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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 23, 2011 16:46:32 GMT -5
I had been different since the night that I had met Bayard. I was less high strung, and it actually helped in teh work I performed, not worrying about people looking at me, whether someone was going to try to take advantage of me, and I had started trying to train myself better not just in the arts of thievery but in self protection, in case someone did decide to try to do to me what had been done before. I was on the road to recovery, and I think it had helped me, that one single night of drinks and conversation, more than a Balm adept could have. I did not want some stuffy adept, pitying me, no, I wanted Bayard who cared, but kept things light, was still himself, and yet understood where I was coming from and did not think any less of me, would not try to run to the authorities to take down my brother and mamke the situation potentially worse. He made me realise that these things were in my past, and yes they shaped who I was, but I was not some snivelling weak person, but a trong one,and I had started to really truly believe it instead of putting on teh strong facade, the impenetrable exterior. It was good to be able to feel again. My thoughts were on him a lot since we met, though I had not seen him since, even if it was not that terribly long ago. I thought of calling on him, of using the coin I had been given to go to Balm to go to him instead, but I felt shy and was not certain really how to go about it. Nonetheless, I knew that our paths would cross, as sure as the sun rose every morning and set every night.
I was dressed in teh clothing X had gotten tailored for me - the tighter fitting breeches, the dark cloak, the things that would help me blend into the crowd and make it easier for me to make a quick getaway if I needed to without the voluminous skirts of a gown. I did not wear boots or heels or slippers, but shoes with leather soles that helped for gripping, but did not pain my feet walking on the unevenly cobbled stones of Night's Doorstep. I had already knicked one coin purse from a portly man,, swaying from drink, and so early in teh day at that,. He did not even notice when I passed him by and cut the strings to his purse with the small knife I hid in a inside compartment of my cloak. It made me smile that, under X's tutelage, I was becomin better and better at making my living, filling my belly and having coin left over to go drinking or buy little frivolous items that I fancied.
My foot falls were not loud or heavy, but light and airy, much like the day. It was the time of the Princess' wedding and coronation. I could not go, of course, not being a noble really, and not having fine enough clothes to pass off that I was anyone fitting to attend such a celebration, but I did not mind. I spent the day walking about the City freely, taking in the fresh air and the sun's rays.
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 23, 2011 17:11:42 GMT -5
Free days were a part of my life as an adept that I very, very much enjoyed. You got to keep all of your privileges as a member of the Night Court but do whatever you pleased in the meantime. I'd woken up at a reasonable hour and done a little bit of practicing, as I usually did, then cleaned up and dressed in some of my more reasonably nice clothing that wasn't gaudy or overblown and started on my way to the Doorstep. This was a wedding day for our little Princess Coretta, who wasn't known to me at all, but she'd been kind enough to give us today and tomorrow to do with as we saw fit and that was a blessing to me, enough so that I'd celebrate her marriage and coronation with drinks and fun.
Once I'd stepped into the Doorstep proper I kept my eyes open for anything of interest, though my mind wandered to the last time I'd escaped down here and the evening I'd had with the little dove I'd met in the Cockerel with her sad story and softness under her harsh exterior. That night had been filled with thoughts of her after I'd climbed back into my window and I let my drunken mind pick up what they would, remembering by turns the laughter, anger at her situation and the sweetness of the last part until I wasn't quite sure where I'd ended up though. I knew though that I'd seek her out, in my own way. No doubt she'd be cruising for those celebrators who were already out taking advantage of the cheery day and making herself some more coin, which meant that someone with careful eyes would be able to spot her at her business.
With that in mind I'd taken a post up on the edge of a rooftop and sat, watching the people as they passed by, until I saw her familiar figure moving amongst them. Always aware of the fact she was one who shouldn't be surprised unduly I swung down and moved to match pace with her, sweeping through the crowd until I was standing at her side. Then with a sideways glance and a grin I said in a low tone, my voice slipping slightly into the familiar timbre of one raised to the streets, "There's a pigeon I haven't seen in the daylight before. I don't suppose you remember me through all of those drinks, do you?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 23, 2011 19:42:12 GMT -5
I had felt the presence of someone close by me, following me, and so I kept my wits about me instead of losing myself completely in thought, though if the person was a threat, they would have pounced on me right away instead of lingering. And soon there was someone at my elbow, by my side, and through a side long glance before he even spoke I saw Bayard, a grin coming easily to my lips, teeth flashing in the sun as I turned to him. IT was as though my thoughts had conjured him out of thin air. I grabbed him, hugging him with my arms about his neck, nigh swinging from it like a lamp post.
