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Post by Robyn Lester on Apr 26, 2012 6:10:35 GMT -5
Robyn knew that sometimes men were seriously put off and irritated by her direct ways, but she hoped that Torrin would not belong to that category. She had lived her whole life on the road, amongst sometimes the lowest of creatures, and that didn’t exactly preserve a dainty and reserved character. Add that to her usual boldness and it was a true miracle she still was able to play upon some subtleties every once in a while. That might be due to her being a carney though, she was used to take up different roles. But all in all, life was there for the taking, and if someone had had a zest for life in general, it would be Robyn. Living like she did, was never thinking about the next day, because your life was ever changing. Planning never worked for jugglers, they could be betrayed and cast out in the blink of an eye, so why waste too much time with pondering? If someone couldn’t deal with that attitude, then he or she would either have to adapt or forget it.
His remarks now came with distinctive delay now, and Robyn realized he was slowly reaching his limits. That amused her not just little, and made her feel even more smug than she already was. It didn’t exactly diminish her self-esteem either, but then he still had a few things on her. Physicality for one, she might be good with words, but she had much difficulty to stay on top of a situation when some distinctive buttons were pushed.
Flashing him an enigmatic smile, she remarked: “Yes that makes sense… I wouldn’t have taken you for someone so easily trustful. Let’s hope I shall pass the test.”
The hand retreated again, leaving her skin tingling and screaming for more. Oh, he was good at this, no doubt at all! He knew how to play someone, and play him good! While she might be scoring point after point in their witty banter, he was clearly the leading part concerning the next step. Was that just… or was it just annoying? Robyn clearly couldn’t decide, she just knew that she didn’t want him to stop right now. When he pulled her close, she smiled a lazy smile and deeply inhaled his scent, letting herself get drugged by it.
“A pity… Well, since you are the one of us familiar with this place, I’d suggest you find us somewhere… secretive?” she whispered, just a hair’s breadth away from his lips. |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Apr 10, 2012 15:51:23 GMT -5
His obvious awkwardness made Robyn wonder how many people daily would be apologizing to him for something they did. She wasn’t used to the world of kings and princes, and had never been anyone’s servant to really talk from experience in this aspect, but they had staged enough plays were kings and other nobles had to be constantly humored with exaggerated apologies. There was one particularly biting play, where in the end the most loyal servant of a moody king was dying because had to apologize even for breathing in his master’s present. Of course, these were exaggerations to make the crowd laugh, but there was a true core to every story. So why was he being so awkward about this? Was it because she had meant it? Then again, what was it to her? The apology was accepted, that was all she really should care about. She didn’t need a deeper view into his psyche. Merely inclining her head with another smile, Robyn intended to close that uncomfortable chapter once and for all. Now they could behave like civilized people.
He then said it was a pleasure to meet her, a little often-used phrase that surely didn’t quite fit into the weird history they already shared, but Robyn was in no mood to split hairs now. Instead she said: “Well, the pleasure is mine, now surely more than ever.” Now, as she had come to know him for a different man, this sentence wasn’t a lie nor an empty phrase. Robyn could be bluntly honest if she wanted to be, and now seemed to be such a moment. She just hoped he would take it as another peace offering and a new start, and not take offense. She was surely not going to treat him like a prince now, even though she of course would not quite speak to him like she would for example speak with her brother.
”I am an entertainer so to speak, yes!” she readily explained. “Juggler, carney, call it what you like. The Raven Pack is known for staging little plays or pleasing the crowd with other talents, like rope-dancing, breathing fire, juggling of course and”, she had to grin as it was something many people thought as nothing but supersition or viewed with wary eyes because they suspected sorcery, “…reading fortune out of someone’s palm. But that’s just a sidenote most of the time, we’re no charlatans.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 31, 2012 14:28:51 GMT -5
Robyn waited with her heart in her mouth for a reaction, any reaction at all. It might have been a very foolish thing for her to act without even knowing who she was facing. This man was confident enough to give orders and expect others to obey them at once, so he was definitely more than just a knight. He could not be king though, since Robyn had heard of the old king of Sorelia, and this man was young. Though, he was old enough to be his son. Yes, that would make sense… and she was an even greater fool now, she realized. She had crossed the figurative swords now with a man that was not only ruthless but had enough power not to account for but a few of his actions and she expected to come out of this alive? Once again, Robyn had acted before she had had time to think… and she could only wonder how it would end this time.When he asked for the children to be fetched, she did not dare to hope she would have won so easily. Were a few well-placed words really enough?! Could she be so lucky indeed? But a shale aftertaste remained, and the more Robyn thought about it, the surer she was the worst was just yet to come. She just didn’t know yet which shape it would take, and she had no idea how to brace herself.
