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Post by Elladan on May 8, 2005 17:53:43 GMT -5
A subtle expression crossed his lips as he gestured towards the hallway and disappeared behind the door, hand swiping gently across his doleful countenance as a stream of air trailed slowly from his nostrils in a heavy, drawn sigh. He rested his frame against the cold, hard wall, somehow comforting despite its solidity.
"I've lived here all my life, Dima, and now, with all these..events...this city grows ill with me. But never mind that, and yes, Aricin primarily concerns me, which it the main reason I pulled you aside. I remember asking you before, but this time I beg a reply. You may say I'm nosey, but really I'm concerned. What happened in my absence? The whole of Avalbane seems in the wake of it, and I at the side in some vague slumber, unaware, but yearning to be woken." he paused, for he had nothing more to say, and looked up from the ground where his eyes had inadvertently fallen in thought.
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on May 9, 2005 12:43:13 GMT -5
This tale of rank did illicit sympathy from the half blood, smiling softly and nodding as she listened. Though she didn't have a specific home, and hadn't done for a good many years now, Avalbane certainly wasn't hers, either, but then again, neither was Anoria. She was one of the lucky ones who'd managed to visit the city behind the falls, taken there by a friend of hers that, at the time, she wasn't aware was one of them - it later turned out he was an owl shift, but that was of little consequence really.
"I understand your feeling.. I've never felt quite so out of place here, and the looks I've been getting since I put on Fionan's boots are most amusing," she stated with a twinkle in her eye, lifting her skirt slightly and allowing her booted foot to sneak forward into view. "Rank is a bizarre thing, and I'm not entirely used to it. Musicians tend to fall outside any circle but that of other musicians.
"As for why I'm here," she hesitated slightly, grinning as Akila, quite rightly, noted that she would probably have told the tale enough times already, "well, I am looking to find some employment. I'm rather short on coin at the moment, and I need more to continue my travels. I met Fionan in the Green Turtle, and I was there when Erados summoned him here. I hitched a ride with the pair of them, and here I am!"
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Post by Arwen on May 10, 2005 14:39:03 GMT -5
"Oh, boots!" Akila nearly giggled. That's right, nearly. For Akila did not giggle. She laughed, chuckled, but never, repeat never giggled. So it was as close to a giggle as Akila got. But close enough, by golly gee. "Why, Kerituin, have you taken notice of mine?"
With that, she lifted her skirts as well to reveal a peek of her own boots. Only hers were dyed, but still comfortable as any others. "Perhaps it is that they are Fionan's, and that has left him standing barefoot! But here, I am sure that on the morrow you might be shown to someone who can dye some of your boots for you. They make for comfort and for show, much better than those fancy slipper things, especially for dancing in. And they'll fit you." She placed quite a bit of emphasis on the last phrase, lavenders twinkling as she smiled again, suddenly more talkative than she usually was. But if she could help, she could help, right?
"I should say, too, that the musicians here have become a bit short on hands in the past few weeks. Usually, pay is not a matter here, as the musicians live here as well, but the occasional traveller does come along in search of a few coins. What is it that you play? I know a few of these, and could introduce you. Being one of those that stays away from the crowd, I've met the majority of the quieter type here in the citadel, several of which have been orchestra."
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on May 11, 2005 12:14:27 GMT -5
"Ah, that might well be it. Plus, yours are pretty little boots, and these are too big for me and clearly belong to a man," she replied, grinning widely. She had liked the look of Akila beforehand, and now she was glad that her original judgement had been proved correct, even if the girl seemed a little quiet - though she could hardly be called a girl, far older than probably anyone else in the room as she would be.
"Besides, it was Fionan's idea to allow me to wear his boots, and his wandering about barefoot is his doing. They should be sending odd looks his way, not mine," she added, a mischievous grin still sat upon her face. "And I shall see about having some new boots made, rather than having my old pair dyed - I only have two pairs, one that's too stout and rough for dying, and the other that's too old and worn out for dancing. I should like to have some coloured boots," she added, a thoughtful expression coming to her face. But what colour? And what style? And would it cost? They'd apparently given her this dress without any mention of coin, but then again, she'd probably never wear it again, lay it down in her room and, when she woke in the morning, it would be gone. That seemed to be the way of this place.
