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Post by Robyn Lester on Nov 15, 2012 8:09:39 GMT -5
John Reade stepped back respectfully as he thought to have done his necessary deed of filling the young knight in on this play. It would be quite confusing for a bypasser who had not seen it from the beginning, and all the more maybe someone who wasn't familiar with such a pastime. Carney groups travelled all over the five kingdoms, but one could indeed have lived a full life without ever witnessing one performance, John was well aware of that. He then continued to return his attention to the stage wagon and kept a firm grip on his daughter, whose eyes were now large as saucers and switching between the young knight she vaguely remembered to have seen once or twice, and the people on stage.
Meanwhile, Tybalt had loosened his grip on Robyn's neck a little, for which she was very thankful for, and now pulled her to her feet. That gave her a greater variety to act on and also symbolized the slight changing of the tide. Apparently, the evil lord was not so keen anymore to show his superiority now a respectable knight of Camelot was observing his every move. Raven stepped forward and gave a little forced bow in Mordred's direction – making sure the audience catched on how annoyed he was with a grimace to the sidelines – and cleared his throat. „With all due respect, Mylord, but don't you think I recognize foul intentions when I see them?“ He was momentarily interrupted by a rascal shouting: „Then look into a mirror, idiot!“ which was followed by laughter, but other thank shaking his fist briefly, Raven did not react to it and refocused his attention on Sir Mordred. „She was found in my chambers where she had no business at all, with her hands on a bunch of keys that belonged to me. What would YOU make of that, Sir Knight?“
Robyn gave a little snort, biting her lips, visibly still debating whether it was safe enough already to confess her true purposes. Then she let her gaze light up and tensed, speaking up before anyone could stop her with a line she often used in that play when the situation called for it. „Let me add a question, Mylord: If you try to take something back that belongs to you from a man who stole it. Would that be stealing yourself?“ |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Nov 10, 2012 15:13:59 GMT -5
At least he was stopping.That was a first victory in itself,wasn’t it? Robyn tried to tell herself such to rule out the ever-growing tenseness inside her as her eyes were fixated on the young knight as he turned around to the stage. Knights were nobles, or at least they acted like them, and so they were not inclined to answer on anyone’scall but KingArthur’s. Of course, they should help those in need, but Robyn figured this man would be smart enough to see this was nothing but a show, and so he wasn’t morally obliged to do anything at all. He could just ignore them and do whatever he had set out to do. Robyn wouldn’t even blame him, since she had quite put him on the spot with calling out to him like that. He hadn’t seen anything of the play, he was not emotionally involved like the others of the audience… when it came down to it, this knight had just been in the right place at the right time or wrong, however he saw it personally.
Then he asked: "What game is this?" and this time put Robyn a little on the spot. Once again she would have to decide whether she stayed in character or not, and staying in character was vital for the illusion of the play. Of course everyone in their heart of hearts knew it wasn’t real… but to say it, to speak it out, would have destroyed everything.The only hope she had was someone being helpful enough to fill him in, while she had to stick to her lines. Raven seemed to sense her unease, and so he did what he always did best: Take the lead. Still staying in character, he let his accusing voice ring out, pointing at Robyn. “This little insolent wench here was found stealing in my chambers, Mylord, I was just about to give her the punishment she deserves—“ “I was NOT stealing”, Robyn protested again. “Mylord Knight, if you believe me, then please vouch for me!”
Meanwhile, a middle-aged man had turned his head towards Mordred and approached him in a low voice. A girl of maybe ten years was situated on his hip so she could see better and staring fascinatedly up at the bound blond girl. John Reade was a guard of Camelot off duty, and had taken it on himself to accompany his youngest daughter Elinor to the play, since both his wife and eldest daughter Brynn were engaged in their activities. He knew the young Mordred by sight and thought it might only be fair to explain the situation, so he could decide what he got himself into. ”They are doing a play about some courageous young woman trying to free her lover from this vile man’s injust imprisonment. While searching for clues in his private chambers as where to find him she got caught. I think they’re trying to involve the audience as some kind of twist. Seeing you, she must have decided on this to be a very interesting opportunity. Who knows, maybe they’d even want you to fight for her. If you wish, you can play along, Sir Mordred, but of course you don’t have to. It was quite bold for sure.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Nov 3, 2012 10:32:12 GMT -5
Robyn was kneeling on the hard uneven floor boards of the wagon, Tybalt’s hand holding her on the neck with the force of an iron claw, while Raven stood behind them with a stone-cold expression. “I didn’t do it…” Robyn whispered fearfully. “I didn’t do it, I swear! You must believe me, Mylord, I—“ “Silence!” Raven’s voice cut through her whimpering, and Tybalt gave her a forceful jerk. “You were caught in my chambers, so what else were you trying to do than steal?” Robyn bit her lip, counting inwardly to ten in her head. She was trying to show an inner conflict of the character she was posing as, since she was working on a greater scheme, to find and free her lost love this ruthless lord held captive somewhere. Tybalt, posing as the Lord’s brutal servant, counted inwardly to twenty from the same time, then shook her again. “Answer!” which was followed by a hiss from the crowd. Robyn had to bite back a smile. Good, the crowd was clearly on her side, exactly what they had wanted to achieve.
