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OH! the story! Hehehe. Oops! Keagan gave a bit of a silly smile, as he recognized his own mistake. Little did he know how irritated she truly was. He was in far too good a mood to recognize her frustration, which didn't really help in what he said next. "You'll have to wait and seeeee," he said in a playfully teasing and taunting voice. He was really just like an overgrown child, enjoying leaving it in suspense. It added to the drama and plus, this way, he was fairly certain that no one would kill him in the middle of the night. While he still felt intimidated by her...he also just sort of expected that her curiosity was like everyone else's, only she was one of the few who had made it known. And like everyone else, she would have to wait until tomorrow!

Well, then again...she seemed a bit snappy. But Keagan did not think too unkindly about it! ....Even when she brushed off his name. Why hadn't she told him hers? Oh! Maybe she was waiting for him to ask! How polite of her! "Whats your name?" He inquired, asking with that big smile still on his lips. He was not tired, and it seemed like he had a friend who he could have a conversation with well into the night! She didn't seem that scary after all! Yes, she was a bit snippy...but maybe he would be too if he was tired, and just wanted to know the end of the story. Not everyone had the same level of patience. Really, he took her impatience as a compliment, as it meant that she had been so engaged in the story...that she demanded to know more! Oh, how kind she was! "You're very kind to show so much interest! I'm glad you enjoyed the story!" He added, expressing just how flattered he was.

Oh how very dreadful it was to be completely alone...in the middle of the woods...all by yourself! Keagan was not man of bravery. He was young, and he got scared! And why shouldn't he?! Who knew what dark creatures of the night dwelt among the trees and bushes at this hour! Had he not been so pumped on adrenaline, he would have found some small little cave and used its shelter for the night. But after having run from a few armed men, he was still not fully recovered from the terrifying excitement. Which, may seem odd as it had happened hours ago! But Keagan's paranoia never seemed to subside.

Even this far out from his home. He didn't even know where he was! But that certainly did not stop him from living every moment in fear of being caught, and dragged back to his home country, only to be executed for all to see! He was not optimistic enough to believe that they were not still looking for him. He had after all "killed" a man! And he uses the word kill loosely for...for...it had been but an accident! Yet the events of that day play in Keagan's head every night. Sometimes even creating nightmares! Yet another reason he probably would not be able to sleep tonight! Oh if only he had the company of someone to help distract his overactive imagination; someone to distract his mind from all thoughts of impending doom and death!!! But fate was not that gracious to him... or so he believed!

His pace and slowed to a steady walk, and he was not perceptive enough to hear that anyone was up head. Actually, the only time he really did notice was when he saw a shadowed figure. He looked at them curiously, about to say somethnig, anything! For he had found someone! He was too trusting at times, of course he was! But admittedly, so long as this person was not dressed in the armor of knights, he felt it was a bit more safe to talk to them. After all, what would a group like bandits or sorcerers, want from him? He had nothign to offer! Besides his slingshot. But really, it was worth very little! So he began to approach this....person....woman! Which he only noticed when she turned around and somehow had a flame in her hand. Somehow? OH! It was magic!! How exciting! Yet....slightly scary at the same time.

Keagan's excitement took over though and he ended up blurting out words to demonstrate this emotion. "WOW!" He exclaimed as his eyes widened with a bit of admiration and interest, almost like a little kid. And that was when the feelings for fear began to settle in. If she could do that, then who knows what else she was capable of!! There was only a second or two between his words, but his fast working mind made it feel like so much longer. "Please don't hurt me!" He added in an almost pitiful, and desperate voice. Two conflicting feelings upon seeing someone with a flame in their hand! Hopefully, she was not one of those cruel sorcerers. Hopefully, she would take pity on his poor soul!! Keagan was not above begging for his life, and if it came to that, he would get down on his knees and beg!

