Title: A Song, A Struggle, A Stranger
Description: [P]
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - November 9, 2005 05:24 AM (GMT)
Rain, rain, and more rain fell from the black sky cleansing and washing away everything the drops touched. If only the same could be said for the patrons inside of the Bloodseal Tavern. Wind blew strongly through the leaves of the trees lining the dark street and a horse, apparently liberated by the gusts, ran down the deserted street followed shortly by a disgruntle stable boy. The soft continuous squeak of a wooden sign that had seen better days swinging back and forth mingled with the sound of the rustling leaves causing a soft music that was surprisingly soothing, if only the sweet, serene voice that was being overpowered by the yells and cackles of drunkards could join into the wonderful melody.
“… Darkness, stirs and wakes imagination. Turn your face away from cold unfeeling light, surrender to the music of night.” Slowly that last note faded away and the sounds inside the tavern crashed against Fiona with violence. She was absorbed in her music as she always became and had temporarily forgot about her current location and had remembered nothing but the moon, stars and rain.
“ Quite a romantic notion for someone in the present situation. Now, get yourself a drink and steel yourself for the next round.” Fiona thought gruesomely. She did not have any hard feelings against the Bloodseal quite the opposite, but she just had a feeling of trouble, dangerous trouble and she trusted her feelings. That, and she had scanned the crowd and she knew what most of the men in this crowd were looking for.
Dodging a particular few of nasty looking individuals she found a stool near an empty corner of the bar. The Inn Master set a drink in front of her and gave her an apologetic look. She had performed here once or twice in the years past and this was the worst reception she had ever gotten. In the past at least they had slightly acknowledge her performance. Ah well.
Picking up the glass with slender fingers she took a long draught, draining half the drink set before her. If she had a choice she would not have to get on that stage again but this was her way of life.
Fiona was a gypsy, she traveled town to town, city to city and made her living with the skills her Mother had taught her. A few medicinal potions here meant a hot meal and a barn to sleep in, a few songs there meant another roof over her head and a drink or three. Some would think that the Traveling Folk had a hard life, and they would be right. Not belonging anywhere, always looked upon with suspicion. The traveling had been easier before, when she was with her caravan, but… That was the past. She would just have to deal with the feelings of growing loneliness.
She was pulled back to reality literally when she felt her wrist grasped tightly and her arm pulled behind her back. Fiona struggled but the act was useless. She was only five foot two and she was no match for the six foot something brute behind her.
She first tried the sweet, innocent approach, “Why don’t you let me go, m’lord? A drink then, on me.”
As the gruff and vulgar voice slurred out she knew she was in trouble, “Naah… I’ve already had my fair share. I’m more interested in you.”
She felt a hand tightly grab a fistful of her curls and she knew that the innocent act was so far gone she couldn’t even see it anymore, “Listen here! Let me go you brute! Curse you, release me!!!! Help!” Fiona screeched through clenched teeth.
The smell of alcohol nearly gagged her as she heard the man laugh amusedly behind her. Panicking, she looked around, the Inn Master who would have surely helped her was way down at the other end of the tavern and her desperate calls were drowned out but drunken yells and laughter.
Squirming she focused her energy on trying to free herself, but everything was starting to seem hopeless. But, there was no way, not a bloody chance she would not go down fighting. Slamming her heeled boot down on the drunkard's foot, she then struggled immediately afterward in a vain attempt to break loose. The man yelped and let go of her wrist, but still had a firm grip of her long locks. Her eyes darting, no one noticed anything of her struggle. Why, oh why did she pick this dark corner of the tavern? She knew something horrible was going to happen.
Aristocratic Paladin - November 9, 2005 09:24 PM (GMT)
The night was teaming with noise; the rustling of leaves, the crying of a horse, the creaking shutters, and the own patter of his feet. As he trailed along the cobblestone path, his blue orbs danced across the objects around him trying to pick out things to be weary of for his own safety. Digits of his right hand tightened spasmodically around the shaft of his bardiche as he prepared himself against anything that might try to take him by surprise. A couple inaudible noises sounded forth from one of the three buildings ahead of him, but soon ceased before picking up again. He soon headed to where the noises were coming from, noticing the growth in volume, as he grew ever so closer to the building itself. Glancing to the sign it read: “Blood seal tavern.” It wasn’t often that he ventured down to these parts of the city even when he worked as a Taras city guard; however, it had made no difference now since he was here regardless. With a deep breath he pushed the heavy oak doors open, allowed them to swing open before stepping through and closing them behind him.
All eyes seemed to be on him as he made his way through the bar carrying the big bardiche on his shoulder as he went. Finding a seat at a table off at the other side of the tavern, a screech of a woman caught his ear causing him to turn and look. Sure enough there was a drunk picking on a poor helpless woman. It was all too common among these parts, which were one of the few reasons he had never ventured this far into the city. He had dealt with these mortals for far too long and the less he had to deal with them the happier he would be, but apparently it could not be avoided this time. For a moment he waited and watched waiting for someone to step up and help the woman, but no one seemed to notice or care less. With a sigh and a simple shake of the head he made his way over to the drunkard and the woman and lightly tapped the man on the shoulder with his free hand, “Is there a problem here…Perhaps I could help solve it.” Apparently the drunk had paid him no mind, so he decided to step up his actions to try and heckle his attention away from her so she could at least free herself. Cautiously he made his way around to the front of the man and stared blankly at him, “As I said….I can solve whatever problem you have with the woman.” Again the drunk had no reaction to him and seemed to be more infatuated with the woman than he thought. He knew this was going absolutely nowhere from the start but he had to try at least and keep the violence to a minimum but it could not be avoided this time.
