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Post by relentless on Oct 6, 2017 10:32:46 GMT -8
Lapsed in calming strides, treading the mud daliantly as she approached the house at a slower rate. With Lavinia now away from her side, she hoped to find another person to converse quickly. Her tongue gnawed to sate itself with social quarms. Just ahead, she spotted the fiery warrior already turning away from Tillys household as if she'd been mocked.
Curiosity caught this cat by the tongue, though she was raring to fight back.
Quickening her step, she stood at the far end of the pathway, waving to Courcy with a wide smile and left hip cocked posture as she approached.
"Hello! Party's that way darling!"
Dufay informed with a point toward the door, before giggling.
"My! You got a nice head of hair on you, you must take care of it well."
Dufay complimented, assuming some tension were a bit high strung if she were to walk away from the party itself. She spared a glance at Lavinia who had so excitedly took to it and made to greet the wife, before taking a couple steps toward Courcy.
"You're here for the party right?"
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Post by 🐴Can🗡️ on Oct 6, 2017 12:54:24 GMT -8
A distant melody, and people slowly crowding at an house's door... Maybe this wasn't going to be such an isolated and dangerous night at all. While both of Ariel's visual and audial senses were occupied by these, suddenly he felt something poke at his shoulder. At first he panicked, thinking he was stabbed; and so quickly turned around and recoiled in a panicked manner.
"Yikes!" came out of Ariel's mouth as he quickly put a little distance between himself and the would be cutthroat. However, when he stopped and observed the person and the situation he was in, he let out a sigh of relief and calmed down. "O-Oh, I'm sorry... You scared me." He said, though after noticing the missing arm he immediately put a hand on his, feeling his own arm, assuring himself that it was there. Hoping that this didn't make Aria aware of the fact that he noticed the arm and felt pity for her, he quickly tried to cover it by making eye contact and asking a question.
"So... um... Would you happen to know why the night is so lively today?"
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Post by hopper on Oct 6, 2017 13:07:31 GMT -8
There was an undeniably strange air about the woman, as if her own gloomy aura was making war with the boundless joviality of Winifred's, it sent the hairs on the back of her neck up and raised goosebumps on her arms. She wondered if the woman was some sort of spirit, she'd heard a lot about ghosts and goblins at the circus, they even put on a show about them once, but Jack didn't like it very much so they ended up not repeating it. From what she could remember, ghosts tended to appear as beautiful women, often alone, and were said to be able to steal you away to the land of the dead where they'd eat your soul up, that is if you weren't a good boy or girl and didn't say your prayers every night. But Winifred didn't have any prayers, though she considered herself an excellent person, yet remained certain Jack wouldn't allow some specter to eat her up. Or, that's what she hoped as she stood there, staring openly at the woman's murky auburn hair. In almost every way the two were opposites, one bright and boisterous and the other seemingly as dark and silent as the streets that surrounded them. Her fingers strayed across the strings, the tune long since abandoned and now striking chords at random, yet still remaining some sense of harmony.
"Winifred, I uhm, I'm an entertainer. And a bit of a preacher I guess."
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Post by EtherealNoire on Oct 6, 2017 14:23:20 GMT -8
Consternation tainted Winifred's cheer, a poisonous doubt that Talea could easily glean. Even the quivering chords, hesitant in their melody, echoed the woman's unease.
She nodded once at Winifred's explanation, a gesture that was as quick as it was feral, and settled against the lamppost that soldiered their street corner. She found repose beneath its amber flame, noting how its mirth did little to break away the shadows creeping amongst the rubble and lingering in every alley and crevice. Yet like a solemn guard it stood admits the darkness, a saving light for all who stumbled upon its solitary vigil. Something in the young woman's essence mimicked that lamppost. Talea sensed it in her song, her speech, her movements. She flickered like a hallowed flame in the night. Intriguing...
"Entertainer... You harbor a gift. The harmonies that circle you are so enchanting that even the stars fade away in their light. I am intrigued."
Lightly, her feet trailing in the dust, Talea orbited the girl, caring little whether she encroached on Winifred's comfort. Perhaps this entertainer could prove useful?