Keagan couldn't help but broadly smile when she laughed. He had made her laugh! Now whether it was for something which he meant to be funny or unintentionally funny, did not matter! He had made her laugh and he felt a strange sense of pride. Perhaps it would be possible to move past all the embarrassment for so far, she did not seem to be shunning his company. "A dancer? Wow!" He exclaimed with awe. She was ravishing enough without such entrancing movement...no wonder she seemed to possess such a natural grace. "That sounds incredible," he added, now leaning towards the possibility of actually watching her performance later. He would have check and see how many coins he had. "Well, I mean it sounds like an incredible talent...I'm sure you're great at it!" Great? Keagan could either just move on dismissively from his odd sounding comment, or attempt at a compliment rather, or ramble on and on trying to correct himself which never seemed to work anyway.

He decided to go with the first option. He felt his face redden a bit more when she acknowledged his nervousness. "Really? You get nervous?" He asked, finding that difficult to believe for she seemed so poised and comfortable. Then again, maybe he was just oblivious. "I find that hard to believe," he added shyly. His shyness only increased when she asked what he did. He had no extravagant answer to provide her with. Compared to a dancer, his 'occupation' seemed so.....minuscule. "I don't really have a job per say," he admitted, deciding that he wanted to tell her something about him, as she had done the same. "But I love telling stories!" He quickly added, rather excited to tell someone of the only thing he could do to earn coins. He was not one to boast, as modesty was certainly a valued virtue. "So I suppose I'm informally a storyteller," he said a bit jokingly, though it was in fact true.

Among his inability to look away from her, he could have sworn he saw her eyes moisten a bit. Was she crying?! He would feel far too intrusive if he asked. So decided to let it go....though he hated to see any woman cry. He recalled that back home, whenever his sisters were emotional, it would break his heart to see the tears in their eyes. While this woman was no sister, she was still a woman...and he still did not wish to see her upset. Was it his company? Was she angry or upset with him and just doing a remarkably good job of concealing such emotions? Oh how he would never forgive himself if he was the cause of another woman's tears! "No!" He immediately, and probably too enthusiastically objected when she stated that he must think her some sort of wild creature. "I don't think you look wild at all!" Wait...not that he was implying she was a creature either. "Nor do I think you're a creature," he added.

There. Hmm. Somehow, that seemed insufficient. "I actually..."' He felt his cheeks burn with redness over his bashful tendencies. "Think you're the opposite." Hang on. What is the opposite of a wild creature? A tame...non-creature? That didn't sound quite right. "I mean to say that...I think...you're....very beautiful," He quickly finished, shocked at himself for being so honest and open. He quickly stood up, not going anywhere but rather just standing because...well, because he felt very shy after saying such a statement like that. No matter how true it was, maybe he was crossing too many lines; overstepping too many boundaries. And he would not blame her if she wished to have nothing more to do with him, and demand that he leave her presence. She would not be the first to say such a thing, and she probably wouldn't be the last either.

Keagan really was not trying to look, but the more he tried not to, the more obvious it became that he was trying not to! His gaze followed her as she seated herself on a fallen tree. He stood there, still awkward, slightly shifting his position. Should he sit next to her? No. Maybe he should just stand there. Yes! Thats what he should do. He took a few steps over to a nearby tree, and tried to casually lean against it as he folded his arms across his chest. Even while leaning though, he felt himself slowly lose his balance, just as he did before but not to the same magnitude. Instead, he just stumbled a bit though managed to catch his balance before he completely fell over. So standing there, attempting to be suave was not an option. Maybe he should sit down on the ground so that it did not look rude that she was sitting and he was standing. That was probably better! He looked around for a moment, trying to find a good place when he decided to sit where he stood. He lowered himself to the ground, sitting crossed legged in the dirt. He was used to it though, as he was a nomad and the comfort of a bed and such was something that he was often deprived of... not that he was complaining.

Now that he knew where to sit, he would focus on her words...and try to be less rude. "Please tell me," he asked, knowing that perhaps sounded a bit too pitiful, but he was so very curious! So much for not being rude. "Unless of course you aren't comfortable doing so, which I completely understand!" Thank goodness she asked something else, otherwise he would have gone on in one of his other rambles. The answer to her next question was one he was only too eager to answer. "My names Keagan!" He said enthusiastically. "But if you want to call me Tom you can!" He then suddenly realized what she had meant by that, and felt embarrassed all over again. Wait. What if she took his comment as a suggestive one?! Oh dear! This wasn't good at all. It seemed the more he tried to fix something, the more damage he did. He would not blame this woman if she just got up and left! He brightly smiled though, trying to show that he had not meant to be inappropriate or anything. "Tom Keagan. Has an interesting ring to it!" He said, attempting to make a joke but knowing he probably just sounded ridiculous.