The mass of the Raven Pack behind her, the whole purpose of them coming here, seemed to be forgotten, the world had narrowed down to her and this man, standing alone in a figurative arena, ready for the next round of their fight. Once again Robyn could feel her heart in her mouth as she watched the children being pushed through the all-too-readily yielding crowd, some eagerly craning their necks to not miss the slightest moment of this strange performance, some clearly showing they would like to be elsewhere at the moment, but fearing that if they moved they would draw attention to themselves. And she was in the midst of it all,Robyn thought. Just great… but then there was the wellbeing of children involved, she could not back down now, whatever was to come. She had not been prepared though to be grabbed by the hand and had to bite back a gasp as her left hand was being showed to them all, clearly revealing her missing little finger. What was this man getting at? Did he try to label her a perpetrator from the start? But she was not ashamed of this blemish, oh no! The people here could very well see that she had defied authority before, as she knew to what end it had been.
Still, she couldn’t help but oddly feel like her history was repeating itself in the most distorted way, and that feeling only intensified, when she followed the next words of the man’s excellent and captivated speech. He really was a born juggler… just one, as she realized, without an ounce of humor.
"Pick a child to have a finger from each hand removed, as you have from one." "So that every time he looks at either hand, he will remember your face. And remember what your outspokenness has done to him."
It was like being kicked in the stomach, and for a moment Robyn’s vision blurred and she had to worry about getting sick on the spot. No… while her ears had already processed what she just had heard, her mind just could not do it. He could not mean that! He COULD not! This was madness, it was the greatest injustice Robyn had ever come across, and she could not believe he would get away with it. Only that it seemed like he would. Oh, he had laid the perfect trap out for her, and she had been blindly walking into it!
“No…!” at first it was more a croak than a defiant cry, but after a moment she found her voice again, her eyes still switching between the man’s deadpan face and the wide scary eyes of the two boys. Their expression slashed at her heart and she felt even weaker in the knees. She could not do this… she could not be responsible for causing a child so much unbearable pain. Right here, in this moment, she knew she could not live with that guilt on her conscience. Not for one day. And not only because she knew exactly how excruciating and shocking the pain would be. “NO! You devil!” This time her voice was louder, but it was still more desperate than demanding. “Don’t do this! Punish me if you must, but don’t let THEM suffer!”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 29, 2012 7:20:12 GMT -5
The more Robyn calmed down again, the more surprised she got by the actual outcome the things were taking here. Sometimes at night, when she had too much time to think and couldn't distract herself with other things, her pride in her injury had seriously diminished, leaving a certain anger and need for revenge behind. Especially in the beginning, when the pain had still been prominent, she had amused herself with the thought of what she would do or say to King Brychan and everyone who had been only lightly involved in that matter, if she would ever cross paths with them again. Her initial anger at Prince Celyn had been borne out of these feelings and memories of sleepless nights, when the dull ache in her left hand would drive her crazy. But now he was showing himself to be a different man than what she had made him out to be, and if her strive for justice meant anything to Robyn at all and was not just lip service, she knew she had to change her behavior accordingly. This man did not deserve her hatred, as he had shown himself to be just. What had been done and not done was past now, not even a Prince of Sugales could change that fact.
Robyn couldn't help one of her eyebrows darting up quickly in genuine surprise as she heard his next words. He was not only accepting her forgiveness, he had called himself a 'man', not a 'prince' in this matter. He apparently could seperate between his character and his title, which she had found not many people of noble heritage were even willing to. There was no need or justification for anger now anymore, and suddenly, Robyn felt her lips curving up into another smile, even more heartfelt this time. „Well, then it is surely justified that I ask for your forgiveness for my harsh words as well, Prince Celyn“, she offered. Yes, in Robyn's eyes that was nothing but just. She had wronged him as well, calling him names he didn't deserve and making him out to be worse than he actually was. An apology always had to work both ways. Suddenly the day seemed to look brighter to Robyn again, the merriment of before having returned into her heart. It was as if the last words of a long-unfinished play had been written down, so you could finally get it off your mind. And what a heavy burden it had been!
