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 Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:47 am
They had been staying at the tavern for several weeks now, though Patrek had been eager to leave for just as long. His mistake, he knew, lay in deciding to buy Aufidius' horse and, subsequently, agreeing to bring the young singer with him to Palisade.
Ever since that had happened, Aufidius had refused to leave until his new companion was completely healed of his wounds, and Patrek had found himself wandering into the Wardwood,: a largely evil place, if his mother's old wives' tales were to be believed, and nowhere Patrek would usually have visited. Then, of course, he'd emerged with the little glowing totem, which he hadn't bothered showing Aufidius. The singer would only roll his eyes and tell him again that spirits didn't exist, and clearly, Aufidius was wrong. If Patrek had known all the trouble the singer would bring, he would have just walked to Palisade.
But try as he might to deny it, Patrek had grown accustomed to Aufidius' company, and he didn't complain as much as he had used to. They had gotten into a habit of playing several rounds of dice in the evenings, which fell in just fine with the both of them. It gave Patrek an excuse to scratch that gambling itch he obviously didn't have, and when he lost, which he did often enough, Aufidius won a few coins to pay off his considerable tab with the tavern girl.
As it was, Patrek was losing tonight and Aufidius had already pocketed more of the soldier's change that either of them had expected. "Time fer a stop, don't ye think, cap'n?" Aufidius said finally, leaning back in his seat. "As it 'appens, I think I oughter spend some of these winnings."
Patrek followed suit and nodded. "If you're talking about more wine, don't bother bringing me any. Being drunk won't help me keep my money."
The singer looked at him for a moment, with a look that suggested he thought his companion more than a little crazy. "If ye say so," he said finally with a small shake of his head, and pushed his seat back to find the tavern girl.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:15 pm
There was a definite advantage to frequenting the same few venues whenever she happened to be in town - it almost guaranteed her a stage to perform on no matter how short the notice. Of course, it did not hurt that her voice drew the crowds, especially when she sent out Hawthorn to announce her performances. So when Rajani strolled into one of her usual taverns, she was greeted enthusiastically by the owner. Well, as enthusiastic as the crotchety old man could manage to be, which was more along the lines of not scowling as hard at her as he did at most people. It did not matter, she knew he was pleased to see her. She would bring him that much more coin.
For tonight, the old man already had a performer on stage, but there should be time enough after that act was through for at least one song from her, perhaps even a full set. But that was a ways off, yet. The night was still young. After making certain that Oberon was settled outside, the gypsy found herself a corner at the bar, ordered a meal to go with her drink, and settled in to wait.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 12:48 pm
When she walked in, she snatched his attention away from the losses he had incurred with Aufidius over the dice. Patrek had to sit up and watch as she made her way over to a corner and sat. This wasn't the first time he had noticed her. She had come in on several nights now and stolen his breath with her sultry voice. When she sang, men shut up and listened, and that in itself amazed him. There was a quiet sort of confidence in the way she walked and carried herself that made him want to know her, made him feel almost as if he could. And then his imagination did the rest.
For one stupid and irrational moment, he had himself convinced that he was going to stand up, drain his cup, and walk right over to introduce himself, to tell her how much he enjoyed her music and how exotic and breathtaking he thought she was. Adrenaline shot through him and sent his blood pumping fast through his veins, and then the moment deserted him and he found himself still sitting in his seat, doing nothing.
By the time Aufidius reached the bar, the gypsy girl had already settled into her corner and he, too, had noticed. She intrigued him, if for no other reason than her dark-haired beauty. Waving the tavern girl over, he acquired yet another mug of that cheap tavern wine and winced at the sharp sourness that came after the first swallow. Not great, but it had to be good enough.
