Novelty

[Ciarán Ringe]

I’d settled into my room at the boarding house in the East Borough, an act that included watching as others carried my bags upstairs and then me leaving with them still packed. The City was like a living things crawling along my nerves and I had no intention of spending time alone while getting used to it. A few questions provided me a couple of choices where to go, and I chose the one whose name I had heard mentioned from others in my travels.

A soft smile touched my lips as I entered the Cockeral. There was a nice liveliness about it, but nothing wholesome. I liked it. I wound my way to the bar and ordered something strong and bitter. Leaning back against the bar I sipped my drink and watched the crowd.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

My mind had wandered and stirred for much time after watching the punishment of Douleur at Valerian House. It made my skin itch and it made my thoughts turn in on themselves. Even though I couldn't really afford the coin I decided I needed to do something so different from what I would normally do, that it would take my mind off of things.

I entered into The Cockeral wearing a lavender gown and shyly found a seat at an empty table. I was so nervous, the crowd was bigger then I had expected and I had to take a breath to keep myself from flying out the door.

[Ciarán Ringe]

The door opened and a flutter of lavender caught my eye. The material clung to a delicate little thing that looked more like a doe trying to sneak through a pack of wolves than a person. My eyes followed her as she took a seat, alone. A wench started to head that way, but I caught her arm.

“A glass of your best wine for the girl in lavender,” I said, slipping a silver coin into the wench’s hand. She curtseyed and hurried to obey. Half a moment later I saw her heading to the girl’s table, a glass of deep red wine balanced on her tray.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I hadn't been long in the tavern when the bar matron came over, I smiled very gently, still nervous. I half expected her to tell me I couldn't be here, that I wasn't welcome, when instead she placed down the glass of wine she had been carrying and told me if was from a gentleman at the bar. She pointed him out and I looked at him with surprise. He was handsome, and I blushed deeply as I ducked my head. The matron left me and I took a deep breath before looking up enough to see him from behind my lashes.

My hands worried over in my lap as I thought about what I should do. Go over? Wave him to come over here. I decided it would be best for me to go to him, so I rose, taking the glass with me and went to where he was. I placed down the glass on the bar and then curtsied very deeply.
"Thank you my lord, you are too kind." I murmured gently before rising, my gaze still down cast a little, though I dared to look at his handsome face.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I was in need of some sort of excitement and it had been a long time since I had found myself wandering the streets of the "seedier" parts of the City, lost and bewildered.

It wasn't half as bad as I was lead on to believe.

In a calf length, forest green gown that flowed like a breeze away from a tightly laced bodice, I walked up the steps to the Cockeral, seeking conversation. I was convinced there would be something interesting to observe, or at least I had hoped, to diminish my evergrowing tedium. My sandals, lacing up mu leg in the helene style, pattered up the steps, my wavy, scarlet locks flowing over my shoulders and down my back, and a soft smile on my face, I entered the premises, standing in the doorway and taking everything in with a glance around the bar, to the right, then to the left.

[Ciarán Ringe]

It was amusing to watch the conflict that painted her face as she tried to decide what to do. I wished she’d taken longer so I could enjoy it a little more before she picked up the glass and came towards me. The door opened again and the woman who stood there was almost shocking in the depth of how she didn’t fit it. Her dress was too short, though at least the color did compliment her hair. She stood like a guard surveying the room.

My attention returned to the spun glass thing in lavender. “You looked as if you could use a little kindness,” I said with a smile. “If you’d prefer something besides wine we can trade it in.”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I walked in after looking around quickly, getting a surface judgment of the people, and feeling the energy that went through the bar's atmosphere. Mainly merriment, so it seemed, and I smiled to myself as I walked into the establishment.

So this was the Cockeral.

As I moved, I noticed a pretty girl, well, beautiful, really, seated beside a rather good-looking man and smiled in their direction though neither of them would have seen it. Taking up a seat at the bar a couple stools down, I waited on the bartender to take my order. I sat, head in hand, as I looked at the bottles behind the bar, then to the left and right of me, my fingers finding a waterspot left on the bartop by a wet glass and tracing it idly.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I blushed deeply at his comment and curtsied again, shaking my head a little.
"Thank you my lord." I said, still keeping my gaze down cast, but managing to glance shyly up to him once and awhile.
"The wine is perfect suitable." I worried my lower lip a bit as I sat down nervously in the chair next to him.