„By the way – I am Robyn“[/color], she added impulsively, not even sure why she did it. He surely would not be any better off with her name and would forget it the next minute. But this was just another step to her peace offering it seemed. |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 29, 2012 6:53:49 GMT -5
Robyn didn't need the tightening grip of Tybalt around her arm and the low hiss of Molly behind her to know that this smacked of a trap. After what she just had seen, she had not expected the man to take her words to lightly, and if he did, there had to be something hidden behind his interest. He was basically dangling a bait before her very nose and waited for her to snatch it... speak her mind. She knew she could not do it. But she also knew she could not stay silent. Not for long. Suddenly there was an annoying itch and a dull throbbing in the stump of her left little finger – or rather, at the place a few centimeters above the stump, where her finger once had BEEN. Phantom pain. It drove her crazy sometimes and there was no question why it occurred now. It was a reminder and a warning. Last time she had openly defied a nobleman, asking for justice on a little boy's behalf, it had cost her this same finger. This time it could cost her more than that, a whole limb maybe, her tongue, her life. And she would endanger the life of the whole Raven Pack as well... unless... she managed to keep them out of it all.
Making a clear point, Robyn gently but decisively pulled her arm out of Tybalt's restraining hand and took a step forward, away from her family and friends, towards the cruel stranger. This is about me, not you, her gesture said. Don't get involved, for my sake. Then she took a deep breath and racked her brain how to best say what she had to say without endangering her life all too much, but still getting her point across. She didn't dare to think this man had an ounce of humor left in his body, but she could still try that approach firstt.
„Well, look at what you did“, she started, making an encircling motion with her arm. „You gathered a crowd with just a few simple words. You said your piece and adopted the role of ruthless villain perfectly. You even had 'volunteers'“ The way she emphasized the last word made clear she did not believe one second in them being here on their own accord and how despicable she found the whole 'show', but she quickly caught herself. „Then you brought on the climax, the last sensational bang with taking your volunteers away so the crowd was being kept guessing on their fate. And then: your dramatical exit.“ Robyn looked at the man once more, nodding as if giving her final agreement on something. „You, Mylord, are a born juggler.“ |
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 26, 2012 10:22:00 GMT -5
Oh she should have guessed he would once again meet her tit for tat! It could have been infuriating, hadn’t it been so pleasing at the same time. Truly pleasing. Robyn knew she hadn’t had so much fun in a very long time, and that was saying something for her, the carefree juggler! Sometimes life worked in peculiar ways, an hour before she hadn’t had anything on her mind but the oncoming performance tonight and the personal training she had put on herself, and now look what she was up to! Her only concern now was that someone she knew, a member of the Pack, might find her here and spoil all the fun. It was not like it was any of their business what she did or did not, but Tybalt at least was her brother, and sometimes was infuriatingly watchful. Jerome would try to interrupt for other reasons, and she liked that even less. Even though he had been trying for years, all in good humor, she would not start anything with him, because he was a member of the Pack. That was one of the very few principles she had, as such things were just bound to cause trouble should the affair or relationship break. But for now no one was looking for her, and she intended to exploit that fact.
What did she have to show him? Well, now that was an easy question to answer!
“That depends on your spirit of enterprise, dear Tor”, she said with a smirk. “But if you take a fancy to the exterior already, I can promise you there’s much more below the surface.” That might be a little cocky, but then Robyn didn’t like to play coy very much. You didn’t get far with that in the life she led.
Tor was trying very hard to remain afloat in this situation, but Robyn was struggling with exactly the same problem and she had an even harder time with it in her eyes. The moment Tor’s fingers grazed the sensitive skin of her stomach, she felt something explode inside her and suddenly she was reduced to mere feeling and sensation. She hardly could process his words and was even less able to collect a few sensible words in her mind and voice them in response. Good grief, what was he doing to her?! Even though she was already dizzy from lack of air, she sucked in an even deeper breath to allow his hands to venture up further. Not long and she either would faint or they had to get rid of her costume, preferably without destroying it though. She didn’t have that many costumes to speak of.
“Only acceptable, huh?” she got out, using up even more of her air supply. “Any idea how to make this… MORE acceptable, then?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 25, 2012 15:32:16 GMT -5
Gwaine was just climbing up to a new level of self-assuredness and arrogance when he told her quite bluntly that he didn’t think there was someone more handsome than him in the whole wide world. Robyn couldn’t quite suppress a snort at this outrageous comment, and shook her head. Only for that she’d like to prove him wrong! Only to see his face when she told him he had lost in her eyes. The problem was that wager-wise it wouldn’t make much of a difference, since they had more or less agreed on the same thing. And then she needn’t forget that this was all nothing but a game anyway. Even if she one day got to see Prince Arthur face to face, there was no telling if she ever would see Gwaine again, and it wasn’t very likely. During their banter, they had both lost touch to reality it seemed, and somehow had replaced a mere possibility with a likely future. Or had that just been her fault? Robyn realized she was even more confused than ever before, and she didn’t like that feeling at all. It was enough that she now started to see more in Gwaine than he probably deserved, and she didn’t want to be confused on top of that! So when he promised her he would think of something, she only smirked and nodded. “Looking forward to it.” She might be a good actor, able to hide a certain amount of confusion and other feelings from a keen eye, but she could not hold a long sermon that way, not without being firmly established in the role she was trying to play here, the girl that was on top of this situation. And she wasn’t firmly established, not yet, and the chances became slimmer and slimmer with every point Gwaine scored on her.
