OOM: In Gotland with Bodhi and Galen

[ostro_goth]

 It is the very height of summer now, so the fields are turning golden, the young animals in the meadows are nicely grown and running around when they are not stuffing their faces with the abundant grass, and the people are busy in the gardens and in the workshops and among the granaries.

One of the children points up at the procession coming down the barrow-hill, and then everybody is running up to meet them.

Comments

[galen_erso]

"I do," Galen says.

"And we would at least want to listen and see whether we do," Adalgoth adds.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi takes a sip of wine to wet his dry lips, adjusting his position so he can tap on the table to give himself a rhythm.

He sings only in Twi'lek, avoided the embarrassment of the words being understood. He forms the face-paced rhymes as a stream of consciousness, saying what coming into his head woven into the complex beat.

[galen_erso]

Galen is the only one who understands parts; the others listen, tap softly on the table, or snap there fingers; then Teja starts improvising along with it on his harps, following the syncopated rhythms effortlessly.

[imthepilot]

There's something cathartic about the rhythms, singing his hopes and fears and doubts and desires in a bouncing stream. Teja's harp adds a new and wonderful layer to the song.

He reaches a natural end, smiling with breathless relief.

[galen_erso]

There is cheer and applause all around, and answering smiles. "This is a good way of song, half poetry, half battle-cry," Teja says. "I do not know the words, but it sis sound like a challenge to the world."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi chuckles and bows his head in thanks. "If it is a battle cry, I'm not sure who I'm fighting. Except perhaps myself."

[galen_erso]

Galen closes fingers around Bodhi's hand, between them.

"And a world that would oppose you, in which you need to make a corner formyour own use," Teja suggests.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi nods and squeezes Galen's hand. "A corner I'm glad to share."

[galen_erso]

"A corner best inhabited together," Galen agrees. "It us so good to be free again, and with Bodhi."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi blushes warmly and brings Galen's knuckles to his lips.

"I'm sorry. What were you playing before we came in?"

[galen_erso]

"We were just testing how far our harps would go," Adalgoth says, and Teja adds, "With sounds borrowed from the music of the future."

[imthepilot]

"It wasn't music from this time? It sounded- enjoyable to play."

[galen_erso]

"It is!" Teja declares, dark eyes flashing g with his oft-hidden fiery temper and fierce enjoyment of wild, dark things.

[imthepilot]

"Play some more?" He asks, shifting to lean a little on Galen.

[galen_erso]

Teja and Adalgoth look at each other, nod, and then they start -- rocking out, there's no other way of calling it. Their music is fast and wild and intense.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi can't help but enjoy it, taking his feet and bobbing his head.

[galen_erso]

Galen sits beside him, watching raptly as the harpists get faster and faster and faster.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi taps his feet, clicking his fingers. It feels like there should be words, like he wants to sing long but he doesn't want to disturb the players.

[galen_erso]

"Yes," Teja says, "do; your voice is welcome and your feelings strong."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi raises his voice, rapping with the music, letting his thoughts and feelings flow. Again, he sticks mostly to Twi'lek, protecting himself as much as those listening.

[galen_erso]

The two Gothic bards jam along, rhythm and syncopations supporting Bodhi, and driving him on.

[imthepilot]

It's surprisingly cathartic, letting it all out. Even if Galen's the only one who understand even a 10th of the words. But it's clear his tone that the vehemence is dissipating.

[galen_erso]

As the vehemence calms down, so does the speed and fierceness of the skalds' harps until their music arrives in calmer waters.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi switches mid-sentence to something they all understand, singing of finding peace, of building a new life in a safe harbour. Of appreciating friendship.

[galen_erso]

This allows Teja to quietly echo his words at important junctions, like a softly agreeing chorus; he shares these experiences.