Taking a couple paces back, he hefted the big bardiche up and into a forward motion, allowing it swing down to the ground where it would embed itself with a heavy thunk. All attention suddenly seemed to turn to him curious of what had been going on and what had made the noise. Paying no mind to the surrounding crowd he proceeded forward from where he left his bardiche. His voice was booming as he called out to the drunk, “Last chance to relinquish your idiocy and release the woman or I won’t be responsible for what happens to you.” Finding no response from the man once more he felt his options were growing wire thin and so was his patience. Glancing down at one of the tables he eyed the staff that rested upon it before picking it up with his right hand. Giving it a slight twirl he brought one of the ends upwards and to the wrist of the man. With a hollow thud the staff collided with the man’s wrist causing him to release the woman and stumble back a few paces, before he turned to face Servei. Servei eyed the man before giving the staff another twirl, “I can’t say I didn’t warn you.” As soon as he finished speaking three guys joined the drunkard’s sides, but it was soon evened out as a couple people rose and joined his sides. With a flick of the wrist he tossed the staff up and to the guy off to his right, “You can take over from here I have better business to attend to.” Taking a few paces back he turned to face his badiche, brought his right hand out to it, gripping it tightly before wiggling it back and forth in its confines to loosen it up before pulling it out. With a grunt he forced it upwards and onto his shoulder where it would rest, hopefully for the remainder of the night. Slowly he made his way to the woman and stood a fair distance back from her before offering a few words, “You okay? He didn’t hurt you did he?” Glancing up from the woman for a moment, his gaze was met by the barkeeps, “I have a feeling that we may end up getting kicked out.” Laughing lightly, he turned to glance at the drunk again, “Though, it may not be a bad thing.”
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - November 10, 2005 03:04 AM (GMT)
Struggling, Fiona had been as unaware of Servei as the drunken fool gripping her from behind. That is, until he stepped before her. For a single heartbeat everything stilled. Fiona forgot about the moon, the rain, the tavern and even the brute imprisoning her by her dark curls, all that existed was the tall, blonde, blue-eyed stranger before her. In the same instant the bizarre moment had occurred it had passed and Fiona found herself being flung forward into the bar counter. She knocked over her half-drunk ale and the glass shattered. Pushing herself up she winced as a sharp pain shot throughout her palm. She took a couple of quick steps back and tried to make coherent thought of the events so rapidly unfolding around her.
Her cheek flushed to the colour of pale pink when she observed the ruckus unfolding on her behalf. She scanned the two rows of men yelling and brawling because of her and when her striking green gaze fell upon the pig who had man-handled her embarrassment disappeared and fury replaced it. She had the sudden urge to spit at him but knew this action unwise. Fiona’s thought rushed from loathing hate to bitter sorrow. “If only I had my knives that brute wouldn’t have stood a chance. Physical advantage or not, I would have had him yelling for help. If only I hadn’t lost everything, absolutely everything when…” Wait, someone was missing. Where was the fair-haired stranger who had rescued her?
Ah, there he was. Raising an eyebrow she examined his strange weapon. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. She slowly approached him as he was trying to dislodge his weapon from the wooden floor. She let a small smile take her full lips when he inquired on if she was hurt, the pain of her hand seemed minor, not even worth mentioning, so she replied shortly and quietly, “No, nothing major. Physical wounds heal.”
At his mention of receiving the boot from the Inn Master she quickly turned around and there behind her he was. She tilted her head slightly to the side as she addressed him softly, “I do not feel much like singing anymore, m’lord.”
The Inn Master gave yet another apologetic look as he replied, “Ah Fiona, your Mother…” Fiona flinched slightly at the mention of her Mother, but she doubted anyone would notice the small act, “… would have had me head if I made you perform after this. Me apologizes, all drinks on the house for you and your gallant friend. You may also still have your one night lodging.”
She turned to the strange fair-haired man as she introduced herself, “I am Fiona Ó Treasaigh. I cannot give thanks enough for your help. I do not even want to imagine what would have happened if you had not intervened.”
Shuddering, she sat herself a top the stool in front of the bar and motioned the fair-haired man to do the same. The barkeep had left two glasses at the Inn Masters instruction and she took one with her good hand and took a slow draught. Glancing at the stranger once more she continued, “I was wondering if you would tell me your name? I could call you my hero, the title is most fitting. I am forever indebted to you.”
She laughed softly at the prospect of calling this stranger my hero for the remainder of the night, or however long he chose to stay in her presence. Though her gratitude was so great, she would have readily agreed if it was the stranger’s wishes. Suddenly feeling awkward she took her green gaze away from the blue-eyed man and concentrated on extracting the piece of glass from her hand. A few drops of blood rolled off of her fingers and onto the floor but she doubted anyone would notice a few blood stains in a tavern such as this one.
The piece of glass removed she tore a piece of fabric from her mulit-colored skirts, so layered they were no one would notice that the long thin strip was even missing. Wrapping her hand slowly she waited for the stranger to break the seemingly never-ending stretch of silence, at least it was from Fiona’s perspective.
Aristocratic Paladin - November 10, 2005 05:40 AM (GMT)
Servei simply nodded his head at the woman as she spoke of being fine, so he would have take her word for it. As she turned to face the barkeep, a curious brow rose as he studied the two wondering what kind of relation they had between each other. Shrugging it off he offered his right hand to her, “The name’s Servei, it’s a pleasure to meet you Fiona. And I wouldn’t worry too much about it, not like I was just stupidly throwing myself out in the line of battle, I’ve done this kind of thing before and I’ve had to deal with that kind as well before, so it’s nothing new to me at all.” Chuckling lightly, his blue hues grazed along the bartop before landing upon the glass that was supposed to be his right next to where hers was. Tensing up his right arm, he drew the bardiche again in a forward swing and allowed it to swing down to the ground, but this time instead of letting it hit, he paused its movement just shy of the woodwork. Placing the tip of the curved blade against the woodwork, he pushed the shaft forward, and placed it up against the bartop where it would rest for the time being.
