Archery and Dancing

[†Kazira Astras†]

To say Kazira was tired was an understatement. She could sleep for weeks if nature would let her.She rubbed her sore arm as she leaned against the wall. She loved Archery and even excelled in it but still using her arm that much in one day is still a taxing thing..for anyone. Now here she was wearing a hunter green dree that went to her knees trying to become one with the wall. Not that she didnt like balls and parties but she didnt particularly like going to them when she didnt know anyone. If she had her way she wouldnt even be here. She would be in her tent in the forest sleeping off the days activities.

SHe looked at the other women and sighed they were all very pretty and look great in their gowns. She flet plain next to them but didnt show it outwardly. She glanced at her dress; it was a shorter length and it showed her legs (and the green sandals that wound up her legs), the dress itself had off the shoulder sleeves that went to her elbows and she wore a silver belt that dangled to the left. Her hair was left down and it fell in waves she wore a green scarf around her head like the gypsy women. She wore barely any makeup only enough to highlight hereyes. All in all in her eyes Kazira was just plain. She couldnt believe that Moros had talked her into going to this thing...and the blasted dog wants her to go to the masquerade ball! She didnt have a gown (or enough money) or a mask. That dog was just barking up the wrong tree if he thought that she was going to go tothat ball. Nuh uh no way in the seven layers of hell would she do that. That was just asking to get yourself laughed at. At least that was Kazira's opinion. Anyways with the way things were going with herluck. She was sure to make a mockery of herself.

She smiled when she heard a soft tune float over the crowd of dancers to her ears. It was an old song, but it was lovely. She sang it often and couldnt resist singing a few soft notes of it; it wasnt long before she was singing to herself causeing several guest that were near her to look on.
"The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloudy seas
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor
And the highwayman came riding, riding, riding,
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door."
She sang softly swaying slightly to the music.
One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize tonight,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by the moonlight, watch for me by the moonlight,
I'll come to thee by the moonlight, though hell shall bar the way.
She twirled to the music and smiled. She was finally having fun and she didnt care if those who were attending thought her to be odd. She loved this song and as she continued to dance and sing she didnt realize that she was amidst the dancers.
They said no word to the landlord, they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed;
Two of them knelt at the casement, with muskets at their side!
there was death at every window, hell at one dark window;
For Bess could see, through the casement,
The road that he would ride. She hummed the tones of the music as she danced eyes closedand when the end came up her dancing slowed down to a even tempoed sway as she sang the last part of the song.
Still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon, tossed upon the cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding, riding, riding,
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door. she swayed and twirled slowly till the music died off before she stopped. She opened her eyes and saw that many were staring at her. A blush rose to her cheeks as she gave a sheepish smile and darted off back to the wall and tried to become one with it again. She then watched as another song came on and the guests went back to dancing ignoring her. She let out a breathe she didnt know that she was holding and slumped against the wall. "Well that was embarrasing." She muttered blandly the blush from earlier still marring her cheeks.

Tag: Open
Timeline (event): Day 4 the spring fall themed dance.
Notes: The Highwayman Lyrics credited to Loreena Mckennitt

[tam]

Tam lowered the flute from her lips, gazing out over the crowd. It was her last song, for a while. She had played countless tunes, teamed with a drummer and a harp-player, both of who she met only that night but they did play together well. Now she was allowed to have a short break while another flute-player took her place, along with another drummer and a girl who played the lute.
Tam had been surprised as a sweet voice had joined their song, but all the musicians were too professional to show it. Now she slid from the tiny stage, gladly accepting the cup of chilled mint-water she was given.

Tam did not look like a thief tonight. Playing in front of the nobles, she had to be clean and well-dressed. Luckily all the musicians hired had been given outfits, so to make them match. She wore a bright, loose white shirt and a tunic of eye-smarting scarlet. Both the tunic and the breeches that went with it were laced with gold embroidery. Tam thought she had never looked so fine in all her life.

Now she moved around the edge of the party, looking for the girl who had sang. Tam was curious, and wanted to know who she was. The girl was easy to find, pressed against the wall, her cheeks almost as red as Tam's tunic.
"Evening," Tam greeted her, leaning casually against the wall. She had knew how boys her age acted around such girls and so was careful to copy it. "My name is Tam. Thomas the Piper, actually," Tam grinned. "I played The Highway Man. You sing it very sweetly. What's your name?"

