OOC: This thread is open by requests only. PM me if interested. I have a particular direction I'm looking for. And please await approval before joining, thanks. Lion took the bait >D nyahahaha
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"In the Time of Ansgar... volumes one, two and three," the woman spoke, glasses on the edge of her nose as she read the worn script on the book's binding. Frowning, she turned around, craning her neck up at the shelves above her. "Ah, here we go." Leaning up on her tip toes, she placed the three books into their slot but paused a moment to notice, with a furrowed brow and pout, "Oh.. volume six is missing.."
Glancing over her shoulder, she peered at the desk at the end of the hall. Students at the university had come in that day doing research and left the back of the library quite a mess. Thankfully, it was nearly closing hour and she still had about half an hour left to clean. But, noticing the books she had to still catalog and reshelve didn't seem to be dwindling, she gave a defeated sigh and slumped against the book shelf.
"By Ansgar's name, will this work ever get done?"
She worked sixteen hour days and barely got a few coppers for her work. It was just enough to help pull her weight in her family to help put food upon the table- but really...
She felt herself lucky indeed, for at least she enjoyed her work, despite the long hours and the underappreciatedness of her boss.
In fact, there was even rumors that- due to the war, funding in the library would cut and it was hinted at that she might be without a job. She stared up at the ceiling, day dreaming over what she would do without a job. How would her family manage?
But her brown eyes caught sight of a book- and a more curious one on the top of the shelf-
"Nights of old Essyrn!?"
Shaking her head, she planted her hands to her hips and gave the book a mean glare (or as mean as someone like Artemis Longfellow could give, for she was anything but a mean looking girl). Sighing, she approached the shelf and tried to reach it, and sighed when she realized- "Oh, figures someone places a book away on the wrong shelf. And the top shelf, no less!"
Glancing around, she couldn't find the library's ladder and- finding herself growing impatient, she spotted a nearby stool.
"Ah, ha!" She gave a triumphant whisking off of her glasses. "This ought to work just fine." Fetching it up, she placed her glasses upon her head and dragged the stool over towards the book shelf and placed it near. Then lifting up her skirts (but to an appropriate length, of course!) she placed one boot in front of the other as she stepped up onto it. It wobbled a bit at first but after she slowly got her balance, she craned her neck up towards the shelf and stood at full height with a smile. The book was now in arm's reach!
"I'll show you for not being in the proper spot," she told the book with her nose playfully to the air, then reached a hand forward to fetch it-
but the bottom of the book hit the top of another as she was pulling it out- and it knocked that one over into the next, until the books all beside it began to fall over in a domino effect until the book at the very end of the line shot off the shelf...
And landed upon the pile of books she still had to re-shelve!
Artemis stared at the feat in disbelief.
"Oh, Ansgar no..."
And just when she thought the situation couldn't get worse (for at least books knocked over on a shelf were easy to clean...) The pile of books began to wobble and teeter....
And the heaviest volume toppled over- landing right on someone's foot.
It wasn't that he didn't have anything better to do. And rarely would Caelwyn put himself at risk for the sake of a book, but this book in particular had so far eluded him in all the libraries in Serendipity. Travel was incredibly dangerous, especially wandering through the wilds of Connlaoth while the land was at war with itself for not good reason (since war was always a waste of everyone's time). Caelwyn, almost literally, just marched right through a battlefield in the midst of it on his way to Uthlyn, with no mind or heed to the goings on around him.
But if he had known, his life would have been more in danger when he entered the library he might have – ... Wait, nope. He still would have gone on in anyway. The book was a rare tome, a list of detailed maps from Essyrn, both recent and dating back at least the last two-hundred and fifty years. Rumor had it that the only existing copy that was destroyed by wind, weather, or rival armies resided on the very shelves of his library in Uthlyn.
He had spent hours there, just browsing really because libraries were just as interesting to look at, as they were to study and read in. And he just happened to find himself at the wrong place at the right time. The sounds were deafening when the books fell, but Caelwyn had trained himself to ignore most distractions, until those distractions landed on his foot.
"YOOOOOOOW!" he suddenly cried out and abruptly twisted on his heel as he raised his leg to grab his foot. As he turned, his entire body lost balance and smashed into the pile of books the young librarian on the stool had, and the books landed all around him, covering everything but his arms.
Artemis gasped the moment she watched the man's foot become smashed beneath the book- but before she had a chance to warn him about the pile of books beside him, the flailing man already collided with them, nad wiht a cringe, she watched him fall down and become buried.
