subplotkudzu | Emirikol, Part IV scene 3

While Dietrich pursued the path of steadfastness and Cvbele reaped again the rewards of the profligate, Hiram awoke late contemplating a day of no specific needs or requirements. His own desire for practical knowledge led him to begin a tour of the city so that he might learn its twists, turns and character, and in so doing he found himself drawn to the Legerdemain - the city's largest and most opulent theater, resting just at the border between Serin and Orchid and designed to draw the cream of society.

Alas, at this hors of the day the theater itself was closed, but he was able to view the inside lobby through the grand windows and noted with some interest that the current production was "The Marquis of Order" - the classic history whose finals scenes swirled about the empire's siege of Hightower Tor. It seems the Tor is everywhere these days - from his own experience to Pedro & Pierre in Scornbul to here at the heart of culture.

Meandering around the back of the theater Hiram was graced by good fortune, finding two of the theater's crew enjoying a midmorning break for tobacco and, as is common amongst the theater types, grousing. The pair - a gnome named Turl Brizezicki and a finely featured elven woman names Eloise - readily accepted Hiram into their discussion once he made sufficient comment to prove his bona fides as a treader of the boards. Turl was by far the more talkative, as the elf's thick southern accent made it difficult at first for Hiram to discern her speech.

The conversation focused on the state of theater in the city, and how the owner of the Legerdemain had control over a decent amount of it: he owned not just this theater but several of the penny shows in Scornbul and a few in Ferrantino, and the playing of both Hightower Tor plays was no coincidence, but Kurin Von Torm's attempting maximal capitalization of the city's current interest with the Tor. When Hiram asked about employment, he learned that this structure would work against him - Von Torm, unless dealing with an actor who already possessed sufficient fame, preferred to train his own, starting them with small parts in the Scornbul theaters and testing the for years before trusting them with the stage of the Legerdemain.

Things are somewhat easier, Eloise noted, for musicians such as herself - she had been hired directly into the Legerdemain orchestra as a flautist, though she had sometimes to play other theaters when Earntor requested it. She also noted that Hiram was carrying what appeared to be a magnificent hurdy-gurdy. "It's not the quality of the hurdy-gurdy, it's how you use it," The young nobleman replied, noting the elf's look of interest in the instrument and its owner. He laid out a tune then and there, and was happy to see the elvish woman produce her own instrument and join in. The pair played together, climbing each others trills and intermingling their verses until the gnome noted the time and cleared his throat, indicating that he was due back inside. Hiram was quite pleased when Eloise asked her companion if he might explain hr absence, as she would be loathe to break off this discussion with the fine young nobleman.

With the gnomes promise to do so, Eloise led Hiram about the neighborhood, ending their short walk at the posh Serin apartment complex rented in concert, if you will, by the members of the Legerdemain orchestra. There a few hours were passed from which we shall avert our eyes.

To be continued

Emirikol, Part IV scene 3

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