Gypsies, tramps, and thieves (multiplayer)

[intriguess]

I've done this particular thread in the past with success and know that a multiplayer thread is a great way to get to know a lot of writers quickly. Since I've been off the board for several months I figure this is good way to reintroduce myself.





Time: the past, pre industrial revolution, horse travel, outdoor plumbing, that sort of thing

Setting: a growing town, celebrating one of those local annual celebrations. Think hunch back of Notre Dame Fool's Day celebration, lots of vendors, visitors, money, costumes, music, shows, etc.

Character: Miranda, mid twenties, been with the gypsy band for as long as she can remember, dancing green eyes, curly auburn hair, lips that seem always curled in a smile. She has a protective temperament, fiercely loyal, plies her trade as a fortune teller, but is also a skilled dancer.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

Care if I join?

Arabesque, early twenties, vagabond theif currently in residence with the gypsies. SHe lives off the things she steals and is more adept than any other. Her small frame and childlike appearance allows her more access to the people around. She has a voice like a beautiful bird and sings slow mournful dirges when prompted by the gypsy king. She keeps her black hair pinned back to reveal the porciline skin and a pair of diamond blue eyes.
She is reckless and charismatic. She too is loyal to the gypsies that have raised her and taught her what little skills she possesses outside of stealing.

She sings, she dances and for a quarter, she will take you into the dark and steal your heart.

 

[gagonthis]

Marshall was a young mercenary for hire, aged close to 20 summers now. He'd left his family on their podunk farm almost 3 years ago to ply his trade and most employers found his lithe frame to belie a martial strength that none could match (at least in his opinion). His latest job was escorting a merchant to the town where the celebration was being held. He was eager to see the sights.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Gaellan

Gaellan strode confidantly through the crowded marketplace, his lute slung protectively over one shoulder. A bard by trade himself, the golden haired youth tossed an almost mischievous wink towards the shadows a passing alleyway presented, almost as if daring the eyes he knew to be there to emerge. He had learned long ago to keep his purse close at hand lest he lose it, and while perhaps his trade was not as flawless as the currently residant gypsies.....his voice was pure and honest, netting him more coin than he had gained in months on the road.

Dressed flamboyantly, demanding attention wherever he performed, even his brightly colored silken finery seemed to draw only a glance or two as all eyes focused on the performing gypsy beauties. A soft chuckle was lost in the murmurs of appreciation, as practised eyes swept the crowd.

Sure enough.....a shadow slipped amongst them, purses invaded for just enough coin to not be missed, nicked here and there, flitting from body to awestruck body. Indeed a hand brushed his own with the most inobtrusive of touches.....freezing instantly at the smile on his lips, though he hardly bothered to turn around.....

"Good business this evening friend?"

 

[intriguess]

Miranda

She loved a good party, and this was no exception, the bright lights made even darker shadows, and the noise allowed for many other activities, that others in her group pursued. She saw little harm in lightening the purses, she just preffered to do it in more agreeable ways.

She flitted through the group, dressed in the bright flowing garments that defined her as not a local. She advertised her trade, and pointed out her much patched up tent to those curious few. It was nice to be able to intermingle freely, at any other time there would be suspicious stares and muttered curses.

Miranda was not a husband stealer, though with her natural grace and bewitching smile, she typically had her choice of men.

 

[gagonthis]

Marshall sauntered into the town square, looking around with eagerness at the festival preperations. Despite his years as a mercenary killing men for profit, Marshall still found he got a child like joy from these types of events. Something about the smell reminded him of the good aspects of home. Marshall was also pleased to see several dueling rings being setup as well as a many stands where he could procure ale. He might get a child like excitement from these things, but it was the adult activities he excelled at.

He smiled as he passed a very striking gypsy woman with auburn hair hawking her fortune telling buisness. Marshall slid his coin purse more securely away. Where there was one gypsy you saw there were often three you did not. Still he did not have anything against gypsies, they were good folk as far as most types went, and you'd be hard pressed to match them for exotic beauty in their women. Thinking on how good looking that gypsy woman was Marshall decided the first stop he should make was a brothel, see if he couldn't shake off some of this road dust..

 

[intriguess]

She finally paused at a local tavern that had brisk business, and fabulous music. It was nice to see people intermingling as if all were old friends. It was a powerful aura of comradarie. Miranda bought a drink and looked around, the mood was lively, as usual for the first real night of the party. She debated her plans for the evening. She typically did a few tea readings and took a man to her bed.

 

[Mystical Avalon]

To Arabesque, no one could work a trade crowd like Miranda. She had longed many nights to speak with her. to learn from her yet the laws of the gypsys were to not teach trade to those outside the blood.

