|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 12:48 pm
Finn watched her retreat into the back with a grin, and with a satisfied sigh, he leaned back, locking his hands behind his head. A number of noises emitting from underneath his table caught his attention, and curiously, he leaned down to peer under. His eyes met the sight of Dante, Rose's tiny thing of a guardian. Were they all that size or was it still growing? He had heard that guardians could be massive creatures, but he wasn't sure what was truth, and what was rumor. Of course, he'd also heard the wolves had returned, a leader of fae had unmasked himself at the ball last winter, and that warden grounds were under construction in Oldcastle. He'd been away at sea for it all, and was hard pressed to believe, and yet...here he was, staring straight at a guardian.
With a soft hum of thought, he sat up straight, just in time to watch Rose return from the kitchens. She place a bowl in front of the other patron, and then crossed the room to set a similar bowl before Finn. The broth was thick, the aroma enticing; it had been a while since he had had anything other than rum in his stomach. He leaned close, inhaling deeply, his eyes closing as he shook his head. "That'll be it." He said, a dreamy expression settling as he grasped the spoon. Despite his hunger, he took a minute to simply enjoy the warmth of heat tendrils wafting up from the liquid, and the hearty scent. No one and nothing was going to ruin this meal.
Except the alarming sounds the man a few tables over had begun emitting. Curious and irked, Finn lifted his head to peer over before he could take his first bite. The man sat hunched over, holding his neck, and when he coughed, blood and spittle bubbled over his lips, running down his chin. Eyes widening, Finn glanced back at his own bowl of soup, and then up at Rose. Slowly, he pushed his bowl away, and then held his hands up, as if to say 'Wasn't me.'
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 2:55 pm
Rose had smiled fondly as she noticed that Finn's expression. He seemed to really be looking forward to his bowl of stew, and her earlier pique at his attitude eased a bit at the warmth of being able to do something good for someone who'd helped her. He could be annoying, but overall she rather liked Finn. He had a good smile. She blinked, her smile fading in confusion at the strange noises behind her and turned just in time to see the gentleman she'd just served spew blood-flecked foam over his chin. Her face went chalk- white and she made a weak mewling sound at the horrific scene, but managed not to faint. Just. Backpedaling a step or two, she bumped into Finn's table and stopped, giving the impression that she might have kept going if not for the obstruction. She looked at Finn in time to catch his silent protestation of innocence, but her expression registered only terror. The trip-tap of Dante's hooves on the wooden floor announced the fawn's movement as, spurred by his Chosen's near panic, he moved to stand between her and the choking patron with his head lowered aggressively. Charlie the bartender came dashing out of the back just as the stricken patron collapsed, twitching and jerking grotesquely like a marionette with tangled strings. He knelt by the man who had mercifully stilled, though his dead eyes stared blankly at a quaking Rose, who emitted another soft wail as Charlie knelt to sniff the cadaver's lips, then sat up with his eyebrows raised. "What... What did you do?" he asked, looking up at Rhoswyn accusingly. "Nothing!" she protested, sounding close to tears. "I didn't do anything! I just gave him his stew!" " Liar! This man was poisoned! You were the only one to touch the bowl, you must have been the one to do it. Did his wife put you up to this?" His voice rising with every word and his face growing redder by the minute, Charlie clambered to his feet and began to advance on his trembling and hapless would-be waitress, intent on avenging the death of his friend. He seemed not to notice the black-and-white fawn's warning bark as the fawn settled his weight back. Charlie could be forgiven; it would have been intimidating coming from a larger creature, but as it was it was little more than a vaguely hostile squeak. It was, however, all the warning Charlie got before Dante launched himself at the fellow, delivering a vicious headbutt to his stomach and sending him sprawling with a grunt of pain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:15 pm
Finn hadn't expected for the barkeep to scream at Rose...actually, he had expected for the blame to be pointed his way, as little sense as it would have made. He met her terrified expression with one of alarm and confusion, and barely seemed to notice as Dante retreated to his chosen's side. As soon as Rose's attention was drawn to the barkeep's, Finn swiftly pushed his chair back, and walked over to the deceased man. He had a nagging suspicion, and needed to confirm or deny. Grasping a fistful of the man's hair, he pulled the patron's head up, and lowered his own to sniff tentatively near the man's mouth. Brow furrowing, he released the man, and then leaned further down to do the same to the soup, inhaling deeply. Slowly, he straightened, face paling; there was no mistaking it.