“Don’t say it, girl!” a woman from the audience suddenly exclaimed. “Don’t tell him what you’re really after!” “But if she doesn’t, she’d be thought a thief, and the spirits only know what would happen next!” a man next to her argued. Tybalt squeezed her arm he was holding in his other hand, and Robyn knew it was a silent sign of triumph, as if to say ‘yes, we did it!’. Crowds were different everywhere, and not all were so ready to delve into a story, actively trying to influence the outcome with their exclamations and comments. The squeeze of her arm was also a sign, following the realization the crowd was ready to be involved into the play. Tybalt must have been given the approval for Robyn to act on it, since she could not turn her head and look at Raven herself. There were two possible ways to continue this play, depending on the audience. Now they were going with Plan A: Robyn calling on someone to from the crowd to help her out, act as a judge, or, if they were bold enough, as a fighter in her name.
Therefore, Robyn let her gaze wander over the expectant people looking up to their wagon, deciding who it would be she had to choose. “The spirits know of my innocence, and they shall prove it!”, she began fervently, craning her neck to look at Raven and getting out of her brother’s restraining hold. “I just wish there was anyone bold and valiant enough to vouch for me.” Suddenly, she saw the flicker of a red cloak passing behind the audience, and in an instant, Robyn made a decision. It was risky… but if it succeeded, it would be the best acting of the play they had ever had. “There goes a knight of Camelot!” she exclaimed excitedly. “There are none braver and trustworthier in the whole of all the lands! Sir, I beg you! Speak for me, as I have done no ill deed!” Then she waited with pent up breath for the young knight she had just called upon to react. |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Oct 6, 2012 14:40:05 GMT -5
OMG I thought the same!!! What on earth did that alien do there??? I hope this has some kind of celtic explanation or I'm just gonna be -,-
WHAT AN EP!!! I apparently have to change the faceclaim of Yassia's uncle now, since Liam Cunningham is actually on Merlin!!! Didn't think that would happen :DDDD
Wow, I hope Gwen really doesn't see to it that Sifa (?) is killed! I mean, there is supposed to be a new Camelot, riiight? And I love her character concept! Also: Three years of peace and such... and Arthur and Gwen happily married, but no children? :/
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Post by Robyn Lester on Sept 20, 2012 15:58:36 GMT -5
Robyn couldn’t have been more surprised to find that she wasn’t only presented with her lute, but it was restrung!! Just a moment before she had already planned to sneak away to the wagon, hoping to find a spare string in all the mess she usually surrounded herself with, and there he was, having done it without even having to. It was long since she last had witnessed such an act of spontaneous kindness, since usually the world wasn’t like that. Not the world of the street Robyn belonged to at least, there usually you were always bound to look out for number one, because no one else cared. It gave you a maximum amount of freedom, but Robyn had also learned to trust no one outside her little group of family and friends that was the Raven Pack. That was why such spontaneous and surprising shows of goodwill and consideration came as an even greater surprise for Robyn, and she was more than ready to welcome this. “You… you restrung it!” she exclaimed, a little needlessly, but her surprise just had to find an outlet.
Taking her lute back, she moved her fingers over the new string, noticing also it was of a much better quality than the other three. This string probably wouldn’t snap so soon again! All she had to do now was tuning it, but that could wait for a little, they would probably go with the flow and do some other things next, like dancing or acting a quick scene, whatever the crowd called for. Meanwhile, while Alfie had his great moment to shine, tossing first three, then four, and in the end even six balls into the air and catching them. Over the years he had perfected his skills, and once again Robyn felt incredibly grateful for him being able to do such a thing, to still have two intact hands he performed such wonders with.
But then she tore her gaze away from Alfie and nodded with a smile as Dristan told her to sit down. Lowering herself on the chair she placed the lute on her lap and then leaned a little forward to understand him better over the cheer the crowd was gladly raising right now. One part of her heart and mind was always with the Raven Pack, even feeling a little bad for focussing on something else right now, but the other part of her deemed this notion completely stupid and was more than happy to give her ‘saviour’ the attention he deserved. “It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, Dristan”, she said, smiling broadly. “And you may call me… Robyn. Though I have many names, some of them pleasant, some of them not so much. Those who fear my tongue call me the Mockingbird, those who have witnessed me putting my nose into things that should not be my concern call me Lady Justice.” It was typical for Robyn to get a little into a carney role while she spoke those sentences. It didn’t make her less natural, but rather the other way around: it was NATURAL for Robyn to turn even a normal conversation into a little play, and make the best of it.
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Post by Robyn Lester on Aug 29, 2012 12:47:41 GMT -5
Now this was not so innocent anymore Robyn realized, one of her eyebrows quickly darting up in amusement and a tint of surprise. She just could not measure this man, she had no idea what went on behind his forehead and those eyes that still eyed her with an unreadable expression. Robyn didn’t feel threatened anymore, but she didn’t feel completely safe or at ease either, like she normally felt with ‘neutral’ strangers. She was an open person and didn’t have qualms with people until they showed her a reason to, but this… this had started to become a weird state of in between. He seemed to want to stay around for a little, though, and Robyn didn’t feel inclined to tell him to go and leave her in peace. She already was thinking about anything but the oncoming performance, and that could only be a good thing, right? It helped her to keep her nervousness at bay.