She had learned her fair share of skills from them and was an avid thief yet, she longed for the prowess of Miranda. Men were nothing to her. They would dote on her and love her if she so please but she could not harbour their attentions.

She wanted to be able to garner the males attention. Make then want her for what she was not because of what she could do. She was a gypsy, that held some sway of mystery, but, it was Miranda that they wanted, coveted even above their wives and girlfirends.

She had stolen her share of hearts yet without pleasure. For hours she would follow Miranda throughout her day sneaking and watching. Today was no exception. Following her into the tavern, she stood just out of sight and watched.

The young man caught her eye as he pushed his coin purse in a little deeper. SMiling to herself she thought, this was a man that knew of gypsies and laughed. It was louder than wanted and she knew she had been caught.

 

[roleplaylifer]

A chance encounter.

Almost expecting a knife blade at his back at his flippant, casual observance of the would-be thief....Gaellan's mane of blond curls cocks slightly at the soft sound of laughter behind him. His own lips twisting ever so gently into an honest smile. It would seem that while his better judgement had momentarily gone astray, he wasn't in harms way at the moment.....or so he hoped.

And yet there was a strange tone to said laughter.....feminine yes....but with a soft, almost husky quality to it that brought to mind a few of the finer romances of his own past. Keeping his voice to a mutter, the bard's smile never wavered as he kept a firm hand on his purse, only daring a slight glance backward at his new companion.

"Don't mind me, good lady. I'll not tell a soul, I swear to you."

What greeted his eyes was definately worth looking at.....a slight woman, well suited to be a rogue with her waifish figure and what had already proven to be nimble fingers. And yet it was the cold calculation in her eyes that truly drew him....as if he were just another target.....one that had annoyingly foiled her. For now.

Slowly, Gaellan pivoted on one heel, keeping his movements slow as he dared to face her. When no retribution came immediately, a soft sigh of relief escaped almost inaudibly from between his suddenly nervously dry lips. While a deft hand with the own blade he carried, there was just something about this woman that was disconcerting......

And yet, the bard in him couldn't resist a story.....and this one should prove interesting enough, his grin returning in a flash as he barely resisted the temptation to draw attention to her presence with a grand bow that would have come all too easily. Instead, he studied his would be robber.....swallowing hard as his gaze drank in all that he had missed with the first glance. The ample swells of her breasts beneath her dark garb, the silent sashay of her hips as she adjusted her weight nervously beneath his gaze.....probably still contemplating how much trouble he could be to her. Expecting another street savvy adolescent, instead the minstrel found himself faced with a woman....and a rather attractive one at that!

The mischievous grin returned in a heartbeat to his lips, fingers dipping into his purse, knowing full well that she was watching.

"A copper for your thoughts, milady? Or perhaps you'd take a silver for your next ale?"

 

[showdolly]

Donna
waitress and tavern girl
20 years old
busty brunette with hips to match
thin and toned but pale as the time warrants

A local by birth, Donna's parents were killed while she was still young and the tavern owner had taken her under his wing, and she worked for her keep. Worked in the tavern, and for the owner in other ways as well. As she'd grown older and come of age, he'd thought it appropriate for her to learn yet another trade, but it was kept mostly under wraps until someone asked or a 'regular' inquired of her.
For now, Donna wiped the bar area with a rag and refilled drinks, her shift coming to an end. This shift would end, and the other only begin....

(OC: looks like a lot of fun! just an intro and i'm off to bed now. Night!)

 

[intriguess]

Miranda

She knew of her shadow, and casually observed the distraction that had momentarily moved into Arabesque's path. She flashed a smile at the barmaid, it had been a while since she had enjoyed a woman in her bed, mainly as they tended to become more emotionally engaged. Someone like the barmaid might be a worthy and willing encounter.

With a smile she recalled the last time she'd enjoyed a couple in her bed, it had been a most pleasant night, filled with wine and leisurely coupling. She casually lowered the neckline of her blouse revealing her delicately freckled skin.

 

[gagonthis]

Marshall was sitting enjoying his ale, taking in the local sights. He'd picked the right tavern apparently. No sooner than five minutes after he'd sat down and been served by a very busty tavern wench, leaving her a large tip and a wink, than the gypsy he had seen in the town square came dancing in, catching the eye of almost everyman in the place. Marshall saw the bard in the corner carrying on another conversation with a different gypsy and again he thought he was glad he kept his purse close to him.
"Oi! Barkeep!" Marshall shouted above the din of conversation "One free round for all on me! And bard! I'll be buying your drinks tonight if you put on a good enough show for all of us!" He beamed, excited by the prospect of some decent entertainment whether from the bar or the three women in the tavern he had his eye on.