"Bayard!" I exclaimed, pulling back just slightly. "You know, I was just thinking of you, so I guess my memory survived the attempt to drown it," I teased with the same smile that had come to life across my face.
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 23, 2011 19:56:20 GMT -5
Well, she certainly was in good spirits and enthusiastic today- and more, there was no sign of a grimace or any hesitation as she wrapped her arms around my neck and moved closer, the few people who were also on the street simply moving around us. Her eagerness and smile surprised me and I smiled back, eyes flashing and my arms moving naturally around her waist to hug her back. It may not have been the reaction I expected but I was far from going to turn it away, especially since there didn't seem to be any hesitation in it.
"And it seems like someone's in a better mood," I joked lightly, not gripping her tightly but returning the affection she showed. After all there was no crime in it and the girl needed to know that she could express such things without any repercussions, at least from me. "It's good to know that I'm well remembered too, sweets. You look like you're doing well too." Today she was in breeches but overall she looked less gaunt and there was a sense of confidence in her, not that I could claim any benefit on that mark as far as I knew. "Going about your usual business?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 23, 2011 20:07:54 GMT -5
He hugged me back, his arms about my waist, and though he did not hug tightly, I could tell that he had a lot of strength, even if it did not show in the showy conventional way. We both pulled back, and I could sense surprise in his voice, though he was teasing. I grinned still, not feeling uneasy at all but relieved that it was Bayard and not someone unsavory tailing me. I was certain if I voiced that thought, he'd have laughed at it.
"Oh yes," I said, pulling out the coin purse with its cut strings. It was heavy with coin. I showed him discretely before putting it back within my cloak. "It has been a good morning for me already, thanks to the wedding and coronation going on at the Palace. Everyone seems to be in high spirits with minds floating in the clouds, or swimming in their cups," I pulled away altogether, but still stood close to him. "Don't tell me you came all the way down here from your mountaintop to see little old me," I teased, winking before laughing softly.
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 23, 2011 20:24:24 GMT -5
So she was working in her usual trade, but on a day like today there were large purses to be taken and almost no risk. After all, the guards didn't want to make too much of a ruckus or have too much of one brought to them and were likely to ignore anything that didn't cause a scuffle. It's not as though they'd want to work hard on a celebration day either, not unless they had to- and if they did have to they'd be really pissed off about it.
"Oh, celebrating with a friend is one of the few joys of having a free day, don't you know?" I asked in a jesting tone, running a hand back through my hair idly and then nodding in appreciation at the purse she showed. "It's good to see that luck's being generous with you. Do you have the time to go somewhere and have a drink to toast to our new Queen and King? I think from the size of your winnings you're pretty much set unless you plan on buying a kingdom." A wider grin crossed my face and I gave her a wink back. "And of course I came to see how the pigeon was faring after her night of drinking, you may still have been suffering from the hangover."
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 24, 2011 10:51:41 GMT -5
I had to gigglem, just slightly at his teasing. I was glad he could see me as a friend, and though I doubted that it had stemmed from the liquor, was glad that it had nothing to do with the connection I had with him, the friendship we had started to build. He was as playful and excitebale it seemed as ever, and it felt, oddly enough, like I had known him for some time. i remembered everythign from that night, including the sensations I had felt when he caressed me, sensations I had never felt before, and I wondered if those were true, or a result of the drink.
"Oh that would be quite the hangover, don't you think?" I mused, "to extend this long. I would truly be a lightweight then," I laughed. "And of course I have time for a drink with you, Bayard. I can always make time when my favourite Eglantine comes looking for me, and finds me too. Come now, feed my ego, tell me it took you forever and a day to locate me," I teased.
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 24, 2011 11:08:45 GMT -5
Her favorite Eglantine, huh? Just as likely the only one she knew, but that was still a compliment and I accepted it eagerly. I'd always been a little bit of a sucker for some flattery and I had no problem paying it back. "Fishing for compliments on your ability to blend in, are you?" I joked back, then smirked impishly. "I would say it seemed like it took forever to find you but considering it took me years to see such a beautiful face before we met the other night this wait seemed far shorter." I finished that with a playful wink and ran a strand of her hair between my fingers for a moment as I spoke, wondering how she'd react and if I'd maybe pushed too far but she seemed comfortable with me and if she wasn't I was sure she'd say so.