"Another," he told the girl, and when she procured the second mug of wine, he picked both up and made his way unobtrusively over to the corner where the gypsy girl sat. "I know you already have a drink," he said by way of announcing himself. "But I brought you another in case that one runs out."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 1:54 pm
If there was one thing that was inevitable when the gypsy spent any length of time in a tavern, it was an attempt at flirtation, usually with intent. So, when a man appeared at her elbow, Rajani was not surprised. He certainly was a bold thing, though, bringing her his offering himself. She gave him a sidelong glance and noted that he was a handsome one, perhaps a bit younger than herself, though certainly taller. None of this impressed her in the least, nor was she particularly inclined to converse with him. All she had been hoping for was a quiet meal, but clearly that was not meant to be.
"You might have saved yourself the coin," she informed him. "It'll be warm by the time I get to it."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:14 pm
She didn't seem impressed, but that wasn't enough to deter Aufidius, and he plowed on with eager abandon. It didn't seem to matter much to the young singer whether he succeeded, and much of the fun lay in the playing of the game anyway. The outcome was just a bonus, so to say.
He glanced down at the second mug of wine, scooted halfway across the table. Warm wine was quite an off-putting thought, though Aufidius himself had had to suffer such wine on more than one occasion. Mostly, he just told himself that he ought not complain, because warm as the drink was, it was still wine in his belly and beggars couldn't be choosers as well.
"Well, then, we can save this one for me," he said, pulling the mug back eagerly. "And get y'another when you're done." He lifted the first mug and took a nice long drink, savoring the cold wine as it poured down his throat. No matter how many times he took a drink, he decided, there would be no getting used to that sweet sensation, sour as the aftertaste might be.
"As fer the coin, I can make that back." Knowing Patrek's luck at dice, it wouldn't be too difficult, either. Aufidius much preferred not having to worry about how much coin was left in his pocket. If he knew that he just wouldn't have any money, ever, then there would be no disappointment when he found out how broke he was, which he would have been anyway, regardless of whether or not he spent the coin on drinks. So it was just better to live his way.
"So, if I recall proper, you sing 'ere," he added, grinning. Truth be told, it was an impressive feat for him, remembering her face from nights before and knowing what it was he remembered her from. "I've sung a coupla times in this tavern too." By which he meant, they had some things in common.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:30 pm
"You seem sure of yourself," Rajani observed, her eyes on the steaming bowl of stew the barmaid had placed in front of her. She picked up the spoon and helped herself, more interested in her meal than the advances of a man who obviously needed no encouragement from her to natter on. Then again, he obviously couldn't take a hint, either.
Oh? So he has been in her audience before, has he. The gypsy was a bit surprised that she had not noticed him, as often as she people-watched, but she could hardly be expected to remember every face.
"No," she corrected. "I sing. You are reminiscent of a tone-deaf mule."
Well, perhaps he was not that atrocious, but he hardly needed any more confidence, and he really did sing a bit off-key. Would insults be rid of him?
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:53 pm
It was true, he thought as he took another long pull from his mug, he did have quite a lot of confidence in himself, especially for someone that didn't seem to have a whole lot to be confident in. But maybe that was just the way it had to be, otherwise he probably would have grown up sniveling in a corner, and nobody liked that guy. "And you, m'lady, seem awfully unsure about me," Aufidius countered.
The young singer looked down at himself for a moment, setting down the mug. "I mean, these aren't nice clothes, but what's underneath is a whole lot nicer." He flashed that easy smile that seemed to come to him so naturally, and might have winked if he didn't think that might have been pushing too far. For all he knew, she would pack up her food and move to another table, and even Aufidius wouldn't have pursued her then.
But nothing short of her physically moving would faze him, so he just smiled again at her next comment and nodded his agreement. "Y'know, yer right," he said eagerly, pouncing on the opportunity. "Tha's why you oughter teach me some. Y'know, then I can come back around and serenade you in return." No, insults wouldn't win her some peace and quiet either.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:12 pm
"On the contrary. I am quite sure that I would like nothing to do with you," she argued. When he made a bolder suggestion, she merely gave him a flat look and returned to her meal; such words were beneath a response. Rajani could add shameless to the growing list of marks against him. He might be attractive, but the gypsy had no interest in seeing what lie beneath.
