All For The Crowd (Torrin)

[Robyn Lester]

Today was a special day. A day the people of Camelot had been waiting for ever since they had shook off the brutal reign of the assumed Queen Morgana. For Robyn it should be a day like any other. She was performing somewhere, what was new?! But then… she couldn’t help to feel a little queasy about it this time as well. Was it because she was performing for the soon-to-be King Arthur? At the feast of his pre-coronation? But she had performed before other kings as well, and usually it had gone well. Apart from that incident in Sugales of course, but that was hardly comparable. And she didn’t freeze in awe before nobility or royalty anyway. So what please was her problem?

They had been given time to rehearse, the whole Raven Pack, as they had settled down in the quarters they had been given, not in the real castle of course, but in some of the adminstratory buildings outside the main gate. Now, after their general rehearsal inside these rooms was through, Robyn had taken up the opportunity to sneak away for a little, for a private rehearsal time. As she hadn’t wanted to attract much unwelcome attention – the real show was for the feast after all, and not for a random afternoon, she had found shelter behind the horse stables, tying the two ends of her tight rope to two random hooks in the wall between the actual stables and the haystack. There was enough straw on the ground to ease a possible fall, and not many people would come here anyway to watch.

Robyn was balancing on the rope, and rehearsed a few lines of the short play they would give tonight as well,to keep her mind occupied and also to test her skills of multi-tasking. Keeping in balance on a rope was no easy task, but she couldn’t allow herself to get distracted by something, so she better ruled out that possibility beforehand. Furthermore, she needed to rehearse those lines anyway, so why not now?
”Wisdom and might should always run hand in hand”, she intoned with a soft, sage voice, playing the part of Lady Justice who appeared before the young knight before he faced his important duel to win his kingdom back. “As Wisdom without might is often left unheard, but might without wisdom will only lead to obliquity.”
How true indeed! Just because it was fun, she then changed her tone of voice and tried to imitate her brother’s bariton, who would play the young knight in question. “I am young. I have not always been wise and I might not be in the future. What is your counsel, Lady Jus—whooops!” she exclaimed with a little laugh as she nearly lost her balance and swayed a little on the rope before she had caught herself again.


”Once again: What is your counsel, Lady Justice?” Then she changed her voice to her usual pitch. “Start with fairness, young man. Treat everyone… everyone… like.. ah dammit!” Robyn stopped dead on the rope, furrowing her brows in anger. She knew the gist of what she wanted to say, but the exact wording, formulated by Raven himself, was too brilliant, and she wanted to express it without fault.

---

Tag: Torrin
Timeline: Arthur's pre-coronation
Time of Day: Early afternoon

Credit for the banner above goes to amazing Cait!!

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[Torrin]

Torrin was in two minds about this 'Raven Pack'. Part of him was glad that they were performing tonight because it meant less work for him and he didn't have the pressure of performing to such important people at such an important event. The other part of him was annoyed that these wanderers were the entertainment at Arthur's pre-coronation. Torrin had been working in the castle for the majority of his life and rather felt like he deserved be working tonight, but apparantly the soon-to-be-king didn't agree. Well that was just...fine.

As he wasn't performing he decided to go and see exactly who he had been usurped by. This 'Raven Pack' had better be impressive otherwise he would be rather put out. He'd found their location out from a servant who'd said something really helpful about how maybe Arthur would like them so much Torrin would no longer be needed. He was making his way towards the stables where they'd apparently been spotted - although he wouldn't be surprised if Alice had sent him on a wild goose chase. Although he was still in his jester costume - he'd been having to entertain Lord Whatever of Some Place he'd never heard of after lunch - he'd had the good sense to remove the small bells that usually lived at his ankles. He could hardly sneak up on the Raven Pack if he jangled with every step.

He was nearly at the stables when he heard an unfamiliar voice. It was a point of his to always recognise faceless voices, so this one was particularly interesting. Maybe it was on of them. He followed the voice and found a rather peculiar sight. At the back of the stables a young girl - well, he presumed she was young, she was rather high up - appeared to be walking along a tight-rope and talking to herself. An eyebrow was raised. He let his shoulder fall against the stable wall so he was leaning against it and just watched the woman for a few moments. "Treat everyone like ah dammit? What fine words!" He shouted up to her, perhaps a little too loudly, but at least she'd be able to hear him. "And who are you to impart such wisdom?"