Though, he did notice her pat the tree and wondered if that was an invitation for him to sit next to her? Was it? Was he misinterpreting her gesture? What if he was wrong and then he just seemed more creepy by randomly sitting next to her?! Was it a risk he was willing to take? Apparently, his feet answered the question for him as he rose from his seated position and slowly walked towards the fallen tree, seating himself next to her. Now that he was sitting at her side, and they knew one anothers names...well, that gave him hope that she was slowly forgiving him for his behavior. Had Keagan been more smooth in the way he spoke to attractive woman, he would have said something along the lines of 'Mia, what a beautiful name.' But instead, he just shyly smiled. "You don't look like one of the villagers either," he said, still smiling. "I mean that in a good way of course! You look different. Different good!" Oh great. Just great. He was continuing digging a hole for himself. He took a deep breath before he fainted from humiliation. "Its so very nice to meet you Mia," he said trying to force a smile though he felt small tears of nervous sweat forming on his forehead.

In the moments of silence that passed, a million thoughts were racing through Keagan's mind. Mainly...things that he could, or should, say to get him out of this horribly embarrassing situation. He could turn and run! But that would not solve anything. He did not even know where he would run to! Besides, here was someone that he could talk to.....no. He had blown that chance when he decided not to talk, but rather, just stare at her. He should have not hid and just walked up to her in greeting. That would have been far less uncomfortable than this awkward silence they were both engaged in right now. Damn it Keagan! He mentally cursed at himself. This was so very typical of him! He knew what the right thing had been to do, and he had not done it. He had taken a...creepier path, of just looking at her. And then in the end, his clumsiness, the one constant in his life, did not prove to fail him. If he hadn't tripped, he could have....... no, he would have just been staring at her.

Much like he was doing right now, again! There was just something about her. Never the less, when she spoke, asking him what he had been doing, the silence had been broken and Keagan knew that he owed her an answer. Furthermore, he owed the truth. He would just have to spit it out. But...he had just said he wasn't looking! He had to think of an excuse, and fast! "I...." Oh yes. Fantastic start Keagan! It was strange. When he was telling a story, he could keep the audience engaged as it was all about how the story was phrased and the plot and characters of said story. But right now, the correct words failed him. He could not think clearly, let alone speak fluently. He was stalling, and was feeling awkward and....drat! He was staring again!

He finally averted his gaze elsewhere, looking around, still trying to mentally formulate a good excuse for why he had been peeking out from behind the tree. "I was just...." Great. He was still unable to think of a valid reason. He paused though when she brought up the mention of some sort of performance. "What performance?" He asked, now more so out of curiosity rather than anything else. It was not until he asked the question that he mentally kicked himself! He could have easily said, 'alright see you then' and walked away, saving both of them from this awkwardness. But nooo. Instead, he decided to question what she was talking about. He couldn't lie. He had to tell the truth! So instead of waiting for the answer, he began to blurt out his true purpose for having been there. "I'm sorry!" He desperately, and suddenly exclaimed.

There was no hiding it now. He owed her the truth, and he had to give it to her. "I lied. I was looking! I was staring! I just....I couldn't help it. Well, I guess I technically could have since no one was making me watch. Not that anyone should ever so such a thing. But I had been staring, and I'm sorry, and I hope that you can forgive me for usually I am not so quiet. Or sneaky. Not that I was sneaking around...but I suppose it could count as that when I don't make my presence known. And...And..." She needed to say something before he just kept going and going and going. He felt his face redden and knew how very un-masculine that was. Men did not blush! Come on Keagan! Be a man!!