Finn glanced back at Rose in time to witness the scene's escalation. The barkeep charged Rose, but Dante was faster, rushing forward to push the howling man back. Mouth thin and eyes hard, Finn left the dead man's side to stride over to Rose, taking hold of her arm. Trusting Dante would follow, Finn jerked Rose around, and quickly steered her toward the exit. "Time t' go." He said, an edge of finality in his tone. There would be no argument about it. He had a good feeling he knew who had been behind the attack, and if he was correct, it meant she was still nearby. They were leaving, now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:34 pm
Rose stammered some kind of reply, but it wasn't coherent; not even sensible enough to guess whether she was agreeing with him, trying to argue, or still trying to grasp what was happening. She did not, however, resist his attempt to leave. The image of the man choking, spitting up blood and foam, and collapsing to the floor was playing itself over in her mind, interspersed occasionally with the confused image of Charlie's apoplexy-red face contorted in rage and growing incongruously in her vision as he charged her. Dante's wee hooves clattered down the stairs behind the two humans as they left the ill-fated tavern. The deer seemed unsteady and a bit glazed as he was overwhelmed with his Chosen's terror. He followed like a faithful dog at Rose's heels, occasionally bleating up at Rose as if trying to get her attention. Completely pliable to the direction of Finn's hand on her arm, after a few moments of walking Rose realized distantly that they weren't in the tavern anymore and that her cheeks were wet. She looked down in a daze at Finn's viselike grip on her arm, then up at his face, his cheeks unusually pale. "Finn? What... what just happened? Why would he think I...?" She couldn't even say it, finding the words turned to a choking ash in her mouth. A man was dead, and she was blamed somehow for his death. Spirits help her, she wasn't sure which bothered her more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 5:33 pm
Finn ignored everything - the insistent bleating of the guardian, Rose's stammering, the barkeep's rage from back inside the tavern, the stares of those they passed - and continued briskly forward, putting distance between themselves and the murder. Rose was asking questions now, having seemingly recovered enough to speak, but Finn, while he heard her, did not answer. Pulling her along down the street, Finn abruptly turned, steering them into the privacy of an alley. Hidden, he finally released Rose's arm, and then whirled on her, the laughter in his eyes missing. "Listen good. We need t' leave town. Fer a while." His gaze was intense, hard. He stood close to her, voice hushed, so as not to be overheard. "Yer new; it's why he thought ye were the culprit." He explained simply. He knew what she would ask next - why had he panicked, why did they need to leave town, where would they go? He sighed heavily, looking away. Should he tell her? Might as well...He couldn't send her off into the world alone; she was determined, but naive - she wouldn't make it far. He'd have to take her along with him, which would give her plenty of opportunities to bother him for an answer. He grimaced; that would get annoying quickly. And anyway, what was the harm in spilling his 'secret'? "But..." He began slowly, glancing back at her. "I think I know who did it." He sighed again, sliding his hand through his dreads. "A lass...I scorned her, long ago. She's been tryin' t' kill me since. That poison...was meant fer me." He took a few steps back, and leaned his back against the opposite wall of the alley, crossing his arms over his broad chest. He stared across at her, waiting for her to question him further.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:25 pm
"P-p-p-poi... poison?" she stammered, her face going whiter as she began to process the events of the last ten minutes and panic began to set in in the wake of shock. Before he could do anything about it, though, the spark in her rekindled and she slapped herself firmly across the cheek and shook her head to clear it. She was still pale and shaking a little, and rubbing her reddening face where she'd slapped it. "Thank you for not leaving me," she told him sincerely, her voice yet holding a hint of tremor, but no more tears. She glanced down as Dante shoved his head under her hand, his tail switching happily, though she hadn't the first clue what the deer had to be so pleased about. She petted his ears anyway, then looked back up at Finn, searching his expression. "Well, I didn't have anywhere to be," she said with a weak attempt at a smile. It was oddly disconcerting that all the jovial conviviality which she'd previously assumed nothing could dampen had fallen starkly out of his expression. She found she badly wanted it back; the lack of it made this entire affair just that much more intimidating. So she took a breath and lifted her chin, giving him a better smile though she wasn't really feeling it. That poor man