"I play the lyre, though I will take guitar, lute or harp should there be a need for any of those. Perhaps you could introduce me to a few of them during a break, or when the dancing has finished? I should like to be able to ask for a position here."
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Post by Arwen on May 11, 2005 15:30:10 GMT -5
This time, Akila chuckled. Yes, chuckled. A soft, gentle laugh deep in her throat as her lavender eyes continued to twinkle, gazing at the ground momentarily. "Yes, that's very true, isn't it? Shall we taunt him, then?"
Cost? No one in Avalbane had ever thought of charging a friendly guest for a simple service. Cloth was plentiful, and the only trading the citadel ever did was in bartering. They had all they needed and more, and what they did not have, Anoria could supply for this marvelous barter system. Sure, they had money, but that belonged to seperate entities of the place. When they traveled, they took money with them, of course. Other towns and cities don't just give things to people when they claim they're Avalbanians, now do they? Of all the silly pish-posh.
"Blue boots for Bluey?" Akila suddenly suggested, a wry grin twitching on her lips for a moment before she took up the change in subject to instrumentation.
"As you can see, and even hear at times, we have quite enough lute and harp here. Guitar and lyre could both be used, whichever you prefer, I'm sure a spot could be found."
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on May 12, 2005 13:48:20 GMT -5
"Ah, I would take up your offer to taunt him, but he seems rather lost in thought this evening.. perhaps if he lightens his mood somewhat, then we shall go," she replied, grinning slightly and glancing over toward Fionan even as she mentioned him. It was odd for him to be quite so pensive - though she'd known him for barely two days - from what she'd seen he was more usually a lighthearted fellow.
And blue boots? Perhaps it was a little cliched, but Kerituin did delight in cliches sometimes, and blue boots.. especially if they were of the right colour, not her personal blue but a darker, richer one, that might work.. "Blue boots? Hmm.. I shall have to consider... will I need to approach anyone in person, or will calling a servant suffice?" she asked, utterly unsure of protocol here about obtaining boots. Blue boots at that!
"I should like to play the lyre over the guitar, yes, but I play both with fine proficiency - though I only carry my lyre with me, I don't have a guitar as of the moment. Shame really, I did used to have a lovely one," she added, shrugging lightly. It was difficult to carry around too many instruments at once, and her lyre more than sufficed.
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Post by Elladan on May 12, 2005 15:55:20 GMT -5
He glanced back, chancing that charming smile that so seldom crossed his countanence these days. He'd seemed so young and vigorous, so dark and handsome when he'd first arrived in the city all those long years ago. Now he seemed so...fallen
His exotic eyes suddenly lit with some strange michief, foreign to his grey face, and he stooped over the table to grab a few apples, reaching for those choice few that suited him. He tossed each in the air a few times, feeling for their weight, warming himself up a bit, then proceeded to throw all three about his head, tossing them high into the air in an orderly fashion. He was juggling, of course.
It was one of those... random urges that sometimes come to hearts weary of a woeful world, tired of being so solemn, wanting for mirth and laughter. Yes, he had found mirth in reuniting with his nephew, but that only made him thrist for more. He yearned for that grace, that Avalbane of his he'd lost so long ago, somewhere in the deep, dark pockets of life.
This, though it appeared only the folly of a madman, was the real reason behind his capricious act.
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Post by Arwen on May 13, 2005 19:27:19 GMT -5
Akila chuckled again. Chuckled? Duh, we've been over this before, have we not? She liked to chuckle, shard it all. It was the Akila thing to do when something like this happened. Especially when you were taken seriously and did not expect it.
"Well, blue boots it is!" she declared with a bit of that laughter in her voice, smiling heartily. "I believe approaching a servant would do, however, I'm--no...patron..."
