Elizabethan Folly (closed for now)

[caspai]

Well, Darren, you have lured me back. *grin* Hope this doesn't disappoint.

The coach rolled to a stop outside the rather dark, unimpressive building. The only thing that it seemed to have to recommend itself was the fact that it was located on a well-traveled crossroads just outside London. It is 1585, and while things were unsettled politically, well, when were they not? Opening the door to the coach, Rebekah stepped down lightly, shaking the creases out of the heavy velvet skirt as she did so. Her pale blonde hair was swept up, though a few curls had escaped in the heat of the afternoon, curling around her face. Looking up and sighing, she knew that she couldn't put this off any longer than she already had.

Walking forward, Rebekah opened the door to the tavern, which had recently, laughingly, started calling itself an Inn. Oh, definitely, Rebekah thought mockingly to herself, the Inn of the Golden Goose, and she had to let it be known from the very beginning that she was not going to allow herself to be plucked. Oh no, not she. Pushing the heavy door open, she stepped cautiously into the taproom, stopping long enough for her eyes to adjust to the smokey darkness of the taproom. What she found once they had done so made those famous sapphire eyes widen in surprise. Rather than the clutter and disarray that she had been expecting, with dirty rushes and tables stacked with empty tankards, what she found was an attempt at a welcoming room. He must be getting soft in his old age. Either that, or her step-mother was having more of an affect on him than she had ever expected. That, she could hardly believe, but they did say that miracles did occur. She had never seen an actual one herself....

Looking around, Rebekah noted the curtains drawn back from several windows, all of them sparkling clean, and open to allow a fresh breeze to blow through. There were also small vases on the tables, all of which, to her amazement, looked as if they had been scrubbed down thoroughly, and were carefully cleaned regularily. More and more strange, she thought.

Finding a comfortable looking chair set not too far from the empty fireplace, she sat carefully on the edge. They knew that she was coming, and it wasn't as if the coach arriving had been quiet. They had made the summons, and she had come to see them, but she would be damned if she was going to search them out. She was glad to see that the money her father had pried out of her had gone into improving this place, though. Maybe miracles did happen.

Looking around impatiently, Rebekah wondered to herself just where her father and Sarah, his latest wife, were. She had intended to be back in London tonight. She had to be back to the theater for a performance tonight, and they would be not at all pleased if she did not show up. Taking deep breaths to try to calm herself down, Rebekah noticed a man, half concealed by the one shadowy corner in the tavern. He seemed to be watching her, but that wasn't a new experience for Rebekah. Men had been watching her for as long as she could remember. Choosing to deal with him in the most direct fashion possible, she stared right back at him, as if daring him to approach.

 

[darrenfate]

Ahhh Cas, I am so pleased that you answered the call. Your witty writing style always imbues Lit with a special alluring panache ...

EDMUND

A shaft of sunlight shone down upon his journal, the only light in his dim corner of the room. Edmund ran a hand through his long light brown hair, the perfectly trimmed full beard augmenting the exasperated look on his angular face. Today, however, he felt more the fool than learned. He shut the volume with an audible sigh. The right words eluded him, and he needed them. But there was the morrow, and at 32 there were to be many morrows still to come. Though early, a pint was in order.

It was good to get away for awhile even from his beloved Ireland, County Kildare to be exact. He had come upon this Inn quite by accident, and it was a godsend. He was anonymous here, and could focus on nothing but his own private devices. Edmund devoutly believed in serendipity, so he stayed.

Edmund mused on the irony of it all. Here he was completely surrounded by people at every turn, and yet totally alone. Perfect. At home he was hounded at every turn. Edmund deflected the natural curiosity of the owners many times in the first few days, and now two weeks later they never asked him of his business. He came silently down the back stairs from his room above.

Edmund saw the fair haired woman enter announced with the proper introduction, albeit unreturned, as befits a noblewoman of some stature. He knew that he should have announced his presence, but there was something illicit and alluring by watching in secret. Against his better judgement then, he remained silent. Despite her heavy velvet dress, her curves were unmistakeable. Her body though appealing, was not what impressed Edmund most. It was her bearing. She looked downright regal, and impatient. Ah, a woman of fire! Then, the Look. It was time to act. He walked over.

My Lady, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is S .., er Edmund, and I have a room here at the Inn. It seems as though the owners of this establishment have underestimated the potential traffic that this early hour might bring. I for one, wanted a simple pint - but you have a completely different agenda.

Circumstances have conspired to bring us together, I believe that we should find out why. We can begin with your name ...

 

[caspai]

Rebekah

Taking a long look at the man in front of her, she noted the cut and quality of his clothing, which told her that he was not the kind of person who had frequented this place in her youth. The fact that he thought her a potential guest, rather than the help, was quite gratifying to her. She had worked very hard to attain the polish he seemed to take as an innate part of herself. Sitting a bit straighter, she smiled graciously to him, nodding her head in acknowledgement of his greeting.

Good day, sir. My name is Rebekah. It does seem that this place is a bit deserted, though not unpleasantly so.

Drawing her gloves off, she placed them on the table next to her, allowing one of them to slide off, falling onto the floor just in front of her.