Micky’s first shower in Outremer was a thing of beauty. The magically heated water tumbled down in a heavy column from the overhead faucet covering him and washing away both the grime and the stress of the last two days. He could feel the pain of the alley’s cobbles and the tension of Tanya’s surprises washing down his body into the drain.

Freshly showered and kitted out in the haberdashers finest Micky felt like a brand new man. It felt as though his feet barely touched the stairs as he descended to Ma Duke’s kitchen.

“You’re looking sharp boy, all ready for the show tonight?” Ma Duke asked as she bustled across the kitchen, her ever-present mug of tea steaming in hand.

“Never underestimate the life changing power of a hot shower and a fresh pair of underpants” he laughed in response, dipping at the waist in a slight bow.

“I would never, and it warms my heart to see you with a smile. I take it that means there will be some happier songs tonight?”

“I’m going to do my very best. Tanya mentioned it’s a watchmen’s bar so sentimental and dirty are the order of the day” Micky answered with another smile. “Actually she should be here pretty soon, so I’d better organize myself.”

“Best of luck boy, I’m looking forward to seeing your class tomorrow.”

Bounding up the stairs to retrieve his coin purse and the Vaixell Micky heard the door swing open before Tanya called up the stairs “ready or not singer boy, it’s time to get you a class.”

Slamming the door behind him in haste he raced out to meet her, his own enthusiasm buoyed by Ma Duke’s encouragement. “I couldn’t be more ready, lead the way oh guide.”

“Right this way then Micky” she pointed to the door with a theatrical flourish, her hands flaring like a magician’s assistant. “The Copper shot awaits.”

If the Royal Mile was a fancy gastro-pub then the Copper Shot was a local favorite. High stools with worn and faded leather tops tucked under a bar at one end of the room while comfortable booths lined both sides. Two men sat sipping their drinks quietly in one booth while the others remained empty and silent. Behind the bar a grizzled older man polished the brass heads of the beer taps. He looked up as Micky followed Tanya, his eyes drawn to the Vaixell strapped to Micky’s back.

“Ah, you must be the bard I’ve heard so much about from this young lady” the man said, placing the cloth on the bar. “It’s a proper stroke of luck you being available on short notice like this. It’s fairly dead now but after the shift changes at six it’ll fill right up.”

“Yep, that’s me, I’m not sure what Tanya has told you, but I’m more than happy to help” Micky replied. I’m Micky” he strode forward hand extended.

Clasping Micky’s hand over the bar the man continued taking, “good to hear it, I’m Marcos. I’m sure you’ll do fine, keep them laughing, maybe get them involved in a few songs and they’ll be buying you drinks all night long.”

“I do love the sound of that” interjected Tanya with a grin.

“A lady after my own heart then” Marcos smiled as he filled first one then a second pint glass, beads of condensation forming on the outside of the glass as the pale head foamed up to the lip.

Talking an appreciative sip Micky looked up in thanks while Tanya asked “he’s not on till 8:30 tonight right?”

“That’s the one. I’ve got a room out the back for you two. I’ll bring some food and another couple of pints out while you guys get ready. I’ll send one of the waitresses out for you when it’s time to start.”

“That sounds fantastic” replied Micky, “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Good man, follow me and I’ll show you the room Its’ got a sound barrier set up so you can tune up and practice a bit if you fancy it.” Marcos stepped from the bar and led them to a small door in the corner of the room. Leading them through the kitchen to a small room that reminded Micky of cross between a greenroom and a closet. Two small stools, and a low set sofa sat around the room while a coffee table sat in the centre of the small space.

“This looks brilliant, thanks Marcos” Micky said at he crossed the room and unslung the Vaixell, placing his pint on the glass surface of the table.

“Not a problem, I’ll be back with the food shortly” Marcos replied as he turned and walked back towards the bar proper.

Sitting in the back room Micky carefully adjusted the tuning pegs on the Vaixell, strumming slowly and then returning to make further adjustments. Tanya flitted between the bar and the room giving him constant updates on the crowd and the atmosphere.

“It’s really filling up in there now, only a couple of tables free. Looks like a perfect place to unlock your class and then celebrate afterwards” Tanya said, poking her head around the corner to look through the kitchen. “Ready to get started?”

“Yeah, I’m actually looking forward to it” replied Micky. “Sitting in a tiny room tuning up, getting ready to play in a local pub, this more than anything else in Outremer so far reminds me of home.”