[Robyn Lester]

There was a number one rule for every person walking a tightrope in general and for Robyn in particular, as she still couldn’t say she was the perfect rope dancer: No distractions! That was what had made this spot seemed perfect, as the back of the stables didn’t seem such a joint of activities, and for the same reason she had dismissed a well-nigh perfect spot next to the pigeonry. Suddenly fluttering wings and devil-may-care stunts by this annoying species of the world was nothing Robyn wanted to deal with when up in the air.But it seemed like distractions were to find her even here, and unexpected ones at that!

"Treat everyone like ah dammit? What fine words!"
The shouting sent Robyn wincing, and she felt the impact of this small, unvoluntary motion being magnified by the quivering rope. No hasty movements! But she was already out of balance and could feel her left foot slipping of the rope, making it even harder to regain her needed balance again. Now she had to make decisions in split seconds: fight for balance and increase her impetus even more or doing a controlled jump down?
In the end it was the wind that made any more consideration pointless. Robyn had noticed before that there was a little turmoil in the air today, but until now she had been able to balance it out just well… unless she was out of balance already.

The gust of wind brought her torso into a dangerous angle to the rest of her body and soon enough her right foot slipped as well. Instinctively, Robyn grabbed for the rope as her body curled up and fell to the side, and she was able to grasp it firmly while her legs seemed to coil around it until she had created an angle with the hollows of her knees in which the rope came to rest to break her fall.Only then, when she was safely hanging face down, Robyn released both her pented up breath and her hands and let herself dangle there from her knees, feeling her heart beating heavily against her ribcage. That had been a tight save indeed!

Her long blond hair fell over her face for a second, so she parted it with her now free hands and peeked down at the male voice that had so rudely disturbed her, a faint quivering still left in her voice as she spoke now.
”Well, better than treating everyone like a deaf person, don’t you think?” she called down, her grin slightly lopsided. “And who am I? Speaking these words I am Lady Justice, but most people call me Robyn. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting and nearly breaking my neck for?”
Only now she noted the clothes he was wearing. A jester! Competition! Had he planned to scare her in hopes se would fall down? Well,she would show him what he was fighting against, if that was his true intention!

[Torrin]

Torrin was still leaning against the wall so he had to push himself away from it in order to offer this new acquaintance a rather theatrical bow. Clearly being in the entertainment business herself she should appreciate his effort. What he forgot to do was to remember that he was no longer wearing his hat, which made his effort to remove it from his head rather superfluous. Instead he just ran a hand through his hair and hoped she didn't notice. She was upside down so hopefully that would work in his favour. "My name is Torrin Fletch." He replied with a grin and folded his arms against his chest. He walked forward so they were only a few inches apart, but due to her still being on the tight rope he was having to look up at her, something he wasn't mad keen on. "Ladies call me Tor," he said with a wink.

It was rather impressive how she managed to remain on the rope, and he would have voiced such an opinion if he wasn't so determined not to like her. It was the principle of the thing rather than her but even so. He was the court jester, her services were not required here. Yet however much he disliked her this wasn't going to stop him from having a little fun, possibly at her expense, that was entirely dependent on her. He had nothing else to do today and she was a good enough distraction for him. "Well, Robyn," he let his tongue roll over the R, "do you always make acquaintances upside down or am I special?"

[Robyn Lester]

Robyn bit her lip in amusement as she watched the upside-down figure make a flourishy bow to greet her and introduce himself. Oh wait, not he was upside down, she was. Whatever. She knew enough of the ways of jesters to not see this as an offer of friendship just yet. Such a bow belonged to the niceties of the job, and he was just staying in character and doing a good job as a jester. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t become friends once they left the competition thing aside. Such a feast held opportunities for many kinds of performances. The Raven Pack wanted to add, not to exclude, but if it happened after all it was not their fault, right? Robyn didn’t know the entire program of the evening, she only knew when she and the rest of the group were called to business. This jester here could very well be in the show himself.

