Callie's Heroes

PART IX - FIRST FANGIRL

"That was one of our favorites, Starfire Falling," Deduxia called out to the crowd. There was polite applause from those few that had been watching from their tables, but no one had been dancing. "We've received a special request for tonight from several people, so we're going to take a step back so your fellow soldier, Callie, can play you a song. She says it's something fun. Callie? You're up."

Off to the side, Callie swallowed, glanced out at the crowd, her eyes falling on the mob of drunken Dwarves, and decided she was absolutely going to smother Lena in her sleep that night. Her cabinmate had roped her into having to explain to Deduxia and Nekini what she meant by 'beat', which was all the more-difficult when also trying to explain you weren't trying to insult the musicians or what they were playing, and then Lena dared her again to put her money where her music was. She could tell the other Gnomes didn't like the idea of someone stepping into their act, and she hated it just as much. So much of a good performance is about familiarity and flow, and some crazy girl interrupting it to play her own amateur attempt would just distract from that.

As Callie had been trying to explain her musical tastes to the other Gnomes, something occurred to her that helped to clarify everything. Based on the music she'd heard in this world so far, she had found it could generally be divided into two broad categories. The first was music with lyrics, and second was music for dancing. What she was finding lacking was they didn't seem to be combined very often.

Any song with lyrics seemed to be largely confined to slow, semi-ponderous musical accompaniment designed to be a background to the words. The music almost became meandering tone-poems rather than an actual song, and didn't have much of a repeating melody or rhythm to them. On top of that, outside of a few nursery rhymes, the lyrics were often more free-flowing, lacking rhyme or meter. The end result was songs that, while they told nice stories or conveyed interesting imagery, really didn't do it in a very exciting way. Starfire Falling, the song that had just been played? A pleasant song about a pretty, green-streaked sky, with the music hardly even noticeable compared to the unrhythmic and unrhyming lyrics.

On the other end of the spectrum was music for dancing. This world had the waltz down to a science, with a lot of the three-beat style of music having been played earlier this evening as part of the more-formal vibe that had been the original intent. Even the peppier stuff, which started to more-resemble an Irish jig or something medievally similar, all lacked one thing. Lyrics. You didn't dance to words in this world, it seemed, and when it finally clicked and she told the other Gnomes her observation, they almost looked aghast at the suggestion, the idea just being foreign and … weird. Deduxia, though, was soon intrigued, seeing what Callie was getting at as she explained more, and generically asking Nekini to give some thought to what they might do differently. Being different and original was important in the Bard business, apparently.

Callie had ultimately and grudgingly agreed to play one song for the over-eager Dwarves after a little encouragement, or maybe pressure, from Pixyl and Lena. Mentally, she summoned up her go-to karaoke list, scrolling through the many songs she knew well, as if doing the same on her iPhone. Eventually she saw one in the 'H' section that seemed appropriate for the crowd and the holiday, and would even let them participate a bit. Having someone at least on drums would be nice, but she could make it work solo if she really had to, and at least if she could get the audience involved. Then her internal eyes saw something a couple lines down from that beginning with 'I' that she realized was an even more fun option, and could even get people onto the dancefloor.

While Deduxia and Nekini started playing their next set, they'd lent Callie one of their guitars to warm up a bit off to the side, and Callie and Pixyl had retreated away from the tent for a bit. The musicians on stage played through five songs, getting the crowd back into the mood for music. Towards the end of that fifth song of the set, Callie quickly put a Sigil of Amplification onto the guitar, and then a second on to her chest that she kept a channeling open to.

"You've got this," Pixyl said, giving Callie's hand one last squeeze in support and then kissing her knuckle. "Have fun with it."

Nodding, Callie took a deep breath and tried to put on the same bright performance-face she'd seen her dad do a bajillion times growing up. She bounded up the stage, doing her best to exude showmanship and engage the crowd with a big grin and a hearty wave. As she moved to take her place, the other band members, especially the Pantherkin, gave her a bit of a stink-eye. Callie got the sense that, in addition to interrupting the flow of their set, her presence was frankly extending the evening, and they were all simply ready to be done and take it easy for the night. "Sorry," she whispered in apology to the other players.