Just as he was going to take his seat, he caught something move out of the corner of his eye, as well as the sound of an approaching man. The heavy footfalls signified that it had been a bigger man and where his distance had been from Servei, allowing him to time his actions just perfectly. With one swift movement, he lowered himself into a squatting position and then thrusted his right shoulder up and into the waist area of the big burly man, his momentum causing him to fold over him and flip onto his back with a heavy thud. As he rose back to an erect stance, his gaze shot down to the man laying on the ground before shaking his head, “Looks like he’s going to be taking a nap barkeep…Maybe you want to get a couple guys to take out the garbage?” Nodding his head firmly he took a seat upon the stool and placed arms upon the bar before turning his attention to her for the moment, “I don’t think he’ll be bothering you anymore, but just in case I suppose I can hang out here a while longer.” Shifting his attention down to the mug before him, he stared into its contents before shrugging his shoulders and grabbing it with his right hand. Bringing the glass to his lips, he began draining the contents; gradually tilting his head back as he had done so. With a satisfied exhale, he placed the empty mug down upon the bar and slid it to the barkeep, “That hit the spot, but if you don’t mind me asking, why are you here exactly? From what I picked up you sing here, but why would you want to sing in this…..Place? Especially on your own, I understand the bartender’s here, but what if he can’t hear ya like this time?”
He glanced up to the barkeep again as he had slid the filled mug back to him, “Thanks.” Idly his digits drummed themselves upon the counter top before he took a sip of his drink and placed it back down, “If you want I’m for hire…Meaning, I would be your bodyguard for pay…Or even without pay I suppose.” Servei offered her a smug smile as he glanced back down to his mug, as he idly slid the mug around in a circle on the bar, watching as the liquid sloshed this way and that, but never leaving the glass itself, “It’s all up to you. Your choice, I’m simply offering my services, because you’ll have to realize that I may not be there to rescue you again.”
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - November 11, 2005 02:12 AM (GMT)
Fiona cautiously took Servei’s hand and gave him a small smile. One would think being one of the Traveling Folk she would be used to meeting strangers all of the time. There was one small difference in this situation, she was alone.
She was so preoccupied with her hand she did not even hear the approaching footfalls of the brute from earlier. Noticing movement from the corner she turned, and before she even had a chance to witness the event, the stranger had fallen not so gracefully to the floor and was unconscious. For a few bewildered moments she just stared at Severei, she had come to the conclusion that he was skilled in combat, but until this instant she hadn’t realized how skilled. After it dawned on her that she was gawking her cheeks flushed again and she quickly turned and faced the counter.
“What’s wrong with you woman? Sure, you aren’t used to be alone but does that turn you into some girl with no wits about her? Pull yourself together and stop blushing like some recluse that’s never been outside of her door. You are just experiencing some sort of damsel in distress complex, shake it off.” It was true too, Fiona was not the bashful type, she usually was direct and blunt. One had to be to be successful at the type of life she led.
She was so taken back at his offer to follow her around and protect her she decided to explain why she was in this place first, it would give her some time to throw together some sort of answer. Clearing her throat softly she felt her face cool off and then she turned to face Severei. “Very pleased to meet you Severei, as you could imagine because of you saving me not once, but twice in one night. You ask why I am working here in a place such as this one. Well, I’m a gypsy. I’m sure you have heard of the Traveling Folk, and now you are sitting next to one. I go place to place using my services for a night’s sleep here, a hot meal there, maybe a few drinks along the way. I sing, play a few instruments, tell ancient stories of ages long past, am a skilled cook, and have knowledge of herbs among other skills…” Fiona had purposely left out the fact that she read tarot cards, gazed into a crystal ball and read palms. There were either skeptics or believers, no room for middle ground. The skeptics often looked on her with pity or disgust, and this usually did not bother her, but she did not want this man to walk away, at least not yet.
"Before I was not in as much danger, when I was with my…” Fiona suddenly gasped softly as images of fire scorching her entire caravan filled her mind, screams of the people she had grown up with deafened her ears, dark shadows encroached her and then nothing. Her mind went completely blank.
Inhaling deeply she continued, "Well, I lost everything. Absolutely everything. Now I am on my own.” There was a particular emphasis on “absolutely” but her tone indicated she wished not to discuss or think about the circumstance any longer.
She fiddled with the makeshift bandage on her hand for a few long seconds, as she tried to think about what she should say. Her eyes still firmly planted on her hand as she tried to tie a knot one handed, she awkwardly she answered his question, “I’m flattered that you would offer to protect me, you seem like a good, very gallant man. But, as you probably already fathomed, my life does not really leave much coin saved. You would do much better protecting some high lady with a deep purse. With your skills you obviously would fetch a good price for your, well I would say sword, but I must admit, your weapon is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Frustrated she stretched her open palm in front of him, the knot still unaccomplished. “I really couldn’t let you follow me around, city to city, when I know there is so much better out there for you. Oh, and would you mind?”
Aristocratic Paladin - November 11, 2005 05:31 AM (GMT)
Silence bestowed itself upon him as he waited patiently while she spoke. Taking a drink of his ale he placed the mug back upon the counter and turned his attention down to the woman’s hand, “I believe you were the one that said you were fine…So where’d this come from?” Shaking his head at the woman’s negligence he preceded in tightening the band around her hand and then tied a firm knot in the two ends, “I apologize if that hurt, but it needs to be tight to be of any use. Something I picked up from being alone through the years.” Rising from his seat his right hand moved out to his bardiche, curled his digits tightly around the handle before lifting it up and onto his shoulder once again, “I’m just a warrior, nothing more and nothing less. I’ve fought swordsmen and they’re nothing special so it’s rather annoying to be even mentioned in the same sentence as them. Think about it….They have a one handed weapon that probably weighs no more than a paper weight, the only thing they have to do is learn how to read movements, where as I need to know that and how much time I would have to get in a strike, how to angle my block to make it an effective block and train my body to handle the weight of such a weapon. Swordsmen have absolutely nothing to worry about and they make me sick when they start bragging themselves up as if they’re some sort of grand prodigy of combat.”
He turned from her and faced the rest of the occupants, as he allowed his gaze to scan across the room observing all the occupants for the moment, “Sorry if I came off blunt….It’s just that I’ve worked to hard to get where I am to be even mentioned in the same sentence as a swordsman.” He shrugged and released a heavy sigh before turning to face her once more, “I guess, it doesn’t matter a whole lot…” For a moment he paused, before picking up where he left off again hoping she wouldn’t catch his pause, “Anyway, my offer still stands. I didn’t exactly say you had to pay me for my services and I’m not too worried about pay anyway.” Laughing nervously his left hand instinctively went to the back of his head, “I guess the only reason I’m offering it is so I don’t have to be on my own anymore. I grow tired of worrying about where I sleep and who’s watching me, simple stuff like that y’know.” Dropping his left hand back to his side, he glanced down to the ground, staring at it blankly for a few moments before looking up to her again, “Though, its your choice who would you feel safer with?” Taking a slight step to the right, he allowed her view of the man lying upon the ground. He too had also turned to steal a glance at the man to make sure that he had still been where he had left him, “Your choice, you can hang out with him or you can hang out with me. If you feel safer with him, more power to you, but I won’t save you the next time should you make that choice.”