He became even more obvious when he talked about an ‘education’ he lacked, but Robyn wouldn’t give him the satisfaction about dropping the act so soon. This game could be carried equivocally until the cows came home, as far as Robyn was concerned. There was nothing to say against a battle of wits as long as things were kept in good fun.
“Oh I’m sure there would be many willing teachers out in this world, if you really put an effort behind searching”, she pointed out with an all-too-innocent expression on her face. He then wanted to know how he ever could thank her?! Well, wasn’t that an open invitation to anything, and he surely had meant it that way. The question now only was how Robyn wished to deal with this. He probably thought himself quite the catch, and that might not even be too wrong. But if he dangled a bait in front of her mouth it didn’t mean she had to snatch at it and swallow it.
Hissing lowly, she gave him a skeptical and slightly sassy look. “Oh, now you’re entering dangerous ground, my friend. Jugglers often ask for favours as payment, and they collect them at the worst time possible… never issue a blank check to a juggler girl.”
She would have expected many things from him, but not a wine merchant. It was a surprising revelation, but a rather positive one. “Oh, so apart from us you’d be the most wanted man for this feast tonight”, she exclaimed with a laugh. “Or maybe you’ll even rank before us, depending on how good your wine is”, she teased. She had no doubt for this feast they would have ordered the best of the best, which also made her proud in a way, thinking that the Raven Pack had been accepted for it. She wouldn’t mind a little bit of wine herself, but then she would not get what the high folk drank anyway. Probably not even if she said pretty please.
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Post by Robyn Lester on Aug 26, 2012 14:23:04 GMT -5
It spoke for the closeness and the blind trust between the members oft he Raven Pack that Robyn didn’t even have to look and make sure to know all had realized her problem in a split second and would now all strive to overplay it. They were used to have to wing things, and most of their plays or things they performed didn’t go without small mistakes that had to be covered up. So while Robyn’s voice wavered a bit in surprise after the string had so unexpectedly snapped, those of Madla and Tess did not, taking the lead for Robyn until she had caught herself again. The lute wasn’t unplayable, but the string that had snapped played a key part in the song’s tune and so the song had to be finished without much elegance and without many repeats of the last verses. Unfortunate, but not the end of the world, since the rhythm was still kept. They had planned on a few more songs of course, and now had to rearrange their plans. More tricks and jokes then, and less music, until her lute was repaired.
But then something really unexpected happened. There had been a young man sitting in the corner, Robyn had registered subconsciously before. Something about his ways had suggested he wasn’t one of the local peasants, and she had also seen a very familiar shape in his hands. Since she had been focusing on her song however, she hadn’t realized it for real, until he suddenly stood before her and presented her with – a lute! And a fine one at that, not really comparable to the one Robyn had learned to play on and which was probably in the Raven Pack’s possession for more than a generation. How nice! And what a peculiar twist of fate it was as well, to have someone with a lute sitting in the same tavern. But Robyn wasn’t one to question things when they were given to her so readily, and so she took the lute with a surprised but warm smile and left her own in his care for the time being.
Then she turned to the waiting audience and gave a small shrug. “You must excuse my humble lute, I think she didn’t see herself able to perform before such an illustrious and expert audience and therefore took the easy way out, as long as this little jewel here was in the same room. Now, let’s give her the audience and attention she deserves.” Well-meaning laughter rippled through the room and Robyn caught Raven’s wink, telling her she had made the right choice. That made the mistake seem a little less grand in her eyes and she could feel a small weight lift off her shoulders. The instrument was excellent, and her fingers played it with care as Jerome started a new drinking song, leading the men in the tavern into the well-known, slightly juicy adventure of ‘Seven Drunken Nights’. After that song, it was Alfie’s time to shine with juggling, and Robyn saw this as a wonderful opportunity to slip into the background, handing the lute back to its owner.
“Thank you for your quick mind”, she murmured with a smile. “I can call myself quite lucky you were there to help me out. And it was a pleasure to play on such a fine instrument.” |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Aug 22, 2012 13:01:33 GMT -5
It had been quite a succesful day, and Robyn was actually looking forward to a nice and jolly evening to complete it. The weather had been nice and sunny for days in a row, which meant they could count on large audiences and excited faces once they pulled up on the village squares and announced breathtaking and tearjerking entertainment. Their purses were comparably full, but that didn’t mean they would let other engagements slip through their fingers. The luck of the streets could turn its face on you in a matter of minutes and you better were always prepared for hard times. After sun came rain, after peace came war, it simply was the way of the world, and the Raven Pack had learned this lesson often enough to not underestimate it and grow lazy when things were looking up. So, even though they had had a few good days and would like an evening to themselves, they had agreed on another engagement in this little village, entertaining the tavern guests as best as they could.