There was another point he had laid out in front of her like a bait, waiting to be swallowed by her to turn into another score for him. “What do you think I am?” … Oh he was a sly one, was he not? Of course she had known that before, but he just gave her another perfect example. Without swallowing her own bait, he lay out one for her, trying to get her in the tight spot where she would try to estimate him and probably fail. Then he would regain his superior air again and the little game was probably lost for her. But what if she did not swallow the bait, as she had no intention to? How could she refuse though to say anything? It was really a quite complicated matter. “Well, for one, you are incredibly sure of yourself, and I wonder where that comes from”, she began, deciding to not give him some tagline right away. “You’re a vagabond and a charmer, and you live life to the fullest wherever you can reach it. All that leaves only one conclusion for me”, now Robyn leant forward, lowering her voice. “You are… an original piece. I don’t think there’s a better word for it. Just you wait, maybe ina few years time there will be only one tag to combine everything I called you out on whenever it is found in other people: ‘you’re acting like a ‘Gwaine’”
She should have guessed she would not score the last point in this game, since Gwaine was always one step ahead of her, it seemed. His point was valid, yes, she was still fiddling with his fingers, but she also wouldn’t do him the favor of retracting her hand now quickly, that would be like the admission of guilt, and she wasn’t guilty of anything. Instead, she smirked at him and looked him up and down for a moment, as just the right comment came into her head. Sometimes she really could be grateful for all the training Raven put her and the others through, concerning spontaneous witty reactions to things the crowd might throw at them.
“Your hand…?” she asked and let her gaze linger on his whole frame a little bit longer, “no, I don’t think so.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 21, 2012 17:39:08 GMT -5
At last the crowd was shifting, so Robyn could get a better view on the scene, to estimate what was happening and who it might be who caused people to retreat almost fearfully. But she almost wished she had not been given the chance to see. First she saw only this one man, who held himself in a very strong and almost threatening posture as he crossed the courtyard and made a little stop righr in the middle. There were four men with weapons as well, knights or men-at-arms she presumed, but then her gaze fell on the horses – and who had been tied up behind the horses. Two boys, looking miserable, exhausted and frightened. Robyn took in a sharp breath and suddenly felt her brother’s hand tightening around her ellbow, which told her that he had sensed she was about to dash forward before she even had consciously decided on it. So THAT was what she had felt was wrong. There could be nothing MORE wrong than treating children in such a disgusting way. And for what?!
"Let this serve as yet another lesson, that paying taxes is compulsory. If you do not pay, then you will be punished."
So this was what this was all about?! TAXES??!! Had this… monster, whoever he was, simply taken the children from their parents, because they had not been able to pay?! How barbaric was that, please?! Robyn’s chest started heaving with the effort of just standing there, doing nothing. Everything in her screamed to push through the crowd and defend these two innocent and scared boys. But Tybal’t restraining hand reminded her that it would not be any good. She didn’t shake his hand off, though, as she was glad for it, she feared if she was not held back, she would do something very foolish. But whoever this man was, he obviously had the power to do such a thing without fearing reproach, even though he surely did not have the RIGHT to do it. No one had the right to take something out on children! They were the least responsible for their parents not be able to pay taxes! Oh how they would be worried sick about them already!
"Take them to the stocks,"
Robyn’s stomach gave a lurch and this time Tybalt had to jerk her back forcefully, hissing: “ROBYN!!!” to wake her from the blind anger she was working herself up to. Whenever the wellbeing of children was concerned, the young women knew no limits. She would have attacked the vile man with her mere hands given half the chance, and she would have probably be killed on the spot. That would not save these children and it also would cause great grief for the rest of the Raven Pack. But, oh how she wished she could do something!
Grinding her teeth and breathing hard, she watched the children being taken away. The crowd slowly dispersed, probably afraid of being picked on next – and then Robyn saw the man walking towards them, addressing them and asking very sharply about their business.