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira glanced that the boy that stopped next to her and leaned casually next to her. She smiled at him. The bluch still on her cheeks from her unexpected performance. "Hello Tam. My name is Kazira. Kazira Astras." She stuck out her hand and waited for him to take it. "You did a wonderful job playing the song. "She had honestly meant that. She had heard many who played the song and they honestly didnt do as well s the band did tonight.

She couldnt help but blush a little darker when he complemented her singing. she mumbled a thank you. "I dont think that I did anything out of the normal. Anyone could have sang it that way." She stated. "I just happen to love the song and I wasnt thinking when I started." She looked at Tam before looking back out at the dancers and let another small smile grace her face as she saw all of the smiles. She wished that she could have that great of time without making a fool out of herself. she didnt do so well in large gatherings.

"So do you play for the enjoyment or are you working?" She asked in a curious voice the blush on her cheeks finally disappeared as the chat went on. she shifted her weight and felt her dagger press against her thigh. It wasnt a large dagger but she wanted to feel prepared for anything. So she had this custom forged to hid under dresses and shorter clothes. Its not that she wanted to hurt anyone she just felt naked without a weapon. Especially in large groups like these you never knew what could happen. To say she had enemies was an understatement and she wasnt sure of who knew where she was but she wanted to be safer than sorry.

[tam]

Tam took the offered hand in her long, delicate fingers and bowed over it as though Kazira were a noble. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said,
"An honour to meet you, Kazira Astras."
It was the prettiest name Tam had heard in a long time, the words tasting like stars on her tongue. She supposed if she were really a boy, she would have said as much... As it was, Tam did not want the trouble she could get if a girl decided to take her easy teasing seriously.

"I disagree," Tam said, lightly countering when Kazira said anyone could sing the way she had. "Many cannot even carry a tune. And your love for the Highway Man gave your voice a special sweetness."
Tam was gifted with the skill of being able to change her voice to suit her surroundings. Normally her voice was clipped and riddled with street-slang. Tonight, in her borrowed scarlet and gold, she could have been any well-brought-up musician's boy.

"My work is my pleasure," Tam replied, eyes dancing. "A person has to earn a living, so why not earn it by doing something so enjoyable?"
She glanced at Kazira, wondering what that girl did with her life. Tam guessed she was not a noble. She also had the air of a fighter which uncommon to most girls, but Tam was willing to bet that she wore a weapon hidden somewhere. It must be a good one too, if Tam's practised eyes could not spot it.
Herself she had two hidden knives, one beside each armpit. Normally she would have seven but tonight she had not dared to risk it. Not when she would be up under the eyes of so many people.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira's blush had finally diesd down only to dust back over her cheeks when Tam leaned over her hand but it brought a smile to her face when she heard the teasong note in his voice. This Tam was different. He had an air about him that screamed mischeif and mayhem (not the super bad kind but the kind a child does on occassion.)

Kazira couldnt help but let out a small laugh when tame diagreed with her. While he was right she had heard many sing any song including the highwayman much better than her. Even i her love for it gave it a sweetness as Tam put it. It did not matter Kazira was still sure that if it had been any other they would have similar compliments when they said that it wasnt all that great as she did. She shifted her weight and crossed her arms finally at ease with the being around her and her surroundings but still kept her eyes searching the floor occasionally. That was just a ingrained instinct that she had gotten over the years as she traveled and when she was taught her hand to hand combat.

"Yes that is true. Work would just be work if you did not do somethign that your truly enjoyed." She smiled. "I personally love my work. I get to travel and do several odd jobs that make everything worth while because I always learn new skills." She absoluely loved being a mercenary though she didnt particularly ending a life for no reason at all but she generally found a reason to continue with the job when she watched her target. Tam looked like an innocent boy but he had an aura of cautiousness and that usually meant that he was weary of people and that he was probably armed. She raked her eyes over him and only thought that the easyest place to hide small weapons for easy access would be somewhere on the arms. She's hid weapons in many, and she meant many, places on her own body just to avoid having every weapon taken from her if she was captured and thrown in the dungeon. Even if she was stripped of the material weapons she always had a secret one. her powers. The most dangerous and lethal weapons in her arsenal.