Her fingers twitched ever so slightly at Aufidius's next attempt. Shameless to the point of pathetic. Unfortunately for her, she was too proud by far to leave her table. If anyone was going, it would be he. "I don't believe in hopeless cases." And if he tried to serenade her, she would be sorely tempted to remove his tongue.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:32 pm
"Oh, but you don't know me," he declared, draining his mug and starting into the other just as quickly. No use in letting it go warm, especially if she wasn't going to drink it. Cheap as the drink was, it was still a drink and that meant it mattered.
More than once, Patrek had asked him what he was like when he wasn't drinking. Aufidius hadn't known. Knowing would have required a degree of sobriety that the singer hadn't been too familiar with since leaving his adoptive parents' inn. Less stupid, he had guessed. More rational.
Unfortunately for Rajani, he was neither of those things tonight, and he would most likely keep trying until something else caught his attention. Or he needed the bathroom.
"There's a deal too much hope in me fer hopelessness," he said with a shrug, taking several long swallows to drain the second mug of wine. It had, indeed, started to go warm. What a shame. He set the second mug down on the table with a dull clunk and cleared his throat. Yes, there it was, the call of nature. He glanced across the table, loath to give up the merry chase. But then again, it was hard to focus on his face when he was all but squirming in his seat. "But if you'll excuse me momentarily, m'lady. I oughter see about a privy."
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:30 pm
"Nor do I wish to," she muttered. Would he never leave? Neither insults, barbs, nor blatant dismissals had any effect on the man. Was it the stubborn folly of youth or was it the false courage of alcohol that fueled him? Perhaps some combination of the two. Not that it mattered to her what made him so stubborn, the effect was the same.
...maybe if she ignored him?
Luckily, she did not have to test the theory for long before he made his excuses. Rajani glanced between his retreating form and her nearly-empty bowl. Would it be cowardly to leave now? She was, after all, nearly done with her meal. What need was there for her to remain any longer? Surely it did not count as running away if she just happened to be done with her meal while he was at the privy.
She scowled at her bowl. Of course it did. Her accursed pride and commitments were conspiring to afflict her with the company of an unwanted suitor. There was no point in leaving the tavern until she had sung her piece. Though, perhaps she ought to go check on Oberon in person. Never mind that she could check on him just as easily through their bond without moving an inch. The idea was tempting.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:14 pm
Every time Aufidius left and sat down next to someone else, be it a woman or a man, Patrek tended to assume that the singer would be exiting the tavern floor shortly. Certainly, Aufidius did find some ill-chosen targets and there were nights when he would return, none the worse for the rejection, but usually it was safer for Patrek to resign himself to the knowledge that he would be forced to spend the rest of the night on his own.
So when the soldier raised his head to look - more, admittedly, at the girl than at Aufidius - to see the singer had disappeared on his own, he was pleasantly surprised, both by Aufidius' disappearance and by the window of opportunity that had been left behind. Patrek looked again. She was surely on her own, though she looked less than willing to entertain visitors.
But perhaps if had just been Aufidius. He had a way of pushing some people's buttons with his incessant refusal to give up and go home, even when it was obvious that should be his recourse. Yes, yes that had to be it. If Patrek thought it anything else, he would have looked away and that would have been the end of that. Except that he didn't want to let that happen.
He took a breath and stood up, pushing his seat back. "Just... Tell her she's got a beautiful voice," he told himself as he made his slow and hesitant way over. When he got there, he couldn't help but stare at the table, waiting for his courage to come, and he spotted the two mugs of wine that Aufidius had brought over. Was he coming back, then? Patrek wasn't sure. But Aufidius wasn't right for her anyway.
"Hello," he managed to say. "Would you... would you mind some company terribly?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Lost in thought, it did not register immediately that Rajani was no longer alone. When she did finally realize that there was another person there, her first thought was that she had taken too long in making her decision and the annoying drunk was back already. When she looked up to see not him, but another male, her first instinct was to snap at him to leave her in peace.