"Few dare to tread in the moon's domain, which captures my interest. Observing your gait and jovial bearing, perhaps you would know of a party this evening. I fear these enigmatic streets haunt my steps." She procured the party invitation as she spoke, delicately uncoiling her fingers from their biting grip in the parchment. Several small punctures marked their retreat. In the lamplight, the envelope's wounds seemed to ooze shadows, an eerie harbinger to Talea's own ethereal countenance as her lips set in a grim smile.
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Post by hopper on Oct 6, 2017 14:34:21 GMT -8
The woman squinted at the bit of paper, stopping her playing as she let the mandolin rest in its straps against her torso and took the parchment.
"Uhmm, hrmm, 'fraid I wasn't invited. Though of course now that I got an invitation I am!"
She giggled, waving the sheet of paper at the strange woman. Her general air was almost alien in its stillness, much like the face of the moon she was quiet and beautiful and serene, but inaccessible and distant.
"Shouldn't be too much trouble to find the place though, right? We just gotta follow what it says here!"
She assured her new companion, smiling brightly at her despite some misgivings. Looking back to the paper, she screwed up her face in concentration, trying to recall the lessons the Ringleader had given in letters. She was roughly literate enough to read and write her own name, and could find her away around the lyrics of most songs with enough time, but this was no music sheet and she found herself at something of a loss.
"Would you, mind reading it for me?"
She asked, just a trifle meekly.
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Post by Vanitypirate on Oct 6, 2017 15:20:21 GMT -8
"Ah... thank you, thank you."
Tilly's shoulders sank with relief as the oud was lowered with little more hassle, dropping back down from the tips of her toes to her heels as she shuffled sidelong to stand more beside Taas, at the mouth of the open door. And, looking to Lavinia-- or, rather, more 'up' at Lavinia-- she smiled.
The veritable giantess of a woman certainly seemed significantly more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than when she stayed at the Hamlet, a full head of lovely, black hair, even if it was a tad short, though undeniably longer than the last time she'd seen her. Tilly preferred it to the red she colored her hair with, at that. S
he near rivaled her appearance at the wedding, Tilly figured.
Though, on second thought, she simply just enjoyed seeing her at all.
"She's been a darling sister-in-law, she has!" Tilly chirped no lack of jubilance; it was good to be surrounded by pleasant people. "Taas's been helping me get some tea-things set up-- she only got here a bit before you did. And you look fantastic, too, by-the-by! Really love the dublet." She spoke quickly, already stepping eagerly aside to grant Lavinia passage,
"Yes, but come in, then! You can toss your boots by the door. Would you like some tea? S'called 'ginseng'; it's a healing herb. Ought to warm you up a bit."
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Post by EtherealNoire on Oct 6, 2017 15:30:03 GMT -8
Talea's gaze played across the parchment, straying to Winifred's lowered instrument. Her fingers itched to dance across the string, command its celestial symphony, but rather she recited the address for her acquaintance. Her tone only break a monotonous detachment when another crisp breeze colored the air. "Autumn... a time for rejoicing for both the dead and living. Such pleasant settings for parties."
As she stood, her auburn tresses spilling out into the darkness like a train of spirits, she noted the general direction from whence she'd come. The streets had boren the essence of darker times, barren, cold and forsaken by those of the light; while the path ahead, however, bled into more tasteful grounds. Glimmers of finery embellished the larger homes lining the street, with fresh wood and immaculate grounds garnishing the properties. Even the darkness had receded in their wake, having lost to the combined forces of lamplights and glowing windows. She repressed a shudder at the sight. Instincts told her to follow the shadows, to recoil from so malignant a battle, but she couldn't allow herself to fail.
This marked the beginning of her ordeal. If she desired a new purpose, she must first overcome the light.
With a flick of her wrist, she beaconed Winifred to the street ahead.
"I do believe our quest lies before us."
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Post by black379 on Oct 6, 2017 20:31:33 GMT -8
Courcy grumbled to herself, aggravated by the inconvenience of Tilly's friendship. She could hardly allow something to happen to the woman or her pointed nose just for her own sake to keep away from Lavinia. There was no excuse great enough that could enable the redhead to recount any injury, or worse, of Tilly's person to her husband.