Torrin Fletch… and the ladies called him Tor? Well wasn’t he out for a little flirt indeed! Or maybe that just was his general nature. Not that Robyn was in any way opposed to it, that was way better than causing someone to fall from a tightrope. It could have spoilt the whole evening, but the way he acted now suggested that she could at least have a little fun before the evening, even if only fun in conversation of course. There was no reason to think any further yet.
“Well then, Tor…” she replied, still hanging upside down like a bat, implying with his nickname that she had well understood what he was getting at and that she was not much opposed. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” Was there a little edge on the word ‘pleasure’? Oh well, if someone wanted to read something into it, he could. It would be his choice entirely.

Even upside down he wasn’t all that bad to look at either, but slowly Robyn felt the blood gathering inside her head and the heat that it caused to rise up in her cheeks, and she didn’t want him to get the impression she was blushing at anything. So, when he made the rather smug remark whether she always made acquaintances like that, she replied: „Have you noticed how much better the world can look sometimes when upside down?“ but then she reached up with her hands and grabbed the robe, letting her arms bear her weight while she disentangled her legs from the rope. For a moment she hung from the rope all stretched out, then she let go and landed on the ground, lissomly absorbing the impact with bended knees.

“Here I am”, she offered with a wink, looking up at him now as he was considerably taller. She was curious to see where all this would lead and thought herself ready for everything he might throw her way. Whether that would be true was yet to be revealed, but that was the fun in it, wasn’t it? “Yet to find out whether you are special or not, but I’m sure you can help me with that.“

[Torrin]

Torrin was beginning to like Robyn which was very annoying as he had decided not to. There was something about meeting another entertainer, a kindred spirit - if that wasn't being too over-dramatic, then again, it was part of his job to be just that. And she'd called him Tor so she was probably going to be fun too. The only problem with meeting another entertainer was the need for attention. He was fairly sure that in the near future - say five minutes or so - they would both be fighting for the stage, trying to out-do the other instead of having a civilised conversation like normal human beings. He wouldn't complain, in fact, he would find it fun if it didn't take attention away from him. He was rather self-centred that way.

He cocked his head in response to her question. As a general rule he liked to spend as little time upside down as possible and so probably didn't have an opinion well informed enough to answer that. There was room there for some satire, and if he had a bigger audience he would have exploited it but satire wasn't a favourite of his so he kept it to crowds of ten minimum. "I can't say I have," he replied and watched her as she pulled herself up and then dropped onto the floor. "Have you noticed how much better I look the right way up?" Maybe it was a little early on in the conversation for such outright flirtations, but his brain wasn't giving him any wit or comedy and without that he was left with no other option.

Clearly it wasn't too early on in the conversation, especially with her winking at him. Now that she was stood on the ground there was only a small gap between them. He couldn't help but smirk at her words which was probably what she intended. "Oh you bet I can."

[Robyn Lester]

Now with her two feet safely on the ground, Robyn had time to care for a little more than just staying in balance and not breaking any limbs or her neck in the nearby future. Even though you should make it look effortless, you could never allow to lose your concentration for a split second on the rope. A large part of your mind was always occupied, and so many details just slipped past you. She intended to make up for that now, as she began to secretly size the man up she was talking to. Yes, he was definitely a jester, not only his clothes suspected so.His whole demeanor was that of someone knowing how best to please, but also knowing how much he was worth. He certainly knew how to draw the attention to himself, and to keep it as well, but since Robyn could see behind the mechanisms of that, being used to them all her life, she wasn’t as much ensnared as he probably liked her to be.
She would try to hold her own in this conversation, but that didn’t mean she needed to refuse his come ons or simple flirtatious remarks. He was setting a fast pace, but that was alright with Robyn as well. The attraction was definitely there, she could feel it between their two bodies as they were standing rather close. It didn’t feel wrong, which was a good sign, but she knew she needed to be on guard. There was no use in stumbling head first into something she had no control over. She wasn’t here for that. But she guessed time would tell where this would lead. They were both young but grown up enough to know what they were doing after all. Ah, the freedom of being… free. Free to do what you wanted, with no one caring unless you asked them to. There was nothing better in Robyn’s eyes!
The young woman gave an amused chuckle at his rather self-assured remark about his looks and made a show of cocking her head, sizing him up openly now.
”Indeed…” she clucked her tongue, letting him dangle on the figurative hook for a while, before she came to her final verdict. “It does look like now everything is where it should be. Most certainly.”