They had all assembled already, preparing whatever they intended to do: Raven, his wife Madla and their son Jerome, then Robyn’s brother Tybalt who would probably have to refrain from most of his fire tricks tonight as they were indoors, and finally the third woman of the Raven Pack, Tess, with her son Alfie, who would be juggling later the evening and already seemed a little nervous. Ruffling his hair affectionately, Robyn grabbed her lute and walked over to the landlord, asking him a few questions under her breath with a smile. “If you would be so kind as to tell me your first name, Sir, and also the name of that charming young barmaid over there?” He looked a little confused, but grumbled. “Name’s Jim, but most call me Jimmy. And she’s called Kim. Now what would you need those names for?” Robyn just gave a mysterious smile and turned away to rejoin her friends. “You’ll see…”
She had her reasons for these questions of course. There was a song she intended to start the evening with, a song that could be adapted to their surroundings. The name of the tavern she already had registered, just like the name of one customer in the corner who was surrounded by friends and apparently playing cards, even though the whole group already turned their heads towards the Raven Pack. Giving an almost indiscernible nod to Raven, Robyn sat down and prepared for the start of the song. Raven himself, as the leader, now took it on himself to welcome the tavern guests to this little event, promising them a wonderful and diverting evening. When he had finished, Robyn started up the song almost without a pause, smiling widely, while the other Raven Pack members provided the background voices and rhythm with tambourine and . Soon enough, she hoped, the audience would start to sing along.
” Down at the Olde Mill Inn
We'll laugh and dance and sing
We'll drink all day and Bill will pay
Down at the Olde Mill Inn”
Roaring laughter brought the first success for the Raven Pack as the man called Bill jokingly raised his finger in warning to all those who would dare to write the bill on him! Grinning widely, Robyn immediately followed with the next verse:
"Down at the Olde Mill Inn
The ships are sailing in,
We'll drink a toast to Jimmy, our host
Down at the Olde Mill Inn”
And while everyone in the tavern raised their cups in a cheer to the laughing landlord, Robyn changed the tune to a little bridge, her fingers moving quickly over the strings. Like always, she had to compensate for the loss of her little finger, but after so many years of practice, she hardly thought about it anymore.
"The moon is full, the bar is too, when we come to town
We'll have a beer, cause Jerry's here, so spread the cheer around....
Down at the Olde Mill Inn
The bartmaiden’s name is Kim
And with a smile she'll serve in style
Down at the Olde Mill Inn.”
This time the cheer was raised for the young barmaid, who actually blushed at the surprise of being mentioned in a song. Robyn saw Tybalt winking at her, which made her blush even more. Aha… maybe her brother would be lucky again tonight. As long as he didn’t bring the girl to their shared wagon and made her sleep out under the starts because he wanted to have some fun, why not?! Deeply satisfied with their success, Robyn got ready to bring the song to a slow close, just repeating a few of the verses, when suddenly a small popping and ringing sound could be heard and on of the strings of her lute snapped, making her fingers burn with the impact. Oh great… every player’s nightmare just had come true…
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Post by Robyn Lester on Aug 22, 2012 4:41:55 GMT -5
Oh dear, maybe  If so I apologize for mixing you up! Okay, that all sounds cool! Oh, so Cenred survives like you play him? That sounds so amazing, I could definitely make him meet Brynn there, she could be caught between the fronts again. .And I can set up the thread between Yass and Cenred, if you like. Yaay so many threads, I'm excited xD |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Jun 16, 2012 18:46:12 GMT -5
Had she been overreacting? All of a sudden, Robyn couldn’t anything about him that surpassed normal friendliness and maybe a bit of cheek. Where had that creeper attitude gone, this suggestiveness? Had she only been imagining it, more startled by his sudden appearance than she wanted to make herself belief? It could be possible, but then Robyn was most of the time able to trust her intincts… Right now however they were telling her that he was taking it down a notch, allowing her the personal space she needed, and that was all she wanted. Maybe he would be nice to talk to, he had shown some reasonable wit already, so that was a start. It would probably be best to tone her own loud mouth down a little as well, so they could maybe find an easier balance, if that was what they were heading for. Actually, Robyn had not the slightest idea how to estimate this man, and while that was slightly unnerving, it also intrigued her. Had she maybe happened on a freelance actor? Someone who used his skills in daily life instead on stage? But then… she might also just give him too much credit, he might be nothing but a normal, witty man. And he probably was.
Raising her eyebrows slightly, Robyn smiled up at him, and shook her head. “That’s too bad. But then, there’s always a first for everything. Maybe, if you just took one up and tried, you might prove to be a natural talent.” From Robyn’s point of view, they were more talking about the real instrument now, but of vourse that view could be altered by anything she had said. It either came with the general subject, or it was just in her blood. “But don’t worry”, she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “my lips are sealed – at least on that aspect. No one shall know of this except you and I.” She might have added as well that being their ‘litte secret’, but for once Robyn restrained herself from speaking everything that flashed up in her mind. Maybe he had unnerved her a bit after all, however unintentionally, so that she now was a little more cautious about her words and what direction they could take. Knowing her, however, a speedy recovery was almost a given.