Laughing lightly I took my other hand and gestured up toward the rooftop of a building that overlooked the main street. "Generally I find high perches, it's easier to spot nearly anything from that vantage point. Now, about those drinks, or should we find something to eat first so we're not completely gone before noon?" There were at least a few establishments that would be open early today for the celebrations, otherwise there wouldn't already be so many drunk and happy people walking about.
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 24, 2011 11:39:20 GMT -5
His flattery made my cheeks warm even though I rolled my eyes. "Oh please you are an adept I know you've seen far prettier," I teased back, thugh my heart seemed to speed slightly when his fingers coursed through a few strands of my locks, his hand so near to my face. It did not do so out of fear or the desire to run, but something else, and I smiled softly, letting my head fall a moment to hide th eburning in my cheeks. I cleared my throat, and raised my head after I gave myself a moment.
"Yes, food first I think, that woul be a grand idea. Pull out all the stops and have a little celebration of our own!" I exclaimed, though not too loudly of course. People moved about us, as though we were not there, but there. They did not touch us, did not look at us or speak to us, but made their ways about us, like a stump in the middle of the lane.
"Where did you have in mind?" I asked, ji9ngling my puirse in my cloak. "I think I've enough coin here to go just about anywhere for a decent meal."
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 24, 2011 12:53:48 GMT -5
"Just because I'm an adept doesn't mean I only get to see pretty patrons," I told her with a grin, pulling my hand back from her hair that I'd been stroking and taking a step toward the side of the street so we wouldn't be so much in everyone's way. Besides, it's not as though Essie was the only pickpocket working that day and while I was generally very clever about hiding my money I wasn't inclined to attract attention by taking a chance either. Besides, it would feel pretty dumb if I had my coins snatched off of me when I sometimes did the same myself.
"I think you should pick the place, I've been almost everywhere as it is," I told her as we considered a place to go for some food and drinks. "Not anywhere too far though. It's more fun to sit down and do the celebrating than to travel there I think." I was parched anyway, far more than I was hungry since I'd eaten at little something before leaving Eglantine, but a glass of something might be a good distraction from that inclination to play with her hair again. But then again I'd done that drunk too...
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 24, 2011 14:52:36 GMT -5
I grinned, though I was sad his hand pulled away. Odd... I did not think I would feel anything at it but sad? I furrowed my brows a moment before moving iwth him out of the way of the passersby.
"I think that this day calls for decadence dont you?" I queried, "and what is more decadent than starting teh day off with desert," I asked, giggling again, "it may not be wise, but it certainly is a tastey thought. I do nt know much about the shoppes, as I don't enter them a great deal," I admitted, "though I know where everything is. Can you think of a place, close enough, that offers dessert and a little something to drink, stronger than tea thouh," I said, making a slight grimmace as I scrunched up my face.
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 25, 2011 12:24:02 GMT -5
"Well, if you're looking for decadence the closest place like that around here would probably be the Prince and Pony unless you want to go to a cafe and call muffins a dessert," I replied, noticing her giggle and giving her a wink. "And unlike a cafe it'll have wine and mead. Have you ever been there?" It was a good sign that she was so inclined to be relaxed and less fearful, at least around me, though from her posture and the fact that she wasn't trying to hide her beauty behind so much grime meant that something had caused her to change a bit. That was a curious idea. "Does that suit you or should I try to magic a place out of thin air for your amusement?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Feb 25, 2011 13:49:03 GMT -5
I laughed., shaking my head. "No, muffins certainly won't do, and I have never been to this place so please bring me there," I said, then snickering, "unless you truly CAN magic me something out ofthin air," I looked at him expectantly, teasing though, "can you!?"
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Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 27, 2011 22:51:47 GMT -5
"I would if I could, sweets," I told her with a grin. "But that's not what I've learned at Eglantine or before. I do know where it is though, and I'll show you the way." With that I gave her a flourishing bow and an impish, charming smile and then rose to gesture down the street toward where the Prince and Pony was located and offered her my arm. Now that she was in such good spirits I saw no reason not to behave just as cheerfully to her. "Shall we, my good pigeon?"
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Post by Estella de Cartier on Mar 2, 2011 15:04:04 GMT -5
I scowled as though disappointed, but the face gave way to a smile and a bright disposition as I took the arm offered me and nodded magnanimously, inclining my head. "Yes, lets." I could have skipped, but thought that may be a bit too childish and so just walked with a jovial hop in my step.
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