[Ciarán Ringe]

I was grateful when she sat down, maybe that would keep her from curtseying any more. From the corner of my eye I noticed that the odd woman had taken as seat at the bar a little ways down.

“How do you know if it suits?” I asked with a chuckle. “You’ve not tasted it yet. I ordered the best, but who knows what passes for best here.”

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I blushed deeply.
"Forgive me." I said softly but braved a little smile and took a drink of the wine. "Its not the best I've ever had, but it suits." I added sheepishly after I had swallowed.
"Tis the Cockeral, not the palace. Anything one purchases here is likely to be less that the best quality our nation has to offer." I continued bravely, though, I continued to keep my gaze from meeting his completely, only stealing glances now and then.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“But that’s why people come here, is it not?” I asked, smiling at her and then glancing around the room. I took the opportunity to get a better look at the odd woman down the bar. “The dark, slimy nature of this place is what attracts those here. Anyone looking for proper conversation and high quality tea would shop elsewhere.”

I looked back at her, leaning just a little closer. “And what is it that brought you here, little fawn?”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I had the unmistakeable feeling that I was being watched and my head turned slowly towards the two who sat a few stools down the bar from me, seeing the man of the pair looking full on me. I furrowed my brows and first, wondering if I knew him, then raised a brow in further thought. He was probably looking at me, wondering what manner of woman I was, alone, with a daringly short dress, in a place like this.

Then again, mayhap not.

I could feel my cheeks heat, a little from mild annoyance and a little from embarassment, even though there was no need for at least the latter. To make up for it though, I sent another smile their way before turning my attention to the bartender who had decided to grace me with his presence.

His eyes raked over me and I found myself glowering, clenching my fists in my lap as I answered curtly that I would have a glass of red zinfandel, the best they had. It was sure not to be expensive -- afterall, I had not heard this place on the lips of many with regards to the fine selection of wines or fare -- and placed my arms on the bar, my head bowing forward causing my locks to do the same, showing my bare upperback and woad-marked shoulders.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I blused deeply at his words.
"I came because it is cheap, my lord." I whispered embarassedly, my hands clasped in my lap as I glanced up at him through my lashes.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“As good a reason as any other,” I said, laughing deeply. I knocked back the last of my drink and set the glass on the bar. “I like that you were honest about it.”

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I blushed deeply and looked down at my hands for a moment before they began to fiddle and I reached for my glass, holding it as if it were something to do. I took a gently sip over the rim of the cup before placing it down.
"Thank you my lord." I said softly, unable to think of anything else to say, and then feeling quite the fool after the words had been spoken.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“Shall we find out what brought others here?” I asked. “I find myself curious now.”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

Leaning forward, I peered through my locks at the man and the woman. He did not look at me again, so it seemed, and the woman did not even acknowledge my presence, which was a relief in a sense, though odd. She looked as though she might jump out of her skin, and I wondered if something might be the matter. I furrowed my brow, but kept it to myself. If she had need for assistance, I was sure she would find some way of letting it be known.

Turning my attention back to the top of the bar, my wine was placed before me so forcefully that the dark ruby liquid slipped over teh edges, splashing against the top of the bar. I raised my eyes to the man, the bartender, who looked at me rather wide-eyed. I wondered what had changed his demeanor and figured he realised what I was.

Women are a force to be reckoned with, let alone one who knows how to wield a weapon.

He smiled at me, nothing of the letcherous looks from before, more out of respect, or mayhap fear, as it seemed most men in Terre D'Ange regarded me, unless they had a bit of the blood in them themselves. I smiled back, not wishing the man to soil himself, and sighed as I picked up my glass to drink from it.

The only ones who had seen me for me in any sort of way other than a danger or something to be awed by were Deci, Sandrine and Sophine. Deci was like me, in a way, Alban and a warrior. Sandrine was a free spirit, an adept I could barely afford the time of, even if I wished it. And Sophine was much like Sandrine. The only people to approach me in a foreign land, I could count on one hand and have fingers left over.

Not even in the rough and tumble parts of the City could I find someone who didn't shy away at the first site of my tell-tale blue whorls.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I pursed my lips for a moment and nodded.
"Alright." I said softly and glanced around. The first face that I noticed was a woman with blue markings, and she frightened me. I stared at her for a moment, wide eyed before looking back to the man in front of me.
"You first." I said sheepishly before glancing down at my hands and feeling foolish for the moment.