“May I ask you what brings you here?” she ventured on. “Are you in any way involved in the fesitivities? Even if it’s not as a piper?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Jun 14, 2012 11:03:59 GMT -5
This was turning out to be the one encounter in quite a while that left Robyn thoroughly ensnared. It was almost like - in lack of a better comparison - she had been thrown into a complex play and had to play a role she had no concept of yet. She also didn't know, if he had any more idea of what they were doing, if it was him, or no one at all holding a script in his hands. The prickling, humming sensation of alertness and excitement in every fibre of her body was the same she felt when she had to wing something on stage - and boy did she love that feeling! She lived for these moments! If this encounter made her feel that way it could only be a good thing, all doubts and hesitations aside! She wondered what it might be about Torrin to make rhis go so quickly down that road, or if it was even him at all, but she didn't come to any good conclusion
Robyn returned the smirk, pleased that the banter was still going on, even though it had seemed they both were at their wits end and limits just a few moments ago. Oh yes, she was quite confident, however high his standards might be. If he didn't find anything good or interesting with her, he wouldn't have put this conversation so far so soon. Somhow she doubted he was so desperate as to try his luck with just about anyone. And anyway, she had the freedom of choice here as well, it was not like he could demand anything of her without her consent. If this didn't make a woman like Robyn confident, then nothing ever would.
"Well, the fact that you discovered me on the tightrope should tell you enough of my ability to deal with 'high' standards", she replied cheekily, looking upward with a fleeting glance. She would retrieve that rope later, there was hardly any chance of anyone stealing it. They first had to get up there, and she didn't know many people who would do that just to steal a piece of rope.
No, she really wasn't buying in on his displayed or rather claimed shock, since even the display of it was rather failing right now. Torrin's smile gave him away all too easily, but Robyn was glad for it, since it made her see a little bit clearer.
"It's good your shock is not quite so convincing to me", she murmured. "Or else I might have felt obliged to take back my offer. And oooh... a trick?" Robyn cocked her head. "Mind to let me in on it?" |
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 29, 2012 15:13:01 GMT -5
Robyn readily returned the smile he was giving her when he called her enthusiastic. She knew she was, and she liked to be, doom and gloom didn’t suit her and she was glad she had found a way out of it after her ‘injury’. The pack itself, the only family she knew, had helped a lot with that, but when she had tried to tell that Madla once, she had only received a hug and a comment that still made her slightly uncomfortable when she thought about it: ‘You have given us so much more. You stood up not only for Alfie, but for us all. It’s only right we call you Lady Justice’ ‘what, because I’m blind?’ she had tried to joke back, but the look in Madla’s eyes had told her enough. Ever since then, she had tried to avoid the topic as much as she was able to.
“Oh, enthusiastic is just the word”, she agreed and nodded. “But then, wouldn’t you be enthusiastic about travelling everywhere and meeting new people? To make them cheer and laugh and let them forget their troubles for a little while… to be someone else, play a role you normally never would get…and feel your heart beat in a frenzy when you walk the tightrope… yes, that is my life and I love it. I would wish for anything else.” Maybe he would think her crazy now, but maybe he’d also understand. He was out of his own country after all, and didn’t look much like a prince right now. So maybe he was playing a role as well?
She had entered dangerous terrain now with the mentioning of fortune reading, and she wondered if she should have just let it slide. But then, he sounded more interested than wary right now, maybe she could capitalize on that? Madla had taught her the basic means of reading possible things out of a person’s hand lines, and she might do well brush that knowledge up a little.
”It’s neither magic nor is it an exact science”, she explained and reached for his left hand rather boldly, studying the lines on it. His hand was less callous than she would have expected from a fighter that she assumed he was, but then, maybe the sword wasn’t his weapon of choice? “It’s all about the lines on your hand, you see”, she said, tracing her index finger along them. “The Head line, the Love- and the Life line… and then in the middle is the Line of Destiny or Career. Their shape, their length, all this can tell me something about you. Not necessarily a future, but still some things you might have to watch out for.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 28, 2012 15:52:19 GMT -5
Some people might be averse to distraction shortly before an important performance. But Robyn was definitely not one of them. She had nothing against meeting some new people and distract herself a little from her stage fright. She only had to be careful she would not get caught up in the encounter and miss the show. That had never happened of course for real, since she always put the Raven Pack first – like she had learned from an early age – but there was no one who could demand her time before that. Robyn liked her independence very much. Had Raven been her father, or had her father been anywhere present in her life, these things might have been different, but this way Robyn had always had more freedom than any other woman she had ever met. She wouldn’t do anything just because she could, of course, but the lack of a bad conscience could be quite invigorating sometimes.
"Which would you prefer?"
Robyn felt a slight prickling in her stomach as she watched the man approaching on her. He had that creeper act down to a tee, she had to give him that unbegrudingly! What of it was façade and what was reality? Did he want to impress her, or were his intentions in this moment truly as shady as he wanted to make her believe? Robyn was no coward, but right now she wished she knew where the rest of her pack was. She’d never tell them she relied upon them in any way, but right now… she might just feel a little less uneasy. But then she gave herself a mental slap and told herself to wise up. There was nothing here she couldn’t handle. If she wasn’t confident, she would simply PLAY confident enough and let not show that his strategy was having any effect.
