Narrator:
Maia loosens her lute strings and packs it up, then steps up quietly just behind Rojo.
Maia: [in a low voice]
It looks as if you'll be busy for a while... I promised to swap some tunes with you, but why don't we postpone it till another day?
Rojo:
You have a week, or I will tell the world that Maia who was taught by Kerst can not keep her word.
Maia: [grins]
It's a deal! The only thing that will keep me from fulfilling my word in this case is if both my voice and hands can no longer function! But we're talking *swap* here, remember...I'm looking forward to learning some new ones from you, too.
Rojo: [firmly polite]
You asked to sit in and I named a price to which you agreed. I said, "Tonight I am truly a lucky man. You may play if you promise to talk and play with me as long as I want when everything is over. You'll have to stay in the back, out of the light." To which you nodded agreement, is it not so?
[still smiling, he trying to be convincing, not argumentative, and I'm having a hard time getting the tone right]
Now that the playing is over, you want a different deal, one where everything is traded. You might not appreciate my situation. In front of high nobility of half the realm I risked my livelihood on your skill for the promise I got. We played for a Duchess, two men who would be Duke, and one who would now be Duke were he to so choose. To displease them with poor music would ruin me. I an a Master Anchor
[points to his tattoo]
and I learn much more quickly than I can teach. The promise I exacted is of great worth to me. It would not have been too odious, for I can only stay up so long before the need for food and sleep would force me to release you to go.
[she realizes that not once in the night did she hear Rojo make a mistake. Nor did he ever need *anything* repeated to him once played.]
Maia: [happily]
NO! I don't want "a different deal"! I was trying to make it easier for you, since you seemed to be busy with the nobles and your duties as an Anchor-reporting-the-news.
[he nods, what she says is true.]
If you wish to play now or soon, I'll *gladly* pay your price of playing you some more tunes. We'll see how many I can find that you don't already know - it might not be easy, but I'll try!
Playing is never *odious* for me - its the only thing I prefer to a well-prepared meal.
[laughs]
We'll see if you can outlast me, I had something to eat earlier, and I can get along fine without much sleep.
[teasing, not argumentative]
And you weren't risking anything with *my* playing... You didn't know for sure, true, but *I* did!
Rojo:
And I can not teach you, as you wish, because you are not an apprentice.
Maia: [raises her eyebrows at his misunderstanding]
*Teach me*?? I didn't ask for teaching... Swapping tunes, sure, but that is something quite different.
Rojo:
It is, and it takes much longer. What I wish is to hear you sing and play everything that you know that I don't. Any arrangement that comes close to that will satisfy me. If you have the time, we can play as long as you like beyond that.
Narrator:
Maia shrugs off the misunderstanding - Rojo has an unusual accent, as if the language they are speaking isn't his native tongue. If she had accidentally made him think she was asking for lessons, she hadn't intended to, but they seemed to be back on the same wavelength. As she speaks, she retunes her lute.
Maia: [ever the pedant]
I can't promise *everything* I know that you don't, but I'll do my best to find as many as possible. Let's see, my people have songs about each star and group of stars. Shall we start with those? Most of them wouldn't be very entertaining for nobles as they are currently sung, but I bet you could do something with the tunes.
Narrator:
Rojo nods, and they begin playing. He picks up tunes quickly and easily, which pleases Maia and encourages her to think of unusual and hard tunes. When she plays an introduction to a tune he already knows, he shakes his head and she immediately switches to another. Her voice is very pleasant, but a little weak for a bard- after three hours of non-stop singing, it is weaker still. Rojo notices and calls for a break. He's past ready for a meal and sleep anyway.
Rojo: [nods solemnly]
I thank you for the tunes. Your bargain is paid, and I am for a meal and bed.
Maia: [nods just as solemnly]
And I thank you for the opportunity to share them with one who will treat them as they deserve. Good nigh - or rather, good morning!