The sweet tension between them just grew and grew, and Robyn relished in the feeling, playing with it, exploring it. How much further could it rise? There surely was yet some ground to cover before it became unbearable. All the more fun ahead apparently.
”Very good”, she inclined her head with a smirk of her own, then looked up at him again, not one for playing overly coy. “I’m very open for suggestions.”

[Torrin]

Torrin probably shouldn’t be paying that much attention to Robyn’s tongue as it definitely wasn’t appropriate but if she was going to show it and then what was he supposed to do? He was a very easily distracted young man (except when he was performing, of course), so it wasn’t his fault if said tongue caught his attention. He was fairly sure that was its purpose anyway, in which case Robyn (because no doubtedly she’d notice as he wasn’t a very subtle being either) could hardly complain.

It was rather lucky that Robyn seemed just as able to hold her own as he was, otherwise he’d have all these inappropriate thoughts in his head and no ability to voice them. As it happened, he couldn’t see her being offended by what he had to say. She’d either be flattered (well, who wouldn’t?) or just see it as a jest. Either way she probably wouldn’t be offended so he was able to take certain liberties with his speech. “Well you can check for yourself if you like.” There was more than a hint of suggestion in his tone.

And now she was smirking at him. Honestly, the inappropriate thoughts in his head now really weren’t his fault at all. It was all rather reactionary, something that was actually irritating. Torrin liked to be the one in control but it seemed he was having to share that power. Well, he was going to have to do something about that. He copied her action, inkling his head and stepped forward a shade so there were even closer together. With both their heads cocked in such a way there was hardly any space between them. He was keeping eye contact and let his mouth open slightly, running his tongue along the bottom lip. “Oh are you? In that case, I can think of several suggestions...”

[Robyn Lester]

Good heavens, what was happening here?! Never before Robyn had felt something along THAT line moving forward so fast! It was probably because they both were by no means subtle beings and that was just made to clash one day… or lead to… whatever. That was just what she head meant with falling head first into something she could not control. But would she want to back out now? Hmm… no… rather not. For backing out this still was far too much fun. If this was nothing but a game, it was a very… pleasing game indeed, and if it turned out to be more than a game… well, who was here to say no? She was a grown up woman, she could do what she wanted. And she wouldn’t be missed until the evening anyway…
“Well you can check for yourself if you like.”
That was not only toeing the line of obvious, that WAS obvious. And somehow Robyn needed to give the impression of still being interested without making it seem like she practically jumped at his slightest suggestion. That was a little beneath her still! But then, she was not new to this either, she could very well find the middle way here if she put in a little effort. It was not only the result that counted in the end after all,it was the elegance of the way TO the repective result as well, and she could lead him into a little dance first.
”What… you think your word will not suffice?”, she teased him, chuckling lowly. “Why shouldn’t I just give you the benefit of doubt?”

But seriously, Tor was bringing out the heavy artillery big time! There was hardly any subtlety in licking your lips like this, and for a moment Robyn was truly mesmerized by the movement of his tongue, until her eyes were captured by his again. These bright blue eyes…
Don’t be a stupid girl! She chided herself mentally and forced herself to break out of it. She needed to keep her wits by herself, or else he could take advantage of her just like that! How pathetic!
”Can you?” her voice had dropped to a low, almost alluring murmur. “I’m all ears, Tor. All ears indeed…”
There, ball was in his court again, so to speak. They were now so close it would take only a small movement to touch, and the small space between them was sizzling with tension. Not unbearable yet… but close to.