”Oh, is it make-a-wish day?” she asked, smiling up at him. “That comes quite unexpected of course, but I shall tell you what I’d prefer. Male harpers just rub wrong with me, too effeminate, fiddlers are nice and quick with their hands… but it’s the pipers who have the longest breath.” That was mainly her big mouth talking and though she knew how heavily suggestive her words were, she was more doing this for the sake of the words themselves than actually willing to put action behind any of her words. He might be testing her, she had no idea as she couldn’t see into his head, but if he was, she would return the favor… and see how brash she could be without him backing away.
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 27, 2012 11:35:09 GMT -5
Robyn’s ears perked up as she heard Isolde talking about a group. That was quite interesting indeed, if she was hunting alone, where had she left her group then? And what kind of group would that be? Usually people who travelled were alone, unless they shared a common purpose, like a pilgrimage or they were carneys like Robyn and the Raven Pack who practically lived like this. Isolde didn’t look much like a pilgrim, but she also didn’t have the look of a carney - as far as Robyn could tell. So, to be honest, she was quite intrigued at these words and couldn’t hold herself back for long in asking further about it. “Oh, so you’re with someone after all? Where are they now? And what kind of group is it?” There had been no hint of suspicion in her voice, just genuine and carefree curiosity. Robyn was now firmly convinced Isolde posed no threat to them and was no part of a ploy, and she hoped her trust in that would not be betrayed.
Isolde also seemed not to be a woman of very many words, which Robyn found very amiable. She was usually talking for two or three at once anyway, at least that was what her brother always said. “Have we even introduced ourselves to you?” she asked the young woman, while she grabbed one of the thick, leafy branches of the fallen tree and got ready to pull it from the ground on Raven’s command. “We’re the Raven Pack, a group of dancers, jugglers, fire breathers and actors of little plays. It’d be great if you have heard of us already, but we won’t be so vain to think you should have[/color]”, she joked, then looked again to Raven. The older man had just opened his mouth to issue the command to pull, when he was cut short by a sharp cry coming from the woods: “NOW!”
A moment later, two arrows whizzed out from the forest and hit the side of the first wagon with a dull thud. Another arrow followed soon after, missing Jerome only by a hair’s breadth. For a moment everyone seemed to shocked to move, but then Raven’s deep baritone roared up, crowding out the eerie howling and yawping that seemed to come from everywhere. “An ambush after all! Run for cover and guard the wagons!” Robyn’s eyes found Isolde’s and her brows furrowed. “Now what, heh?!”
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 21, 2012 17:17:19 GMT -5
Playing and performing in Camelot was the highest accolade any carney could think of, and Robyn was well aware of that fact. She didn’t need Raven to remind her of this and call them all and especially her to discipline. The feast where they would perform was only a few hours away, and slowly Robyn felt a little bit of stage fright creeping up on her. Not enough to be pacing the room, biting her nails, but enough to try and grab her lute again, finding the need to a bit more rehearsal. She had played the lute for as long as she could remember being able to hold one and grab all the strings with her fingers, but ever since her injury, she had needed to learn it again in a new fashion. With her little finger missing, she was missing out one possible note in every chord and had to compensate for that with quicker change of fingers.
Some songs were easier to compensate than others, and especially the quick ones, dance music and the like left her often enough with quite the predicament, endless cursing and cramping fingers. Sometimes it could even happen she forgot she had one finger less, and then suddenly a note was missing. For the new fingering to become an automatism, she’d have countless rehearsals still ahead of her.
After a while however, Robyn could feel her fingers tiring, and she knew she had to do something easier now to not exhaust her potential before it was time. Therefore, she decided to train her voice a little as well, choosing a song she might be able to sing later, in front of the crowd.
”Come ye bearer of the Rose's Cup
Favour of a Queen
Come ye bearer of the Rose's Cup
Join your voice with me
Harpers, pipers, fiddlers all
Come and gather near
Come and join the voices of
The Bards of Ealdormere…”
She had been closing her eyes for a moment, trying to emerge fully into the rhythm and the harmonies of the song, but while she was playing she thought to feel a slight draft of air coming from the door she had left ajar, and as she opened her eyes, she found herself eye in eye with a man she had never seen before. Her fingers slipping off the strings in surprise, she gave a gasp, but recovered quicker than she would have imagined, blessed be long years of training to be spontaneous! “I didn’t expect my command to be followed so swiftly. So, what are you? Harper, piper or fiddler?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 20, 2012 16:41:16 GMT -5
Ah, a woman with detectable humor, Robyn thought while a bright grin of approval settled itself on her face. Lord knew those were far and few between these days, where most women either thought themselves too high above you to take notice of your jokes or felt too miserable to even grace them with a comment other than a glance like that of a silently suffering mule… no, this turn of events was definitely refreshing. She had been going out on a limb with this careless remark about her friends, but Robyn felt genuinely rewarded by the woman’s reaction, and found herself even looking forward to testing this humor some more. Maybe the following minutes would prove to provide a few more opportunities?
So Isolde was the name of the woman with good humor… too bad almost she had to get rid of that newly installed nickname so soon after, but then a name was always better than just referring to someone as ‘the woman’ or ‘the girl’. Robyn didn’t mind Isolde staying with her conventional birthname, her other nicknames were more oftne than not used in jest anyway, even though ‘Lady Justice’ had a far more solemn story. Gripping the offered hand tight, Robyn smiled at Isolde and inclined her head. “It is a pleasure to meet you, huntress Isolde. Once again, sorry for our slightly frosty reception.”
