[Intro – Fiddle flourish, boots stomping, tankards banging. Bodhrán + handclaps. Singer slides onto bench beside listener.] [Spoken loudly once | rowdy | raspy grin ] “Shift over, sweetheart— Mind if I rest my tail?” Ha-ha! [break] “Good!” [slams tankard on table-clunk] “You’re buying!” [Verse 1 – Playful delivery | Acoustic guitar + deep upright bass walking line ] [Raspy female vocals | sly and rhythmic] I didn’t bargain with demons below I whispered once to the winter wind’s glow Didn’t kneel to some frostbound throne Just carved my sigil in ice and stone They warned me, “Leopard, cold runs deep—” I said, “Cold binds tighter than promises keep.” I cast the wind and biting sleet, Now kingdoms tremble beneath my feet I traced my name in hoarfrost light, Cast it bold in the dead of night— No chains of flame, no sulfur and sin, Just breath of the north and a wicked grin. [leans in | lower voice | playful danger] Who's with me, heroes, to join the fight— I'll cast a storm… and we'll dance all night! [Pre-Chorus – rhythm building, floor stomps begin] Boots on oak and mugs held high, Snow don’t fall— It answers my cry. [Chorus – Big stomp, crowd chant call-and-response] So chase the storm, boys, join up fast! (Join up fast!) Winter rides and the die is cast! We'll take the coin, the crown, the cheer— Or you'll take the blame when flames draw near! Raise your mugs, let tankards ring— I'll freeze the dragon’s fiery wing! If legends howl and tankards roar— Carve my name in your tavern door! [Crowd chant | layered | stomping] CHASE THE STORM! (CHASE THE STORM!) ANOTHER ROUND! (ANOTHER ROUND!) [Verse 2 – Deep | measured delivery | Fiddle trills | grounded | deliberate pacing | no rush] Wizards debate by candlelight, [arg pause] Arguing fate till morning bright— While I steal warmth from the edge of night, [arg pause] And fold the stars in frostbite white. Some may pray for righteous flame, [arg pause] I bend the blizzard all the same. While they argue what’s just or ill, [arg pause] I’ve frozen rivers at my will. I’ve iced a siege in half a breath, [arg pause] Watched steel grow brittle, kissed by death. If mountains crack and tempests blow— [arg pause] Well… I might’ve told the north wind so. [drags claw along mug rim | ice forming] [break] Don’t pout like that, sweet summer flame. You’d do the same— If you bore my name. [low chuckle | intimate | teasing] heh… heh… [Chorus – Louder, faster, full stomp] So chase the storm, loves, don't be shy! (Don't be shy!) Fortune favors the cold, clear eye! I take the bow and take the kiss— You take the chill you’ll surely miss! Toast the frost and toast the gale! Toast the Leopard with silver tail! If destiny’s got a wicked grin— It learned from me and the storms I spin! [Crowd chant breakdown – heavy stomping, table pounding] WHO BENT THE BLIZZARD? (SHE DID!) WHO STOLE THE HEAT? (SHE DID!) WHO MADE THE WARLORD KISS HER FEET? (SHE DID!) ANOTHER ROUND! (ANOTHER ROUND!) [Bridge – Slower stomp-and-shout. Hand percussion only. Singer prowls table to table.] Who froze the siege at castle gate? (She did!) Who sealed the breach with a glacial plate? (She did!) Who turned the tyrant pale as snow? (She did!) And vanished in a drifting blow… [vocal growl | close to listener | breath warm against cold | teasing whisper ] …Me. [ laugh | brief | feral edge] HAH! [Break – Fiddle solo with wind-whistle effect. Mug stomps accelerate. Crowd clapping.] [boasting | playful command | rising energy] I'll spin frost in my palm— then let it burst like glittering stars! [Crowd chant | rising intensity] CHASE THE STORM! (CHASE THE STORM!) CHASE THE STORM! (CHASE THE STORM!) RAISE YOUR MUGS! (STOMP THE FLOOR!) [Final Chorus – Fastest tempo. Floor shaking. Full tavern energy.] So chase the storm, girls, one last round! (ONE LAST ROUND!) Hear the winter’s laughing sound! No curses hid in frostbite’s kiss— (Except the ones you’ll beg to miss!) Sing my name loud and bold— INARA FROSTCLAW! SHARP AND COLD! If this all ends in ice and flame... Fear not. We'll find another bard to blame! [Final Tavern Riot Add-On – chaos peak] ANOTHER ROUND! (ANOTHER ROUND!) STOMP THAT FLOOR! (MORE! MORE! MORE!) CHASE THE STORM! (CHASE THE STORM!) [Outro – Music drops to playful plucked bass. Crowd fades to close tavern chatter. She hops down beside you.] Now who’s buying drinks tonight? I saved your village from endless night— Froze the fire and dimmed its bite— That counts for something… right? [clinks mug | tail flick across arm] Careful now. The ice bites back! [Fiddle ends on a wicked flourish.] [End – abrupt tavern finish, no fade]
