SP-F1 <<Earning A Living>> "Rhythm of Life"

[Xanatos 0]

After all of the explorations I have made of late, I decided it was time to relax a bit. The market in the starting city from my first few nights in the game seems like a good idea. I walk the path of lights, banners line the streets. "Goodluck!". What was everybody celebrating about? I asked a few locals what all the fuss is about. "A group of players are about to attempt to clear the 10th floor boss", one of the sellers informed me. Wow, floor 10 already? There must be some really dedicated players out there. Why aren't I with them? Oh right, although my spirit is strong, my player itself is..lacking. 

[Xanatos 0]

Although my gear was better and my experience growing in the ways of this world. I found myself missing something, something to pass the time, or share with others. I had given it some thought when I was up on the hill that night with Reu, Syo and the others. Music is one of the constants of our world. I many shapes and forms, people are able to express themselves through the creation of sounds that invoke the strongest emotions. Love, hate, peace, chaos. All feelings that are being constantly impressed upon people with the rhythm of life.

[Xanatos 0]

I remember the woman in blue silk that sang for me. It feels like ages ago since I saw her. but in reality it was only a week ago. When I was younger, I did not have much to do in the streets. I didn't have a cell phone or a gameboy like the kids I saw in the parks. I found my solace from boredom in being able to sing with a group of older homeless guys that lived in the theater district of my hometown. Donnie had a baritone voice that rang louder than any I had ever heard before. He liked that old country music. He sat around a fire with an old acoustic that he protected with his life. 

[Xanatos 0]

Donnie taught me that everybody has a voice. No matter if someone was "bad" at it or not, everyone could sing. Songs tell stories, they range from happy to sad, lyrics to instrumentals. I learned that my voice rang the most true with folk types. The lyrics speak of older times, wisdom long lost, beautiful women. All of these things were things I missed, but even now in this world, I find myself seeing elements of folk music. Great battles and good people. That's all you need for a plethora of good music.

[Xanatos 0]

I walked through the market, hearing songs of both celebration and lament. NPCs sang loudly on the corners. Wandering through I could hear the clear, almost angelic voice of a female NPC. "Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme". The woman was singing an old English love song. The song tells the story of a young man asking his lover to perform almost impossible tasks. It was usually sung as a duet, but there seemed to be no one to sing with her. I moved on, disappointed that there was no one performing alongside her.

[Xanatos 0]

A man on the far side of the street was belting out old musical show tunes. "I have sailed the world beheld its wonders. From the Dardanelles to the mountains of Peru." The man was singing the opening number to a musical called Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.  The song speak the story of Toby, a young man who traveled the world before meeting Sweeny Todd. He and Sweeny sing of the city of London. Talking about its "features". Toby finds London to be a great home that he seems to have missed dearly. While Sweeny told of its decadence. The "great black pit" he called it....I wonder what they would think of this place.

[Xanatos 0]

I noticed that a few other players were singing in groups. It was odd but I swear I could see the players becoming buffed. Others I saw singing into small crystals. Were they recording devices? It seems like an interesting way to store songs. But in a world without magic, I guess they have to find some realistic way of recording music. I mean at some point we used clay jars to record music. Vinyl discs, glass records, floppy disks. All of these things were used to carry musical recordings. I guess crystals are not too far of a stretch.

[Xanatos 0]

I saw other players peddling their wares. Blacksmiths selling armor, alchemists selling wondrous potions, and cooks selling delicious foods. All of these productive players made me realize what I was missing. A hobby. A profession. I need an outlet that isn't so..violent as others. Yet, crafting doesn't really suit me. I wonder if I can become a musician. I know I can't much of a living off of it, but at least I can spend my time and energy creating music for those who need a bit of inspiration. 

[Xanatos 0]

I stood on a corner of the street. I felt a bit of nostalgia in my heart when people began to stop and hear my song. "When the storm is raging and thunder rolls, deliver us from the oceans save our souls!". My voice rang throughout the market, beckoning people to recognize their peril and face it. The song sings of those that will save us from danger and chaos. A small girl and her brother begin to dance to the upbeat tune. I realize that all I have for now is my voice....I need my violin...

[Xanatos 0]

Donnie was a kind guy. He was always willing to help anyone that he could. One day we were walking around the streets when we found an elderly man being assaulted by some punks. We ran them off and picked the old man off the street. WE escorted him back to his home. It turns out this man was a music teacher. He asked us inside for a drink and some snacks. We would have been fools to refuse. He fed us well and asked us about our lives. He asked us if we had music in our lives. Donnie told him about his guitar then continued on to brag on my voice. I was embarrassed quite extensively. 