Her slowing of speech, raising of brow, turning down of lips in a curious manner, then a sudden explosion of laughter was accompanied by a pull at Kerituin's arm, turning the persumably older woman by the arm and nodding toward Fionan.
"Silly, isn't he? Though as much as I'd like to believe he was doing it to amuse folk, it seems that there is something behind that veil..." This was mused to herself, brows furrowed as her laughter died off, examining him. As an Anorian, a hunter at that, with animal instinct flowing through her, the vibes recieved were not some that she loved. Longing? Hmm... Investigate later, for she could never even hope to be so insightful to know his exact emotion by stance and expression.
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on May 15, 2005 13:16:22 GMT -5
Grinning at the chuckle she'd produced, the bard was about to respond when the older girl - yes, older, for Kerituin was only half elven, and as a result she was barely fourty - pulled at her arm gesturing towards Fionan, now juggling as he was. Hadn't he said he'd worked as a jester when she'd met him? He wasn't bad at juggling either, but there was something in Akila's words that did resonate with her. He'd become so very quiet after he'd returned from his visit with Aricin, where before he'd been lighter of mood and action, and it did seem he was trying to retrieve something, but almost certainly not relevant to that small period of time.
"He is silly sometimes, I do think that. He's a decent juggler though, better than I ever was when I was a jester," she added, grinning to the Anor, and lightly applauding Fionan's efforts. Only three apples though? She'd have to get him to be juggling more than that!
"Excuse me a moment, Akila, I've got to make life a little more difficult for my vagabond friend." With this little sentence inserted in the red-haired girl's ear, she darted towards the fruit bowl from whence the sea-elf had obtained his own fruit, grabbing up a few pieces and trotting over to face him, holding up a few apples and an orange with a questioning expression. Would he catch them should she throw?
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Post by Elladan on May 18, 2005 15:21:15 GMT -5
Fionan's wild eyes shifted over to the woman, and he flashed a roguish grin, daring her to toss the fruits into his mad antic.
"Daft is my trick, try if you can, hérieva lúne*,to foil my plan," Ah, now he spoke in riddles, the man had to be crazy, but all the better. He had oft used riddles and puns to slip hidden jests, or amuse the royalty, who so enjoyed his attention to detail. It was obvious he was a bit rusty, and perhaps not so quick-witted as he had been once with the riddles, but at least he seemed cheerier than before, maybe even youthful. He tossed his head slightly, signaling her to toss the fruit, and he readied his nimble hands to catch it while keeping the current trio flowing.
*"lady of blue"
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on May 29, 2005 6:37:29 GMT -5
She grinned in response, gesturing for Akila to come over and join her in watching the curious actions of the sea-going elf, offering her one of the pieces of fruit she'd picked up from the bowl.
"Oh, perhaps I shall be unable to foil your plan unaided, but what if I am to have help in my fruit throwing endeavours, dear vagabond?" She queried, tossing one of the pieces to the Anorian and hoping that the girl would catch it - else there would be a rather large splat of nectarine sitting upon the floor that wouldn't best please the servants who'd have to clean it up. This done, she watched his hands carefully, and now aware that he was prepared to catch any new pieces she tossed into the fray, she idly tossed two apples in swift succession into his hands, sure that Fionan would be able to catch them.
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Post by Elladan on May 30, 2005 8:02:48 GMT -5
He caught the first with ease, but the other, being unexpected, almost ruin him. Gifted with a cat-like reflex, however, he managed to slip the fruit into the high arch he was juggling with only a minor stumble. At this his countanence beamed, satisfied, and he scanned about for other projectiles coming his way, spotting Akila and her nectarine. That youthful mischeif played about his face tauntingly, up for any challenge.
"Good! You almost had me, there. Now for you, Lady Amaranth, and that small bit you have over there. Go ahead, toss it in. Just don't throw a surprise melon, that would be a terrible difference in size," he chuckled mirthfully as he spoke, looking up to check the apex of his arch, and returning his gaze with a glint in his eyes.