[Ciarán Ringe]

I looked around, though I knew already who I was going to ask.

“Pardon me,” I said to the odd woman who sat just a little way from us. “May I ask you a question?”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I raised both of my brows as I stopped mid-sip. I had turned away from the couple, and as I turned towards the voice, I noticed that they both looked my way. I was guessing he was the voice I had heard, and noting that no other women sat to the other side of me, I knew that he was speaking to me.

Finishing my sip and turning, I rose from my stool and moved a seat closer, now leaving only one separating us. More polite but still not an intrusion.

"Certainly, my lord," I said with a soft smile, cocking my head to the side as I surveyed him. I was still wary, not knowing what exactly he wanted, but at least there was hope that this conversation might provide some sort of entertainment in a place that was otherwise proving to be rather dull.

I glanced quickly to the girl behind him. She looked as though she was huddled behind him, frightened for her life. I certainly hoped it was not I that engendered such a fear in her.

There were worse things to fear than me.

And of all places to walk into and not expect a bit of fear to begin with.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I watched the man I had been talking to approach her and wondered about the young woman. She couldn't have been any older then I. When she spoke, it wasn't much, but one could tell there was an accent. My mind worked quickly and I placed her as Alban. It wasn't uncommon to see them, but most of the Albans that lived in the city were more D'Angeline then Alban. She seemed right out of the wilds depsite her attire.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“My friend here and I were taking a survey about the reasons people had come to this particular place today,” I said, smiling. “Would you mind sharing your reason?”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I smiled at the man and the woman behind him, turning gracefully in my seat, or at least as graceful as I could, leaning my arm on the bar and cradling my face in it, my head tilted as I regarded them, swishing my zinfandel lazilly.

"But of course, kind sir," I said with a smile, my accent thick, "but I will divulge this only on one condition, that I am given the name of the curious people with whom I am speaking," I said with a smile before sipping from the lip of my glass.

[Ciarán Ringe]

I turned my attention back to the little fawn.

“What do you think? Is her answer worth our names or should we ask someone less demanding?” I asked, smiling.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I raised both of my brows a fraction though I kept silent, waiting for her answer. He was a fiery one... rather gorgeous too.

[Celesta nó Valerian (D)]

I blushed as he looked back at me, my attention from the Alban diverted when his eyes met mine and I lowered my gaze shyly.
"I think tis but fair my lord." I answered softly and then glanced at the face of the two.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“Ah, more generous souls win out,” I said, chuckling. I looked back at the odd woman.

“I am Ciarán Ringe. You can have my companion’s name after you answer,” I said, smiling.

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I almost started at the Alban name, startling on such a d'Angeline face.

"Dark one," I said with a lopsided smile, an eyebrow raised as I took him in in one sweeping gaze. I hadn't decided yet if he was attractive or a threat. But something told me whoever had named him, named him rightly. Although, then again, he could just be playful and in dire need of entertainment, like myself.

I looked to the girl for a moment, the way she averted her eyes, so meek and pretty. "Indeed," I said turning my gaze back upon him. "I am Faolan mab Ceallach," I said with a nod. "Have I earned the right to have your companion's name fall upon my ears, then?" I asked with a soft laugh and a broader smile.

[Ciarán Ringe]

“No, not yet,” I said, chuckling. “You have to answer our question about what brought you here today.”

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

"Two bits of information for your one," I said with a fake pout, followed by a smile, "you drive a hard bargain."

I took a pensive sip of my wine, wondering if they would think me stupid for my answer. There ws only one way to find out. I put my glass down after a quick lick of my lips and smiled. "Well I've heard that Night's Doorstep is no place for a lady to venture unaccompanied, so I came here alone seeking entertainment," I explained in accented d'Angeline. "The trappings of day to day life are rather mundane, and I find myself looking for something to keep me preoccupied. If naught else, I was looking for at least some form of conversation. As yet, you are the only one to come talking to me." I leaned forward with a sigh, as if to say something in confidence. "I think even the bartender shies away from me." Then I laughed, a little stronger than I was sure a proper lady might - a genuine laugh.

"I hope this has earned name number two," I said flashing a grin to the girl, "and mayhap your reasoning for visiting this establishment?"