Glancing back to her, he had forgot entirely about her question of his weapon, “Oh and about the weapon….Mind standing for me?” With that he hefted the heavy weapon up and off of his shoulder, allowing it to drop off to the left where his hand would catch it. Servei moved his hands out to her and offered her to take the weapon from him, “This is called a bardiche, it’s labeled along the pole-armed class weapons. This is one of the heaviest weapons besides a maul, which if memory serves me correct has only been ever handled by minotaurs. The only creature that can carry such an item with ease, but as for this weapon….” As she took the weapon from him, his right hand still remained at the midrange of the shaft to help her hold it for the time being. With his left hand he traced his gloved fingers along the edge of the curved blade, pausing at each serrated edge that lined the blade, “Those right there are the most dangerous part of the entire weapon. It’s designed for devastating results….I’ll spare you the details.” Laughing lightly, he offered her a smile knowing very that she would respect him for not telling her. For a moment he waited for her to get used to the weapon before releasing his right hand from it and allowing its full weight to be supported by her two arms, “Let me know if it’s too heavy or anything.” Again he smiled at her before raking his fingers through his sandy blonde hair, allowing the individual strands to fall lifelessly back into place, “I do have a question for you though. Why bother singing here in this tavern? Why not in the elves tavern? Unless of course you don’t like the elven kind.” He eyed her for a moment, trying to see how she would react to his question.
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - November 12, 2005 12:25 AM (GMT)
Fiona hadn’t realized the reaction she would get from a simple slip of the tongue. She really hadn’t wanted to step on Servei’s nerves, having just met him. But, what was done was done, and all she could do was apologize. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I wasn’t comparing you to a swordsman, tis just a saying. I…”
Before Fiona could get any farther in her apology she was thrown off balance when the full weight of his weapon was dropped into her hands. It took most of her concentration just to stay balanced, and the rest of her concentration was devoted to trying to understand his explanation of the unique weapon. He obviously new his craft, inside out. Further cementing her knowledge that he would do well for himself in some sort of combat job. After he had finished his explanation and ended with a question, she hurriedly answered. Slightly confused
“A problem with elven kind? Oh, no of course not. I hold no ill will against races, only individuals who wrong me. Honestly, I don’t even pay much mind to who is what, or however you wish to phrase it. A soul is a soul, no matter its packaging.” Raising an eyebrow curiously, she ran her gaze up Sevrei examining him again. She thought his question odd. There the reason was, his ears, an elf. Smiling in understanding, she continued speaking, “The reason I don’t perform at a Tavern and Inn such as that one is I don’t compare to the famous bards that perform there every night. Plus, my kind is frowned upon by much of the high society. We gypsy girls steal away high ladies’ husbands don’t you know? We can curse them. We spirit away their children into the Way of the Traveling Folk.”
Rolling her eyes in exasperation, she shifted the weight of the bardiche slightly. Her grip was starting to feel weaker.
Laughing, she glanced at the unconscious brute and she said amusedly, “Oh, I don’t know who I’d be safer with, he is unconscious and he seems quite charming while he sleeps. Right now, you are awake and have this dangerous weapon. Well, technically I have it, but I don’t think it’s going to do much for me except make sure I’m firmly planted in this exact spot.”
She was rambling. She never rambled, and why did she seem so fixated on his hand as it ran through his hair. “Damsel in distress complex, damsel in distress complex…” She repeated over and over in her head, but it didn’t seem to help.
Sighing, she decided she might as well be truthful, “Honestly, I hate being alone too. Being with me won’t solve your problem of never knowing where you are going to sleep each night. I live day to day, moment to moment and that is something you have to know before you make your decision. I would love some company, but I want you to promise me two things if we decide to journey together for a while. One, you aren’t coming along just to protect me, and two you won’t feel obligated to stay with me if you feel the need to be elsewhere.”
There, she had said exactly what she felt. Now it was his choice. She tried to fight off the faint feeling of nervousness that he may change his mind. Light help her, she had just met this man and she was already feel attached. That would scare him off for sure. Thinking logically she thought she knew exactly why she felt so irrationally, “ You’ve lost everyone you care about. You’ve been traveling alone for months with not one person pay more mind to you then a drink and a short conversation. Of course you are going to feel anxious about the first person who may stay in your company for an extended period of time.” The strange feelings firmly banished, she concentrated on more pressing matters. Such as her falling firmly on her face.
“Perhaps, you should take this? I don’t think I can grip this weapons weight much lon…” Oops. Too late. She started to slowly stumble forward towards Sevrei.
Her only thought was, “Light help me. I’m going to stab myself in the foot...”
Aristocratic Paladin - November 12, 2005 04:37 AM (GMT)
A faint smile crossed his slender lips as he picked up the words about a soul being a soul no matter its packaging. It was true, but at times it hadn’t seemed so. She was one of the few to see a person as a person and not what lay before them. It had been like a book, you wouldn’t be able to tell what it was like by just looking at the cover, but merely page through it. Idly tapping his fingers against his jawline, he had taken a few moments to study her before shaking his head, “So what you’re telling me…You’d rather be with that oaf rather than me? Well, that’s fine, just wait till he wakes up and he only finds you here…Imagine what will happen, I’m sure you won’t find the results to your likings but hey, your choice.”