back at the tavern... But dwelling on it wouldn't help. She had to put it aside if she was to continue, even though she suspected she wasn't going to sleep for awhile for seeing it when she closed her eyes. For now though, a stiff upper lip was called for. At least, that's what her father would say. "If we can't stay here, where shall we go?" she asked. "I think I shall feel better putting a bit of distance between myself and this..." Finn watched as the young socialite chose and discarded several likely-impolite terms for their mysterious poisoner before settling on, "...person. And I promise that I shall endeavor not to annoy you more than you deserve as we go," she added with a decisive nod and a wider grin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:33 pm
She lifted her hand to strike, and for half a second, he thought she might swing her palm his way. He tensed, eyes flashing, but was startled into disbelief when she slapped herself. He stared, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, as she continued on, acting as though nothing peculiar had occurred. Absently, he nodded once in response to her thanks - he was still focused on the fact that she had slapped herself. He'd seen some strange things in his travels, but that was just...Who slaps themselves? Odd lass...
She spoke again, and slowly, he was roused from his stupor. He continued to stare for a moment longer, and then cleared his throat, stepping away from the wall he had been leaning against. He caught her smile, and couldn't resist flashing one of his own; she might have been odd, but it was a rare and wonderful sort of woman who could keep her head straight through hardship. Any other, especially one of upper class, would have been wailing and...utterly infuriating to handle. If she had been that sort of woman...He likely would have left.
"The sea." He said simply, and then realized he would need to elaborate. "We'll dress ye as a man, say ye'er a new recruit, and board me boat." He nodded thoughtfully, as if his solution was a simple one. He didn't doubt her acting abilities; women were born liars. "Give it a fortnight or two...We'll have ye back, and by then, ye'll likely be forgot. By the barkeep." He added the last bit quickly, specifying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:44 pm
Rose's smile vanished as quickly as it had come and a fierce blush rose right out of the collar of her dress right up to her hairline (which neatly hid the redness where she'd struck herself). "You... you want me to dress up as a boy?!" she gasped, scandalized. Looking away from him for a moment, he could see her jaw working as she tried to find words for a coherent response, but as she mulled that over it occurred to her... "Well, it's certainly the last place anyone would think to look," she admitted reluctantly. "And they definitely won't be looking for a man. And by then Dad might have calmed down enough to actually have a talk with..." She sighed and looked up at Finn, a little perplexed with herself that she couldn't find a better argument against what was surely a harebrained and terrible plan. "Very well, I shall dress..." she paused to gulp, clearly uncomfortable with the entire notion, "... As a... a man. Where on earth are we going to get men's clothes where we won't be caught by the constabulary, who are surely looking for us by this point?" L ii a t h He is so going to be the death of her. This is delightful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:12 pm
Finn laughed boisterously, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Wha's wrong? Ye afraid o' pants?" He laughed again, and then, as if remembering where they were, clapped a large hand over his mouth to stifle the sound. At least she was a sensible women; he had expected more outrage, more of a fight. But as always, she had surprised him. Regardless, he couldn't resist a chance to poke some fun at her.
When asked how they would procure these manly articles of clothing, Finn paused, expression thoughtful. Looking out onto the street, he ran his right hand over the stubble on his chin, an idea slowly forming. "Weeell..." Slowly, he dropped his right hand to his waist, fingers sliding across the body of his pistol. Grasping the handle, he looked to Rose, the corners of his lips curling to smirk. "We could always steal some." Something told him she wouldn't appreciate this idea, but Finn didn't posses the same moral compass, and they couldn't exactly waltz into a shop to purchase some. And even if they could, Finn would still be opposed.
Thankfully, before Finn could act on killing some poor, unsuspecting fellow for his trousers, a familiar face came into view; a young woman, passing in front of the alley entrance. Dark hair hung like a curtain around her face, straight edged bangs falling just above her brooding hazel eyes. She wore a long, sweeping skirt in brown, a red corset laced with gold, and a ratty shawl to shield her shoulders from the breeze. She wore simple straw sandals on her feet, and a single sunflower tucked behind her left ear.