The gypsy reigned in that reaction and considered her new options. He seemed like a harmless enough man, as far as men went. More innocent than her first suitor, to be sure. If she were going to remain in the tavern as her pride demanded, then perhaps she could make use of him. Would another man deter the drunken flirt? It might be worth a try.
Any moral concerns that it might be wrong or cruel to use this new man so did not bother the gypsy very much. It was not as though she intended to lead him on - that would only bring more trouble than it was worth. She would just take his company and see if it did not deter the pesky flirt. At best, her plan would work. At worst, she would have two suitors for Oberon to fend off. Her Guardian might not act like much most of the time, but he really could be most persuasive. Besides, Rajani had a few tricks of her own up her sleeves.
"Why not," she said at last, waving a vague hand at a chair before turning back to the dregs of her stew.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:50 pm
It was going smoother than Patrek had thought, even if all he had done so far was manage to secure a seat beside her. He hadn't even begun to consider what to do or where to go from there. Already, whatever plans he had to tell her that she sang beautifully were lost to him as he gingerly pulled up the seat that Aufidius had so kindly left pushed back.
Unfortunately for Rajani, if the young singer did return, then seeing his friend sitting at the table would hardly deter him from coming back to resume his advances. Fortunately, the likelihood that he had passed out, asleep on a table or bench somewhere, on his way to the privy was high enough. If nothing else, though, he had probably found himself another target and was sitting somewhere, blissfully unaware that Patrek was now talking to the girl he had just left behind.
"You..." He thought he was about to say something, to find a suitable comment that didn't sound entirely cliche, but he was wrong. There was so much beauty to her that he didn't know where to begin, and there was that something in the way she sang and the way she carried herself that made him want to say all sorts of things, if only he knew which words to use. "I'm Patrek," he said finally.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:15 pm
If the gypsy spared no thought to whatever might be going through the latest man's head, then she certainly did not bother herself with any worries he might have over the best way to woo her. In fact, the longer he stayed tongue-tied on that matter, the better.
As he sat down, she frowned at her now-empty bowl and tried to decide whether she wanted any more. She pushed it away. No need. A little more to drink would do for her. She caught the barmaid's eye and tipped her empty cup to her. Satisfied another was on its way, she glanced at the man, who had spoken to her.
"Rajani," she said briefly. Her name, after all, was not such a large concession. It was hardly a secret - any of the tavern's regulars or workers could give it to him.
The gypsy considered resuming her practice of ignoring the relatively unwanted guest, but now that she had no food to occupy her, she was liable to get a little bored. The entertainment, while not terrible, was not particularly riveting and one could only people-watch for so long.
"What was it you were going to say?" She wondered, referring to his barely-started sentence.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:50 am
Patrek wasn't taken to fidgeting. He wasn't taken to displays of nervousness or affection or really anything other than his usual calmness, but if there were two things that could make the soldier lose his cool, it was women and the supernatural. Rajani was obvious a woman, but somehow, Patrek thought she could have been a being out of the supernatural as well, though in a good way. She must be supernaturally beautiful, he thought.
"That's a beautiful name," he said. "It's quite... unique. Not that many... well, none of the women I've ever met have had a name quite like yours." If he was to be honest, though, he didn't know too many women. He wasn't like Aufidius, who seemed to know exponentially more women than he did. They had a habit of getting him tongue-tied, and Patrek certainly didn't enjoy losing control of his words. After a while, he had simply decided it wasn't worth the trouble, and after that, he had left women to their peace for the most part.
So obviously, there had to be something special about Rajani. That, Patrek didn't doubt. "I was going to say..." Even he wasn't too sure of the answer to that. It could have been any one of a thousand comments that seemed far too ordinary for the likes of her. "Well, I think you're beautiful." And then, he wanted to hit himself for being an idiot.
"Uhm." He looked down and fidgeted, seeking more words that would no doubt make him sound a bigger fool than he did already. "You, you know, he's no good for you." Aufidius, that was, but he wasn't too sure she would care.
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