Hmmm. After comparing the eight bards that stood on the stage behind the MC, Lore was absolutely the most attractive. No one else held a candle to his look and bearing. Was I being a bit biased? Absolutely, not. There was no way I’d be biased towards a Love’em and Leave’em, bard, like him. Right?

Lore mentioned several times in etiquette training that it was impolite to talk during bardic contests so I held in my urge to get confirmation from those around me. If Lore won, that would prove I wasn’t biased!

“If our skilled bards are ready then, please draw your lots.”

A few of the bards flicked their wrists, choosing some hidden something in their HUD. Not everyone did so. Was that the difference between newbies just getting used to the PPVS and those that have practically lived in it? Or maybe just preferences?

A number appeared above each person’s head and behind everyone a projection of an elimination-style tournament appeared, slotting each person into their corresponding location. Lore had the number 6 above his head, so he was paired up with number 5, Pirata, in round 1.

“For this contest, each pair will be given a topic. This topic is something that the bonded pair enjoy or things they love to do together. Then you’ll have two minutes to write and submit to me through instant message. This way I can ensure you only take the allotted time.”

All the bards nodded.

Since it was Gwendas Ravenborn’s and Ylven Sunsetgull’s turn they stepped up and the other six bards fell back and split, three to each side as if they’d rehearsed it.

The MC, who stood between them both grinned. “First I’ll introduce our competitors.” He gestured to Gwendas in her black and violet robes. “Bard Ravenborn here is a level 12 bard of some local renown. She had participated in our regional poetry meets for the past three years and has even won a few song competitions.”

“Next is Bard Sunsetgull.” He gestured to a man wearing yellow and orange. “He is a level 10 bard and is known for his very eclectic style.”

The two bowed to each other, though Gwendas had trouble hiding a sneer.

“I’m glad to be competing against you again,” Ylven said.

“It’s a pleasure,” Gwendas said with hinted sarcasm. So maybe she was just a bitch to everyone and not just Lore?

“Alright you two,” the MC said. “Your inspiration for this poem is ‘Rain.’ And the clock starts now.”

Two minutes was not a long time to randomly come up with a short poem. Hell, even ten minutes would be too short so I had no idea how these two could compose something.

For the entire two minutes, everyone sat in silence. Even the band that had been practicing before stilled in anticipation. Was poetry really such a big deal in Elven culture?

“And time! Good job, both of you.”

They bowed to the MC.

I readied my ears for the cringiest of cringe-worthy poems.

“Bard Sunsetgull, you submitted yours first so, please read.”

“Thank you, I will.” Ylven paused, closed his eyes then opened them. When he started speaking, the translation filter (something I hadn’t even noticed until now) was turned off. All I could hear was a string of beautiful slippery sounds that tantalized my ears. The words sounded cool and moist with repetitions that were reminiscent of listening to rain. And then subtitles appeared below.

“Showers endlessly

Drip dropping

On flowers

endlessly drinking”

Belatedly I received a prompt.

[Attention! For the duration of this competition, all poems will be listened to in the original language and only subtitles will be provided. This is to showcase the true talent of the bards shown here.]

I liked that idea, but I also couldn’t understand a word of what was going on, and the poem, while amazing sounding in Elven, wasn’t necessarily good in English.

Once the poem had been read and the words disappeared from view, everyone politely cheered.

“Excellent work, bard Sunsetgull! This is truly a work that displays your talent.”

“Thank you!” He bowed gracefully and flashed a grin at the audience and his opponent who did not look impressed.

“Next is Bard Ravenborn.”

“Of course!” Once again, a string of words flowed into my ears but for some reason, I sensed heat and longing from these words and not the cool repetitiveness of the last poem.

“The heat scorches skin

The land, barren and dry

Both cracked like a desert

Missing, wanting, needing

That change in weather”

When the last word disappeared everyone cheered politely but acted a little more enthusiastic than with the first poem.

“Excellent, Bard Ravenborn. You are a truly gifted bard.”

“Thank you!” Gwendas bowed but had a really annoying smirk on her face that made me want to punch it.