Finn's eyes widened at the sight of the woman, the hand on his pistol tightening. "Araci?" He said, just loud enough for the woman to hear. The tan woman paused, turning toward the call, and for a moment, she and Finn simply stared at one another. And then the woman started to laugh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 1:22 pm
Rose had just opened her mouth, her blush rising in anger at Finn's suggestion that they kill yet another man for his clothes. Nevermind that the first one hadn't been their fault, it was the principle of the thing. She was drawing breath to tell him what she thought of that hairbrained scheme when Finn tensed. The last acquaintance of Finn's she'd... well, encountered (she could not be said to have met the jilted poisoner, after all) had killed a man and tried to kill Finn. So when Finn seemed to recognize the woman walking by, Rose faded behind him and instinctively made herself as small as possible. Dante, sensing his Chosen's anxiety, stood with his tiny head held low. The we fawn glared at the woman with golden eyes as if daring her to lay a finger on his charge. In the shaded alleyway, he looked a bit like a living scrap of shadow save for his neat white hooves. When the woman burst out laughing, Rose relaxed for a second before she realized that, as insane as her time with Finn had been already, she had no way of knowing whether this was a good sign or not. It was as likely as anything that the woman was stark mad, or that she was pleased to see Finn because it was easier to kill him this way. She didn't think Finn would hav been so foolish as to reveal himself to the woman who had just made an attempt on his life, but he had just suggested murdering a man for his trousers and he was wearing that coat with that shirt, so... really, there was just no telling. Nervously, she glanced between Finn and the newcomer, but didn't make a peep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:23 pm
Finn hadn't been sure what Araci's reaction would have been. While her sister hated him passionately, Araci had always been less inclined to share her sister's joy for violence. Still, it varied - sometimes Araci was quick to turn him away, and other times, she tolerated his presence. Thankfully, the latter seemed the case here.
"Finn Locke." She purred, her voice eerily similar to her sister's. It never helped matters that she also looked nearly identical to Isra. "Still breaking hearts? Careful; you wouldn't want two women thirsting for your blood." Casually, Araci approached the pair, the bells attached to her skirt jingling softly as she moved. She caught Rose's eye, and held it with a smile. "Though, this one looks harmless."
Finn chuckled, releasing the hold on his pistol. "Aye. Good t' see ye too." He shifted to stand sideways, one shoulder facing either woman, and turned his gaze on Rose. "Don't fret; Araci won't bite." Araci shook her head slowly, staring at Rose. "Not like her sister, anyhow. Which reminds me..." Finn turned back to face Araci, the air about turning serious. "Did ye supply yer sister with the poison?"
Araci, still staring at Rose, nodded. "I did." She said simply, as if it were the weather they were discussing, rather than the attempt on Finn's life. Finn, just as casually, uttered a soft hmm. He had never blamed Araci for aiding her sister; they were twins, after all, as close as two people could be. Of course Araci's loyalties lied with her sister. He had just needed to confirm what he had already suspected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 2:38 pm
Rose's blue eyes hadn't moved from Araci's, her expression a bit like a mouse's as it was hypnotized by a serpent. She didn't quite dare look away from Araci's intent regard even as she struggled to find a logical reason as to why she'd be of such interest. It didn't help that she suspected this woman to be the sort of person to whom 'harmless' was an insult, but she couldn't be sure. Adding to her nervousness: she couldn't fathom why Finn would be so calm about the woman who had helped her sister try to murder him. If that wasn't someone who'd bite, she'd hate to meet someone who would! This entire situation was beyond bizarre, and Rose couldn't help but wonder if she might have been better off spending the night in the storm than accepting Finn's help... But there was nothing for it now. Even if she turned and ran, she'd be caught and charged with that poor man's murder, and nothing about Araci or her mysterious sister gave her any hope they'd step up to absolve their unintended victim, especially if the sister believed that Rose had taken her "rightful" place at Finn's side. Then again, she might not want Finn's affections, she might just want him dead. Rose knew a few women in the peerage who would think that way... Oh, what a mess! She realized that, as she'd stared into Araci's eyes, she'd clutched her hand to the front of her dress just below her collar out of nerves, and unclenched it with an effort, smoothing it over her skirt uneasily. "Um... hello," she ventured as Finn mulled over her information. Oh, dear. She couldn't tell the woman her name, her father was looking for her and she didn't want it connected to the murder anyway. Perhaps she wouldn't ask?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:26 pm
Finn had thought Rose might remain silent throughout the entire meeting, but his reassurance seemed to have renewed her courage. His gaze slid to her, and then back to Araci, gauging the woman's reaction. Araci, a woman of observance and few words, continued to stare. The only indication she offered of having heard Rose was the subtle arch of her brow, and then her eyes left Rose's face to study the rest of her. The wind blown hair, the wrinkled high born clothes, and the small deer, curled around her ankles. Araci thought it a curious thing, that Finn had a woman of wealth at his side. How had that happened, and why did the girl seem so...tousled? But she didn't ask - it wasn't really her business.