[Torrin]

It had been a fair few days since Torrin had found himself someone quite so fun to flirt with, even if he was supposed to be disliking her on principle. Normally, his attentions were well-received but women just blushed and giggled and while that was rather good for his ego it did nothing to banish his boredom. But Robyn was interesting, she played the game. And, judging by her words, she wasn't about to throw herself at him. No, he was going to have to work for it. Well, luckily that was something he was more than happy to do. "Surely it would be more fun to disbelieve me?" He asked, that smirk on his lips again but his mouth was still slightly parted. His words were obviously having the desired effect on her, yet she was still presenting a challenge to him. She was a very interesting woman indeed.

He noticed her watching his tongue, all the more reason to continue this action. It had been far too long since a woman had looked at him like that, he'd almost forgotten what a thrill it was - being able to effect someone so easily. People had always held a fascination for Torrin, observing and judging and trying to figure out how they worked. That was what he was doing now, testing, discovering, seeing just what made Robyn tick. Clearly his tongue did.

Torrin didn't answer her immediately. He was still trying to work out just how far he could go with this. Of course he would go much farther than just flirtations, but he didn't know about her. For all he knew she could just be playing with him, enjoying a game of cat and mouse at his expense. That would be irritating, and impressive as well. He was yet to be played himself, but there was a first time for everything. Coming to a decision he raised a hanfd, letting it linger in the air between them for a brief moment, trying to judge what she was thinking before his finger met the skin of her neck, felt the pulse, felt the soft, warm skin, all the while looking directly at her - just watching her reaction. "How is this for starters?"

[Robyn Lester]

There were faint moments when Robyn still kept asking herself what she was doing here. She had only just met this man, and now they were fast down a one way street! She even wondered, if he was doing that on purpose, for some greater scheme she couldn’t quite fathom. Was that maybe his way of eliminating competition? Well, it didn’t mean she would have to call this off, even if he had base motives, it just meant she couldn’t lose her head. She would have to watch out for traps and such. And it was not the first time she did something like that, so… Robyn was very convinced she would get through this and make the most of it.
”Hmmm maybe…” she replied to his question, feigning earnesty. “But then again… disbelieving people is rather rude… don’t you think?”

However superior she thought herself to be mind-wise, Robyn knew she had her dear weaknesses as well, and Tor just seemed to have found out one of them. His smugness was almost tangible and Robyn inwardly cursed herself for being so easy to read. But the game was not lost. She was interested, there was no denying it and it wasn’t too bad he now knew that as well… she just would not be eating out of his palm anytime soon.That was not her style.

Had she thought him to be so straightforward right away? Well, it had been him starting the flirt machine all the way, but this was…surprising to say in the least, though not entirely in a bad way. And she would be lying if she said his touch left her completely unfazed. He probably noticed that himself, as her pulse was accelerating as little bolts of energy seemed to rush through her body at the touch of his finger. Goodness, it had been a while since she last had been touched by a man in such a way. That surely left a mark…
But then, could she allow herself, could she allow her pride to give in so readily? She wasn’t completely gone yet, there was still room for a little play.
”Not bad…” she murmured, looking up at him under half closed eyelids. “Now… do you dare to go further and take the risk? See how far I LET you go?” she challenged him. This was her call, and she enjoyed it beyond anything. Would he be daring enough?

[Torrin]

It was admirable, really, her trying to play him, but a waste of time. He could see that he'd already managed to charm her - that wasn't unexpected though. And yet she carried on, trying to act like she was the one in control. "Well you've only just met me...who knows what wicked secrets may be hiding underneath the surface? I shouldn't take anything I say at face value." He was a jester after all, they weren't known for the simplicity of their words, and while the truth was always valued it was hidden or twisted more often that not. Life was more fun that way, and Torrin was determined to have as much fun as he could. Luckily, he had found himself some company who seemed just as determined.

