Thamyris - Meeting Apollo The lyre played faster and faster; the thin strands of catgut, tied tight to the wood, danced between the finely tuned plucks of gentle, skilled fingers. The satyr smiled as he played his tune, the beat building, the tavern folk tapping to the rhythm, jolly drunks standing, trying to dance on noodle legs, and the average onlookers happily watching the show. Thamyris smirked, catching their gaze as his quick pace and skilled silver tongue worked: [i]“You look and see, come one and all! Those who know are here for a show, Those that seek, I’m here to greet, But for the truly loyal, the ones who follow, This is the song for you, and the truth that is hard to swallow!”[/i] Long and curly locks of hair bobbed between two mighty horns, two goat ears flicking as the Thamyris looked up from his lyre to his adoring tavern fans. The locals in back were trying to cool down after hard days of work in the fields, various merchants from across Hellas and wenches getting along over their wine, happily jostling with one another and making jokes at each other’s expense; it was a good night, the tavern-keeper would be happy, and he’d make some pretty coin for providing the entertainment.. The sweet sound of music, and Thamyris’ cocky lyrics filled the tavern as evening turned to night. It was well past sundown, when a newcomer entered the tavern. The boasting words of the overconfident goat-man still filling the air, Thamyris and his audience getting more drunk as the show continued. The new figure seemed to lurk in the open, unsubtle black robes swaying with every motion as the six foot tall figure made its way like a ghost amongst the tavern dwellers to a small corner in back. But even this shadowy figure couldn’t help but nod to the beat: [i] All walks of life are welcome, Honor among thieves is found in song! Only in a tavern, will you find the rich and poor singing along! Let the music harmonize, Let lives mix, For the truth of the matter is, Even the gods envy my musical kicks! [/i] The satyr leaped in the air, performing a high jump kick before landing loud on a clear table. The crowd whooped and hollered, cheering him on as Thamyris fell to his back, strumming away, his little goat tail wagging with glee, [i]“We are the greatest! Yes we tavern dwellers are! The song, dance,!”[/i] Thamyris sang louder, his finale coming as he laughed, [i] “We are the ones gods envy! We are not lust! We are not greed! We are freedom! Our song and music is all we’ll ever need! Toss away Apollo! To hell with Zeus and Hades too! With music in our hands, we are the only ones that need to remain true!” [/i] The satyr laughed, jumping back to his feet, strumming his lyre to a close with a wicked cord stroke. The room erupted with applause and laughter. Drinks clattered as toasts were made. More rounds of drinks were ordered and passed around the room. A gleaming Thamyris helped himself deeply to a horn of sweet, dark red wine,, when a sudden touch on his shoulder sent a shudder down his spine at the bar. The strange figure dressed in the obvious black robes, face hidden, stood before the satyr, “So you think the gods are no longer needed?” A grin crept on Thamyris’s face as he poured his drink back, chugging the liquid courage down, making the stranger wait before tapping his drinking horn on the bar table, “I not only think we don’t need them, but think we can do so much better!” The drunken Satyr spoke, his words slowly beginning to slur as he called for his sixth horn of wine for the night, “I mean really, Zeus? Can’t keep his dick in his pants to save his holy ass from his wife! That water spout Poseidon? Can’t even come out of the water without making some strange thing like a cyclops! I mean why? Just one eye? How cruel did he have to be?” The stranger nodded for a moment before a cold voice spoke back, “And what of Apollo? How about Hermes?” The drunk goat-man giggled at the mention of Hermes with a slight nod, “I like that one, ol’ messenger friend! I work for him to handle small notes, things he doesn’t really need to be there for and help the [i] Hiccup! [/i] silly humans with prayers and such.” Thamyris snickered, “Some very interesting notes indeed!” The stranger narrowed their eyes, “Really? You work for the gods and yet you slander them?” the cold voice spat as they took a step closer. The drunken Thamyris didn’t seem to notice nor care as he took his newly full glass and began chugging again. Between breaths, the singer laughed, “Not slander, spread the truth! Look at Apollo! He thinks he’s all high and mighty just because he can play a lot of instruments! I may only play one, but this one is my masterpiece! Why would I pretend to be a good player of a flute? When I can be a great player on my Lyre!” The hooded stranger seemed to growl under their breath as they ripped their hood back. Long bright hair draped down to view, a godly golden glow radiated from his skin, “Maybe because I can start an instrument where you’re currently