Just as she was smothering her pride, Dufay finally caught her attention. The rogue's swagger and smile earned her an unimpressed glare and a roll of Courcy's blue eyes. Still, Courcy allowed the black-haired woman to catch up before she swiveled back towards the house. The hellion's begrudging steps would make it easy for Dufay to keep pace.
"I'm not here for any party." She answered in a bit of a growl. "Don't get any ideas."
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Post by azmoham on Oct 7, 2017 7:58:39 GMT -8
Winifred beamed gratefully at the woman, she'd never learned to read fully but that had only served to increase her admiration for those who had mastered the art. As far as she was concerned, anyone with the intellect to command the strange little squiggles that served to compose words may as well have been a ghost for all the mystic ability they had, to the entertainer the plain-spoken notes plotted so easily onto a page were far easier, so orderly and you never had to bother or worry about 'grahm-ar' or 'punx-ation' which she had deduced were the most important cornerstones in the vast and winding vault of language.
"You have a lovely voice! Do you sing at all?"
She picked her mandolin back up and her fingers hovered just about the strings, set and ready to play at the smallest hint that they should.
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Post by azmoham on Oct 7, 2017 12:59:02 GMT -8
"Right that sounds, perfect, warm me right up I'm sure."
She nodded, taking a step into the half-built structure. There was a rather pleasant smell, the combination of brewing tea and fresh lumber along with the wood-smoke emanating merrily from the hearth in the next room. Already it was a fine home, perhaps even good enough to raise a child in. But that worried Lavinia, how could anyone expect to have a child in this place? It was retched without measure, death permeating every plank of wood and cobble and its stench as thick as fog which seemed to linger with malignancy in the thick forest just outside the town. But, if anyone could bring life to this pitiable town, it would of course be Tilly and Blood, or well Lekalis she supposed. Either way, the pair could make it work with a little effort, who knows, perhaps they could work to restore the rest of the town with themselves? Perhaps instead of yet more glory-hounds, whores and killers what the Hamlet really required was families and farmers and leaders, people who could right the ship so to speak without killing everyone on board. Light knows she'd support him in the venture, if only in spirit. Then again, a growing town would need guards and farmers and wood-splitters like anywhere else, and for that matter, teachers.
"It's looking nice, any guess as to when it'll be done?"
She patted the walls admiringly as she spoke, feeling the woodgrain under her palms.
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Post by relentless on Oct 7, 2017 16:09:10 GMT -8
Dufay tutted and guffawed loudly, smirking as she was practically forced to go on ahead after being cornered from all sides.
"Hm, lets see here... you're not coming to a party, but you're walking... Toward a party! Oo oo oo! That must mean you're going to a party!!"
Dufay displayed a giddy and cheerful manner in over exaggerated glory, but laughing genuinely behind her, though she hurried in her step to step along side her.
"Oh come now, I was only complimenting your hair! Tell me, did you braid that hair yourself? Its absolutely gorgeous, really fits your eyes, mh?"
Dufay persisted with her previous compliment, a gleeful smile radiating from around her lips as she looked the woman up and down, glancing down with a slight lean back, though it would be rather concealed with her thin form along deliberate moves masking her movement.
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Post by The Carrying Blade on Oct 7, 2017 19:39:38 GMT -8
When Ariel jumped so did Aria, for she hadn't expected such an explosive response from the person in front of her. Thanks to the darkness and the less masculine voice, Aria couldn't tell of this person was a man or a woman, but she didn't really care about that as much. What she did care about is how his eyes went straight to her amputated arm and how he grabbed his I'm worry, like she was contagious or something. Even in this light it was clearly noticeable, and with Ariels reaction she was starting to worry about what would happen when she got to the party.
