Huntsong Chapter 10 — Cara

Chapter 10 — Cara
Chapter 9 — Sasi	Chapter 11 — Haeight
Chapter List
	Huntsong

Huntsong Chapter 10 — Cara is the 10th chapter of Huntsong.

While Cara is able to pay for her stay at the inn, she is running out of money and being worked to the bone by Joeired from dawn til dusk. The [Manager] points out the other players, claiming they each have a polished routine. All except for Yoitha, whose only trick seems to be flipping a hammer twenty feet in the air and catching it. Not being paid until the end of the week, Cara almost faces starvation, but Yoitha offers to buy her a meal. The two leave the Theatre along with Andex the [Knife Juggler]. Cara complains about Joeired, but admits he is knowledgeable about dance choreography. Andex is angrier, calling Joeired a “pompous ass,” and leaves in a huff after Yoitha and Cara points out that the Stitch-Man can recognize talent.

Yoitha and Cara go to a place with cold Drathian noodles. As they eat, Yoitha explains some Dwarf traits. She reveals that she is an exiled [Smith] from Deríthal-Vel, and currently is trying to find something that she is good at. She had tried a variety of hobbies and lifestyles, including farming, adventuring, alchemy over the span of fourteen years.

Cara is shocked to discover that Yoitha is seventy-two years old, as she appears to be in her thirties. The Dwarf regards her time drifting from one activity to another as short, despite lasting a span fourteen years. Rolairnes interrupts the conversation, who had also been eating nearby, unnoticed by the two. He professes that fourteen years is enough time to start a single trade, which speaks to the immortal nature of the half-Elf. He also adds that he hopes that Yoitha’s behavior doesn’t rub off on Cara, claiming that the Synphasia needs to make a profit or it’ll close before he makes a name for himself. Rolare is seemingly unaware of his rude behavior and is surprised when Yoitha calls him out on it. She complains that he hasn’t bothered performing for days, which has forced Joeired to refund tickets multiple times. Rolare retorts that he refuses to play until his violin’s replacement string is tuned to his liking. He plays a note for them, and is annoyed when they can’t hear the warble that only he can seemingly hear. Ignoring Rolare, Yoitha asks Cara if she came to the Synphasia Theatre to make her mark; the [Singer] claims that she just wants to make money. Secretly, the Singer is hoping to become famous and rich enough to send money to help rebuild Afiele, still feeling guilty of her part in unlocking the Tomb of Afiele for the [Necromancer] to plunder.

At Cara's first performance at the Synphasia Theatre, Joeired introduces Cara as the "Siren of Songs." Performing two songs, she is a success, with the audience demanding an encore. Cara also notes that the other acts were not designed around each other, being more akin to street performances. When it is Rolare's turn, he just stands on stage tuning his violin for twenty minutes before Joeired is forced to give the audience members a partial refund.

After the performance, Yoitha and Cara have dinner and tea in the Dwarf’s room. Yoitha notes that Cara is better than most of the other performers, due to the “originality” of her songs. She states her own resolve in wanting to become better at performing the same way she was good at smithing. Cara is curious as to why the female Dwarf had quit smithing. Yoitha initially changes the subject, but later, when they are going to bed, she reveals that she was cast-out along with some other smiths after an accident that “killed many good people.” Cara sympathizes with her, revealing that she too had a lot of people killed as well. Unbeknownst to both, Rolare overheard the conversation, albeit unintentionally.

After a week, Cara realizes that with the headliner Rolare refusing to play, the Synphasia Theatre is more or less dead on its feet. To salvage profits, Joeired, described as the “manager from hell,” had previously fired a lot of the old staff, pushing their duties such as ticket selling and cleaning to the performers. He often screamed criticisms at the performers, forcing them to practice to his standards. He dismissed Cara’s suggestions for new choreography, claiming that even if her songs were original, a song-and-dance routine was a boring act, while also insulting her hair. Despite Joeired’s offensive attitude, Cara acknowledges that he is right, while noticing that he had very good footwork.

With twelve days passing, Rolare has yet to perform. People keep showing up, which is perhaps a testament to his musical capabilities. The only reason seats were filling up was thanks to Cara’s new act, which had been extended to twenty minutes. On the other hand, Andex the [Knife Thrower] had stormed off. Joeired and Cara talk about him in the Stitch-Man’s office, while he is re-stitching his legs. Dismissing Andex as “generic.” Joeired reveals that he finds Cara to be fascinating, as she has music no one has ever heard of, and knows how to perform. However, he lambastes that the [Singer] lacks the ability to be outrageous. He cites Rolare and Barelle the [Bard] as personalities and names. Cara suggests putting on plays, but Joeired refuses, claiming that the people in Menorome desire flashy, vibrant things. The [Singer] pushes though, reciting a few lines from The Tempest. Joeired is impressed, but insists on focusing on Cara’s singing. She is crestfallen, but realizes that Joeired is looking for a star.