Turning his attention towards the door he just simply sat and listened to what she had said, “I understand you’re a traveler, I’m not dumb you know. Y’see….Look at it this way. Would you prefer to go gallivanting around on your own and do that for the following years to come or would you rather at least have a companion to accompany you? However, I suppose to each is their own.” Glancing back to her, he cocked a brow as she spoke of her stipulations to having him along with her, “Well…It won’t be the only reason I’ll be along side you. The other reason is more of my own and more of a personal reason.” Again his gaze drifted to the door, as he tried to think of the reason she would give him such stipulations. Perhaps, it was just a woman thing or maybe….Shrugging off the thoughts he was brought back to reality as she started falling towards him. His left hand quickly darted down to the shaft of the bardiche and his right arm wrapped around her as her frame pressed against his, trying to keep her from bouncing against him and toppling to the floor, or even knocking him to the floor, “I knew that would happen….”
Blinking a few times he had noticed how close she had been to him, no less that the fact of his arm being around her. His face turned a light red as he straightened her out and took a step back and taking the bardiche with him. Clearing his throat he heaved the massive weapon back up onto his shoulder and simply shook his head, “Sorry…instincts. I didn’t want you to fall and that was the only way I—“ Again the red tint appeared along his cheekbones as he quickly turned from her trying his best to hide his embarrassment from her, “Nevermind….As for my reason for wanting to travel with another…Well, it’s to keep my mind off some things I’d just asoon forget. That would be the only reason I would really want a traveling companion. When you’re alone you tend to think more on the things you should have done and not about what you should do.” Hopefully his sudden change of subject would keep her from asking or mentioning anything further about what had just happened, but he had been certain she would.
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - November 13, 2005 05:18 AM (GMT)
Fiona went from feeling helpless and without hope to feeling safe and secure. It took her a few moments to process what had just occurred and where exactly she was, recalling her previous thought, “Light… Stab myself in the foot…”
She had been falling, where was she now? Looking up she saw herself reflected in the bluest eyes she had ever seen. A strong arm wrapped around her waist. She wasn’t falling anymore was she? That was debatable. She felt her body pressed against this stranger’s. She was unable to move and was grateful when he pulled her firmly away, and she coughed lightly and smoothed her layered skirts. Glancing up, she thought she saw a faint shading of pink across his distinguished cheek bones and then he suddenly turned away, almost as if he was unable to look at her. Him embarrassed? It seemed unlikely for some reason. “Umm… Thanks. I thought I was going to stab myself in the foot.” Light help her, she didn’t just say that out loud.
Wait! He knew that was going to happen? “Have I just been taken in some sort of clever ploy? But, if that were true why would he be blushing? Like he would want to get his arms around you, be serious. You’re just all paranoid because of the brute lying on the ground.” Looking down at herself, she felt almost remorseful that he wouldn’t want to get his arms around her. She felt her face heating, it was her turn to blush.
Clearing her throat she turned her attention to something that was easier to think about, “I completely understand that. Inward reflection is often a good way to spend one’s time, but if someone dwells too much on what has happened or may happen thoughts become twisted, dark, full of regret and uncertainty. The plain truth is I would greatly enjoy your company in travel.”
Sitting down on the barstool again she sipped her drink, and absentmindedly twisted a dark curl around her finger. She wanted to blurt out so many different questions and inquiries. Who are you? Why would you want to travel with me when there are probably many other better choices? Tell me about your past. What are your plans for the future? What are you thinking about me?
She knew that this would not only be rude, but it seemed quite insane to want to know any of these thing about a complete stranger. So she settled on, “Well, since we are going to be traveling together I suppose that it would be in order to figure out a destination. I feel the need to leave tomorrow morning. I’ve been in this city for too long, my feet are starting to itch. I have a room here for one more night, you are welcome to stay with me if you don’t have accommodations already. No point in you finding any unless you already have some somewhere, seeing as we are going to be leaving together. Prices are a nightmare in this city…”
Nightmare, nightmares, her living nightmare. Burning, screaming, darkness drawing ever nearer. She drew an inward breath and her pupils narrowed, but then the thoughts disappeared from her mind again, repressed to the deepest crevasses of her mind, lurking, waiting to resurface. But for now, they had vanished as if the had never existed.
My dear lord she was rambling again. Why should she feel embarrassed about simply offering him somewhere to stay for the night, prices were high in this city and it was the courteous thing to do? She just did not want it to sound misleading and for him to get the wrong idea about her.
Quickly changing back to her previous question she added, “Anywhere in particular you fancy going? North, south, east, west. I have no problem with any direction. Although, I’ve heard some disturbing rumours about the happenings up North. ”
She was still twirling a piece her long hair around her finger, a nervous habit she had picked up somewhere along the lines of her nineteen years of life, at least she was not biting her lower lip. She had been told that was a dead give away of her feelings.
Aristocratic Paladin - November 14, 2005 05:21 AM (GMT)
It wasn’t often that he would openly speak of his past, much less about himself. Infact, he hated even thinking about those kinds of things and preferred to focus more on others than himself, but sometimes that wasn’t always so. He knew no matter what he did that his past would always be there and would refuse to play second banana to anything else, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. What she spoke of was true; those who tend to dwell on things tend to feel regret and uncertainty. Perhaps…That was his problem, he had thought too much on what should have been done apposed to what was done and would never be changed. He spent too much time thinking on what ifs and could haves that it simply tore himself apart on the inside. A lot of the time he would come to conclusions that it was him that was at fault when it really couldn’t have been helped.
Laughing lightly, he shifted his gaze down to her feet and simply shook his head, “I don’t think I could let that happen now could I?” His blue orbs soon lifted from her feet and back to meet her own, “Inward reflection is my disease. One that I can’t seem to rid myself of, but perhaps following you will help take off some of the burden, before I too become entrenched by the darkness.” Sighing heavily he bowed his head for a moment, “I hate living up to my father’s expectations….To be honest, I don’t know if I can anymore. This strain, this burden I hold is threatening to snap me and I don’t know how much longer my sanity will be intact. So, really….I’m not only helping you by going with you, but you’re helping me….It’s why I didn’t want any pay for my services.”
