Tea party of the century

Arrival

(Photo is bard)
...

Where am I?

Oh that's right.

I'm a noble from the south. My parents, who are well known for controlling the trade routes that go to and from the southern kingdoms are spending a summer season in the north to check on the routes established there.

I am not looking forward to it.

The last time I was here, I was a mere child. I was bullied by the northern children for my southern attire and accent. I ended out crying to my parents and they told me they would not bring me along on their business trips. But yet here I am, on a carriage to the northern kingdom gates.

I sighed, and looked up to admire the blue sky above the carriage. It looked very vast. One must ponder about the wonders of our humble universe.
Just then my mother commented about our journey,

"We're almost there, my child."

"Thank heavens, I was beginning to get bored of the scenery ."

In the distance I could see the gates of the northern kingdom. They looked the same as I remembered. Brass colored due to the weather conditions here in the north, but still as regal as it was old.

As we come in, the carriage hits a bump and the carriage stops, the man leading the horses steps out and talks to my mother, she proceeds to tell me :

"Honey, go wait by the stands while the carriage is fixed."

I look around the carriage and take notice to the chipped wheel, not too big of a problem but I won't complain. I walk over to the stands my mother pointed out as my ears are filled by wonderful tunes. A fairly large crowd had formed by the area, and so i push my way through to see what the center of attention was.

In the middle of the crowd was a bard. But not just any bard, this bard had unusual attire.
Most bards wore tones of brown and green, but this bard wore multiple shades of purple instead. He wore a dark purple vest atop his shirt. And two tails shaped like stars at the tips danced elegantly behind her. His dark blue hair looked short at first, but as he wondered and sung you could see a long braid trailing behind him. And atop his head was a flower crown woven with multiple flowers of white and purple.

Standing beside me was what i am assuming a citizen of the northern kingdom. They could see the confusion and surprise in my eyes. After a moment they said this:

"Oh you must be an outlander aren't you?"

"Yes, Yes I am."

"You must not know who Sir Mars the bard is then do you?"

" I'm sorry, who?"

The stranger continued to explain the bard's identity. Apparently, Sir Mars was a traveling bard that had visited many lands. He built his reputation by making and performing songs across kingdoms. Rumors say he had performed for the royal family once.

"Oh, I'm shocked I've never heard of him then. He must be a outstanding player for him to potentially have played for royalty."

"They do say only the best for the best, you should listen to him preform. It shall definetly be worth your while."

I decide to listen to the stranger. Just as she walks away the bard, apparently called Mars begins to play his lyre. It was a beautiful song, one of agony and pain, but also sweet soft sound. It was the defining factor of a bittersweet symphony. When Sir Mars stops playing, I go to pull out some coins I have sitting in my pocket only to realize that they were stolen!

It comes to my realization the stranger I talked to about Sir Mars accidentally bumped into me and had time to steal my coins. I've been robbed by an unknown pick-pocket in the northern kingdoms and I don't know anybody other then my parents here.

The bard noticed me panic as he was gathering his items to leave. In a blink of an eye they were already in front of me.

"Say, you look like you're having some troubles. Need any help?"

The bard smiled. I wasn't sure whether to trust her or not but his reputation might help me in some way in this unknown kingdom. It isn't like my day can decrease more, can it?

"Yeah, just a tad of trouble. Some local pick-pocket took my coins. I was actually going to hand some to you as I heard your preformance. It was splendid by the way!"

The bard laughed a bit, secretly knowing the exact pick-pocket that you just described just by how it happened.

"Sir, may I ask why your laughing? I mean no disrespect." You say, expression becoming more nervous.

"My apologies-- What was your name again?" They ask slightly embarrased he didn't think to before-hand.

"Oh- my name is y/n."

"Alrighty then! My apologies y/n, I should not have laughed after you spoke your issue." Sir Mars said with a cheeky smile.

"It's no problem, Sir Mars." you replied smiling back at the bard. His smile surely was contagious.