Keagan truly hated being alone. The lack of company he was constantly finding himself in was going to drive him mad! Even though it had been quite some time since he had left the comfort of his village, he was still so used to being around others. He had a large family, so was used to the sibling rivalry, the noise, the constant movement.....and even when he ventured out of his home, there were people! People everywhere! People who he did not have to be afraid of for they were no strangers to him. They were the community that he had grown up in, and he missed them all dearly. While Keagan was not one to complain, he could not help but feel the aching misery of leaving all that he knew....to wander without purpose. The only thing that was getting him by was the occasional stop in the town to tell a few stories and make a few coins. But he was not a drifter. He wanted to settle, or well at least be around others who he could talk with.

But no. All he had was his trusty slingshot, and a squirrel that he would swear on his life was following him! He continued to walk through the woods, having no idea where he was going, or even where he was right now. As he had no destination, direction was not important. He often just walked and walked until he came across some sort of civilization. As if fate had timed it perfectly well, he heard a bit of movement up ahead. He perked his ahead up, excited and yet nervous at the same time. He knew that there were dangerous people that lurked around the woods, so had to be a bit discreet before fully revealing himself. With that in mind, he adjusted his hood a bit, pulling it up more before taking a few slow and cautious steps towards the source of the sound.

That was when he saw it. No...her! He was peeking out from behind a tree when he noticed a slender figure slowly step into the river. His eyes slightly widened as he just watched her. Now, he knew it was wrong to spy on a woman this way....but there was something positively captivating about her. Something that made him feel almost mezmirized as he just locked his gaze on her, as if stuck in some sort of trance. Her style, her general appearance, her apparent grace...such things made her stand out from most women he had come across. So all he could do was stare. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice was screaming out to him to STOP STARING! What if she began to undress?! Keagan did not want to turn into one of those perverted men who just spied on woman as they removed their clothing. And yet, he could not look away.

He put his hand on the trunk of the tree as if to support his body. He continued to watch as her hair fell freely. In all her beauty, he was completely lost. He may not consider himself perverted, but he was a young man, and what sort of sane man would look away from something so exquisite?! He began to lean a bit forward, not sure why... in fact, he may not even have been doing it intentionally! It was as if some unseen force was pulling him towards her; this trance that he was in was claiming power over him. So he leaned a bit more forward, and forward and --- the next thing he knew, his face was smothered against the leaves on the ground. Keagan was already a tad bit clumsy so for him to have been so lost in thought was a dangerous thing indeed.

He looked up, startled at his current position, as he realized that his entire body was flat out on the ground. Worse yet, he was caught! He could no longer sneak a glance --- or two, or three or four, or who was he kidding, he was not glancing! He had been staring! And now, she knew it. Subtly was not a trait of Keagan's, and neither was successfully lying. Never the less, he awkwardly pulled himself to his feet and looked at her, feeling a bit panicked that he had just been caught spying. His hood had fallen to his back in his clumsy stumble, so he tried to fix his disheveled hair... as if that would make him feel less awkward, which it didn't really. "I wasn't looking!" He said in a loud, desperate voice....enough to made his words entirely unbelievable.

Keagan was in a rather good mood! He had managed to find people! Now, while that did not sound like the most exciting thing, it most certainly was for Keagan. He did not like traveling alone, especially when he had no destination set in mind. It made the road long and tedious. If he at least had some company, then maybe he would not be forced to talk to himself just to fill the silent air. But recently, he had encountered a small group of people. People who did not seem so welcoming of outsiders but he managed to use the only skill he had to gain and maintain their interest: his story telling skills.

Keagan was not the sharpest tool in the shed, and completely useless with a weapon. He was not overly intelligent nor did he have good coordination...but he could keep the attention of an audience. That was perhaps his only talent. And he had proven it tonight. The group of strangers gave him a meal in exchange for some words and so he told an imaginative story to keep the interest of those around him. Besides being given food and security for the night, he was also given the thing he craved the most: the company of others.

So, his story would continue but he would not finish it, for the best way to keep an audience engaged was to start off the story with intrigue, and end it with questions and doubts. The curiosity of the ending would be enough to...hopefully... keep him here for another day. He didn't want to go back on the road by himself. He hoped he could stay with these people! They seemed kind and...well, they hadn't killed him yet.

"He raised the dagger to his chest,
A gasp so agonized and pained.
For he could no longer bare life's test,
Forced to keep bravery and strength so feigned.

