Hypnovember Day 7

As it got dark, the two adventurers had set up camp and were now exchanging various stories of their past over an open fire. The two were quite an unlikely team. Pride, a paladin whose devotion to his deity was matched only by his bovine strength; and Lance, a bard who was sly as a fox and could charm even lords and kings.

 

Whilst exchanging a particular story about a tavern he’d performed at, Lance came up with an idea. “Why don’t I perform for you? I figure you would like it.” He was hardly waiting for a response, already unpacking his lute in preparation.

 

“I suppose I gotta find out if you’re as good as you say you are, don’t I? You sure do love to talk yourself up.” Pride nodded and crossed his arms, getting himself comfy — as much as one could, sitting on the ground.

 

“Wonderful!” The fox beamed. “I’ll play something you’ll nary forget — trust me, my big friend.” He strummed his lute and began tuning it. Before long, he was ready, and began to play some simple melodies to warm up.

 

“I have to admit, you’re not bad. You sound like you’re full of hot air, but I guess you’re not entirely a sham,” the bull said with a wink.

 

“Well, now that I’ve warmed up, why don’t I sing you a song? I’ve already got an idea in mind.” Again, before Pride could even respond, Lance had already begun playing on his lute, singing a tale about a paladin and handsome, charismatic, simply perfect-in-every-way bard (his ego was huge for someone so tiny) and their adventures.

 

The lyrics were preposterous, if not outright lies, but the bull listened along quietly — the melody itself was nice, and even if the fox could use a lesson or two in modesty, his voice itself wasn’t the issue. Pride began to sway his head back and forth gently, tapping the ground with his finger to the beat. ‘Damn, this narcissist is actually good…’

 

♫ “Devoted to his god, almost to a fault. But when I told him to nod, he obeyed by default. Enamoured and fully charmed, he simply had to agree. So Pride, do not be alarmed; your compliance is guaranteed.” ♫

 

The bull listened to the fox’s voice, yet hardly realizing exactly what he was singing about. It came in one ear, right through his mind, and came out the other. He was nodding along, tapping, swaying… To say the least, he was caught with ease. Eventually, Lance finished his tale on a cliffhanger, leaving Pride staring beggingly at the fox with his dull, gray eyes.

 

“Aww, don’t be like that. I gotta keep you wanting for more, don’t I? We can pick up again tomorrow night.“ Lance yawned and stretched his arms. “Ah… Always nice to get to perform before a live audience, but it really tires you out…” A cold wind gushed past them, and Lance shivered slightly. “Hey, big lug, it’s getting kinda chilly, isn’t it? You seem big and warm; mind being my bed tonight?”