M.

*A man in dark clothing walks over from the other side of the bar, seeing the party. He stands there staring at you with beady eyes.*

Hi.

"I think we need something a bit more elegant than the simple banging on pots and pans with blunt instruments."

*He reaches down from his seat at the bar to a beautiful wooden case, etched with intricate scrollwork.*

"Perhaps something from the strings."

*There is a pair of clicks as the latches come open. With tender care he pulls an ebony Shamisen from the case.*

"Dakarta my friend, I believe you have some instrumental talent as well if I'm not mistaken. Care to join me?"

*His fingers dance over the strings producing a slow melody filled with the mysticism of the orient.*

"What manner of dance do you prefer? Something slow, something a bit more upbeat or something suitable for a barroom brawl?"

"You had my thoughts exactly Steelight"

*reaches into his pack and pulls out two items. One a long and slender case, made of cherry wood and extensively etched with runes. The other, a box about the size of his palm made of teak wood with delicate knotwork carved into it, with a top of mesh metal.*

"I don't believe I have played for an audience in quite a while."

*undoing the latch on the thin box, he opens the lid exposing a beautiful ebony wood flute. He places it to his lips and blows softly as his fingers glide over the key holes adding a haunting backtone to the oriental melody Steelight plays.*

*a chittering sound is heard from the unopened box*

"Ah, I was hoping she would wake up to bless us with her music"

*he undoes the clasp on the small box and opens it. after a moment a small strange creature, looking like a scorpion with small dragon wings crawls out of the box, carefully clambers up his arm and comes to rest on his shoulder*

"She found me one night while I was playing. She seems to love the sound of my music and has stayed with me since. I've named her Seraphina. It believe it fits her."

*As he begins playing again, the creature spreads it wings slowly pumping them with the beat of the music. She begins to rub her claws together as a sound akin to a viola emits from her body, blending perfectly with the flute playing.*

"So I think we should play something a bit upbeat. I'm in a playful mood, and I don't think it is a good night for a brawl. Shall we get started?"

*With a michevious grin he looks to Dakarta*

We shall indeed. Do try to keep up.

*His finger dance across the strings of his shamisen in a blur, creating a fast tune sure to energize dancers and spectators alike.*