As his finger traced a line along her skin he could feel her pulse quickening, he'd assumed as much, and feeling it only confirmed what he had suspected. She was well and truly caught. He stepped even closer, their bodies almost touching, close enough to feel her chest rise and fall against his and allowed his finger to continue down her neck, curious as to see just how far she'd allow him to go. He would be rather annoyed if she suddenly decided that she was far too pure and chaste for this sort of thing. She was still challenging him though, and that was rathe promising. "Let me go?" Torrin repeated her words with a laugh. "Why don't you stop me?"

[Robyn Lester]

He was making a few good points there, she had to admit. It might not be the best thing bringing up that they only had just met, in Robyn’s eyes at least, but he seemed confident enough she would not take that as an opportunity to step back down. Quite some self-esteem indeed, and cheek! But Robyn liked that in men, she really did.There were few actually able – and willing! – to match her own cheek and spirit, but Tor seemed to be just the man for that job. And also for some other jobs as well…”Did I ever say I would take you at face value?” she asked in feign innocence. “Then I stand thoroughly corrected, dear Tor! Then again… the jester’s language is similar to my own. And I have always been adventurous. I yearn…” she gave a playful emphasize to that particular word and then dropped her voice to a conspiratioral whisper, “for secrets!”

The battle was on now, and already Robyn felt like being on the loser side. There was just something in the physical presence of some men that could make you rather defenseless, no matter how witty and strong-minded you were. As Robyn had tried to practice her tightrope skills with as genuine the circumstances as possible, she was already wearing her performance gown of which the upper part consisted of not much more than a black corselet with wide, wing-like sleeves in bright red. Her shoulders were mostly bare and that was now either fortunate or unfortunate in the current circumstances, Robyn could not quite decide yet. It was certainly fortunate for his teasing finger that found its way further and further down her neck, well past her collarbone now. His touch almost made her shiver, but certainly not with fright. They were all but touching now, and he had made it happen. There was no question of what he wanted… and the question if she was willing to go that far became more and more… insignificant.

But then, Robyn was still too proud to just make the first move and rid herself of that unbearable tension. She only knew her time was running out. Yes… why didn’t she stop him? The answer was simple: she didn’t want to. She didn’t want this to end, even though she was not all ready yet to just jump of that figurative cliff either.
”Oh, I could stop you, no question of that…” she whispered and leaned the tiniest bit forward so she now could feel his chest against hers. “Just. Like. That.” And with the last word her hand darted up, quick as an attacking snake and she clasped it around his exploring finger, holding it in place but not removing it. A mischievous gleaming lit up her eyes. “Gotcha!”

[Torrin]

I'm so sorry about the delay, Robyn is far too witty for me

Hmm, Torrin was quickly coming to the conclusion that he was going to up his game if he wanted to outwit her. She certainly had an answer for everything, something that was definitely keeping him on his toes. It was a rather nice challenge, whereas usually he just smirked and paid the girl a few compliments, this girl was making him work. Despite her wit, however, there was that look about her, one that he was rather used to and reminded him just how good he was in these situations. "Well, you must understand," he began, following suit and lowering his voice, "my secrets are never given without something in return." He quite obviously looked her up and down, they were well passed subtlety by now so there was no harm in being so obvious, besides, surely she found it flattering? He certainly found it flattering when women were looking at him.

Torrin was convinced that he completely had her and was about to voice such an opinion when she spoke and grabbed his hand. It seemed he was still having to work to reap any rewards from this meeting, and while he was slightly annoyed at having such a move rebuffed, he was still relishing the challenge. He smiled, trying to make her think she had won this small exchange when he was actually just lulling her into a false sense of security. Even with her holding his finger he still had a few tricks. "And how will you stop this?" He asked as his other arm found its way around her waist, pressing them both together. He raised his eyebrows expectantly at her - this should be interesting.

[Robyn Lester]

Oh indeed, they both were getting better and better at this, Robyn had to admit. It was truly a long, long time since last someone had been able to best her in this art. As little as she had used it these past few months it could be she was getting a little rusty, but then he did not only try to best her, he brought out her best fighting spirit and all this in good sport. The situation hardly could get any better, and slowly Robyn was convinced that if she would lose this game, she wouldn’t be any worse off than with winning. Unless of course, he only wanted to bring her this far and then leave her hanging. No one had dared this before, but Tor just had this streak on him she couldn’t judge. He might be capable of that. But then, if he did she would find a way to make him pay. For now she could enjoy this as long as it lasted.

