Kaleva was her Escort today - and as usual, Kaleva was behaving seriously while he was on duty.  She wished he would relax a little, but she had given up telling him that.  Ever since last year, all the males were more buttoned up in public.  It bothered her but... she'd come to realize that it made them feel better. 

And really, what good did it do her to argue?  So she simply smiled, and tried to make up for how fierce Kal could look by being warm and congenial with those they passed.  She'd brought a few things for the school - bulbs for the garden and some tools for gardening.  Undoubtedly someone could make use of those - and then there were the papers to give to Moe's assistant regarding merchants and the like who were willing to take on apprentices from the school.

Dropping that off had been joy-inducing, honestly.  The school was going well.  That was what mattered.  Everything else?  The knowledge of Jade and what she knew, the knowledge that her life could come crashing down on her anytime, the fact that someone had tried to kill her?  It could all fade away as she looked at the fruits of her dreams and actions.

This place... it was worth all of that.  The students would have a better shot at a good life, Rockland would do well, and Odelle would someday pass into the Darkness knowing she had done the best she could do.  There would be no regrets - because she was certain that the school would be successful and be a beacon and example of what could be accomplished if the Blood and Landen worked together as they should.

The joy in those thoughts were like musical notes in her head- and so it took her a few moments to realize that the music she heard was not actually her joy but something external.  Some bit of warmth and sound that thrilled her down to her toes.  Without a word, she re-angled her footsteps.  She'd meant to go find Merihem, to say hello and claim a few snuggles in private.  But that music...

It took little time at all to hunt the musician down.  Finding a Blood male with his hands artfully drawing the most beautiful tones she'd ever heard from a violin almost brought tears to her eyes.  She loved music.  Always had.  That Moe had found someone that could play felt... like a gift.

Maybe he hadn't known, and maybe he had- but it didn't matter.  With catching breath, she settled onto a bench and pat the space beside her.  Kaleva leaned in close to her, setting an arm over her shoulder as she leaned into his weight and watched the musician in his work.

Oh Kal.. he's wonderful.

Kaleva clearly did not like the musician's clothing.  Odelle, equally clearly, did not care.  Whoever this was, he was clearly a genius.  Her eyes actually closed in pleasure as he worked, and she couldn't help but to sway a little in time to the song.

It was catchy.  Damned catchy at that.  Her throat worked at humming along, and she could feel the hidden amusement playing along the Bond between herself and Kaleva as she did.  You never hum in public, Odelle.
I do too... sort of.

Odelle's eyes cracked open, mischief glimmering there in her blue gaze before she closed them again to let herself drift in the song.  Whatever it was... she wanted it to be on repeat in her room for days on end.  There was something whimsical about it, something that played on tendrils of hope and confidence. 

It played on the same emotions that had made her risk everything just for the opportunity to see this school come to fruition.  It was the result - a musician that could create such a masterpiece was here.  Here, in her school, creating music that could potentially storm the entire Realm.  And why?  Because she had risked everything to provide a place for people to learn! 

Even Kaleva was falling prey to teh music.  She could feel it in the way he relaxed, and in the way that she could feel his chin coming to rest atop her head.  He was letting go of the fact that the musician didn't have on pants, and was just letting the music cart him away.

And then the music ended.  She let out a soft sigh, crackign her eyes open and finding herself blushing a little as her gaze landed on the musician standing there, looking at both her and Kal with a crooked eyebrow and that saucy smile.

He clearly didn't care that he had no pants on.  She wasn't sure he'd noticed, actually.  Clearing her throat, she rose to her feet and set her hand on Kaleva's wrist to make sure he knew that everything was fine and she didn't mind one bit that the musician was clearly so.. ah... informally dressed.

"Apologies.  Your music is just so... lovely.  We didn't bother you did we?  I'd hate to interrupt."  Oh she definitely would hate to interrupt.  The loss of that tune in the air was a damned tragedy.  "I've never heard that tune before.  Is it yours?"  She hoped so.  She hoped it was finished and she could beg for a crystal recording.  She hoped to surround her home in it and drive her Court mad with the tune that even now was playing havoc in her head and demanding that she hum and come up with words.