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Post by Arwen on May 30, 2005 12:17:38 GMT -5
The brow of the lass twitched as she caught the fruit deftly, hardly even sparing a glance as it arched through the air at her before being snatched up in a way that again echoed her shift well, catlike and deft, without even thinking. And as Fionan spoke after catching Kerituin's challenges with fair ease, she twitched a brow again. And instead of tossing the fruit into the juggled mass, she sat herself upon the edge of the table, watching him intently, in a way that might have made one nervous, as if stalking prey, she crossed her legs and began to peel the fruit.
For a moment, the Anorian made as if to eat the fruit, then, with a wink given secretly to Kerituin, she tossed the soft citrus fruit directly at Fionan to join the other fruits. A nasty mess if dropped? She chuckled--couldn't help herself. "Best be careful there or you'll need an extra bath today, Ship Lord!"
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Post by Elladan on May 31, 2005 10:25:20 GMT -5
His face lit with an expression of upmost bewilderment, eyes wide, lips parted, brows raised awkwardly on his pale elven forehead. She had indeed fooled him, slipping that devilish wink to Kerituin, which, naturally, he had missed in his concentration. Ooh, making him think she was to eat the slimy citrus, then tossing it to him just to spite him, that little-- "Tigress," he hissed as he threw the next orange that came to his hand high in the air, deftly spinning around just in time to catch the projectile nectarine, then tossing it with ease. Admittedly, it almost slipped from him when it came back down, and he had to bolt forward to catch it, almost missing the apple that fell, where his hand should have been, straight for his head. He grimaced, recovering just to throw it mechanically up again, then mildly repeating the action. "Curses," he muttered as the fruit returned and returned, soiling his hands in slime. (Thats right. Oooh, what now? A 360 spin, HA! ...^^)
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on Jun 6, 2005 13:27:33 GMT -5
((Sorry I haven't replied recently, exam stress and stuffs. This isn't going to be much good either))
Kerituin chuckled lightly, amused by the actions of her new friend the Anorian, watching the fruits as they whirled through the air. Fionan certainly was a strange creature, but a nimble one, far quicker with his hands than she had ever been when she took employment as a jester. Juggling was simple enough when the fruits or balls or skittles fell where you wanted them to, but when devious creatures such as Akila tossed nectarines at you when you weren't expecting them, Kerituin had tended to drop everything, rather than recover as Fionan had done, albeit with a slight grimace and a splash of nectarine slime across his hand.
"Are they trying to escape you, my good vagabond?" she called teasingly, reaching back into the fruit bowl and picking up another apple and now a banana, just to make things harder for the sea-elf. Juggling with different shapes was always harder than juggling with all the same.
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Post by Elladan on Jun 6, 2005 19:32:01 GMT -5
Fionan's eyebrows rose at sight of the oncoming fruit, eyes smiling coyly, sparkling in their roguish demeanor. In idea was brewing within the confines of that subtle head of his.
"I suppose," chuckled he, still eyeing the fruit she held, juggling his own, noting every fall of that accursed nectarine... "but not for long," He threw the slimy sphere to a certain new apex, allowing it to fall directly for his head, then looked up, opening his mouth just in time to catch the juicy mass.
"Mmmm," he mumbled, " hmmw demlctble," meaning 'how delectable,' but unable to pronounce anything capably. He then proceeded to take a bite
Now, if you've ever tried to eat a fruit without using your hands, you know that it is nearly impossible to achieve more than one bite and that the rest will logically come tumbling down to the floor. Fionan had found a way to craftily overcome the first impossibility and, if his first trick failed, to catch the falling fruit. He deployed both of these abilities:
With careful practice and perfection he bowed his head, chin touching chest, threw the fruit into the air and caught another bite. After this he attempted another-- unfortunately he failed to calculate correctly, so the fruit hit his eye. This is where he deployed the second ability:
The fruit fell and landed upon an awkward surface: Fionan's foot. It might have been more pleasant if the man had boots, but he didn't, so the surface indented itself on his toes, letting its plentiful juices run dauntingly down his foot. With all the agility of the elves he managed to find the center of gravity, standing perfectly balanced while juggling, awaiting the new fruit like a playful child.