Before Raven could step forward and declare their intentions like he ought to as their unelected leader, Robyn spoke up. She could not have stayed silent if her life depended upon it! At least she had enough sense left to not call the man out on what he had done openly, demanding the release of the children, or anything similarly silly, but her voice didn’t hide much of her contempt as she said:
”We’re the the Raven Pack, hired for the entertainment. But it seems you already have that part covered pretty well!”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 17, 2012 13:32:40 GMT -5
It was all Robyn could do to tell herself this journey had not been a wasted one. After all, they had been hired to perform in a palace, however far off their usual beaten track it was, so if they didn't mess up they would emerge from it with a full belly and another high person to recommend them at least. Maybe they would even get a fair amount of solid money out of it, who knew after all?! But however much Robyn tried to participate in the good mood the rest of the Raven Pack was showing all too openly, she could not help but fearing something was off. She couldn't even call it a hunch, it wasn't something consistent as a real feeling, it might only be comparable to a wisp of wind, and frankly. Robyn wouldn't have anything against being proven wrong. Only that she feared she might not.
Maybe it was only the whipping wind in the courtyard of this castle, where they had been told to wait for someone to introduce them to the surroundings and explain details about the feast they were going to be a part of. It wasn't unsual for the Raven Pack to be kept waiting like that, but it only added to Robyn's irritation. Tybalt, her elder brother, saw her brown and leaned over, nudging her lightly. „What's got the mockingbird upset, chirp-chirp?“ he teased with a little chuckle. Of course, there was nigh to nothing Robyn could hide from her brother's attentive senses, and she hated and loved him for it alike. „Something's rotten in this state“, she loosely cited on of their plays, letting her gaze wander over the bustling courtyard, that was thriving with last minute feast preparations.
Her eyes tried to make sense of this chaos, until she noted a little commotion in the midst of it. It seemed like a few of the hurrying servants tried to make way for someone who had been joining them and was on his way to cross the courtyard. It wasn't so much the respectful stepping-aside of a few servants to make way for some renowned higher-born, it more reminded Robyn of the flustered and overhasty dashing away of hens from a fox. Curiously, Robyn craned her neck and raised herself on her tiptoes to see who might be the cause of such a tizzy.
Tag: Vortigern
Timeline: during s3/24 gap (if that's okay xD)
Time of Day: early afternoon
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 16, 2012 15:12:20 GMT -5
Now she had driven herself in that corner alright, Robyn thought gloomily as she saw the smirk appear on Gwaine’s face. Of course he would take up the challenge of the five things, and that left her to think them up. Would lying be of any use? She could try of course, but then lying was hardly just. How could she deserve the nickname Lady Justice if she now started to extricate herself from situations through lies? Righteousness had its clear downsides apparently.
”Well, would I be doing this if I didn’t think I could win?” she showed a bit of fighting spirit, grinning, even though her thoughts were still racing inwardly. It shouldn’t be so hard to think of five suggestions, things she wanted him to do should he lose the bet. There were a few harmless things, but there were also a few not so harmless things on her mind, and Robyn was sure these would be the things he’s be interested in most. “Well, the most harmless of them all would be you admitting I’ve been right and that there is someone more handsome than you.” Robyn, began, smirking. There was nothing wrong with keeping the suspense a bit, since it also gave her a little more time to think. “But it would be boring to give away all my game at once, wouldn’t it? All I will say is that the next four include me, you , a room and a little time to spare… the rest is for me to know and for you to dot-dot-dot!” There, that was as far as she would go. There was no use in spelling it out for him, right, she had been blunt enough already and probably his mind would run wild now. Just like hers was, to be honest… goodness, this was going at a fast pace indeed!
No, of course he had never said he was nice, even though he was far from being rude. He was just… she guessed he was just himself. Knowing what to say at the exactly right moment and how to get her best. Robyn was all but sure by now Gwaine had quite figured her out, and she was not sure what to think of that. It was long since she had last been played so well at her very own game, and she had enjoyed herself up until the very moment it all started to slip through her fingers, which now it was. Her heart had been going out to him, and had not been received yet, probably also would not be, and this situation made her quite vulnerable. Before, her heart had not been into this, and so she had been safe, even if he rejected her, it had all but been a game. Now she feared it would become more than that, with her the only one wanting that. She would have to be careful to not let it show, as she didn’t want Gwaine’s pity, which was sure to follow any revellation.
“But you haven’t shown yourself to be particularly vile, either!” she commented, taking a sip of her own mug. The ale had made her bold before, maybe it would help her through this. “So, what are you I wonder? A nice guy beneath a rougher shell, or a bad boy, waiting to be reformed?”
“You forget Robyn, your hand is on mine, not the other way around.”
Hmm… he was certainly right about that, wasn’t he? But she didn’t retract her hand as if she had been burned, showing any sign of guilt, but kept on playing with his fingers. It didn’t feel bad after all.