Lifting his head, his eyes fixated themselves upon hers, “This town is insane for their prices, but it’s to be understood. Their prosperity is quite amazing considered to the other cities. I remember back when I was a Taras City Guard, I could sleep here for free; however, it’s been quite a while since then and I had to make my own accommodations like offering protection for a place to sleep. Though, most of the time I was only capable of finding a place to sleep outside.” Shrugging his shoulders, “As for where to go…I couldn’t tell you. Honestly, I’d say north just to see what was exactly going on, but with you along I will have to say the south. There’s no sense in throwing the both of us into danger, it wouldn’t be such a problem if it was just I since I can handle protecting just myself, but with you it’s a little different.” He smiled and nodded his head to her for it was true. He could not protect the both of them at the same time, but if need be he would.
Taking a step back, he forced his right arm forward again, bringing the heavy weapon forward in a quick downward motion, but this time angling it off further to the right of his body, turning as he had. With a hard solid thud the bardiche collided into the legs of the man off to his right, sending him to the ground with a heavy thud. As he brought the bardiche to a slow dead halt, his gaze snapped down to the man lying upon the ground and simply shook his head, “You should have stayed down, but hey, when have you ever listened? Apparently not as much as you should have, otherwise you wouldn’t be in this predicament would you? I asked you once to release her and that’s as many times as it should be said. So, I gave you your warning, so now you’re merely paying for your insolence.” With that said he drew the badiche back up in front of him and placed it up against the bar. Reaching down with his left hand to the mug on the counter, he brought it to his lips and took a long drink from it, draining it of its contents, before placing it back to where it had rested, “Anyway…Think we should go outside? I fear there’s too many interruptions in here.”
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - January 6, 2006 03:04 AM (GMT)
(OOC: My apologies if this is inconsistent with the previous post, it has been a while. And if there are some spelling and grammatical errors. My apologies again, I'm so sick my head feels like it is stuffed with cotton.)
Drawing her green eyes away from his she gazed out the window; the rain had seemed to slow considerably so she inclined her head in agreement. The atmosphere of the tavern was starting to make her claustrophobic and she was pleased for an escape. She rubbed her temple for a moment, trying to disperse the pain that threatened to consume her mind. The stress and anxiety of the night’s circumstances was really becoming too much. She finished to remainder of her drink and slid off of the barstool.
She smoothed her layered skirts and stepped over the unconscious body. She gave the terrible man a little kick in vengeance, but she hoped nobody had noticed. She started for the door at a leisurely stroll, ignoring the leering faces of a few drunken men around her. She knew the worse action a woman could take is to hurry away; she would not allow them that satisfaction of them knowing they had wormed their way under her skin. After a few long moments she had reached the tavern door and she pushed it open.
The cold, fresh, clean air that hit her face felt like a rebirth and dissolved some of the stress and anxiety inflicted by the tavern. She lifted her face towards the heavens and relished in the sensation of a few drops of rain breaking against her skin. She spun around a few times her skirts fanning out around her, and then realizing that Servei was directly behind her face flushed. She immediately stopped and turned to face him, her cheeks still holding the rose colour of embarrassment.
It was an act she took part in often, dancing. Not the dancing that one would find in a tavern, but something almost spiritual, a connection with the earth. Some of her fondace memories were of dancing beneath the stars and the moon, or in the falling leaves of autumn and sometimes even in the pouring rain. Sometimes she danced with one or two of her caravan but more than often she was alone. “And now,” she thought bitterly, “I will always dance alone…” She could not believe she had just lost herself in the moment with this strange man behind her.
Clearing her throat softly, she clasped her hands in front of her, her arms hanging loosely. ‘I suppose we could head north for curiousity’s sake, and if becomes to dangerous head in another direction. I, myself have wondered about the rumors flying from that direction.”
Fiona then proceeded to lean against the high fence of the tavern, absorbing the calmness of the night but there was something else in the air as well, a bite of possibility, danger perhaps? Just like the song she had song in the tavern, such was the music of the night. Tilting her head to one side, she took in the man before her. Really assessing him with a clear mind and with her own sweet time. He was not an eye sore, and that was an understatement. Truly he was stunning with his bright blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He was intriguing indeed, the air around him seemed to crackle with the power and confidence he possessed, but there was something else, something hidden, but she could not place her finger on what it could be. Wrapping a dark chestnut curl around her finger, she waited for his response.
Aristocratic Paladin - January 8, 2006 10:40 AM (GMT)
((OOC: I thought it was perfect, you're always so good at doing that. -Ruffles her hair.- Anyway, the same goes for me, it's been quite the while so the post may not be consistant, but eh who cares. That and I might have some grammatical errors and the likes seeing as I don't have microsoft word atm. Anyway, hope you get better.))
Following closely behind her he exchanged glances with the many patrons that they passed on the way to the door. He was almost certain that he became public enemy number one by dropping that big guy, because of the stares he was receiving, but then again perhaps not. Shaking off the thought, he stepped outside his attention drifting up to the sky as a light flutter of light emitted from the clouds and spreads outwards, illuminating the stary night sky for a moment before fading, “You ever look up at the stars at night and wonder what fate has instore for you? I have, many a time, but I try not to make a habit of it.” Lowering his eyes down to her, he studied her for a moment, before speaking in a soft manner, “A man once told me that swords were not the true killer, but the mind of the person wielding it. It can be corrupt, or it can be of good intentions, or just simply evil. Corruption begins at the core and works it way up; past is the start of the process and time is the finisher.” His gaze shifted from her and to the stables beyond her. He watched the young man guide the horse from its stall and out onto the cobblestone pathway. Shaking his head, his attention drifted back up to the sky as the rains continued their cold descent. His hair began to mat against his forehead as it started to become weighted down by the water, “The north should be fine, but we probably should be aware of orcs and the likes. They've started coming down from the mountains more than usual, for whatever reasons I'm unsure of. Oh and watching out for oafs like that guy in there wouldn't hurt either, speaking of which I was meaning to ask you what was the deal with that?” Taking a few moments he thought over what he asked her, “Perhaps, it's none of my business.” His attention once again shifted from the sky and then down to the man and the horse as they rode off into the night, the sound of clattering hoofs against the cobblestone echoedoff throughout the town, “However; I have a better question for you. What do you plan to achieve by remaining here or even traveling around aimlessly?” Servei mused over his question for a moment, pondering his own answer to such a question, but alas he had none and he was almost certain she wouldn't either.
