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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 18:12:03 GMT -5
We walked into the Cockerel. Melpomene, of course, looked every inch Tsiangi. I think I looked more like an adept trying to play the part. Oh well, at least I was off of Eglantine grounds.
We walked over to the bar, smiling as we went, and creating quite a stir with the patrons. It made me giggle inside. It had been too long.
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 18:21:35 GMT -5
The bells on the bracelets around my ankles jingled in a pleasant laughter as I walked into the Cockeral. I took a deep breath of the air and tasted the dust and smoke and mirth of the atmosphere. It was absolutely refreshing.
I won't deny it, I was in my element here. A glance from under my dark lashes here and there, and a flip of the hair, I relished the freedom.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 18:33:21 GMT -5
Watching Keegan so sure of himself and Monique seemingly at his command so he could continue to win our little challenge I looked around for a likely mark for my way of doing things. Two adepts had just entered, both in Tsingani garb but looking more like adepts than full-blooded travellers- the one with the honey-brown skin looked out of her place in the simple, colorful gown and no hint of Tsingani features. The other looked convincingly like a half-breed, but no more than that. Still, by their movements and the way they looked about I knew them for adepts, and not often allowed out by themselves.
Nodding in their direction as I looked at Keegan I stood, put on a charming smile, and walked over to the pair, keeping my expression sedate and friendly rather than predatory. After all, I am a somewhat good judge of people and a very good actor. And not a bit arrogant, of course. "Hello ladies, which House did you break free of today?" I asked with a raised brow.
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 18:40:58 GMT -5
"Who said we broke out of anywhere monsieur?" I asked charmingly, regarding the man. He reminded me of Louvel, minus the facial expression. "Perhaps we are but innocent ladies, come for a drink after a day's work."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 18:49:34 GMT -5
Well, she was trying to throw me off- had I been wrong? Quickly I reviewed the information in my head and decided that she was just playing. When games clash things can get interesting. Raising a brow and giving her a knowing smile, I said, "True enough, but something tells me otherwise. Should I try and guess? You can guess my house as well."
The entire time I was embroiled in conversation I was watching the pair, trying to work out individual traits and habits. Old habits still died hard, and I didn't like losing.
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 18:55:16 GMT -5
I don't say a word, I look the man up head to toe, decent, very decent. All of a sudden I hear a woman in the background start to sing an old tsigani festive song. I spin around and watch as a man beside her begins to beat on small drums upon his lap. I feel a flame burst into life deep within my heart and loins.
I walk with great determination to the singing lady and stand before her. My hands start to spin in a gesture that to a tsigani can only be taken as an invitation. The woman smiles, she is pretty enough with black loopy curls falling across her face. She takes my hands and we start to dance.
A table nearby clears their table and we leap on to it and begin a dance of old times and old cultures. One the shouts fire and joy.
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 18:58:43 GMT -5
I watched Melpomene loose herself, a smile on my lips. It was always nice to see I wasn't alone in my passion for music. Then I turned back to the man. "That sort of gave it away didn't it?" I stuck out my hand. "Keaira nó Eglantine."
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 19:02:39 GMT -5
Once I was thoroughly flushed and my hair was properly askew I leapt off the table and bowed deeply to the lady whispering a thanks in tsigani.
I walked slowly back to Keaira, a great big grin firmly on my face, "Terribly sorry, that just had to happen". I offer the man my hand, "Melpomene".
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 19:07:49 GMT -5
I kissed the back of Keaira's hand gently and then set it down, smiling and nodding, "Yes, it did get sort of given away- is your friend always that impulsive?"
The other girl walked over and I treated her hand the same way, with another smile. "Keaira, Melpomene, it's nice to meet you- I'm Aleron. Since unavoidable circumstance ended our last game prematurely-" I winked at Melpomene, "-how about another? If you can guess my House in three tries, I'll buy you both a drink. If you can't, one of you has to buy me a drink. Deal?"
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 19:20:24 GMT -5
Running through a mental checklist, I gave him a slow smile. His forward personality, combined with his instant competitive nature... I had a fairly good idea.
"Mel? You want the first guess?"
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 19:23:59 GMT -5
I gave Keaira a look that said, I think I'm thinking what you are thinking. Just as surely as my dancing was a dead give away for the Eglantine house, he did likewise. A wager, a bet, a gambler if I ever saw one.
My eyes looked to the ceiling, a bit my lower lip with an over dramatic obviousness. "I don't suppose you would be an adept of Balm, you are surely too outgoing," I say slowly.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 19:27:02 GMT -5
Sighing in a little melodramatism of woe, I said, "Unfortunately not." I knew they had pegged me for Bryony as soon as I had opened my mouth, but I had a slight twist on the game, so there was no need to mislead them too much. "I have an altogether too cool bedside manner for that. Next?"