[tam]

It was quite funny, how many times she was making this Kazira blush. Tam grinned to herself. Then the smallest of frowns passed over her face. So Kazira was not from Camelot; she was a traveller of many professions. It was unusual for a girl to be such a thing, Tam knew. It made her curious. Curious as to why she did it, and if Kazira were not also a kind of thief. Tam saw the way her eyes kept flicking out over the crowd, constantly alert.
The alertness of a thief, she thought. But then she passed the idea from her mind. It could equally well be the alertness of a person who travelled through hostile parts of the kingdom, or simply one who had been taught to fight. It was really not so easy to tell.

"And do you take any kind of work?" Tam asked. "Carpenter? Thatcher? Thief? Assassin?" Her eyes laughed as she gave the list, a playful grin on her lips. It was normal for Tam to get information from people by teasing it out of them, by asking a question she wanted an answer to as though she were only making a joke.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira laughed at Tam. Tam was a funny person and she was honestly likeing him even more. Not in a romantic way but as a person. When Tam asked what she did she was curious but decided to answer anyways. "By trade I am a mercenary and a trader. But I do odd jobs every now and then." She didnt say that she wasl also a pit pocket among other things. She was prud of her profession because most women were to meek and didnt think about the stuff that they could do.

She was often put off by the quiet noble women, She was confused as to why any woman would want to be that meek and submissive to a male it was just odd to her. Even here there were many women but none came without an escort of some sort (like her) and it was rather unnerving that women held no voice and if they had an opinion they held their voice. Some didnt know how much sway they had over men with just a glace. But Kazira shook her head mentally. She smiled at Tam. "So do you travel?" Kazira was genuinley curious. He had tanned skin and didnt look like he was a farmer or anything of the like and with the small build she was curious if he traveled a lot or what else he did. She also wondered what his other profession. She had a feeling that he had one. She couldnt know for sure but maybe later in the evening she would ask him when their werent as many people around them.

[tam]

Tam smiled at Kazira's laughter. She was a jester a heart and so loved to make people laugh. Though her life and training as a street-thief might have tried to take the cheerful humour from her, or twist it into something dark, Tam had shown to be irrepressible.

"A Mercenary and a Trader," Tam repeated. "How very... honest."
Her tone was strange. It was almost as though by calling Kazira honest, Tam were accusing her of being just the opposite. And in a way, she was. The traders Tam knew were cheats and lies to their very souls. More than half of them were also thieves.

She did not comment on the strangeness of a female trader. As a girl-in-disguise, any talk of that kind made her feel uncomfortable. Made her feel as though if anyone actually took the time to look, they would see she were not boy. Of course it was not true; Tam's disguise was good. But the talk still made her feel nervous.
So she was quick to answer Kazira's question, instead.
"Oh, yes. I have travelled every kingdom in this land, and many others across the sea." And Tam's eyes were once again bright with mischief. It was her endless, teasing that lies made her feel safe. "I have played before Kings and peasants like... however..." and her voice dropped secretively. "Musician is only my disguise. Really, I am an Arabian Prince. Two years ago, I was outcast from my homeland." And Tam's voice was quiet serious, though she let her eyes betray the game. "My younger brother always wished for the throne, but I was heir. So he set me a trap. He made it seem to the whole court as though I had tried to murder him. He paid off witnesses, wove an unbreakable web of lies. He swore to his very soul that I was evil. And I was outcast, sent away to this terribly cold country with naught but my name, my sweet flute and the knowledge that I may never go home."

Even if Tam had not let her eyes betray her, there were plenty of holes in her story-lie. "Thomas Piper" was not an Arabian name. Nor was the flute she played an Arabian instrument; Tam's flute, to anyone who knew about music, was obviously Irish.
But Tam did not care. Indeed, she would have thought very little of Kazira if the girl had not noticed the mistakes. This time it did not matter if Tam were believed. What mattered was that Kazira knew none of the truth.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira raised her brow at Tam. Did he really think that she couldnt be able to see right through what he told her about being an arabian prince? She's been to arabia, they looked nothing like Tam. She let out a low chuckle.
"Really now, Tam? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" she said crossing her arms in a playful way.

Kazira didnt let the fact that earlier Tam's tone was somewhat accusing when she told him, her professions. Not that she could really blame him it was uncommon for a woman to be both a mercenary and a trader. "But no I am truly a Mercenary more than a trader. I only trade when I'm in a different county and I am in need of some cash." She shrugged nonchalantly. She laughed when she heard another bard. She didnt quite place what the name of it was and she really couldnt understand the words but watching a lot of the other dancers try to figure out how todance to it. It was very entertaining and she couldnt help but let a wide smile take over her face as she saw some kids running around being silly.