Bowing his head in silence he stewed over the things he said, pondering his own answers for such questions, a few of them he left un-answered. Adjusting the bardiche on his shoulder, he lifted his gaze back up to her, staring at her as if in some sort of trance. Shaking it off, he chuckled lightly, “You look like a drowned rat.” Though, he probably looked the same to her, but it didn't really matter any to him. Appearance wasn't something he strongly focused on, but to others it seemed to be an important thing and the main cause of why he never fit in.
Heaving the bardiche up from his shoulder he brought it down in a forward motion and allowed it to slip from his fingers and submerse its blade into the confines of the moist soft ground, “A lot of people claim that people like us....Loners, are nothing but weaklings. But I think we're the strongest of all, no matter what we perservere and we never give up hope. Though, at times I wish I could listen to my own words myself....But it seems I listen less to myself than I do to others.” Chuckling lightly he rubbed the back of his head nervously, “How about yourself?”
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - January 9, 2006 01:14 AM (GMT)
(OOC: ~clutches her chest~ I'm 20 today! Two-zero, twenty! ~laughs~)
Fiona placed her hands on her hips in fake indignation as she sputtered, “Drowned rat! I’ve never been compared to rat in my life, you sure know how to sweep a girl off of her feet now don’t you my dear Severi!” Laughing amusedly, she pulled her once curly locks, now a wet stringy mass behind her head. Pulling out a kerchief that was previously hidden somewhere in the midst of her layered skirts she tied it securely at the nape of her neck. It was true, it was no longer storming with the same intensity, but the slow steady falling of rain drops did soak one through quite quickly.
She was quite relieved that it seemed he had not taken any notice of her dancing beneath the partially hidden stars, which put her more at ease. Her true personality was starting to shine through, warm and welcoming. She was not timidly polite, or loud and obnoxious. She had a warm soul that often seemed to get her into trouble. The kind of person who would embrace a Prince if he looked troubled or offer advice to and old maid in the kitchen who seemed to be having a bad day. The first would probably result in spending oh, twenty or so years in jail and the latter a wooden spoon thrown in her general direction. Wait, the second had happened! Fiona rubbed her arm painfully in remembrance but it also brought a small smile to her lips.
“You are full of questions aren’t you, but rightfully so. I would be wondering also if I found someone in my position.” Licking her lower lip she began to recall exactly what had happened in the bar, although she really didn’t want to bring that memory to the surface. “That horrid man in the bar must have seen me perform. I was quietly having a drink in the corner of the tavern when I felt him pull my wrists behind me. I tried to coax him into releasing with the usual bait, a drink or three. But, he was very persistent in other areas. I guess he didn’t think me a drowned rat.” Shivering at the thought of what could have happened, she shook her head slightly, sending water lazily in every direction.
Chewing absently on her lower lip, she sought an answer to a more difficult question then merely what had happened inside the tavern, “What am I hoping to accomplish? Well, the Traveling Folk faith is that we are looking for the ancient knowledge that was lost after the breaking of The Age of Wonders. It is said that the Gods gave us that single deed and that our feet would eternally itch until we found what we sought. I’m not sure if I believe this, Light how my Grandmother would look at me if she heard me say those words! I just know that I am not content to stay in any one place for too long. I am fine for a few days and then I feel the burning desire to move on.” Shrugging she continued, “I don’t know if this is courage or weakness but tis all I have ever known…”
Taking a few step closer to him she let her head fall back to take in the widening starscape. Warmth shined through her green eyes that had not been able to fight through in the tavern. Gasping softly she rocked innocently on the balls of her feet in excitement and then bounded through the remaining space between them. Partially behind him, she drew her hand over his shoulder and her arm brushed against his cheek, pointing. “There! There!” She whispered low enough for only him to hear. "Do you see it, the bright one just above the breaking clouds? That’s my star, now you musn’t tell anyone. Again my grandmother would be horrified of what I was saying. My mother chose my star, and someday if the Gods will it I will chose my daughter’s. They say that if you reveal you star to anyone they could use it against you someday, but I can feel I can trust you, can’t I Severi?”
Fiona was not letting on the extremity of what she had just done, in Gypsy beliefs one never revealed the star to anyone. It was said that your star was part of you, an extension of your spirit. But, she had felt as if this was the right action to take. She had no idea why this was so, but she knew to her core that this was right.
Aristocratic Paladin - January 9, 2006 06:04 AM (GMT)
((OOC: You really need to quit reminding me of how old I am. Keep in mind I'm 20 too. -Eyes.- Anyway, hope this post is up to par and I hope he doesn't seem like a stiff anymore.))
A light blush of red gathered along his cheeks, as she spoke of knowing how to sweep a woman from her feet. Just as he was going to offer a response, he decided against it, not wanting to make himself look even more foolish than before. Though he wasn't always able to avoid that kind of thing before, especially when he acted as a Taras guard, which probably was one of the biggest mistakes he had ever made. It was nearly a daily thing where he would mess up and make himself appear even more foolish than they had perceived him to be, but most of his mess ups were egged on by the persistance of the townfolks, saying that a non-native shouldn't be the one responsible for protecting the town. Perhaps they were right, or perhaps not either way it made no difference now, that was the past and this was the current.
Again he rubbed the back of his head in a nervous manner as she spoke of the drowned rat thing again, “Hey, quit making fun of me.....You know what I meant.” He gave her a stern look as if aggrivated but couldn't help but break out into laughter. He wasn't much of the serious type and he was sure she could tell. The only time he was ever serious in his life was both in war and battle.
His blue hues fixed themselves upon her emerald orbs as she explained herself to him, but was unsure of how to answer back. He felt as though he owed her his own explaination of why he was here, but there wasn't the words to quite explain it but he would try anyway, “I....I guess you could call me a vagabond, I've been wandering aimlessly for reasons even I have no answers for, but now that I've found you, maybe I can try finding myself without having to do it alone. I've left my homelands long ago, I was just a mere child when I left everyone and everything. There was a reason to it though, my father wanted nothing to do with the war my kingdom would partake in, but instead of leaving, he ordered that I would leave and even had me banished by the counsel when he could not rid me.” He sighed heavily, his breath clearly visible in the dark of the night, “I guess....There's really been no place I've been able to call home, I've always been discriminated against because of these.”