Before Tanya could respond a waitress in a clean white apron bustled into the room. “Hi guys, Marcos asked me to tell you that he’s ready for you. There’s a stool and a stand set up for you facing the tables.”

“Thanks so much, I’ll be right out.” Rising to his feet Micky rolled his wrists one last time before walking towards the doorway.

“I’ll go and find a seat too Micky” said Tanya as she followed him.

The taproom was filled with the warm burble of friendly voices and the clatter of glasses and cutlery. At one end of the bar was the stool Micky had been told about so he headed towards it while Tanya split off to find her own seat. As he approached it Marcos’ voice boomed over the room

“Alright you lot, we’ve got a new lad in tonight since Rebat cancelled last night”, there was a smattering of good hearted booing at this before Marcos continued “so be on your best behavior or I’ll be introducing you to the back of my hand.” The laughter which filled the room robbed the statement of any malice. As the laughter faded Micky began to stomp his foot, setting off a simple beat that the crowd soon picked up. Once the beat was firmly established Micky began to play, casting his voice as a low growl.

From France we get the Brandy

From Martinique the rum

Sweet red Cabernet

From Italy does come

But the fairest of ‘em all, me boys

The one to beat the day

Is made from apples

Up the mighty Saguenay

So, follow me lads

‘cause this 'ain't no grog or ale

One pint down you'll be swingin’ in the gale

Five pints bully , you’ll be shakin' in your shoes

We're half-seas over on the Joli Rouge

Feeling the crowd start to get behind him, Micky picked up the tempo, playing songs that would be equally at home in a crowded tavern or a rowdy tour bus after a game. A little over half an hour later Micky let the last chorus of ‘Spanish Ladies’ fade over into the bar where a roar of applause greeted him. Before he could rise from the stool a flood of system notifications oped

Class requirements for Bard updated: Performed 3/3 times for a crowd of more than 15 people.

Prerequisites (10 Sway, 2 Performance Skills above Novice (10) ) Achieved.

*Ding* Congratulations the Bard Class has been unlocked, would you like to assign this as your primary Class?

Micky nearly fell from his stool in his eagerness to select yes.

Class has been changed to Bard.

*Ding* Congratulations you have reached level one. Will increased by 1 and Sway by 2. As a human you also have 2 free stat points to assign.

*Ding* Congratulations, for reaching Bard (1) you have unlocked the Class Ability: Enhanced Tune

A hearty clap on his shoulder shook Micky from pouring over his notifications. Still in a state of mild shock he looked up to see a familiar face.

“You’re looking a whole lot better than the last time I saw you Micky lad” Barrett said, a slight flush in his cheeks. “That was quality mate, we haven’t had a proper sing along in here in too long” he continued.

“Barrett!” Micky exclaimed. “It’s good to see you again bro” he stood and went to offer his hand only to be wrapped in a rough hug.

“Come and get a drink with us” Barrett offered as he took a step back, allowing Micky to carefully stand the Vaixell on the stand.

“That sounds brilliant mate, I’m actually here with my liaison from the TRC” Micky replied. As he spoke he cast his gaze around the room seeing Tanya engrossed in a conversation at the bar.

“Bring them along mate, first round is on us. We’re at the booth over that side” Barrett gestured widely, pointing to a nearly fulled

“Sounds like a plan then, I’ll be over in just a minute. I’ve got a couple of questions for Tanya, my liaison, first.”

“Good stuff mate” replied Barrett before he started back over to his booth.

Micky picked his way through the crowded bar accepting claps on the back and offers of drinks as he slipped between patrons towards Tanya, who noticed him approaching and spun on her chair.

“So? How did it go?” She asked with a smile.

“It worked, I’ve unlocked my Class” Micky grinned, “I’m officially a first level Bard now! And I unlocked my Class Ability.”

“That is excellent Micky, well done. Did you get your Stat increases as well? You should have gotten some assigned points for you class and some free points for your species.”

“Yeah, I have two free points but I have no idea what to do with them” Micky admitted shrugging his shoulders.

“Don’t worry about that right now, there’s only one thing left for us to do” Tanya grinned back, offering a glass to Micky.

“and what would that be?” Micky asked before accepting the chilled glass with a grateful nod.

“Now Micky, we celebrate!”

Before Micky could take a single sip he saw another familiar face sliding through the bar towards him, wings tucked in tight to avoid collisions with the other patrons. Opal raised one hand in a friendly wave as she crossed the last of the distance between them.