 

[showdolly]

Donna pointed coyly at her own cheek as the customer tipped and winked at her, then promptly began filling mugs with the house blend as he ordered a round. Seeing that he offered the one lady her free drinks, Donna smiled across the space between them and swatted at her own rear to encourage the show. She herself wouldn't mind watching that, and returned to filling mugs as they disappeared.
Satisfied that the "round" had been sated, Donna's lips curled as she recalled the lowering the girl had done with her blouse earlier. Sex for money was decent, but sex for fun was better, and that would definately be fun. She looked again at the girl, winking again at those who caught her eye in the process.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n298/showdolly/saloon_waitress.jpg

 

[intriguess]

Miranda

The tavern wench was compelling, and the gypsy casually leaned in and ran a large silver coin down her clavicle, along her throat, and slipped it between her soft delicate breasts. It was not exactly subtle, but only those paying attention would have caught the interaction.

Miranda then finished off the beer displaying an ability to hold her breath as she swallowed. Of course she had an amazing high tolerance for brewed beverages, but anyone watching need not know that.

She licked the foam off her lips and winked back at the lovely waitress.

 

[showdolly]

Smiling and making eye contact, conversing silently through the air, Donna grinned and made two of the drinks Miranda had just downed. Sipping one, she made her way over to the gypsy girl, wondering how they'd not met before - but planned on meeting her now.

"Compliments of the gentleman at the bar," Donna eyed the coin which she knew was hidden now, then let her eyes travel back up the girl's neck to her eyes. "And me, I'm Donna, and I've seen you I think, but never had the pleasure." Smiling and adding a bit more to that sentence in her mind, Donna motioned to the seat as if to ask if it was taken.

 

[intriguess]

Miranda

She inclined her head to indicate she would not mind the company. "I've passed this way a few times before, I admit my attention must have been elsewhere to not have noticed you." Miranda casually caught Donna's hand and caressed the lines that crossed the palm. She took note of the well worn hands of someone who worked for a living, the lines etched deeply. The told of sadness, pain, among other things.

"You're very young to know such pain," she murmured softly. "I could show you many pleasures." The last was spoken softly, and close to the young woman's ear, as the gypsy casually eyed the mercenary who bought the drinks, as well as the bard confronting her shadow.

 

[showdolly]

Donna gently pulled her hand away from the gypsy woman, a bit shy that just her hand would have revealed so much, and skeptical at the woman's ways anyhow. "I manage." She let a smile curl her lips and then dropped her own voice. "But, certainly wouldn't mind some help doing so every now and again, ya know." She winked and let her breath mingle with the other woman's, their faces still close.

 

[roleplaylifer]

"One free round for all on me! And bard! I'll be buying your drinks tonight if you put on a good enough show for all of us!"

A soft chuckle escaped the youth's lips, his eyes still lingering on the delightfully mysterious maiden in front of him....turning slowly to cast a tremorous smile towards the mercenary who had hailed him by his occupation.

"A show it will be then, my good sir. Though mayhaps you'd be needing a few more pints before beholding a voice as poor as mine?"

Glancing back at the woman who had so nearly accosted him, Gaellen backpedaled slowly, going through with his earlier intent to bow to her, his face a mask of disappointment as he turned to answer the call of his profession.

Finding an empty chair in the crowded room was difficult, but after several long moments the opportunity presented itself. A swish of blue and silvered silks stirred the air as he settled his lithe frame comfortably, unslinging the lute as the tavern quieted beneath the testing of its strings.

A well endowed barmaid returned the flashy smile offered her with a soft giggle and a generous flash of cleavage as she set a flagon of ale beside him as per the mercenary's request. Silently, his emerald eyes swept the crowd, taking in all that happened around him.....the rapier he wore at his side all too comforting with its presence.

Sometimes a good performance could bring him a sizable amount of coin. Coin that a few of every town's rougher lot would be all to eager to relieve him of.

Satisfied with the instrument's tuning....his fingers greeted the lute with its first honest strumming, launching himself slowly through a mournful ballad.....his "poor" voice a lilting tenor hinting of the softest of accents as it rose and fell to each refrain.

A song about love lost, then acknowledged, only to be spurned once more.....it was in his opinion, the perfect opening song, knowing full well that the tavern's patrons would be expecting something more rollicking and bawdy. Still, perhaps seeing the gypsies earlier performance had rubbed off on him, wanting to test his own skills with something a touch more difficult than the average drinking song.