Afterwards, Cara is walking the streets of Menorome in contemplation. She looks at song crystals, but is disappointed to find that they are poor at recording sounds. Advanced effects such as skipping ahead or even lasting longer would require a gifted [Mage].

Cara learns that most properly trained [Mages] are from Wistram Academy. Innkeeper Catorn suggests to ask a Helpful Servant for a magic-related service. Cara goes to a Helpful Servant named Seirne that Catorn had hired, who had been tirelessly working by bussing tables and cleaning tables. Initially Seirne gives a default answer, so Catorn has to tell the Servant that Cara is not a “regular guest.” The [Singer] is unnerved when Seirne’s bland personality suddenly turns into slightly impish. The Helpful Servant directs Cara to go to a stall where she can consult with enchanting help. When the [Singer] pulls out her phone, calling it a magical artifact, Seirne notices that one of her fellow workers has a similar device. Shocked, Cara asks where the person works, and runs towards the place.

While Cara is impatiently waiting at the stall, As someone who is familiar with labor workers, Cara notices that the Helpful Servants seem too content and genuine, and is unnerved with how they seem like robots most of the time, only becoming ‘alive’ at certain times. Despite the low pay, there are benefits to the class such as being insulated from pains and aches. After a [Lady] hires a Helpful Servant, having specifically asked for a hairdresser named Elena who had “personality,” Cara asks the attendant for help with enchantments, as well as finding the other person with the magical device. While there is no available enchanting services, the attendant recognizes the phone that Cara shows her. The attendant, whose lilac-and-green eyes have concentric rings, is briefly interested in the phone, but dismisses it after realizing it has no magic, seemingly telling herself to “Go back to your work.” Cara is startled, moreso when she realizes the attendant’s eyes no longer has the rings, but she still asks to speak with the person with the same device. The attendant reveals the person to be Elena, who had been just hired by another [Lady]. Unable to speak to her while her services are engaged, Cara places a reservation in an hour. While she is waiting, someone tries to grab her, while shouting they had found her. She punches the would-be abductor in terror and tries to run, but six [Mages] grab her and carry her off.

Two weeks after his arrival, Aaron Vanwell, also known as ‘Blackmage,’ is still agog over the idea of another, magical world. The Archmages of Wistram are just as amazed, believing that the Earthers' arrival would usher in a new age of magic. A list of key terms such as ‘Earth’ or ‘electronics’ has been sent to [Mages] in every continent to identify potential Earthers and bring them to Wistram Academy. Two weeks after the chatroom conversation, Aaron is ecstatic to hear that [Mages] have found another Earther in Noelictus, though the same cannot be said for Cara O’Sullivan, who is struggling with six, very enthusiastic [Mages] and screaming for help. The [Singer] is caught-off she hears Aaron calling out to her through a scrying spell, identifying himself as an Earther.

The Guildmaster of the Mage’s Guild apologizes to Cara, who is taken to a private room with food and drinks. Having missed her appointment with Elena, Cara speaks with the mages in charge, Archmages Feor, Viltach, and Nailihuaile. They allow Aaron to speak to Cara first. Despite the two coming from the same world, Cara experiences a sense of dissonance when looking at the young man who thinks he is in a fantasy adventure. Overly excited, he bombards Cara with information, overwhelming the [Singer]. Telling him to stop, she starts her own story from the beginning, while also refusing to call him ‘Blackmage.’

In a chatroom format, Cara as ‘[Humble Actor]’ and Aaron as ‘[Blackmage]’ swap stories and information. Aaron is considerably enthusiastic about Wistram and magic, while Cara is more reticent. He is surprised when Cara refuses to come to Wistram. The Archmages don’t push the issue, partially to compensate for Cara being kidnapped off the streets, and also to keep them talking. Sensing an opportunity, Cara asks about recording crystals. Archmage Naili is dismissive, claiming that “crystals ‘are as valuable as Centaur shit.’” However, the Lamia Archmage is quick to change her mind after Cara points out they could become valuable for recording Earth songs. Aaron offers Cara gold and arranged lodging, but the [Singer] declines, admitting that it would be cool to visit Wistram at some point. The two sign off, ending the conversation.