Tapping her chest, Callie turned, giving the room another big wave. "Hello everyone!" This was met by a flood of new catcalls from those that apparently hadn't seen the dress yet, or were just feeling the need to catcall again. Callie rolled her eyes, but smiled, giving herself a round-number of ten points to add to the total for the evening. She decided to assume they were all from friends and thanked the audience with a deep, mocking curtsey in response.

"I hope you are all having a great night," Callie continued. A few people cheered in return, especially the group of Dwarf recruits, which had now grown a bit. Callie had no idea when it had happened, but apparently she had built up a bit of a fanbase with them over the last weeks due to her music, even despite the fact she was renadit. Jesca, Lhawni and Chown had also joined Pixyl, standing below and off to the side a bit, adding to the cheering. Then, surprisingly, Callie spotted Lady Winafria standing next to her brother, watching on and applauding politely as the Legate whispered something into her ear. The surprise caused Callie to lose her channel to the Sigil on her chest, starting a countdown until it would evaporate.

Callie's shock was exacerbated as a sense of anxiety suddenly hit her. This was different from playing around the evening bonfires. There, it was chill, informal, and amateur. The audience was forgiving and friendly and intimate. Here? It wasn't that everyone seemed 'unfriendly'. It was more that Callie suddenly felt they would be expecting professional-level entertainment, even if it was coming from someone not a professional. She was going to kill Lena. Multiple times, maybe. Probably in very bloody and agonizing ways. Callie decided she could at least embarrass her a bit.

"I wasn't completely sure what to play," Callie continued to the crowd, "but I'm going to dedicate this first verse to Ogre House's mother, Lenora Mosswood." Callie then pointed two fingers toward her eyes, before turning them around to jab towards Lena, making sure her Elf friend was part of the crowd's attention, too. Lena, for her part, gagged on her drink she was throwing back, eyes going wide at being dragged into her own trap.

Pop music. That's what Callie had decided this moment called for, and she'd dug the silliest, most-'poppy' song she could think of out of her mental karaoke catalog. It was actually one of her favorites, and one her mother used to play all the time when she was little. While her father had been a lover of rock and blues, her mother had the same music passion in 80s pop. She'd often blast this song in the car, a prepubescent Callie sitting in the back seat kicking her feet and singing along, even though she had no idea at all what the lyrics were actually about at that age.

One last time, Callie quickly played through the five simple chords she'd need, making sure her fingers had everything memorized. Glancing down at Pixyl looking up at her wide-eyed, she realized she had her very first fangirl, and decided then and there she was going to nail this for her. "Here we go," Callie said, her voice amplified for the audience, but a smile directed towards her girlfriend.

Tapping her foot to start keeping the rapid time and beginning the opening, Callie channeled her backseat childhood and her mom's awful voice as she sang out the opening words of I Think We're Alone Now. The 80's Tiffany arrangement, not the original from Tommy James and the Shondells. She made sure to lock eyes with Lena for the first couple lines, before changing her focus back to her fangirl.

Besides, it seemed appropriate considering why they were late to the start of the dance.

At Lena's table, Vanis broke down in more laughter at the opening words, before giving Lena a hard smack on the back. Juniper had also returned without needing to be fetched, and while she didn't get the joke, she brightened all the same as Callie sang out, bouncing her green head from side-to-side in time with the music.

It was Ambria that changed the vibe in the room. Save Pixyl and Vanis, most everyone was fairly stunned. Yet, the little Faun, remembering how Callie had been jumping around like a silly fool earlier, grabbed Koka's paws and dragged her, almost forcefully, out onto the dance floor. The Healer bounced in time with the fast tempo just as Callie had earlier, while whooping like a crazy-faun, her poor Tigerkin partner hesitantly bobbing a bit, not really sure what to do. The group of Dwarves edged closer and clapped along, although none of them actually started to dance.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Callie sang and played, paying little attention to the goings on around her. She focused, projecting her voice through the Sigil on her chest as she kept her eyes locked with Pixyl. This was for the two of them, despite the initial gentle ribbing towards Lena. Yet, as Inspiring Melody instinctively kicked in, Callie's happy, excited waves of energy washed out, with those willing to receive them truly feeling the young love and joy that Callie felt.