Isolde’s offer took the Raven Pack a little by surprise, but by the looks that were exchanged you could see they were not in the least opposed to the thought. Since the question had been more or less directed at Robyn, even though holding a meaning to the whole group, they left it to Robyn to answer. She would have done so either way, being the one with the quickest tongue of the carney group by far anyway. Even if something was none of her business, Robyn usually just MADE it her business, that was common knowledge amongst them all.
“Sure, an extra pair of hands would never go amiss with that thick beast in front of us”, she said, then hopped down from the wagon and started to walk towards the log where the three men and the boy were already situating themselves.
“You’re not going to play the invalid this time?! Miracles and wonders!” Tybalt greeted Robyn, which earned him a smack on the back. “Stuff the inside jokes as long as we have company, okay?” she chided him, then turned to Isolde. “Sorry, if their words don’t make any sense to you, protest or ask me. Right now for example he was referring to this”, she explained, holding up her left hand showing only four fingers. “I couldn’t do any hard work involving my hands for quite some time, and he’ll never let me live through that I guess.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 14, 2012 11:34:53 GMT -5
Robyn knew she was maybe not an expert on judging people, but then she had lived her whole life on the street, and she thought she knew a honest face when she saw it. Well, honest in regards of not plotting your downfall behind your back anyway, and thus she was fairly sure this woman was telling the truth. Who knew, trees fell just like that, and people appeared at the same spot at the same time, coincidences were as much a part of life as fate. And then… the story the woman told was so original it could only be true. For a moment there was silence, then Tybalt was the first to break out into his usual boisterous laughter, pointing at Jerome.
”I TOLD you! I told you, you can’t sing! Now it’s damaging the poor inhabitants of this beautiful country as well, and that should make you finally reconsider! Stop tormenting our ears!”
Of course it had not only been Jerome singing, and of course they had all sung quite well, having to hold up some standard, if they usually made a living out of it, but that was just a part of continous banter between the two young men. Jerome would tease Tybalt mercilessly about his fire-breathing and every mistake he made, and in return Tybalt would let no chance pass him by to make a comment about Jerome’s voice. It didn’t take the rest of the Raven Pack long to joining in the quite liberating laughter, gladly feeling the tension of the last few moments wash away. Robyn laughed as well, but unlike the others, she did not totally blend out their unexpected guest while she did so.
”Don’t listen to them”, she remarked and made a dismissive gesture. “Jerome and Tybalt are lunatics, if you ask me.” But she said it while still having the hint of a chuckle in her voice and with her eyes gleaming fondly. Even though Jerome was not related to her by blood, she loved him like a brother still, just like she did Tybalt, her real brother. The times when she had had to be wary of Jerome wanting more of her than friendship and sisterly affection were gladly over. “I do hope you find yourself another rabbit. By the way, I’m Robyn, sometimes also called Mockingbird, or Lady Justice. Take your pick.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the Raven Pack had also recovered from laughing and Raven, Alfie, Tybalt and Jerome were moving towards the fallen log a few yards away, the latter two still bickering and exchanging playful shoves and nudges. Hopefully the log would be easy to lift by the three alone, if not, they would call for the women to help as well.
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 9, 2012 10:55:48 GMT -5
Raven at least seemed to have seen the movement as well, because he demanded Jerome and Tybalt back with a sharp call, as they had neared the log to try and put it out of the way. Gladly, they seemed to understand immediately and instead began to take position on either side of the wagons, letting their attentive gazes wander over the woods on one side and the vast meadow on the other. Even Aflie, a lanky lad of almost fourteen now, joined them against the restraining hand of his mother. Robyn’s hand had found the staff now and she put it across her knees, ready to use should someone try to attack her wagon. There were little values inside her own, but they still had some precious goods with them, mostly consisting of their stage props and costumes. If someone were to steal or destroy them, they would be definitely far worse off.
A tense moment passed, in which a figure slowly emerged from the woods, a woman, but clad in trousers. That usually meant trouble. No respectable woman, if she wasn’t acting on stage as a man – which was scandalous enough in the eyes of many – would walk around like that. That meant she must be part of an environment that wouldn’t look upon these things as odd or reprobate… which often enough made this group of people reprobates themselves. The Raven Pack was only too aware of such things, as they had to live by them every day, and were often counted amongst those kinds, and so for Robyn it wasn’t much of a surprise to see Jerome’s eyes narrow as he stood close to her, another staff ready in hand.
Then the woman spoke and excused her appearance and her way of approaching.
"Do not be alarmed. I'm not ambushing you," "I was just hunting."