at! Maybe it's because I control the sun with my chariot! Or better yet, maybe it's for wiping the floor with bastards like yourself who act more like Dionysus instead of proper servants!” Blood frozen, eyes wide, Thamyris froze, his eyes staring into the fiery glare of Apollo; The wrath of the sun itself burning in the center of his pupils. The god snarled as he pulled a lute from his cloak, “Come then, if your instrument of choice is in your hands, let's play. I’m sure you’re up to the challenge!” Apollo snarled, “Or are you simply a sellout hoax! A chaser of fame with lies!” Thamyris froze, eyes widened in a brief panic, before a drunken grin crossed his lips, “Bring it!” The tavern erupted with cheers, people placed their bets, and other aspiring musicians in the tavern took notes. Apollo couldn’t help but smirk at the show, “Nothing more satisfying than kicking a mortal down a few pegs into their place! Your skin will make a fine drum, Satyr!” Thamyris shook his head, taking another sip of his drink before wiping his mouth clean and drunkenly stumbling to the center of the room. Apollo clapped his hands twice, the sound sending the entire room to silence, “As I am immortal and the god of song and the sun, I’ll let my foolish challenger go first!” Raising his hand towards Thamyris, Apollo waited for him to play. Thamyris snuffed a deep breath, his lyre strung taught as he began to play: [i] A god so mighty, yet childish and a crybaby, A satyr so bold, a story untold. How dare a god challenge a man, How dare a mortal be nothing but a brand! A servant only serves, those he praises, But I am not a servant anymore!” [/i] Thamyris raised his voice, his lyre playing a song of woe as his hooves stomped in anger: [i]You dare to step on me! God king! The rider of the sun! You dare to defy me! Immortal fool! When your game was already won! I am your rule, I am your king! It is you who shall bow before me! For I, Thamyris! Is the one who has a story untold!” [/i] Apollo rolled his eyes, plucking a single string of his lute. The string warbled and shook, the magical string setting itself ablaze as a wave of fire shot towards the Satyr, “Enough!” Thamyris fell off his table, landing on his fluffy rump as the fire flew inches from his face. Apollo stood where the goat once did, his lute in hand as he sang to the captive crowd: [i] “I am Apollo, your musical god and king! You see the sun, the joy and light I bring! You think you can beat me, a song full of shame? Let me teach you a lesson, a lesson of pain!” [/i] Apollo strummed, his notes hissing as the fire and light from the sun decorated the very air, warping like tendrils around his feet, arms, and his lute. The table began to burn, scorching the very platform he stood on: [i] “Don’t you dare speak of me as some washed up, spat up, disgrace! If it weren’t for Hermes, I would have taught you your lessons in time! Curse your ego! You submit to your hubris! How dare you even think you’re as good as me! I am the ring master! I am the show! I am the god of music! I am the sun above the snow! Sing! Rejoice! For your god is here! And if you dare question me, It is you who will be thrown out of here!” [/i] Fire radiating around his entire body, Apollo looked at the tavern, many of the mortals clapping and smiling with glee! Hooting and hollering as the betters took their ill gotten gains. With a lasting strum of his lute, the fire was sent from its tendril form and shot as a single blast to where Thamyis laid still. With a loud [i] Booom! [/i] only a pile of shaken ash remained in the tavern. The sun god spat as he walked out from the charred tavern, “Stupid mortals, they think they’d know better to shut up.” Thamyris disappeared that day from the realm. Not because of his legendary passing, but because of his fast wit. Running down the road as the foolish god sang his own psalm of praise, the quick Satyr made his move. Quietly running and leaping out an open tavern window, he ran as fast as his little hooves could take him. Down the road, leaving the city’s edge and running to the woods, Thamyris stopped by a herm, bearing the head of his old master, a statue to mark the road, and offer a place of prayer for travellers, Thamyris panted for air, his lungs burning with shaken legs, he trembled as he carried his instrument, and leaned on the herm, “Well… it could have been worse….” [i]BOOOOOM! [/i] The ground shook as he watched Apollo leave on a flying chariot in the distance, disappearing into the sun, as dawn called the god to his duties. Sitting on his haunches, Thamyris sighed, “I-I guess… Someone was looking out for me after all… by Olympus it wasn’t him though.” Apollo may not have noticed his escape, but how much longer he could hope to escape a fate the Sun God hoped to lay on him were not good odds. He’d have to travel by night and hide by day, to fear the very light that would bring so many comfort for. What was he to do? Stay and get caught? No, he’d have to leave Hellas and start anew.