Her body reacted in its own way when she felt his eyes so obviously lingering on her, and while she found that very straightforward indeed, she actually hoped he would like what he saw. Not that she defined herself by the looks she got, but then again, it was always a nice bonus.
It was clear what he meant, and Robyn felt she could allow him a quick peek on the cards she decided to put on the table for now. Not all of course… that would be foolish. “Well, see… and this is what I do”, she explained in the same low voice, leaning a bit closer. “Trying to get as much as I can with as little to give as I like. Does that make me a bad person, I wonder?”

Oh yes, she had him now!! Robyn saw it in his eyes, she had outwitted him for the moment! He had not expected her to be this strong… and that was her greatest asset! She still held his finger in custody and was just about to launch her next attack, asking him to pay a little something – not necessarily money - for its release, when she felt his arm sneaking around her waist like a snake and then her body was firmly pressed against his, which momentarily took her breath away, both in surprise and by the suddenness of the sensations that were coursing through her body. Damn him! She needed to think!! But it was oh so hard thinking right now… She should have remembered a man always had two arms….
”That, my dear Tor, is a very good question…” she murmured, trying to force her brain to cooperate. “Why don’t we call it a draw?”

[Torrin]

Torrin seemed to have quite the effect on her but then that was to be expected. His life practically revolved around being entertaining and charming and funny so it was no wonder that Robyn was finding so, well, entertaining and charming and funny. She was only human, after all, and more importantly she was rather good fun. He smiled at her words; she really was keeping him on his toes! “Perhaps...but being good is hardly fun now, is it?”

It seemed his actions had worked in his favour – that was always his fallback, when he couldn’t outwit them to try and little physical contact. He didn’t really want to call it a draw, he wanted her to declare him the victor, but that wasn’t going to happen and she would almost certainly outwit him given a little more time to think so a draw was probably the best he was going to get. He nodded, “Very well, we shall call it a draw,” he pulled her closer to him so he could whisper in her ear, “Does that mean we both get a prize?”

[Robyn Lester]

Alright, she was done playing games, Robyn decided between two quickly inhaled breaths. He was playing her well and good, abd she still thought she was playing him at the same time. But all good things had to come to an end once, and now was as good a time as ever. Frankly, she knew she couldn’t do this for much longer without the fear of bursting. I had simply been too long, since she last had dealt with a similar situation, and even longer since there had been a man involved who really knew how to handle her. He should get a reward even just for that!”True!” she agreed to Tor’s remark with a catlike smirk. “Good’s for those with lacking imagination. And as long as I do get what I want, I will not exactly complain about the how and when.” The question only was: would she get what she wanted? And what DID she want? Did it involve him in any way? Well, that was for sure, but she didn’t know how far this should lead, even though her body knew it very well.

With pent up breath, Robyn waited for his answer. If he rejected the draw it would mean she had lost, she had practically admitted her own defeat. Would he be strong enough still, righteous even and risk to ruin what was building here now? For Robyn was sure, if he rejected the draw, her pride would make her pull away.
But no, he didn’t… he accepted the draw… and now everything was possible. Robyn’s body tingled all over as Tor pulled her closer, and her breath caught in her throat as she felt his hot breath at her ear. Alright, she was done for… she wanted her prize – now!
”I would say so!” she whispered and let her arm sneak around his waist and her hand trail up his back, slowly, teasingly. “Anything in particular you have in mind for mine?”

[Torrin]

It seemed they were finished dancing around the subject - there was only so much words can do, and he was rather glad that Robyn had been the first to break. He was used to conversations like this, and although she was more than holding her own, he didn't want to presume how experienced she was. But she seemed to be comfortable with the situation and so Torrin was quite sure that he could go as far as he liked. After all, if she hadn't been comfortable with his advances surely she would have left by now? Or at least slapped him. That's what Lady Vivian had done on many an occassion...his mind wandered temporarily, but Lady Vivian was neither here nor there. Not anymore. And he was far too busy with Robyn so he needed to concentrate again otherwise she'd quickly outwit him. "I'm afraid your subtlety is far too good for me," he said, the trace of a smirk on his lips as he tried to keep a straight face, "You'll have to tell me exactly what it is you want."

