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 Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:42 pm
Faolan nodded as she spoke, listening to her story. "Clowns and baboons were the least of my problems as a kid. When the carnival found me, you know, I was just an infant and somehow I'd gotten pneumonia, so they really weren't sure I'd live long. I'm not sure what they exactly did for finding me a wet nurse, either. My dad thinks my health problems are because I was sick as a baby."
He looked at her as they walked along. "I'm glad your dad was able to treat you and all so you'd be here for me to meet. Where was your mom during all this?"
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:51 pm
Ellandra squeezed his hand a bit and shrugged. "Papa always told me she'd died in childbirth. . . to be honest, th-though, I didn't think about her much. He never mentioned h-her; I didn't even know h-her name until Ziazan read m-my hat for me," she said, sighing a bit. "And - I'm glad y-you survived too - I can already t-tell you that my life would be. . . . much, much more empty if I'd never m-met you."
She paused the smile at him and point out a house on a corner up ahead. It was two-story and had a small garden, but it was also showing visible signs of wear and tear - minor ones, but there all the same. "Th-that's it," she said. Then she tilted her head and squinted at it a bit before looking back at Fao. "Its new owners must have fixed it up a bit. It looks nicer than wh-when I lived there. . . . I used to have to sneak upstairs because Papa wouldn't let me up there - h-he insisted I'd fall and break my neck, not that it ever happened."
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:56 pm
"It's cute," Faolan said, absolutely meaning it. The house was adorable in a way. He had never thought much about stationary houses, having always lived on the move, but there was some appeal in the idea of never having to leave a place. "You already saw where I grew up when we talked to Da the other day. I lived with him until I was twelve, then he punted me out and got me my own vardo to live in."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:01 am
Ellandra blinked, wrinkling her nose in confusion. She didn't quite understand what the word he'd just said was, and it showed on her face. "A - a what?" She asked, feeling sheepish for not knowing. Sheepish and dull.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:04 am
"A vardo, lass. It's the big painted wagon my Da was in when we went to see him. I've got one, too. It was having a wheel repaired when you met me, hence the tent," Faolan explained, holding out his hands and miming what the vardo might look like.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:08 am
"O-oh," Ellandra said, an embarrassed blush spreading across her face at not having realized what he'd meant sooner. "I - I remember..... th-the colors are s-so bright!"
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:10 am
Faolan gave a good-natured shrug. "Da likes to keep his bright and fancy so people can find it since he's the boss. Mine's a bit more subdued. You'll see it when we get back to Farstep. The bed in it is a lot more comfortable than the cot you slept on the other night."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:14 am
Ellandra raised an eyebrow, but shook her head after a moment. "I-is there . . . any other place you'd like to see? I'm afraid there's not much more in this area. . ."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:16 am
Foalan checked his pocket watch, noting they'd been walking some time already. "We could get something to eat and then go to your place for an overnight bag. I mean, if you want to come back to Farstep with me," Faolan said, blushing a little. "You don't have to. I know you're probably busy with your writing and all."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:22 am
Ellandra ducked her head, blushing as well. "A-actually, I'm . . . taking some time off from writing. . . I - I can't seem to come up w-with anything useable lately - it's . . . it's made my e-editor really angry," she admitted, raising her eyes to meet his after a moment. "S-so really, I'm not busy a-at all."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:33 am
"Plenty to write about in a carnival, love. Maybe you'll get some inspiration from Farstep." He squinted one eye in thought, then both eyes went wide. "Aw, nut bunnies. I totally forgot. No wonder Da wanted me back tonight for sure. It's my turn to help with the big performance for all the patrons. You have to come see that, Elle. You'll get to see me prancing around in a flashy costume and that's always good for a laugh."
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:36 am
Ellandra tilted her head again. "W-what do you mean?" She asked curiously, even as she started walking back in the direction of her apartment. Really, what was he talking about? What kind of performance?
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:41 am
"Every night performers from different sections of the carnival are picked from a lottery Da holds at the beginning of each week. If it's your night--like it's mine tonight--then you have to go perform in the dance the carnival puts on for guests and patrons. Basically, we put on flashy, skimpy costumes and then dance around all seductively so the patrons will want to stay longer and spend more money. Each night is a different performer depending on who's night it is," Faolan explained, waving a hand around to punctuate his explanation.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 9:18 am
Ellandra squeaked, a very intense blush rising to her face as Fao described what, exactly, it was that he was going to do tonight. "S-s-sed-d-d-duct-t-tively?" She stuttered out, wavering on her feet as images she didn't know she could think up popped into her head. "O-ohh...... .u-u-um......." She hoped she didn't faint out here. She really, really hoped she didn't.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:07 pm
Faolan laughed, putting an arm around her. "Come now, lass. It won't be all bad as that. Mostly, it's just funny and the costumes are ridiculous. I only have to do it once and then I'm yours for the rest of the night . . . sorta. I still have to work, but you can come help." He liked the idea of seeing her in the carnival clothes and helping him convince people to come in and have their fortunes read. It was who he was and she should see him for that.
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