-haired half-giant
Uncertainly, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
His voice suddenly high-pitched with excitement, you exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"You can play it, I'll let you!"
A faint hint of an amused smile plays upon the corners of the sturdy, smoke-eyed man's mouth.
The small instrument seeming tiny in her large hands, the brown-haired half-giant smiles at you.
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man's gaze flickers briefly between the brown-haired half-giant and you before returning his attention to his dark glass jug.
Uncertainly, the brown-haired half-giant asks you, in bendune:
"It... I... I... I would just... just make, just make giant noise, aye?"
You exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"You could play it, and I could play my whistle and we'd be bards!"
The diminutive, dark-haired woman winces at mention of the whistle.
The short-haired young woman giggles.
With a sudden smile lighting her sad face, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Oh..."
To herself, the diminutive, dark-haired woman says, in bendune:
"I think we lost that whistle."
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man sips from the jug.
Turning, you exclaim to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"No, no! I found it! It was under the bed!"
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man lets out a very brief chuckle.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman makes a sour face and nods.
Uncertainly, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Oh...."
You whisper to the brown-haired half-giant:
"It's a very loud whistle."
Quietly, the short-haired young woman says, in bendune:
"Always the best place to hide stuff.."
With a curious smile, the brown-haired half-giant turns the tiny guitar around, and a single string sounds with a soft, mis-tuned -twang-.
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man turns toward the short-haired young woman.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Apparently not."
Startled, the brown-haired half-giant regards the instrument, giving it a worried look.
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Dre is off ta Kere ta bury a gwoshi hide, he'll return after he's done."
The small, indigo-eyed boy bounces on his heels, watching the brown-haired half-giant.
With a grin and speaking softly enough to not be heard by you, the short-haired young woman says to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"I didn't know it was meant to stay hidden, Shakra... otherwise I wouldn't have suggested that he look in that super-secret hiding place."
At the sound of the sturdy, smoke-eyed man's voice the brown-haired half-giant looks up briefly, relief in her eyes.
The short-haired young woman says to the sturdy, smoke-eyed man, in bendune:
"Thanks."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman grins briefly at the short-haired young woman, shaking her head.
Very quietly, the diminutive, dark-haired woman says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Next time I find a better place to...lose it."
The small, indigo-eyed boy sits, beside the brown-haired half-giant.
The brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"Oh...."
The short-haired young woman asks the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"Definitely... try among food he doesn't like maybe?"
The tiny instrument cradled in her large hands, the brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"It, I..."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman nods in agreement, leaning back and curling an arm protectively around her jug.
Curiously, the brown-haired half-giant asks you, in bendune:
"You... you can... you can play it, aye?"
The short-haired young woman rubs her nose, glancing at you and the brown-haired half-giant.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman shifts in her seat, momentarily tugging at her boot.
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man's hazy eyes glint dully as he blinks slowly, glancing among the group.
The brown-haired half-giant holds out her hands with the guitar to you while she regards you askance.
Confidently, you exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Of course!"
Happily, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Oh... that, it, it's good, aye? "
Blushing, the brown-haired half-giant asks you, in bendune:
"Because I, I can't. But you, if you can, it doesn't matter if I, I can't, aye?"
You ask the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"You could sing while I played it?"
Very carefully, the brown-haired half-giant hands the instrument back to you.
The short-haired young woman frowns thoughtfully, flicking a glance out the door.
The brown-haired half-giant gives you a tiny wooden guitar.
Stammering, her face blushed deeply, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Oh... I.... I...."
Tucking your small stuffed tregil under his arm, the small, indigo-eyed boy struggles to hold your tiny wooden guitar.
The short-haired young woman stands up and leaves some chairs at the bar.
Uncertainly, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Music, I, I can't make. Just, just giant noise."
The small, indigo-eyed boy enthusiastically sweeps a hand across the strings, producing a noise which has nothing in common with music.
The short-haired young woman says to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Course you can."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman raises her eyes to the ceiling.
Her face flushed, the brown-haired half-giant shakes her head at the short-haired young woman.
You sing, in bendune:
"La la la la... "
The brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"Oh..."
You exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"C'mon!"
Putting her hands on her hips, the short-haired young woman asks the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Why can't you make music?"
Waving at the brown-haired half-giant with an encouraging gesture, you sing, in bendune:
"La la...."
The short-haired young woman giggles.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman makes faces at the brown-haired half-giant which are probably meant to be encouraging.