“And who was it that touched my chin first?” she asked, feigning innocence. “I do recall it was not me, correct me if I’m wrong.” He had been the one doing the first touch, yes, and she would not yield on that subject. Now who couldn’t hold himself back, eh? Or had it been wrong to point that one out? What if Gwaine was a sore loser? Well, if he was, then he was not worth spending any more time on, that much was for sure!
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Post by Robyn Lester on Mar 10, 2012 17:11:54 GMT -5
[/img][/center] 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.
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 25, 2012 11:00:49 GMT -5
 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?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 23, 2012 15:57:37 GMT -5
Suggestions?! Suggestions as to what?! For a moment Robyn was clearly confused. It didn’t really help in trying to outwit him when he was always being so cryptical. They had been talking about leaving him hanging from the figurative rope because of - - there it was! Robyn inwardly shook her head at her slowness, but then again they had been straying so far from the original topic one could hardly blame her. This all had started with a bet, whether Gwaine or Prince Arthur was the one more handsome, and he had left it to her to think of a wager in case she won. Goodness, sometimes flirting could be truly mind-wrenching, and especially if your counterpart was as witty as Gwaine. Someone else might have not been able or even willing to keep this going for so long, and thus she would have either long since won, or would be talking to someone else. Gwaine was quite insistent, and in a way Robyn quite liked that. ”You will see soon enough, as I might yet win”, she teased him with a cheeky grin. “But maybe I could give a little teaser as to what would be my top five of suggestions?” This was hardly to be called subtle, but then they were slowly leaving the subtle parts behind anyway. It also gave her the feeling that she was still in charge, and she would hate to lose that feeling.
She was definitely no longer in charge with the new turnout of this coversation though, Robyn realized with an inward sigh as she fought down a pleasant shudder. If it wouldn’t have been dangerous to say something like that – and cheesy and unworthy of a girl like her – Robyn might have called Gwaine’s hands well-nigh magical. It didn’t happen often that Robyn allowed herself being touched by a mere stranger – Gwaine was nothing but that, even though it had long since ceased to feel that way – and it was even rarer it made her feel so… helpless and good at the same time. Helpless because she literally felt her brain stopping to work and reducing her to mere skin and sensation. Great. But then it also felt good, and that was probably the worst of it. How was that fair please, that the mere touch of a man could reduce her to this?! Couldn’t her wit and her experience get her out of this unscathed?! Well, there was surely no harm in trying!
”Oh, so I need your permission, is that it?” Robyn murmured. “That’s not very nice, don’t you think?”
Gah, that was bad! That was even worse than bad! What had happened to Mockingbird? Could a simple caress and a smile clip her wings or seal off her beak? No, that couldn’t be, that was well-nigh ridiculous! Maybe she should try again? But with what?
Almost without her doing and completely surprising for herself, she found her fingers suddenly playing with his as they lay on the table. Oh dear goodness, what was THAT about? Now she needed to think of a phrase to match her disturbing actions. How about…
”You think you’re the only one able to pull that stunt? Don’t be too sure of it, dear Gwaine.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 21, 2012 12:17:28 GMT -5
Whatever hopeless romantics say, life on the street isn’t all fame and adventure. There were some dear downsides to it all as well, and they always reached their lowest when it rained. There was nothing to say against a mild spring rain or a refreshing thunderstorm that swept away the summer’s heat, but there were some weeks when it felt like the world was slowly drowning in downpouring rain, when everything stayed damp, wet and cold and everyone wished for a good roof over their head.
Such were the worst times for carneys and Robyn had the feeling that they were only on the beginning of such a period now, after it had rained for almost two days now and there seemed no end in sight. The Raven Pack had hoped to bridge a slight gap of little engagements by travelling the midlands and touring from village to village, but there was no room for spontaneous feasts and plays in this neverending rain, as little people wanted to peek outside, not even for jugglers.
In consequence, the Raven Pack quickly ran out of their sparse resources and the bad weather pulled down everyone’s mood even further. Most of them had to steer their wagons and the coach box wasn’t the most sheltered place to be. Furthermore, the roads slowly resembled more mud pits than anything, and the wheels got so often stuck that Tybalt and Jerome, the strongest men of the Pack were constantly out in the pouring rain, walking beside the wagons in case a wheel got stuck again. Robyn was one of the few trying to uphold the good mood amongst her family and friends and entertained them with silly verses about the weather, their current state of absolute drenched-ness and other things that just came to mind at that very moment. Sometimes she was given the odd and mad eye, but every so often, she managed to get a laugh from their lips, which was more worth than gold.