“Now onto judging,” The MC continued. “This competition is judged in three parts. The audience favorite gets a vote, our panel of judges get a vote and the bonded couple get a vote. Of course, they also get the final veto power for any three poems they deem worthy or unworthy since today’s contest would not exist without them.

“Now, onto the audience vote.”

A question appeared in front of me asking which poem I preferred. I did not think of myself as a spiteful person but since I was partners with Lore and his enemy was my enemy, I couldn’t vote for Ravenborn. No, I’d think of this as supporting an underdog, that was it. Once I assured myself that I wasn’t being too petty, I picked Bard Sunsetgull’s poem.

“Okay, the audience vote is in. Next is the panel of judges.”

The three judges came onto the stage and were introduced before heading to seats prepared for them. They each gave out a point value to the poems between 1 and 10 and gave very short explanations on why. Most of them gave more points to Ravenborn because she used the absence of rain to induce the wanting for it. Then came the couple judging. They each picked opposing poems and grinned at each other all lovey-dovey.

“Alright, and the audience majority was also in favor of Bard Ravenborn. Congratulations!”

She bowed and, as she returned to her place on the stage, shot Lore a mocking glare. The losing bard returned to his seat in the audience area.

The MC walked back to the center of the stage. “Next up is Bard Braid Blackotter. I’m sure most of you all know him, but for those who don’t, he’s a level 15 Bard, the highest leveled bard in the area. He is known for his classic poetry.”

Braid walked up and grinned at everyone. It nearly blinded me and seemed to cause everyone in their seats to lose a few points of intelligence. The girl to my left even drooled. Good thing I was already used to charismatic bards or I’d be dead from how handsome this guy was. But oddly, I felt zero attraction toward him despite his massive charisma stat.

Maybe Lore’s looks, to me, were becoming like a good song I could listen to forever on repeat.

“And his unfortunate opponent, Bard Ursa Redwolf. He is a level 9 bard known for mixing in references to classical works into his poetry. So, this should be pretty interesting.”

Bard Redwolf stepped onto the stage wearing a vermillion robe with an ivory belt. He grinned and bowed generously.

“For this round, please compose a short poem about one of our bonded couple’s favorite things to do, ‘Hug.’”

The two bards fixated on something in front of them and posed in a way that showed off all their good angles. After the two minutes were up the MC spoke again. “And I have both of your poems. Excellent work you two!

“First up is Bard Redwolf’s poem. If you please.”

Words flowed like a tide but they didn’t feel the way a hug would from the sound of it. That might have been his literary references though. Maybe they added something to the poem if one understood them?

The translation of the poem appeared in front of me and although I could understand some parts, a lot of it flew right over my head.

There was a short cheer and the bard bowed but I could tell that the man was nervous. He knew that he didn’t do as well as he could have and it showed on his face. If he did attempt to add a literary reference to a short poem with only 2 minutes on the clock, he had some balls but it must have failed.

“Next is Bard Blackotter. If you please…”

Words that sounded like warmth and happiness paraded through my ears in a rhythm almost like a haiku, but not quite.

“My heart beats in joy

When warm arms wrap around me

Stress and pain relieved”

Aww. How cute. That was indeed the essence of a hug.

This time, voting went super-fast. Obviously I voted for Braid and Braid won.

As the winning bard returned to his spot on the stage and the loser returned to his seat, excitement started to run through me. This was it. Lore’s time to shine… maybe.

“Next up is Bard Pirata Redhen! She is a level 7 bard and fairly new to our area but has the heart and soul of a true poet and songwriter.”

Pirata walked on to the stage and bowed with cheerful enthusiasm.

“And her opponent is the infamous Bard Lorevinel Silvercat! He is still only level 4 but has the highest leveled bardic skills of anyone here, maybe even with everyone here combined.”

Lore, without even blushing, stepped onto the stage as if he owned it and bowed. Pirata’s face paled a little but then she flushed with excitement.

The crowd cheered softly but, compared to the other bards it seemed that Lore was just as popular as Braid.

The MC calmed the crowd. “Alright, the topic for this session is, ‘Music.’ You have two minutes!”