It wasn't a very long song, and to many in the audience it was over almost before the surprise had even worn off. Behind Callie, the rather sour initial grumblings of the band had evaporated, all of them looking at each other in confusion. This was different. This was new. This was original. Deduxia and Nekini said earlier that day that the pink-haired Gnome had played something the two had never heard before, but none of them had expected something like this.

"Music for both dancing and lyrics?" Nekini whispered to his wife as he nodded appreciatively.

"I know!" she whispered back. "She's right! We really don't combine them very often, do we?" Quickly, Deduxia waved her bandmates to her.

Callie dragged the song out just a little bit, singing the refrain an extra time or two, before wrapping up the song with a flourish, a final chord, and a whoop of her own. As she did, she broke her gaze with Pixyl, looking up and out to see that the wildly bouncing Ambria had been joined by Lhawni and Chown, while overhead a half-dozen Sprites bobbed and sparkled through the air, with people standing around bouncing a bit themselves as they watched the strange Gnome on stage. She was then absolutely shocked to see that Lady Winafria was one of those bouncing people, somehow not expecting the Elf, who had seemed a little snooty earlier, to be someone enjoying the music so much.

Waving out to everyone, Callie bowed to the applause, smiled, and gave Lena a mocking wave. She took the guitar off of her neck, turning to hand it back to Nekini. She didn't see him for a moment, before spotting his telltale hair huddled with the other band members rather conspiratorially. Then the call for 'More!' started to rise up.

"Um …" Callie said. Awkwardly holding the guitar out to hand it off and finding no one there. Frowning in a little confusion, she walked back towards the huddle of Bards. "Is something wrong?"

"Callie!" Deduxia said, grabbing her arms. "They want more. Can you do another?"

"I … suppose I can."

"Great! We'll play along with you."

"How? You don't know my music."

"She has a Topaz Tier skill," Nekini said. "She'll talk you through it." He looked at the rest of the group and then patted Callie's shoulder. "I'll buy us a couple of minutes. Back in a moment, dear."

Callie was a little confused, and in awe, honestly. Deduxia was Topaz tier? Or maybe even higher? She hadn't known that, and a huge wave of musical inadequacy suddenly passed through her as she looked at the red-headed Bard. Her fellow Gnome was an absolute musical badass! Or would that be 'Bardass'? "What … what do I …" At that point, words sort of just faded away.

"Have you ever actually used this spell this way?" the Pantherkin asked sarcastically. "You aren't going to take a first hit, are you?"

"I've cast it on myself plenty of times, so I shouldn't, but this is the first time I'll be using it on someone else," Deduxia said.

"What does this skill do?" Callie asked. Behind her, Nekini was asking the audience to give them two minutes so they could make the next song extra special.

Deduxia still hadn't taken her hands off Callie's arms, but had been largely ignoring her as she spoke, somewhat mentally distracted. She got her focus back, and then gestured to Callie's chest. "Go ahead and remove your Sigils. Nekini can do a Group Amplification that will get your instrument, too."

Confused but willing to roll with it, Callie did so, using a tiny force of will to slice the glowing treble clef off both the guitar and her chest. "Okay, what do I do next? How does this work? What does it actually do?"

"Right," Deduxia said, rushing through an explanation. "It's called Follow the Leader. High tier Bard spell. Very high tier. Group spell and a form of guided improvisation. You target a group leader, you in this case, and everyone will be able to accompany you, getting a sense in advance of what is needed. Normally, I'd cast it on myself so we can practice new things together, but this should work this way, I think."

"You think? You think! This isn't going to roast my brain or something, is it?"

"It shouldn't. Probably." Deduxia called out for her husband. "I'm ready."

Callie wasn't so sure she was ready, and instinctively took a step back. Then she stopped, swallowed hard, and decided to put her trust in her fellow musician. She was a super-high Bardass tier, after all. Plus, it sounded like a cool spell, if it worked like she said. What could go wrong? Just brain-melting agony, but probably only a little bit.

"How long does this last?" the Illusionist asked.

"I can't channel it for much longer than about ten minutes, so we need to go fast."

