Entering the tavern, Lily scanned the area taking in the crowd. There was a man she was looking for, one that was infamous in his own right and perhaps eager and stupid enough to take a somewhat dangerous job.<br/><br/>Sitting down near the bar, Lily took out her lute and set it on the table. Often a fun conversation piece for people who enjoyed to learn more about her, she used to engage people without having to be too obvious about it. Waiting to be served, she tuned the lute and hummed a few bars matching the pitch of her humming to tune the lute.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">An accompanying hum made it's way through the air. Within no more than a moment's notice, a man with a soft smile and an intrigued look had made his way to the table.  He gave a small chuckle and shook his head "First day on the job in a fancy new place and I get to serve talent? I must be on a lucky streak."</span><br/><br/>Smiling back, "You must have a pretty good ear to hear my humming from across the room." Tuning a bit more before she went on, "Anything good to eat? And any need for a bard in this place?<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Without missing a beat, the man hummed thoughtfully "that's actually quite a tough choice... but if I had to recommend anything to you specifically, I'd say the honey bread." He looked at the woman impishly "A rich taste with just a hint of sweetness and the soft bouncy texture will have you singing."</span><br/><br/>"Are you a performer too? I think I may have caught you a time or two out on the streets? Like...illusions? Or slight of hand?" seeking to keep him engaged in the conversation.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The man looked away with mock thoughtfulness "I suppose some people believe that I'm quite the server. I can't say I see what they do," he waved dismissively for a moment before turning to look at the woman again "I leave the crowd awing to angelic voices such as yourself, I'm sure."</span><br/><br/>"For  a server you are quite the charmer and rather...stimulating to my muse," the lute strummed a bit more purposefully now.  "I look for a partner that can appreciate the arts such as myself, with the stamina, charm and wits to help me wow the crowd for bigger tips. A man such as yourself that makes himself known as just a simple server may just be the partner I've been searching for," humming turning to a bit to soft singing in an almost thoughtful manner.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The man's gaze shifted left and right conspiratorially. He pushed back a lock of loose hair, a genuinely pleased smile coloring his features "Well, the atmosphere in here could use a pick me up. And good partners are hard to come by..." he took a step back and tilted his head before extending an arm out as if to say 'after you'  "I say you lead. I'll follow,"</span><br/><br/>Taking the  offered lead, she moved toward what would be a "stage" area to get a small performance going. Taking her time to feel out the crowd a bit,  while she adjusted her song and performance to suit them. Though as luck would have it, her lute descided to give out and fail on her a string snapping and abruptly ending the song.<br/><br/>"The stage is all yours," she bowed out as if this was part of the show trying to recover the moment the best that she could.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Instead of gracefully moving on. The man gave a horrified expression, covering his mouth with a hand and shaking his head disapprovingly "Now that surely can't be all can it?" he motioned toward the crowd of people. Some had turned their attention; others were unfazed. <br/><br/>"After hearing such a sweet melody, we can't let it die now can we?" a few murmurs and affirmations followed.  The man motioned toward the lute, a pale glow faintly illuminating it's wooden body almost as if it were weakly pulsing with life. <br/><br/>"Look! Even the lute agrees!" he said proudly. Much chattering and oohing passed among the tavern as they watched in amazement. He turned to the woman with pleading eyes "though your instrument has fallen, its spirit demands you go on.  As does the lovely audience, right?" A much stronger affirmation followed by hoots and whistling ensued. The man gave her a look before nodding his head to the crowd. <br/><br/>"Let us hear the instrument that will never fail so long as you stand!"</span><br/><br/>Eyeing the bit of magic, she smiled and took the stage once more and recovered from the faulty start. By the end of it, she had won the crowd back and took a bow with the charismatic server. "Can't tell me that didn't feel good?" she asked him. "Look the life of a simple server is nowhere near as fun, or..." a patron came over and handed her a couple of gold coins. "pay as well." Splitting the funds with him, "How about you join me? I have this job and I need someone who can think or their feet and play to a crowd. Better paying than this job could be. I have 25 gold pieces for you right now to come with me. What do you say?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">For a moment he was horrified of the thought of leaving work early. He could be fired of course. A moment later, he was appalled with himself for thinking he'd be staying here long enough to settle down with a stable job. With a moments hesitation he'd made his decision. The orb of light condensed into a coin- sized white ball of light and slipped from beneath lute strings to linger above the man's head. "I say its awfully suspicious how quickly you'd go about dropping that much money on a someone who can make a floating candle." he remarked with a smirk.<br/><br/>" but if that's what you need,  then I'm your man, angel. As long as I'm not offing someone in a dark alley."</span><br/><br/>"Dark alley, no," she teased. "Though there is the chance of someone getting off," she winked and gathered up her lute and walking with him out of the tavern.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"bards really do know all the magic words"</span>