Night was falling incredibly fast today and the darker it got, the more even the wind increased as well, whipping the rain into their faces. This was truly no time to be outside, but they had no idea how far it would be until the next village, as they were somewhere in Cantia, in a forest.
“We’re making camp!” Raven finally decided, shouting the order against the rain and the wind. With some difficulty and much cursing coming especially from the men, the Raven Pack steered the wagons on a little clearing and brought them so close together they were like a fortress to the outside. Then Molly had the fantastic idea to use one of their large leather canvases they used for some plays as a rain- and windshield, securing its ends on the wagon roofs with stones. It was a messy and tiring affair, but once it was done, they were half way sheltered and could even think about starting a fire. Things were definitely looking up, even though they would only have a scraggy meal out of their last resources.
While a so far only small fire was warming her soaked back, Robyn peeked out into the darkness beyond the wagons out of a detached interest, as she was wringing out her hair. Soon she would have to change clothes, as the tunic and trousers were sticking to her body quite scandalously, But then, she was amongst family and she first wanted to dry them a little with her body heat. Then however, she thought to see a figure coming down the road they had just left. Or was it a trick of her eyes?
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 14, 2012 12:59:58 GMT -5
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?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 8, 2012 19:29:18 GMT -5
Ahhh, now she had him right were she wanted him... right? It was in her hands now, the figurative hanging from a rope. Of course she did not have any intentions to keep Gwaine hanging for any amount of time, but he didn’t need to know that, now did he? That was what gave you the upper hand with men… not that Robyn usually desired to have that. She was more for a mutual respect and wit basis, something that made you appreciate the company you were in without either feeling like he was the lower part of the system. That wasn’t easy to achieve sometimes, and Robyn rather liked the feeling of having something like the upper hand for once in a little while.
”That depends not only on me, I should say”, she stated with a suggestive wink. “If you can convince me not to, then I see no reason why I even should.”
How good it was to be talking to someone of her own mindset once in a while! Of course, there was the pack and her brother and all, but those were people she talked to every day, and usually when she spoke to strangers, she always kept a little reserved, and surely kept her opinions about nobility to herself. People might think in similar ways, but they were not free like she was, they were fearing repercussions. Gwaine was like her in so many ways… it was almost unfair. Unfair because Robyn didn’t feel like her overflowing feelings were reciprocated in the slightest, and she knew she had to adjust to that. Gwaine wanted to flirt, nothing more, and before this starteed to get too serious, she should very well do the same. The ale helped with that, surely, as Robyn started to get more devil-may-care by the second.
Dear oh dear… they were slowly reaching the touching stage now. Not that she had anything against that, of course. It was only her chin after all, and a rather affectionate movement as well, so Robyn was not in any mood to draw back or object. Without hesitation, she held his gaze, not feeling like she should hide anything or play coy. That was simply not in her nature, she only used it as an effect sometimes, but rather rarely.
”Well, I’m really not so much one for rules, you know”, she stated with a lazy grin. “So exception is fine with me. Would that be so bad, I ask you?” She just dealt with words every day, so she knew how empty and illusionary they were for the most part. Maybe that was the reason she was not easily ensnared by phrases, rather by deeds. Like this finger on her chin… that was doing the trick more than all of his previous words had. In that aspect, they probably were very different indeed.
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Post by Robyn Lester on Feb 8, 2012 16:21:22 GMT -5
Robyn wanted so bad to be understood with this, but she couldn’t even tell why. Why was it so important to her to have a stuck-up prince agree to her view of the world?! Maybe it wasn’t even him… maybe it was just trying to finally get to terms with the whole situation. But then again, maybe it was him… goodness gracious, could you be confused by your own thoughts? Whoever had written the script to this meeting must be seriously twisted. It was unrealistic as hell to have these two of all people meet in such circumstances to begin with, and now they were talking about principles? Every good carney who had his pride would have dismissed this story as earning nothing but rotten cabbage. And yet here they were. Such was life.
And now he even apologized… again, if you counted that previous apology, but even more so now after they had all but shouted unpleasantries at each other, called each other liars and whatnot. Really, this day turned out to be quite fascinating indeed. What could possibly come next? Robyn thought that now she could safely say she had seen it all: A prince had just apologized for his and his father’s wrongdoings. Stage-ready it was, truly!
”Well, truth be told this is more than I ever thought to get out of this conversation”, Robyn admitted flat out, smiling. “So, of course your apology is accepted, Sire. Then again… does it really mean something to a prince when a juggler accepts his apology?”