Giggling happily, the brown-haired half-giant joins in with you singing along to the noise your is making, her stammer oddly distorting the rythm.
The short-haired young woman grins.
The small, indigo-eyed boy bounces in place, strumming the guitar.
Lifting her voice a little over the noise, the diminutive, dark-haired woman says to you, in bendune:
"Softly, mikaer, softly, and that way you don't drown out Shauvia...."
The brown-haired half-giant sings, in bendune:
"La... L...La... La La La..."
The short-haired young woman says to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"You sing really well, Shauvia."
The small, indigo-eyed boy lowers the stridency of his strumming the merest fraction, wiggling with excitement.
Frowning thoughtfully, the short-haired young woman asks you, in bendune:
"But I think somethin's missing... member what you and Miranya helped me with while my leg was busted?"
You ask the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"With bouncing on the bed to make ya feel better?"
The brown-haired half-giant sings, in bendune:
"La.... la la La..."
The short-haired young woman says to you, in bendune:
"No... after that, and after the honey handprints all over my walls."
The short-haired young woman says to you, in bendune:
"When we did quiet stuff for a while..."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman takes a great interest in her jug.
Wrinkling his nose, you say, in bendune:
"That wasn't as much fun as the honey."
The short-haired young woman grins.
Giggling, the brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"Oh....."
The short-haired young woman says to you, in bendune:
"I know... but you were really helpin'... and its gonna make Shauvia laugh and laugh when she sees..."
The brown-haired half-giant asks you, in bendune:
"That... it, it's why Spar, he, he calls you ho-... honey-monster?"
The short-haired young woman whispers to you:
"Member? The -REALLY- big guitar you helped me with?"
The small, indigo-eyed boy nods with sudden enthusiasm to the short-haired young woman.
The short-haired young woman asks you, in bendune:
"I bet... if we got that, she'd really like it. Think I should?"
You exclaim to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Yes!"
The short-haired young woman says to you, in bendune:
"You're gonna hafta help her learn though if she doesn't know how.."
Her dark eyes curious, the brown-haired half-giant glances between you and the short-haired young woman.
Giggling, the short-haired young woman says to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"You're gonna -hate- me."
You say to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"I like honey."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman chuckles, shaking her head.
The short-haired young woman glances outside, wrinkles her nose and frowns.
Solemnly, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Oh... Aye, honey, I, I like it, too."
The short-haired young woman asks you, in bendune:
"I gotta go to my room then... keep 'er here until I get back, kay?"
The brown-haired half-giant smiles happily at you.
The small, indigo-eyed boy nods solemnly at the short-haired young woman, settling onto the brown-haired half-giant's lap.
The short-haired young woman grins.
The short-haired young woman raises the hood of a blue and white striped aba.
The short figure in a blue and white striped aba tugs her aba around herself.
The short figure in a blue and white striped aba leaves a low adobe building.
Perplexed, the brown-haired half-giant looks at the door, her large arms embracing you on her lap.s.
Firmly, the diminutive, dark-haired woman says to you, in bendune:
"Do -not- get that candy all over Shauvia."
Happily, the brown-haired half-giant grins at the diminutive, dark-haired woman.
The brown-haired half-giant asks the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"Oh... if, if it sticks, I, I can just, just lick it off, aye?"
Indignantly, you exclaim to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"Won't!"
The short figure in a blue and white striped aba has entered a low adobe building.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman says to you, in bendune:
"Mmm, of course not. Of course not."
The short figure in a blue and white striped aba ducks into the building, a huge sandcloth wrapped thing on her back.
The short-haired young woman lowers the hood of a blue and white striped aba.
The short-haired young woman carefully lets the bundle slide off her back to the floor.
Her large arms wrapped gently around you, the brown-haired half-giant regards the short-haired young woman with curious eyes.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"That better not be a drum."
The short-haired young woman says, in bendune:
"Mkay, Shauvia... if this doesn't make you at least smile a little, Tahn and Miranya and I are gonna be really disappointed."
Curiously, the brown-haired half-giant says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Oh..."
The short-haired young woman lifts the bundle to its full height, a bit taller than herself.
Gleefully, the short-haired young woman says to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"Nope. Better."
The small, indigo-eyed boy giggles happily.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman groans.
The short-haired young woman leans the tall bundle and sets it against the bar, then begins untying the straps and sandcloth bindings protecting it.
