The music floating through the Square had elements of classical music blended with medieval tones. She stood tapping her foot in time with the music as a surprising lilt lifted her heart. Wiggling through the crowd until she had a clear view, Lilly stared at the four men creating the music. ‘They have arrived from another realm,’ Lilly thought. ‘A place where faeries and unicorns live.
The guitarist, violinist, mandolin player and drummer, were all wearing white shirts with long billowing sleeves, silk vests, velvet britches and soft leather knee high boots. Each musician wore a jewel color; crimson, emerald green, royal purple, and sapphire blue.
Backing slowly out of the crowd, Lilly sat on the steps of the Cabildo, closed her eyes and allowed the music to transport her through a portal where music filled the air and magic was afoot. She felt the music swirl around her and she drank it in like life’s own sweet air.
The band took a break and most of the onlookers dropped coins or dollars in the instrument cases open to receive donations. Lily sat studying the musicians. The mandolin player was truly beautiful. He was taller than Lilly by about six inches. His long dark hair fell in waves around his face and down his back. A short beard covered his cheeks and chin while a soft mustache framed his full lips.
Lilly, pulled a five dollar bill out of her pocket and dropped it in the mandolin case. “Thanks,” the mandolin player said. As she was turning away she heard, “Wait, don’t run off.”
Lilly stopped and turned slowly, removing her shades to meet the gentle brown eyes of the mandolin player. A grin pasted itself on her flushed face as she blurted out, “Wow, ya’ll are great! I love your music, I’ve never heard anything like it. Where are you from?”
The mandolin player smiled, “Uh, thanks. We’re from San Francisco. Our band tour has brought us to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras. There is a couple of clubs we’re going to be playing over the next few weeks. Let me introduce you to the rest of the band. This is our violin player, Bart, Trey on guitar and our percussionist, Leon. My name’s Roland.”
Lilly was tongue tied and her face glowed red for a moment before she found her voice, “Hello, I love your music.”
The musicians smiled, nodded, glanced briefly at Roland and mumbled, “Thanks.”
Turning back to the mandolin player, Lilly asked, “What kind of music are you playing?”
Roland turned the pegs on his mandolin, plucked a string and looked at Lilly, “It’s Celtic music, from long ago in medieval Ireland.”
Lilly chewed on her bottom lip and spoke shyly, “It is magickal. I’d love to learn a few Celtic tunes.”
“Are you a musician?”
“Yes. No, I mean I was.”
Roland smiled and shook his head, “No, once a musician always a musician. There’s no getting over the love of making music.”
Lilly nodded in agreement, “I know, you’re right, I haven’t played for several years.”
“What instrument do you prefer?”
“I played the flute.”
“The flute works beautifully in Celtic music, I’d love to share some of it with you.”
Lilly shook her head sadly, “I haven’t got an instrument right now. I’m looking for the right flute. I’ll know it when I pick it up and play it. So far, I haven’t found one that called to me.”
“Ah, you’re a true musician.”
Conversation stopped and they both stood gazing at one another. Lilly stared at his full lips and caught herself running her tongue over her bottom lip. She felt her cheeks flush with warmth and hoped he didn’t notice.
Roland spoke first, “I arrived last night in your fair city, would you do me the honor of a tour around the French Quarter this evening? I will repay your kindness with a meal, however you will have to choose the restaurant as you would be the most qualified.”
Lilly was at a loss for words. She stood very still for a moment, her green eyes wide drinking in the handsome musician. Gathering her wits, she responded, “Of course, I’d be happy to serve as your tour guide and have dinner with you. I have to warn you, I’ve only been living in the French Quarter for a short time. I am not exactly the perfect tour guide. My friends have been pointing out the best restaurants, bars and shops to me. Her fingers tingled and she put her hands behind her back. She shrugged off her nervousness and smiled, “I’ll be happy to show you the places I know.”
“Cool, we can explore together,” Roland said as he beamed at her. She gave him instructions to meet her at Panthea’s around the corner on Rue St. Anne.
Roland watched her as she walked away. Closing his eyes when she turned the corner, he took a deep breath inhaling the scent of magic filling the air. Bart gave him a friendly punch on the upper arm, “Hey man, in love already?”
Roland smiled for a moment then his face grew serious, “Bart, the scene in San Francisco is fun, but you and I both know the magic has dissipated. It is all fantasy now. The Big Easy is the real deal. Magic is still alive in this community. I want to know it, see it, feel it and be a part of it.”
“Far out,” Bart said with a slap on Roland’s back, “I’m with you!”
~
Lilly laughed as Roland tried his first raw oyster with Louisiana hot sauce. She showed him how to put it on a cracker and put it all in his mouth at once. His eyes bulged and she thought she saw a gag reflex, but Roland quickly recovered, swallowed reached for another one.
“You like them!” Lilly exclaimed, amazed after his facial contortions.
“I love them!” Roland said, stuffing another oyster topped