(sorry its so short)

[selena102]

The fourth day of the festival had arrived for all of Albion. Peace continued to bring sparks of life and serenity to the people; the other kingdoms enjoyed good times, contests and many dances. It was a time that life truly brought happiness to human and animals alike, now the festival was of Nature herself. King Bayard and his men had enjoyed the last few days and even celebrated with his family Alan and Selena, who also enjoyed the festivities, Alan enjoyed the first few days of the festival as he enjoyed the art of battle, as did King Bayard. But today was the day that Selena was looking forward to, the Spring/Fall festival had arrived which celebrated Albion itself and hoped to one day understand it more and learn of its hidden beauties and potential.

Just behind the crowd of dangers King Bayard was at his seat enjoying a fresh drink and watched the dancers from afar. Pure darkness emerged from the heavens and ensnared the skies within its mighty but eerie gaze. The coat of night began to sparkle as stars through out the night sky as though it was blazoned with precious crystal clear jewels, their light shone brightly in the heavens as it slowly pierced the pitch black night with their gentle glow. Alan happily watched the dancing until his eyes caught the glimpse of his younger sibling, who slowly marched towards him, Selena wore a full-length dress that went down to just above her feet. It was coloured in orange and yellow-combined colours, which represent life in spring; Alan smiled and said “Little sister you look completely stunning!” Selena simply smiled and blushed slightly, still she appreciated the comments from her big brother and soon walked over towards her uncle who looked stunned. Standing up from his chair he smiled happily and said “Selena you look really beautiful tonight! Here take this”. King Bayard quickly detached his long sea blue cloak and gently placed it around Selena’s shoulders and attached it so that it covered her body with total ease, it gently flowed down to the floor and covered her back and partly the front of her body.

Selena smiled and said, “Thank you uncle”. Bayard smiled happily and happily sat back down on his seat. Pulling herself deeper into the full length blue cloak the young princess stood beside her brother and watched the dancing, but soon she then over heard some people talking about a girl in a short dress that had joined in a nice song and had danced. Excusing herself Selena walked across the grounds and tried to find a girl with a short dress, finally she saw two people talking to each other by a nearby wall. Selena pulled her blue cloak tightly around herself until her arms and legs were completely covered and headed over towards them. There with a gentle smile she said, “Excuse me? I must apologise for disturbing you. But I couldn't help but notice that your not joining in with the festivities, is everything alright?”. She said speaking from her heart.

[tam]

…I am the jester of this courtyard with a smile like a girl’s
a riddle for the women with the dimples and the curls…

Tam knew a princess when she saw one. It was obvious from the richness of this lady's dress and the grace with which she wore it, from the accents in which she addressed them. Tam had her mouth open to make Kazira some teasing joke, when this princess spoke right to them.
Tam was surprised. It would be obvious from her own scarlet camelot clothes that she was working as musician and Kazira... however much Tam liked Kazira Astras, it was just as obvious that she was no courtly lady. Perhaps that was even why Tam liked her.

"It is no disterbance, my lady," Tam said and gave a perfect bow. Her voice was fulled of the correct reverence but her eyes danced with mischief. "May I present to you... the Lady Astras of Azamandya and I, her younger brother."
Tam had never had the chance to spin such lies to a princess before. She rather wondered what would happen.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira had to hold back a snort of amusment at Tam's easy lie to the woman. "Good evening." she stated honeslty. "Everything is fine. I was just taking a breather to much dancing can tire you out if you're not careful." She stated with the charm that showed that she could have been a noble woman if she had the right clothes one. She giggled and shoved Tam's shoulder gently. "What do we owe the pleasure of having your lovely presence with us tonight? Surely you didnt come to just make sure that everything was okay; Do you need help with something." Kazira asked lacing her voice with concern most of it was genuine but some of it was just her acting. She wasnt denying nor was she agreeing to the blantant lie that Tam wove. She gave a smile that seemed to tell all but with out a single word to be spoken. She hoped that this woman wasnt so...so..so noble that she couldnt tell that the two of them were no where near related. She was plae while Tam had a tan color to it.

"Hopefully nothing bad will come of this...I would rather not have my head chopped off for lying...much rather have it lopped off if i was using my powers to kill the king or something." Kazira thought absently as she continued to lean against the wall still backing in its support of her and she brought her had up and rubbed her still very sore arm.