Puzzled, the brown-haired half-giant glances at the diminutive, dark-haired woman for a moment, before her eyes return to the bundle slowly unfolding under the short-haired young woman's hands.
A gigantic wooden guitar takes shape as the short-haired young woman pulls the sandcloth away, letting it pool on the floor.
The small, indigo-eyed boy gleefully wriggles in the brown-haired half-giant's lap, unable to contain himself.
Her large mouth falling open, the brown-haired half-giant regards the instrument in disbelief.
The brown-haired half-giant says, in bendune:
"A.... a..... a...."
His voice proud, you exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"I played it!"
With a hint of panic in her voice, the brown-haired half-giant says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"But I... I... I can't, don't... don't know how...."
The brown-haired half-giant bursts out in a sudden giggle, smiling down at you.
The short-haired young woman glances critically at the guitar, running her hands over the dark hardwood frame, tightening the tortoiseshell tuning pegs and lightly smoothing the detailed leather cover on the lower face of it.
The short-haired young woman asks the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Now... didn't you hear what I told Tahn? That he had to help you learn?"
You exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"I'll help!"
Giggling happily, the brown-haired half-giant nods eagerly.
The short-haired young woman strums one of the strings, a deep low thrum reverberating from the guitar.
Still giggling, the brown-haired half-giant says to you, in bendune:
"Then, then,..... if... if you show me... I... I..."
The small, indigo-eyed boy nods enthusiastically.
Her gaze drifting off to the diminutive, dark-haired woman's face for a moment, the brown-haired half-giant bursts out laughing and nods.
The short-haired young woman drags the guitar over to the brown-haired half-giant, presenting it with a dramatic flourish of the brightly colored, woven shoulder strap.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman chuckles despite herself, eying the short-haired young woman.
The short-haired young woman says to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Now... you two have lotsa duets to play."
You exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"We can make up songs!"
The sturdy, smoke-eyed man's full dark lips reveal a thin smile as he watches the brown-haired half-giant and you.
Still giggling, the brown-haired half-giant asks you, in bendune:
"Aye, and, and we'll sing them to, to Mira, aye?"
The short-haired young woman quietly steps back, dropping onto a cushion at the nearest table.
The short-haired young woman sits down at some seat cushions around a small table.
The small, indigo-eyed boy nods even more enthusiatically.
Her voice dry, the diminutive, dark-haired woman says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"I'll make sure Kal knows who to thank for all this gift of music."
Holding the guitar gently by its neck, the base still resting on the ground, the brown-haired half-giant exclaims to you, in bendune:
"Aye, and, and Kal!"
Giggling, the short-haired young woman says to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"They're more than welcome to come practice in my room sometimes... they can sing to my birds."
Brandishing your tiny wooden guitar, you exclaim to the brown-haired half-giant, in bendune:
"Let's sing!"
The short-haired young woman asks, in bendune:
"They can put on concerts for you and Kal, how's that sound, Shakra?"
Carefully, the brown-haired half-giant lifts the instrument off the ground for a moment, and then holds it standing beside you and herself.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman says to the short-haired young woman, in bendune:
"Oh, words cannot encompass the joy."
The small, indigo-eyed boy strums your tiny wooden guitar with wild, fervant abandon.
The diminutive, dark-haired woman chuckles.
You sing, in bendune:
"La la la la LA LA la..."
The diminutive, dark-haired woman beams a smile at the short-haired young woman.
Dark eyes tracing the smooth curve of the wood, the brown-haired half-giant's gives one of the strings a probing pluck as she holds the instrument by her and your side.

The brown-haired half-giant sings, in bendune:
"La...... LalalaLa La..."
The small, indigo-eyed boy continues strumming loudly, still singing.
With a happy grin, the brown-haired half-giant plucks a slow, repetitive rythm on that single string to sound with the high-pitched sound of your tiny guitar.
You exclaim to the diminutive, dark-haired woman, in bendune:
"You sing too, Momma!"
The diminutive, dark-haired woman asks you, in bendune:
"In a while, k?"
The small, indigo-eyed boy nods, still strumming.
The brown-haired half-giant sings, in bendune:
"La...."
You sing, in bendune:
"La! La! La!"
The brown-haired half-giant sings, in bendune:
"lalalalalala la La!"
The small, indigo-eyed boy stands, dancing around the nearest table to the vast amusement of its occupants as he continues strumming.
You shout:
"Everybody SING!"