"Don't push yourself," Nekini warned with a scowl as he arrived. "You getting mana drain isn't something we need; we need to play tomorrow, too. End it earlier if you have to. Promise me."

"I can drink a blue potion, if I need to," Deduxia replied, not promising. "Everyone, get close, we need to be touching."

Hands went into a mutual circle with the Pantherkin's padded paw on top. Deduxia focused, eyes closed, humming out a single note. Callie somehow felt the need to join her, as did the others. They all fixated on that single, clear, perfect tone, as if it was pulling them into perfect synchronicity with each other. Callie felt an odd tingle, and then a warmth along the back of her neck. It wasn't painful or anything, but it was a surprise, and she almost pulled her hand away. But no, she was going to trust the magic, and she persevered. It only took about ten seconds or so, and Deduxia opened her eyes, letting out the breath she'd been holding as she hummed, and everyone else stopped as well.

For the most part, the initial tingle and warmth was gone, leaving Callie feeling pretty normal, save maybe for the slight wine buzz she'd been happily nursing all evening. For the others, though, each of them put their palms to their heads, shaking them as if trying to clear away a dizzying moment.

"Let me test this," Deduxia said. She looked at Callie. "I'm going to ask a couple questions, just respond with the first thing you think of, right?"

Callie nodded. "Okay."

"What is your …"

"Blue!" the others all said at the same time.

"… favorite color?"

"Uh … it's … blue?" Callie said questioningly and in confusion.

"What …"

"Ranger!" came the simultaneous pre-echo from the group.

"... is your class?"

"Ranger? This …"

"... is weird." Deduxia completed. "Yes, I know. You have a song to play, right? I should have asked first!" You could tell the Gnome was a little flustered, feeling pressured by the waiting crowd as she also worried about the ticking clock on the spell. "Run it through in your head quickly. Think about the chords."

Pulling up her mental song list, Callie was about to scroll randomly in a panic, but then remembered she'd found one earlier that could include the audience. "How about this one?" she suggested out loud. Chord-wise, it was more complicated than the previous song, having eleven of them, but she quickly played them out in her head in the order that they'd come up, as she mentally rushed through the song lyrics. Finishing, she looked up hopefully at everyone, wondering if they'd followed along.

"That … is the strangest song I have ever heard," the Pantherkin said flatly. "Is that Ogre-chanting?"

"No idea," Deduxia said, blowing off the question to rush everyone along. "You all know your parts? Get Amplified and everyone follow along with Callie."

"Everyone? Hands!" Nekini said. He put his hand into the circle again, and the others did the same.

Callie stalled for a moment, before she likewise put her hand on top of the others. The Pantherkin growled, pulled hers out and put it back on top of Callie's. The fur would have prevented touching. Nekini focused, Callie feeling nothing this time before he nodded, the hands circle breaking. Gesturing first towards his chest, and then to Callie's, he clarified. "Group Amplification. Tap it just like yours. It will also include your instrument." Sure enough, on Callie's chest was a small, slightly glowing dot of light.

Everyone raced for their spots, Nekini picking up a trumpet-like horn while Deduxia grabbed a second fiddle. "Ogre chanting? Really? This is just silly," Callie heard someone muttering behind her. She was pretty sure it was the skeptical Beastkin.

"Alright everyone!" Nekini called out wide to the people as he faced the room. He clapped his hands and threw his arms out, his amplified voice loud and excited as he stood next to Callie. It was a showman's voice, and the growingly restless crowd immediately settled down to focus forward again. Was he using a skill to get the crowd's attention? Callie suspected he might be, but even if not, her fellow Gnome certainly knew how to command an audience, and was probably just as Bardass as his wife.

"Sorry about the delay, but you wanted more Callie, so we're tossing a little Bard magic into the mix. This is going to be fun, but we need your assistance. There's a part for you all in this song, so I need you to really sing out."

This was strange, and even those paying only half-attention to the stage refocused. They needed audience help? How odd! Then again, it was Callie, and that made things extra-Callie-odd.

Nekini looked back once, grinned, then turned back to lead the audience, throwing his arms wide again like an orchestra director. "Okay everyone, sing out with me! 'Oooga-chucka Oooga-oooga…"