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 19:35:43 GMT -5
"And you're not Eglantine, because we would have recognized you." I said, eyes twinkling. "You remind me of someone I know, Mandrake perhaps?"
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 19:45:29 GMT -5
"Now you're just trying to flatter me," I said with a grin. "I was never motivated enough along those lines to have lasted in that house. One more guess, ladies.."
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 19:50:44 GMT -5
I kept my face completely blank of any emotion other than thoughtful. "Then I guess I'd just have to say Byrony, although that seems too easy.." I say with a sigh. I'm fairly sure I am correct, and would truly like a drink.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 19:55:04 GMT -5
Ah, this was the moment- they thought they had me. Ah, so many adepts forget there are other Houses to serve besides those in the Night Court. "Ah, yes, that would be too easy. Wrong again, ladies, I'm afraid. Would you like the answer?"
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Post by Monique nó Fronsac (D) on Jun 1, 2006 19:59:02 GMT -5
I smiled politely to Aleron and was about ask from which house he served when he looked in the direction of the door and I looked back to Keegan as he left us.
"Is this a common practice for you two?" I asked smiling as I took a sip of ale.
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 20:00:48 GMT -5
I raised my eyebrow at his response, but otherwise keeping the disbelief from my face. "Since you would obviously relish in the chance to prove us wrong, please, go ahead, Aleron from the unkown."
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 20:03:18 GMT -5
"Aleron no' Liatris," I said with a smile. "What proof do you want aside from my word? My marque is finished as hers, though the bottom half is Bryony."
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 20:06:51 GMT -5
I feel my eyes roll and I sigh deeply. Tricked! I laugh heartily. "Pleasure to meet you, Aleron no Liatris," I gesture to a barmaid and turn to Aleron, "What would you like?".
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 20:12:14 GMT -5
"Don't give in so easily Mel. Shall we buy you half a drink then nó Liatris?" I teased both of them, tossing enough coin on the bar to cover a drink for all of us.
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Post by Aleron Carle(Retired) on Jun 1, 2006 20:15:18 GMT -5
"The bet wasn't to guess which House I WAS in, but which House I was CURRENTLY in, wasn't it? After all, otherwise half of the adepts in existance could claim a few Houses as their own," I said, nonplussed. "Still, I will show you the Liatris inked on my skin to prove it, if you want."
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Post by Melpomene nó Eglantine (D) on Jun 1, 2006 20:19:26 GMT -5
I shake my head at Keaira, "Both of us knew he was at some point in Byrony, we should have taken that further. No Byrony adept would engage in such an obvious bet. We were too confident, He's won fair and square". I paused, thinking of my next move.
"Because I took the last guess, I'll pay for Aleron's drink. However, if you still offer me one, Keaira, you will find no rejection," I smile softly.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jun 1, 2006 21:32:42 GMT -5
I scowled at Aleron's back as he left the table, manners obviously weren't taught at Bryony anymore. Or perhaps he had tossed them away with finishing his marque.
"No, not at all," I told Monique. "I haven't seen Aleron in years and happened to run into him in the market."
I downed half my ale and looked at Monique.
"You feel like getting out of here?" I asked her.
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Post by Monique nó Fronsac (D) on Jun 1, 2006 21:36:00 GMT -5
I smiled and nodded silently. "Alright."
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jun 1, 2006 22:02:15 GMT -5
I took her hand and started to get up.
"Unless you want to stay?" I asked, smiling. "I don't mean to make you run off. I tend to have a habit of flying from one place to another, and hoping not to barrel people over on the way."
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Post by Monique nó Fronsac (D) on Jun 1, 2006 22:03:46 GMT -5
I chuckled. "I will stay if you stay, go if you go." I proclaimed it as though poetry.
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Post by Keegan nó Orchis on Jun 1, 2006 22:10:17 GMT -5
"Then we fly," I said, grinning and then leaning in and kissing her soft and quick. "Try and keep up."
Still holding her hand I leapt up and wove us a path through the crowd and out the door.
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Post by Monique nó Fronsac (D) on Jun 1, 2006 22:12:20 GMT -5
I was surprised at the kiss but didn't have long to think about it as my feet moved trying to stay up with Keegan. I laughed as we moved through the crowd, my heart beating at the excitement, something I hadn't felt in far too long.
"Where are we going?"
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Post by Keaira nó Eglantine on Jun 1, 2006 23:50:17 GMT -5
"But of course Melpomene. It is because of you that I am free of those gods forsaken walls, at least for a time." I smiled at her before turning to Aleron. "And I don't think stripping in a tavern is the best idea. Might you find us a table instead monsieur? We would be most grateful for your help." I batted my eyelashes outrageously.
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