The question had been asked out of truthful curiosity, not to spite. The least thing Robyn wanted was to provoke another argument. But if she wanted to avoid clashes with nobility from here on, she would have to know a little more how they thought, before it cost her another limb. Maybe Prince Celyn could teach her such, but then that of course depended on whether he felt inclined to or not. Darn inequality of conversation partners… You really had to think around seven corners if you ever wanted to reach a state that made sense and didn’t hurt any superior feelings!
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Post by Robyn Lester on Jan 31, 2012 18:43:02 GMT -5
Prince Celyn didn’t have much to counter her fierce statement with, and for a moment Robyn felt exhilarated by triumph! She had shown him! Take that you son of treacherous, pompous vermin! She was right in this and he knew it! Else he would have countered her arguments tit for tat! Or did he think himself too high above such a discussion? Then again, in the beginning he had all but blurted out that he didn’t like what his father had done. What had become of that now? Was it only her resistance that kept him going against her so fiercely? But then what was the point in this all? It was truly, utterly confusing.
She returned his gaze openly, not looking down like she probably should have, but she also did not appear overly challenging or hostile. They both seemed to have reached a dead end with this conversation, and the next few minutes probably would decide for their future. Could she learn to accept his views? It was hard, very hard, and even more so as he didn’t seem very inclined to accept her views. He called them simple… simple as in simpleton or as in easy? She feared the former, but for the sake of this conversation that should not very well end in bloodshed, she would assume the latter.
”Well, the world CAN be simple”, she retorted calmly, shrugging. “Justice for sure IS simple. But most people are complicated, so they developed an equally difficult pattern of custom and common law which turns away further and further from justice in the first place.”
A few months before, Robyn would have not wasted so much thought about such things, but the healing time, especially the first weeks when she had been well-nigh useless for the stage, she had had much time to think. Many insights she was voicing now had been gathered then.
”But then you are right in one thing. It is past now, no one can change it. I just hope some mistakes never get remade.”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Jan 30, 2012 18:12:59 GMT -5
And there it went, her heart. It rose up and fluttered, like a butterfly towards a flower, towards Gwaine’s heart and intended to stay there. Robyn could almost feel it happening, and there was nothing, nothing at all she could do against it, even if she wanted to. And that wasn’t even sure either, if she wanted to stop it. Gwaine was just so… much to deal with, but in a pleasant kind of way. He had everything she could wish for, wit and charm, good looks and a free spirit. Who could blame her, really? She had seen it coming, and now it had happened. She was lost. Gwaine might only guess it, or not even that, but he had won whatever game they had been playing. She knew it was a mistake, as she knew he was nothing more than a flirt and her heart would inevitable be broken again. Knowing the danger didn’t save you from it though, not this time.The good thing about Robyn though was that she never experienced this lovey-dovey kind of crush. Her heart might belong to Gwaine now, but her mind was still her own. She might be moulded easier in his hands now, but she probably still won’t eat from his palm. Hopefully.
It might also be the effect of the ale sousing her parched throat and getting to her head rather quickly, but Robyn was not quite sure how much longer she could hold with these constant innuendos. The thought of spending time alone with Gwaine made her skin prickle, and she chided herself inwardly for being so… easy to get. He wasn’t her first flirt and he wouldn’t be her last. But she was always weaker once her heart was involved, that was a sad fact. If he knew what was going on in her head right now, he probably would run a mile. Or he would not. It was really hard to guess if Gwaine was nothing but all talk or if there was more to him than that.
”As will I!” she confirmed simply, thinking the topic explored enough with that. They both knew exactly what they meant after all, and only time would tell if they would ever put actions behind their words. There was a rule Robyn always stuck to, no matter how smitten she was: Never appear too eager!
There were many people Robyn had met who envied the nobles and the privileges they had, but she herself, and as far as she knew most of the pack where not amongst those. They enjoyed the freedom that came with their lifestyle, and clashes like the one that had cost her her finger were far and few between. Most of the time, the boundaries were never crossed. The nobles were bored, so they needed distractions, and that was what the Raven Pack could provide. They were given good money or other things they needed to survive for it, but otherwise they answered to no one.
”Hear, hear!” Robyn cheered and raised her tankard again with a mischievous wink. “To being free like the wind! May it never end!”
Robyn gave a sound half between a snort and a chuckle when Gwaine voiced that comment about her beauty. Rhyming off her beauty? As if she wasn’t surrounded by such kinds of men every day, minstrels and all. She knew how that worked! Any other woman might be impressed or flattered by such words, but for Robyn it just smacked of… normality.
”That’s a good phrase”, she said examining him over the rim of her tankard, before she put it down. “Does it ever work, I wonder?”
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Post by Robyn Lester on Jan 29, 2012 17:15:29 GMT -5
 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!”
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