Robyn bit her lips. Maybe she had been hunting. But then where was her game? And she could also been lying, and try to distract them. Robbers often worked like that, sending someone, the most inconspicuous in appearance often which well could be a woman or a little boy, forward to distract their target and lure it into a false sense of security, and then they striked. “So you say”, Robyn called out, beating Raven to the punch which earned her an irritated glance. “But you could also just meant to distract us so we trust you and lower our weapons. And then your little friends come and finish us off.” Now Raven chimed in, sounding a little less offensive and more collected. Forgive us our misgivings, but it wouldn’t be the first time.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on May 9, 2012 7:04:10 GMT -5
Ugh, curse her stupid heart! Now she had maneuvered herself into a blind alley she wasn’t about to get out of easily. The only way out led past Gwaine… and he surely would take full advantage of that fact. They had been talking about future and bets and all those things, but somehow Robyn couldn’t help but think their banter had taken on a much much more imminent note by now. As if they were not talking about what ifs but only waiting for someone to severe the wager from the bet and make it the sole cause of their encounter. But whoever the one would be making this first, deciding step, Robyn was still adamant it would not be her. However, if HE chose to do it, would she be able to resist for long? Maybe it was time she stopped this… returned to the Raven Pack and drew a line under this conversation. But that of course would be rather… unsatisfactory in its own way. There was a serious downside in doing such talk… it made the cravings for action rather imminent, especially if it was with a man such as Gwaine, surely not bad to look at and by the way he held himself quite experienced.
And because he was that way, she doubted also that she WOULD be disappointed, come time and opportunity, which only made it worse in a way. “Well, if I should be, I’ll take my sweet revenge”, she retorted with a confident smile, hiding her confusion as best as she could.
Raising her brow challengingly, Robyn leaned back in her chair, a fine smile playing around her lips. For a moment, she felt confident again she would not give into him so readily after all, wherever that sudden boost of self-discipline had come from. Maybe it was his obvious suggestion that she would be the one enhancing his fame, which she had no intention of doing. She had only spoken in a general sense, believing that someone somewhere might do it.
“You really think me so predictable?” she challenged him, grinning. “I doubt there will be a play of the Raven Pack about you anytime soon, and otherwise… I’m not exactly planning to make this conversation public.”
The next round of their little battle of wills and wits was on now though, and it didn’t get any easier. They had both raised the stakes to impossible heights and every jump higher could be their immediate undoing. It was good she was so versed to walk on unsteady ground, or else she would have long since chickened out. This was a trap, this question he asked, but she had no intention of falling into it. Not as long as she could help it!
She leaned back as well, and as such broke their immediate contact. It was easier than she had feared it would be, which was a good sign. Maybe she wasn’t as much of a goner yet? “Do you now, really?”, she asked in feign innocence. “Hmm… let me see. Your nose is a bit big in that face, though. But all in all… acceptable, in any way.” |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Apr 30, 2012 17:27:34 GMT -5
Travelling and working was always so much more fun with music, that was what the Raven Pack all agreed on. And since they were more or less a merry lot and had a great repertoire of songs to boot, usually there was seldom an hour quiet in their travels. As the four wagons one after the other trundled along the dusty road on a nice afternoon in midsummer, just on the brink of a woodland in the kingdom of Cantia, it didn’t take them long to fill the peaceful quiet air with their laughter and singing. Jerome, who steered the second wagon, was always the one to intone the most scandalous songs, and this time when his voice rang out, there was a huge erruption of laughter that nearly drown out his rich bariton voice.
”On yonder hill there stands a creature,
Who she is I do not know
I will court her for her beauty,
She must answer yes or no.”
And of course, the three women of the Raven Pack, Madla, Raven’s wife, Tessa and Robyn, provided the answer for the quite bold lad who wished to win over that certain lady: “Oh no John, No John, No John, No!” By no way discouraged Jerome-John carried on singing, backed up by Tybalt and Raven, and even little Alfie who knew the song but certainly did not quite yet understand its full meaning and the many insinuations in it. Every verse was accompanied by boisterous laughter, since Jerome had a knack to fill the words with amazing life, so you could almost see the scene in front of your inner eye.
Then came the moment for the ‘lady-verse’ which was sung by Robyn alone. Adopting a feign naïve and innocent voice, she sang:
”My husband was a Spanish captain,
Went to sea a month ago
The very last time we kissed and parted,
Bid me always answer no.”
For the repeated chorus line, the other women stepped in: “Oh no John, No John, No John, No!”
But certainly, as such stories went, the lady only could protest for so long, and in the end, she of course gave in to the man’s advances, which was once again accompanied by nearly unintellegible words through laughter, especially when Jerome sang about his hand ‘slipping a little farther’. The final verse was sung by the whole group together, some more loud than melodious, but all showed just how much fun they were having.
”My love and I went to bed together,
There we lay till cocks did crow;
Unclose your arms my dearest jewel,
Unclose your arms and let me go
Oh no John, No John, No John, No!”
Suddenly, just as the last ‘no’ had been rather shouted than sung, Raven’s voice at the head of their wagon convoy rang out with a sharp: “HOLD!” Craning her neck, Robyn tried to see past the second and first wagon to find out what was the problem. They had just rounded a slender curve of the road and were now facing a trunk that had fallen over the path, blocking it for the wagons – or it had been put there. Immediately, the merry air of the moment was replaced by one of anxiety as the Raven Pack pulled on the reins and let their gazes flicker around their immediate surroundings. This could be nothing but an accident… but it also could be an ambush! Had they been too reckless? Robyn thought to see a movement to the right and her hand darted down towards her feet, where a wooden staff was hidden, ready for defense if need be.
If you want to listen to the song: here!
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If so I apologize for mixing you up!