What words?  She had no idea.  She'd never gotten more than a few singing lessons as a child - and those were only because she'd begged and cajoled in order to do something that she found fun.  But whatever the words would turn out to be, it didn't matter.  She just wanted to hear more.

Never, Darling, not at all...

Odelle Ackley was surrounded, on a regular basis,by a large swath of personalities.  Everything from the stoic and charming personality of Jack to the intense and terrifying focus of Kamal - the hilarity and sweet humor of Merihem to warm affection of Mara.  Odelle considered herself a collector of interesting personalities.  But she had no personalities quite like this one.

Moe was probably pretty close though.

"This is Kaleva, my Escort and dearest friend."  She smiled.  There was no helping that.  Odelle Ackley adored music, and those that made it.  Not to mention she found outrageous charm and flirtation adorable - as was clearly evident because of her tolerance for Merihem Striker's jokes.  "I must say, I'm positively delighted that I heard it.  It's beautiful." She smiled, taking a step forward to reach out and offer her hands in greeting.

"As i must also claim that I am furious that Merihem has kept you to himself however long you've been here.  The least he could have done was write and tell me he'd found a musical genius."  Was she flattering him?  Yes.  Did he deserve it?  Of course!

Odelle didn't like false flattery - and she didn't believe in false humility either.  "Does it have lyrics yet?  It feels as if it should.  It's so..."  Odelle's tongue clucked against her teeth.  "It feels as if it speaks to the soul.  Or at least to mine."

And then that brilliant smile flashed again.  Good sweet and pervasive Darkness... his voice was even pretty.  How did Merihem find such interesting people, and how could he possibly think to not let her know?

Odelle... turn the smile down.  You might make him lose what little pants he has.
Oh I am not!

Kaleva's chuckle was his only response, and it had Odelle sighing.  "Apologies.  Music is the sort of thing I'm .. ah.. attached to."

The song does have lyrics...

Her heart lifted at the idea that there were actual lyrics to the piece, and she couldn't help the little smile that tugged on her lips.  Frankly she couldn't help but be a little flattered that Moe would commission a song for her AND have it with lyrics.  Nor could she help but be delighted that this male was the one making the piece, because frankly he was a genius.

"Oh, my ire with Merihem Striker is far from terrifying, sadly.  He simply has no sense of self-preservation."  Odelle chuckled, keeping her eyes on the delightful male that was currently still holding her hands.  It was far from 'typical'.  Most would have taken her hands, maybe done his little saucy affair, and then gently released her from their grip.

This male did not.  And strangely, she wasn't upset about it.  Maybe it was because he'd called her positively scrumptious.  Or maybe it was because she found herself a little delighted that someone was showering attention on her.  True, she did her best to be the best queen she could be - but she did love being adored. 

Always had.

"I suppose I can't wheedle those lyrics out of you early, can I?"  Odelle let her teeth play with lower lip, looking out at him from behind dark lashes and a playfully flirtatious smile.  She didn't actually beg - but one could almost hear the pleeeeease in her voice. 

Odelle, the male is stripping you with his eyes.
Yes, and it's positively delightful.  I have the feeling he does this with many people, Kaleva.
Still...

Odelle sighed, gently squeezing Casper's hands before turning her head to look towards Kaleva.  "You should come visit us at the Seat... oh my."  She blushed, just a bit.  "I'm afraid you've made me a bit starstruck.  I haven't even asked for your name.  I can't possibly amuse you by haranguing Merihem if I don't even have a name to refer to you by, though 'that genius musician' does have a nice ring to it."

Was she being playful?  Yes.  Yes she was.  This place, this building, made her feel as if she could lower her guard and be more herself than she ever could in view of others at the Seat.  There, the weight of her position was always present - and here?  Here where Merihem Striker roamed the halls, she had the feeling that no one would notice anyone else's odd behavior.

Was that why Moe was so outrageous?  After thinking about that for a moment, she decided rather firmly that the answer was a sold 'no'.  Everyone else being 'normal' by comparison was just a happy perk.