His reward was silence, as it seemed that almost everyone had ceased what they were doing at least somewhat to listen. With an almost mournful passing of fingers over the corded strings.....the last wistful strains of his voice faded, the cocky smile returning almost instantly to his face.

His head dipped in modesty and gratitude as the first coin sailed his way.....

 

[intriguess]

"Pleasure taken is different from pleasure freely given." Miranda smiled as she spoke to the barmaid and groped her bum as she slipped off to take care of more orders. "The night is young, though I'd be happy to join you in whatever endeavors that find you this evening," the offer was softly whispered along her neck.

Miranda was hoping for a song she could dance to, but the tale was somehow suited to the crowd.

 

[showdolly]

Donna quite enjoyed the gentleman's song, though she'd expected to hear the voice of the younger gypsy thief whom she'd heard sing many times here. Ah well, the man's talents were almost as good, and he wasn't bad looking, either. SHe thought of tossing a coin his way as she passed by to complete more drink orders, and realized she had no coinage on her and his song wasn't yet finished.

So she waited, filled some drinks and smiled as she placed her hand on the place on her bum where the woman's hand had found its grounding. Glancing back towards the table, she eased over, her own shift finished as she removed her smock and tossed it to her replacement. Her wages would be paid later.... The man's song finishing, Donna quickly looked the other lady in the eye and reached between her breasts to retrieve the coin hidden there, then tossed it toward the musician, only barely glancing his way for his invitation should he find the chance. Looking back to the lady at the table, she raised an eyebrow and apologized for her thievery.

"I guess I'll have to work off that coinage somehow, my friend. And my name is Donna, I'm glad you asked." She flashed an almost evil smile, already having had their between-the-lines conversation earlier through the silence and space of the room.

 

[gagonthis]

Marshall had watched the interaction between the gypsy girl and the tavern maid with much interest. Festival always seemed to bring out the brazeness in people and Marshall liked that. He listened to the Bard's sad dirge, not thrilled with his choice of music, but captivated like everyone else in the room. When he finished Marshall cheered loudly and bought him another drink before standing to head over to the bar himself. He saw the tavern maid getting off work and heard her introduce herself to the gypsy woman as Donna.
"Here now Donna." He said as he approached the two women. "Allow me to buy you and your friend here a drink?" He gave his best ladykiller smile as he examined the two of them, very pleased with what he saw.

 

[intriguess]

Miranda

Miranda smile at the young barmaid and watched as she traded off her apron. Then with a boldness that slightly surprised her the young woman retrieved the coin from the gypsy's cleavage.

"Well Donna, I'm sure we can find some mutually agreeable way to take care of that." Miranda turned to the young mercenary and smiled at his brazen introduction. He might be fun she thought as she agreed to the drink and suggested the find a nice corner table.

 

[showdolly]

Donna spoke to the gypsy through a smile and a glance, then turned to the mercenary and touched his cheek with her hand. Hearing the woman's suggestion about a corner table, she led the way to the far end of the area, darker and away from most of the crowd. You would find the table if you were looking, but only if you were looking and were willing to walk the entire length of the area to find the seclusion. The light didn't fall well here, the table being in the back corner almost behind the bar, and other tents set up behind and beside the tavern to prevent the sun shining in this corner.

She motioned to the new shiftee to bring 3 drinks and sat with the two, introducing herself now to the trader and indicating that she hadn't yet learned the name of her feminine friend. "I'm Donna, I work here but my shift is done now, and this... this is my gypsy friend." She smiled and touched the woman's hand, then let her own hand travel to the gypsy's knee, looking into her eyes before back at the mercenary.

 

[gagonthis]

Marshall noticed the interplay between the two of them and smiled broadly. He'd said it before, but he loved festival. He paid the server and tipped her generously, telling her to bring another round when they finished these. "Pleased to meet you Donna. I'm Marshall, fresh in off a morning caravan to this celebration. I been looking around trying to find me something to help me shake the road dust off if ya know what I mean?" He smiled broadly and let his hand move to rest on the lower part of Donnas thigh, squeezing it softly. "And what's your name then?" He asked looking the gypsy woman up and down adiringly.

 

[intriguess]

"They call me Miranda," she said smiling as the young maids hand rested comfortable on her knee. She glanced over Marshall and grinned, "Perhaps we could arrange time in a bath?"

She shifted her skirts to bare her knee to the maid's touch as she sipped her new drink. "I hope you would welcome some company along the way." She offered casually her fingers remaining above the table, noticing that his hand was undoubtedly in a similiar position to the lovely Donna who sat between them.