"Hello." She finally said, eyes back on Rose's face. She was virtually expressionless, revealing little of what she was thinking, or feeling. Finn snorted, breaking the silent tension, and Araci smiled, slowly turning her gaze on Finn. "Well, I'll be on my way then. I'm sure you have some running to do." Without waiting for either Finn or Rose to say anything further, Araci turned and left the alley, continuing on her way. Finn snorted again, turning his full attention to Rose. "Don' mind her. She's a weird one. If ye hadn't guessed it, she's Isra's twin - the lass tryin' to off me."
Finn shrugged, as if that explained it all, and then shifted to gaze out at the street. "Right, well, we best be gettin' too. Gotta find ye some clothes, and then make it back t' the ship." Clearly, Isra was in town, and Araci had seen them - it was safe to assume that Araci would soon tell her sister that they were hanging around in alleyways. Even more reason to get out...now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:47 pm
Rose just stared at him for a moment, jaw slightly agape. He was insane. That was the only explanation. She was on the run from the law with a lunatic. "I don't... know... how you talk to that woman. She helped try to kill you!" She pinched the bridge of her nose, gathering her fraying temper. "But you aren't wrong," she sighed. "Fine. Let's go get some clothes for me, then on to the ship. But we are not killing anyone for them. I'm afraid I must insist." Granted, she had no idea what in heaven's name she'd do to stop him if he tried it. She could threaten him, offer to go to the law and explain that the whole thing was his doing, that he'd kidnapped her, and so on. But she really didn't want to. For all that he was rough of manner and occasionally unkind, she found him a likeable scoundrel. Not a friend, not yet, but not someone she had the stomach to betray. She hugged herself, her face falling into tense, unhappy lines as she looked down at Dante. The little deer was looking up at her with his black ears cupped forward curiously. Not helpful. "I just... I don't want anyone else to get hurt today, Finn. Please."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:41 pm
Finn turned fully, standing directly in front of Rose, offering her his full attention. He cocked his brow, his expression indicating he thought her exclamation was rather...naive. "Ye don' get out often, do ye?" He asked seriously, leaning forward to catch and hold her gaze. "Lesson one: anyone will try an' kill ye if it benefits 'em. The world'd be an awfully lonely place if no one talked jus' cause of an attempt." He shrugged, not even considering that she might think him mad - rather, he thought she the odd one, for questioning him, and his logic.
He snorted as she put her foot down on the 'killing' issue. She would have to get over that one, and fast. It was then he realized he had never specified what he did on the sea. But wasn't it obvious by now? Doubtful; she was probably clinging to the idea that he was some harmless sailor. He snorted again, straightening; if that true, he wasn't going to ruin it for her. It'd be far more amusing to watch her come to the realization of the truth on her own.
He opened his mouth to argue, to point out that their options were limited, but then she turned the tables on him. His mouth snapped shut audibly, and he exhaled slowly, his brow furrowing. Was she...was she going to cry? He wasn't sure why he cared, but he couldn't have that happening. His shoulders sagged, and he groaned softly. "Fine. Then what do ye propose we do?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