He could feel her arm around his waist in a similar fashion as his was around her, but then her hand started up his back and he had to concentrate on not looking quite so affected by it. There was only a single layer of fabric between her fingers and his skin, and he was all too aware of that fact. "Well," he replied as slowly as she did, "I was thinking something like this..." he trailed off and leant forward, their lips a breath apart and paused for one moment - just in case Robyn wanted to change her mind - before closing the gap between them. Her lips were soft and warm, and tingled against his own, but he forced himself to pull back and looked at her, "And then whatever else you had in mind."

[Robyn Lester]

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Robyn had always seen her life as a compilation of episodes, not following one straight line or a purpose. The purpose of a carney and juggler after all was to make people forget the future and the past, only holding them captive in a glittering and glamorous present. A respite from life, so to say, and thus it was no wonder that task was rubbing off on their own lives. They lived for the crowd of today, not for some crowd that might or might not appear tomorrow. A juggler was happiest when he had a succesful performance, heard the applause and the laughter, saw the gleaming eyes, and could go to bed with a stuffed belly. Life was not always like that, of course, but Robyn’s needs had always been simple. Torrin was just another pleasant episode, and one she intended to milk to the last drop. A person with a more future-oriented take on her life, might not have even thought what she decided on now.
“Tell you…?” she dragged the words out suggestively and then decided to take the final leap, wherever it may lead her. “Why waste more time with petty words I say? A little less conversation and a bit more action, what about that?”

It was teethering on knife’s edge now, she knew it. A hairs breadth divided them from still taking a safe step back and be content with only the possibility. But that had long since ceased to be enough for her, and by the look she thought to see in his eyes, he was on the same page there. They had danced a good dance together, but now the music stopped. No more time for hesitation and ‘what ifs’, this was life, a perfectly staged play of winning each other over, but now the curtain fell on both of them.
One more slow moment of waiting, then, as the tension had risen to unbearable heights, his lips finally, finally met hers. It was over far too soon for her taste, but that amount of time had been perfectly calculated. They might have dropped their weapons now, but she still could appreciates his tactics, leaving her hungry for more. For a moment, Robyn was tempted to say: ‘more of the same’ as his prize, but that would hardly be imaginative, now would it? Knowing them both, there would be more to come of that anyway.


“What about that?” she whispered and slowly reached for his hand that was still encircling her waist, guiding it to her stomach and the hem of her black corselet. Sucking in a deep breath, she created a little space between skin and fabric and guided his hand underneath it, leaving it to him how far he wanted to explore.

[Torrin]

Robyn certainly wasn't making this any easier for him and here was him thinking he'd managed to win her over. He'd obviously spoken too soon, far too soon, but the thrill of the chase was still to be had. Maybe Robyn would prove all the better for his having to work so hard, but even if she wasn't - and he highly doubted that - the fun he was having now, the challenge, the waiting to see what she would do next, it was all worth it. She was certainly an impressive woman. Not many could hold Torrin's attention simply with her words, he was rather looking forward to seeing what she could do with her actions. "I'm all for it," he replied, trying not to sound too eager - he still hadn't caught her after all, not completely. "Actions speak louder than words anyday. So," he looked her up and down again - she really was an attractive woman, "What have you go to show me?"

He watched, rather fixated, as she took his hand in hers, moving it from her waist until it was where she wanted to be. Clearly she was a woman used to getting what she wanted, well, Torrin was all for that. Her hand did not stop there though, and neither did his. Within seconds he could feel the skin on her stomach. "That is certainly..." he struggled to find the right word, in truth, he was rather distracted by where his hand was and how much he wanted it to be further up, "Acceptable." He decided on, again, trying to keep an air of superiority. Women didn't have this affect on him, it was the other way around, but as his hand started moving on its own accord he was left questioning that.