His right hand lifted up to his ear, brushing a few strands of his blonde hair from it, allowing her to see, “These hindered me from doing anything...It seems this herritage of mine is more of a curse than a blessing. Even here I've felt the discrimination, even when I ran as a Taras guard.” Sighing heavily again he simply shook his head, “I guess people are blind when it comes to appearances, I just hope you aren't like them.”
His gaze lowered to the ground, as if ashamed of even making eye contact with her, but suddenly snapped up as he felt something graze his cheek. His eyes followed the length of her arm and up to where he finger pointed, stopping upon the bright sparking star, “Don't worry, I'm harmless. I wouldn't do anything to a pretty woman's star or even to her.” He nudged her with his elbow lightly and chuckled lightly, “Pretty...For a drowned rat that is.” A slight grin crossed his slender lips as he took a step backwards, allowing his back to come into contact with her, curious as to how she would respond.
Fiona Ó Treasaigh - January 10, 2006 06:06 AM (GMT)
“Pretty for a drowned rat!” Fiona exclaimed as she mock-slapped him gently against his arm laughing softly. Just as quickly as her laughter filtered out into the beautiful night it ceased. Suddenly she felt Severi’s muscular length pressed against her and her breath caught in her throat.
Although she knew she should move, she seemed helplessly bound by invisible restraints. She softly whispered against his back, “No, you have no need to worry. As I have said in the tavern I really don’t see the packaging , my only concern is the soul. But, these, these are truly elegant.”
“Oh Light stop! Stop!” her thoughts screamed in her mind, but her hand would not listen. Slowly her arm drew upward, slowly upward and she ran her finger gently down the edge of his pointed ear, that was now exposed thanks to him pushing his hair aside.
An owl called in the distance, and this is what realized Fiona’s self control and she drew her arm back sharply and spun around. She slowly felt her face heat and she knew her cheeks were probably as red as a summer apple. “Oh light, I apologize. I… I’m sorry.”
Holding her face in her hands for a moment, she tried to regain some self composure. He probably thought her some sort of loose woman, a woman with no self-respect, which was entirely untrue. She was the only girl in her caravan that did not have a suitor, not for none interested in her, but she just could muster no interest herself in any of them.
Clearing her throat softly she spoke, her voice a mite stronger but not much, “Perhaps we should call it a night, if we wish to leave at first light that is only in a few hours time.”
Biting her lower lip, she silently cursed herself and completely unable to face him. Why did she have to reach out to him, he probably was wary of her now! She wouldn’t be surprised if he decided not to travel with her, and she did not like the prospect of traveling alone. When she did not know the difference or even suspect of a companion she was fine, but knowing she had destroyed that chance for a little conversation along the way, that would reek havoc in her mind.
Aristocratic Paladin - January 11, 2006 07:21 AM (GMT)
((OOC: It's kind of long, hope you don't mind. But if you want you can post one last time and start a new topic or you can post and I take up the final final post and the starting of the next topic, lol. Whatever you decide is fine with me.))
Her words seemed to bring a light to his face, as they brought reassurance that he would no longer be alone on his wayward and winding path of fate, at least for now that was. It wasn't often that he wasn't alone and now he didn't have to feel that way, so long as she wouldn't change her mind at the last minute and back out, but he was almost certain that should would grow weary of traveling with him and surely disert him as the others had.
As soon as she touched him he felt as though he could melt. Her soft skin, delicate against his sensitive ears, but her movements soon faltered and ceased. Bowing his head slightly he remained with his back to her, unsure of how to respond and just allowing the silence between them do the talking for the moment. With a soft tone he began to speak as if trying to reassure her, “It's fine, don't sweat it. It's not a big deal really...” A slight smile crossed his features as he did his best to keep his face hidden from her view. Clearing his throat, he began speaking once more, turning to face her as he spoke, “We should head out by day break, depending on the weather that is, the last thing we'll need is a bad start. I was told long ago that a bad start to journey had been a bad omen and meant disaster throughout the course of the journey, but we shall see won't we?”
He drew himself a mental image of their route, trying his best to map out the best way to travel,“Hmm...We can make any stops you wish to on the way towards the mountain ranges, but I suggest we keep some distance between us and the ranges. As far as I could tell, there's been some odd activities up along that area. More so with orc attacks than anything else, but I suppose it would be no different than going through the forest and getting attacked by a bandits.” Chuckling lightly, he scratched at the back of his head, “Either way, I'll be along your side, so you don't have anything to worry about. And no, I know what you're thinking, I'm not just worried about trying to keep your safety, I want to be your companion as well and in order for you to be my companion, I need to keep you safe as well as you to me.”
He narrowed his eyes at her as he took a few steps towards her, his left hand moving out to her jawline and delicately placing his left index finger under her chin and tilted it up so she'd have no choice but to look at him, “I realize, you're flustered about earlier and you're still coming down from the emotional charge of the situation so hey.....Don't worry, I understand, completely. What happened just a few moments ago, never happened, right? Wait...I mean what happened now?” He grinned at her, before sticking his tongue out, trying to lighten her mood a little.
Lowering his gaze from her, his blue orbs scanned the surroundings before befalling upon his bardiche as it jutted out from the ground along his left side, “Perhaps it is time to call it a night, it never hurts to get a little sleep here and there.” Moving his right hand out to the shaft of the bardiche, his digits coiled tightly around it before pulling the weapon from the earth. Without breaking his rhythme he swung the heavy weapon back upon his shoulder, “Y'know something...I'm thankful that I've ran into you, you have no idea how boring it is to travel alone, I mean sure I lugg this thing around, but it doesn't keep good company. Maybe if I was getting robbed or something it would come in handy, but trying to talk to it is like talking to a rock.” Breaking out into a fit of laughter, he soon quieted to a soft cackle, “Erm...Sorry, I never really got to polish up my jokes, so my apologies if they're a little corny, it can't be helped.”