The woman who so claimed his heart,
Lay lifeless before his eyes.
A gentle kiss, a lover's part
As the time had come for his demise.

He bid farewell to all he knew,
Prepared for what awaited in the after world
But as if on a fated que,
She opened her eyes for his final cry to be heard."

That was where Keagan ended the story. So many times a story ended with a happy ending; he enjoyed sometimes creating more of a tragedy. It was something different. Something unexpected for the audience...something, that would conclude tonight's little campfire. He gave a bit of a smile lowering his head in a slight bow as those who had been listening became to murmur a few words as they realized that the story was over. With that confirmation that the tale for tonight had ended, they began to disperse, finding their make shift beds to get a good night's sleep on. Keagan remained seated there though, thinking whether he wanted to alter the direction of the story tomorrow...or whether he wanted to keep a certain element of devastation in it. Hmmm. Interesting though indeed.

~ Tag Enmyria! ~

When she stood, up, Keagan followed her actions, also rising to his feet for it would feel far too strange for him to just be sitting there peering up at her. That was when he got a good look at her. She looked like she had been wandering in the woods just as long as he had! For she too had dirt stained on her face and ragged clothing. Perhaps they had more in common than Keagan initially though! Or perhaps it was just his desperate state of mind to find a friend...somewhere in these vast woods. Either way they seemed to be having a conversation and Keagan was not about to discourage it. It had been days since he had talked to someone!

Well, a human anyway. he had a tendency to talk to the random wildlife in the forest. Mostly squirrels as they were the only ones to came remotely close enough to him. The rest were too fearful for being killed for food. Pulling himself out of this ramble in his head, he focused his attention back on the girl. "The fault is mine. You...weren't awake. I'm sorry to have changed that." He paused for a second, knowing his curiosity was going to get the better of him, yet again. "Why...are you in the woods all alone?" It was a sad thing to be alone and Keagan did not wish his similar lonely situation on anybody!

It was one of those windy, chilly and heavy raining nights; the kind of days that Keagan especially missed the roof over his head and comfort of his home and family. These were the days when he wondered if the rest of his life would compose of wandering aimlessly throughout the world, having no set home, no location of residence. Keagan was not the overly adventurous type, he was far too afraid to be. But he feigned bravery...or so well he tried but often failed miserably. Good thing he was a fast runner. It was far easier to run rather than to pretend to be something he was not.

But right now, his main concern was to get out of the rain. He had already slipped in the mud once, and while most of it had washed away by this point, he had a cut with dried blood around it on his neck. He had managed to conveniently trip right into some sharp sticks on the ground. Just his luck! He pulled his hood up a bit, feeling it dripped onto his eyelashes. He did not have much; all but a few coins in his pockets from a recent visit in a small village that he did not even know the name of. He folded his arms across his chest, shuddering from the cold, walking forward and trying not to just break down from the hopelessness of this situation. But it almost seemed as someone of a higher power heard him for in the very near distance he saw... a tavern! YES! There was hope! He looked towards it with eagerness as he hurried his steps to get inside.

When he did step inside he saw the huge crowd of boisterous people. It was loud, obnoxious.. and everything a tavern was expected to be like. The main thing was there was people. A TON of people! Whether they drunk, sober, whatever! The point was, there were here. The eeriness of the quiet woods was something that Keagan hated. And now, he would not have to worry about that anymore. He pulled the hood off of his head, looking around for a place to sit. Maybe he would go to the front and ask for some water. Yes. That was a good idea. For Keagan was not exactly a drinker and so did not want to risk trying it out right now. He went to the front and set down a couple of coins.

The woman, seeming to take pity on him, filled up a mug of water and handed it over. Keagan smiled politely and thanked her. He kept eye contact for a little too long as he was walking a bit backwards, not really looking where he was looking. As soon as he turned, he collided into someone, his water spilling all over... her! He had spilled his drink on a woman! Keagan looked at her, his eyes widening with the shock of his own actions. Oh no! Oh no no no. He watched the woman very carefully. She was certainly older than him, but seemed to age well for her beauty was still apparent. Keagan just looked at her, as if waiting for her to slap him for doing something so ridiculously clumsy. Story of his life!

~ Tag Jolayne! ~