[Xanatos 0]

He pointed to a wooden violin that hung on the wall of his living room. "That violin was my first violin. Go on, take it down from the wall." The teacher helped me grip the violin and bow properly. It felt natural in my hands. He moved my arms and body to give a good feel for the instrument. The old man began to show me how to play. The fingering, the eb and flow of the musical pieces he showed me. I went back day after day, learning and practicing the art of the violin. I became quite good, though nowhere near as good as the old man. 

[Xanatos 0]

Donnie and I would play together in the streets. We played for change, for fun, even to entertain some of the younger kids in our pod of poverty. We would play ballads, covers of current music, even some originals Donnie and I would write in the nights. That violin was my most prized possession, until I traded it in for a gun. I traded one passion, for another. From creating music and inspiring people, to mugging junkies and shooting innocents. I regret ever taking it into that pawn shop. I regret ever giving up on that dream.

[Xanatos 0]

As I sang louder and louder, A familiar sight caught my eye. A woman in blue silk was walking through the crowd. Our eyes met and I felt a sense of remembrance. A sense that she knew exactly who I was and why I was here. I stepped down from my little stage and walked towards her. The crowd seemed to part as I approached her. "Hello my dear, It's good to see you again. Only this time you seem to be the one spectating." I greeted her as I held out my hand. I wish real women were as beautiful as this one.

[Xanatos 0]

"My name is Loriana, I am a performer here in the starting city. My role is to perform songs for players to help them feel more, comfortable in their new environment." I kissed her hand. "I am Xanatos, I saw you a few days ago in the square, might I say you have a beautiful voice." "Thank you Xanatos. I appreciate your compliment, but I am more interested in your voice. I think you could do very well as a performer here in the world of SAO, with this profession comes the power to buff and debuff friends and enemies."

[Xanatos 0]

I thought about the prospect of being able to create music again. The opportunity seemed to great to pass up. I could play the violin again and spread the power of music to every person I meet in SAO. "I would like that very much Loriana. But what could I perform with? I haven't seen an instrument like mine around. I miss my old violin. A violin that was very special to my past, reminded me of a time before my troubles. I don't think I could play as well and help people without it.

[Xanatos 0]

"Of course my friend. I'm sure we can find something close to what you would like, please close your eyes." I closed my eyes and listened to the Loriana. "Think of a time when you used that particular violin, a time that you felt most in touch with the music inside of you, a rhythm long lost in your mind" I thought for what seemed like hours, but was a few mere seconds. I thought of the day I played my first completed piece for the old man. He was so proud of my progress, I miss seeing his wide eyes smile with every movement.

[Xanatos 0]

"Ah I see you've found it. Now take that memory and focus it in your heart, let it take form as you sing a song." I sang loudly as I felt a form begin to shape in my hand. It felt so familiar as I tried to open my eyes. "Nope. Keep your eyes closed until you know for 100% certain what you are going to see when you open them". I resisted the urge to stop singing and look. I could feel m memory coming to life in my hand. The violin was beginning to form in my hand.

[Xanatos 0]

I sang louder and more confidently as the violin came to full form in my hand, It was majestic! I had not even opened my eyes yet I could see it. I could feel it in my heart and soul. The feelings of warmth in my chest strengthened as i opened my eyes. The violin I had not seen in years was there in my hand. As if I had never sold it. "This is amazing Loriana, how were you able to summon this violin? "Delving deep into your memories, I was able to see the image of the violin more clearly as you made the memory stronger. Using the image and your willpower, I made an exact copy of the violin. I hope that it is to your liking." 

[Xanatos 0]

"It is everything I could've asked for Loriana. I will not let this creation go to waste. I will make music for all citizens and soldiers of SAO. My music will carry their burdens far away from this place and strengthen their resolve." "You are a player of true heart Xanatos. I hope that your spirit will be heard through your creations. Healing those whose hearts have been scarred and destroyed by the chaos of this world. I wish you luck in your journey Xanatos. Farewell. Loriana walked away into the crowds out of my sight.

[Xanatos 0]

I couldn't help but stare at the violin. It's blue crystalline structure glowed in the light of the moon. Its aura began to show as I played. It felt glorious, as if it had never left my life. Note after note the strings played a song of hearth and happiness, my audience in the square danced around as if there were no more troubles in the world. This is what harmony looks like in its purest form. People being able to toss their cares and burdens away as they dance into the night. Living in peace with the world around them.