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on Jun 20, 2005 10:11:51 GMT -5
((I apologize for the crappiness))
Shaking her head, the half elf grinnned, not yet bothering to toss the fruit into the melee, turning to Akila with a slight grin. He was a strange creature, was Fionan, and he seemed to be delighting in this playful game, grabbing the attentions of some either highly confused or very amused elves.
"Oh, I'm sure it's delectable, you'll just have to watch out.. for that happening," she added with a grin as the both slightly bruised and over juiced fruit spattered onto the man's foot, apparently waiting for her to toss her banana and apples into the mixture to allow for him to drop more things, probably. With no warning other than the movement of her arm, she tossed the bendy yellow fruit first, followed in swift succession by the pair of apples, watching expectantly to see how he managed that one.
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Post by Arwen on Jun 20, 2005 10:23:53 GMT -5
Akila coughed, wincing playfully as the fruit fell to the seaman's foot, shaking her head as she smiled in a wry manner. "Delectable indeed... I am just sure your foot enjoys the taste of nectarine juices, lord shipman," she dared utter, brushing a bit of strawberry hair out of her face with her arm before catching sight of some fruit of just that type on the table. Strawberries. Not only much smaller, but quite a mess if squeezed a bit, not quite as bad as that peeled citrus, but still risky.
She picked a few up and tossed them at the man swiftly just after all of Kerituin's tosses, aiming more so to annoy and to see how quick his hands were. He had quite a few fruits there, so his hands were moving quickly already. Perhaps he would catch most. Those he didn't would simply have to hit him. Fun! "Hmm..." She pulled the green off of one of the juicy red fruits, a rather large one nearly half the size of her palm, and delicately bit in to it as she watched, careful not to allow the juices spill. "Very good berries. Pray do not put them to ruin, Fionan. they are perfect--very juicy and incredibly sweet. Would you like one? I'm sure one just so talented could catch a few in his mouth whilst juggling?"
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Post by Elladan on Jun 20, 2005 10:57:13 GMT -5
Caught it-- Caught it-- Caught it--
The banana proved a bit tricker than the others, and he found that putting a spin to it help the fruit reach its apex. He now began to from two arched, the lower containing the banana and a few other fruits, the higher containing the rest. One was going clockwise, the other counter-clockwise. Easy but impressive.
He glanced down at the juicy nectarine, flexing his toes a bit to shake off a few droplets strolling down, keeping the fruit by adjusting his weight. Now he eyed Akila, watching as she devilishly savored the scarlet berries, just waiting to toss them at him.
"Through the arch. please, or you'll have the whole of Avalbane covered in fruit juice." he grinned, licking his lips, and opened his mouth, tilting his head upwards to catch the oncoming fruit. He missed only one, which hit him on the forehead and fell to the ground, rebounding up and rolling before taking its final rest. The others he caught with little difficulty, adjusting his position here and there, whipping out his tongue like a chameleon just in time for some that trailed an inch too far for easy reach. The only downfall was the rate at which the berries came, barely allowing him to chew, let alone swallow. He was left with a mouthful, a challenge to chew up in mass. His mind churned, eyes glittering.
He angled his mouth, checking her distance, then shot a berry back into the air, aiming right for her head. Revenge is sweet.
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femalefred
Overly obsessive RPer
Lazy Wretch
Posts: 123
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Post by femalefred on Jun 20, 2005 11:25:44 GMT -5
"He's getting cocky, Akila. I think we need to do something about it," the oddly coloured half blood muttered to the Anorian, a mischievous glimmer coming in to her eyes before she glanced towards the array of fruits laid out for the diners in the hall.
"What do you think he'll be able to cope least well with, once he's caught your strawberries, as he's so sure that he will?" she asked, glancing from the sea-elf to the fruit table and back again. There were so many choices... so little time to chose between them! And it did look as though they'd have to choose quickly if they were to throw something at Fionan before he either fell over or dropped everything himself. They'd have to act fast.
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