"Sorry about that, I was just wanting to know something. But considering your question I assume you weren't invited to Miss Tilly's party? It's a special event to celebrate a new home, marriage, and... Addition to her family I believe. Would you care to join me? I'm sure she won't mind if I bring a guest. After all, you don't look like you could hurt a fly." Aria elaborated, raising her handed arm for Ariel to take it if he wanted to join her. She gave a kind smile and in the darkness she almost seemed to glow in the moonlight with how white she was. Almost ethereal.
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Post by stealthclaw on Oct 8, 2017 15:43:23 GMT -8
Just down the road, heading toward the house were two figures, one severely shorter than the other, wearing a patchy black cloak and a beaked mask, sporting red lenses. The other, a tall, tan woman, wore furs and leather armor, a black kilt laced with fur, and worn looking boots. As a warrior often did, this one still had her charcoal markings down her face, three slashes leading from her forehead to her jaw on both sides of her face. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, though a high one, and she bore a fierce, bored look. The plague doctor beside her was acting skittish compared to the warrior, constantly playing with her hands and looking around.
Why would Fen choose to go with a barbarian like Katja? The woman terrified her. If she wanted, she could snap her like a twig with no problem. Granted, she'd probably be chased out if she harmed any of the residents in the Hamlet, still, the option was there... And Fen did not entertain the notion.
"Oi, stop fidgetin'." Katja growled to her companion beside her. "Yer gonna make me fidgety, and when I get tat way, it gets ugly." She warned the younger woman, who simply whined under her mask. Going with Katja was a mistake, but there was no backing out of it now.
"Why do you think we were invited? I don't know the woman myself. I... uh, I don't imagine that you do either." Fen asked, not looking at the Hellion beside her. Katja shrugged, the furs rolling and bristling as she did.
"I'd be damned if'n I knew. Maybe she'll say. Maybe she won't. I imagine good company is hard t' find around here." Katja told Fen with a bored look. "I guess we'll see, eh?" They were in the sight of the house now, having approached from the front side of the house.
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Post by EtherealNoire on Oct 8, 2017 16:55:35 GMT -8
"The dead do not sing in the language of the living," Talea answered, her voice brisk enough she could have been speaking to a child. Yet in her mind she contemplated the idea.
Was she not so far gone that Winifred would think she could sing? Her steps had tread in death's wake since childhood, haunted grave yards and shared the laments of corpses. How could she understand the actions of the living when the dead had dwelled quiescent in their slumber? Nay but her kind disturbed them, patrolling their hallowed grounds with leaden feet and grubby hands. The knowledge she possessed made Winifred's inquire seem as difficult to grasp as smoke from smoldering ashes. Why would she have need to sing?
Her mind buzzed with nervous excitement. Perhaps song, melody, was the last ingredient in the elixir of contentment she so desperately sought? Surely Winifred's joviality stood as a testament of that?
She debated this as they traversed the mottled streets, nearing their objective. Anything to distract her from every toxic pool of amber flooding beneath the lampposts.
The only joy and tranquility she understood was borne on the face of corpses. For beneath their peeling shells of flesh lay the ever-dormant smile of their bones. Had true peace eluded her for so long?
"What is it like to sing?"
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Post by hopper on Oct 8, 2017 17:49:27 GMT -8
"Wonderful."
She breathed with the utmost ecstasy. It was an excitement born of a lifetime of performance, of the thrill of a cheering crowd and the mad clamor of applause, of the tingling sensation that hummed through every inch of her when she hit the high notes just right, or stepped in time with perfect grace to a song. It was the utter joy of pleasing her god and her family, above everything else it was simply something she enjoyed, relaxing and entertaining and comforting all in one.
"It's like magic! It's like, uhm..."
She searched for a word and when none came she huffed and settled for strumming her mandolin, trying to capture the electric tingles of pleasure which trilled down her spine.
"Like, being warm after being cold, or having a really cold cup of water after walking in a hot field all day. or uhm...like seeing a favorite friend after a super long time, or getting a birthday present!"
She smiled from ear to ear, striking a chord with each action she listed off, and briefly thought she could almost hear Jack's amused chortles as she tried to explain his effervescent glory to someone so...cold, she wondered if Jack would like this strange woman, sh'd have to ask tonight when they met for tea.
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