Barracudas Bar & Grill and Empire Tattoo presents: Trial of the Tides

—static crackles… a low hum… then a voice cuts through, rough and controlled—

“…You’re listening to Backwaters Radio. Got a little announcement for those of you who think you’ve got something worth showing.” Wood creaks as water shifts beneath it.

“Barracuda’s Bar & Grill alongside Empire Tattoo are putting out a call for the Trial of the Tides.” A pause. Something heavy drops into water somewhere in the distance. “You step up. You perform. You earn the crowd and if you don’t… you take the walk.” A slow creak of wood stretching out over water. “The plank’s waiting. So is everything underneath it” His tone hardens, edges sharpening.

a soft click is heard then, like someone leaning into the mic uninvited, interrupts him before a woman’s voice cuts through the airwave, “Mmm… now don’a go scaring them all off just yet!” Her voice is warm, smooth, dangerously amused as that soft Irish lilt dances on the airwaves, “Where’s tha fun in tha’?” A faint breath of laughter, close… intimate into the listeners ear.

“Sweethearts, if you’ve got something worth showing… I wanna see it, sing for me, tell me a story, make me laugh, wow me with your magical talents, but whatever ya do, ya gotta make me feel something ta earn your treasure.”

A long beat drops of silence.

“And if you don’a achieve it?” A soft creak of wood… closer now. “…well.” Her tone dips, playful… but there’s something sharp underneath. “I suppose we’ll all enjoy watching ta see if ya can outswim what’s below.”

The male exhales a quiet, almost amused sound, like he expected her butting in, “Sign-ups are open. Slots are limited. Talent show begins at 12slt, May 7th, 1k (Lindens) on the line for winners!”

The female, softer now, like a whisper meant for one person, a sirens song for any bold enough to hear “Come find me. I’ll make sure you’re… properly placed.” A long pause as water laps gently.

Together, his voice low, hers threaded through it:

“The swamp keeps what it takes.”

-static rolls back in… then the music resumes-