For a while, all she could do was stare in disbelief, then looked around to see if anyone had seen that before she scrambled down from her perch upon the stool and stumbled to a halt, just before the edging of the book heap.
"S-sir?" she spoke out, using length in her tone and a bit of volume, but not TOO loudly so as to draw the attention from her boss...
"Sir, are you alright?" and spotting his hands, she took a few dainty steps in the pile of books when her heel caught the edge of the spine in just the wrong way and sent her tumbling on top of both man and books. Though her body had enough force to push a lot of the books aside, the librarian was now bent over awkwardly the man who had once been subdued by the books- nd he'd now find his face just inches away from a brown haired woman who's classes were now worn askew and brown eyes were quite large as they stared back at him in shock.
He felt as if he blacked out for quite a long moment and he stirred just a little with the slightest groan. But when he heard the creak of a leather sole and the shuffle of books, he felt another force suddenly topple onto him and pressed a squeal out of Caelwyn that he found particularly humiliating. It certainly made his eyes open and he gasped for breath when a large book slipped off his face.
He stared up at the ceiling before turning his eyes toward hers and he said nothing for what seemed like an eternity. He gasped and felt his face turn red. "I don't suppose you treat all your patrons to a near death experience! I think I broke both of my legs...and my arms too," he huffed and pushed himself to sit up. Obviously, save for a headache and a sore back, he was in relatively healthy shape and Caelwyn nursed his head and crossed his legs in front of him.
Artemis gaped, her expression looking like that of a fish before her eyes fluttered and she returned from her mind-numbed stare and plucked her crooked glasses off her face.
"I-" she began to say, then found herself floundering over what to say before she took a step back, trying to evade the books, but her heels caught onto one again,a nd this time she fell forward but managed to catch herself- though awkwardly on Caelwyn's pants.
ANd the awkward rip that followed made Artemis, "er..."
Arms pinwheeling, she jerked herself up right, hands now snapping off of his pants and she, stepping bac with a bit more caution and confidence as she peered back at the man, her entire face as red as a cherry.
"I.. I do apologize for all of this sir but no," she siad, finally answering his question from earlier with a deepened frown. "We do not, and I humbly apologize for the..er.. books." She made a face before frowning again, she wasn't sure what else to say or what else was to be done about this- but before she got a chance, she was nearly leaping out of her skin when the shrill voice of her boss: Librarian Obert Brown, stepped into view and he went into a panic.
"By Ansgar's name!" Obert shouted, voice echoing up to the valted ceilings. "What on earth happened here!?"
Turning towards the red=faced and angered Obert, Artemis cringed and took a step back, but not before she stared at him a moment in hesitation before speaking.
"I can explain."
"You'd better explain, Artemis! Or else this entire mess, anything broken- all of it, ALL will come from your salary. And from the looks of it, you'll be working here for yeras for us for free! Now explain yourself this instant and tell me, with good reasons, why all of these books are now on the floor!"
An dif hte man wasn't bald enough, he'd surely be losing his hair now, and Artemis, feeling a knot seal within her throat, tried to swallow it as she hesitated over her words.
"Um.. well.. you see the thing of it was, is-"
"Oh, never mind explaining it here, Artemis! You'll trip over your tongue all day!"
ANd the woman took offense, but sealed her lips together so as not to retort. Sometimes Obert could be so mean!
"Just get this messed cleaned up and report the damages to me and we'll see what sort of fines this will cost you!" and in a huff, the head librarian turned to storm away, leaving Artemis gaping.
Caelwyn managed to stand when he felt his head didn't get the best of him. He used a bookshelf to help him stand and keep his balance as Artemis stammered and suddenly floundered before him. "Oh, gods, woman get a -"
Shriiiip!
"-grip."
Caelwyn stared down at his legs and saw an entire pant leg on his right suddenly torn to shreds. He gasped aloud, howling in surprise, embarrassment and just a little bit of rage. Color flooded his face and he stared at Artemis with wide eyes and couldn't even find words to say. By the time the head librarian found his way toward their situation, he was too busy trying to hold the torn leg of his pants up, fumbling and saying all manner of nonsense.
He peered up at the balding man and held his pants with one hand. "AND DON'T FORGET TO ADD ONE A PAIR OF TROUSERS!" Caelwyn called after him. He peered at Artemis with daggers in his eyes. Oh how he wished looks could kill. "What is the matter with you!? Are you some kind of molester of famous archaeologists!?"
Artemis, who was already practically dieing from embarrassment as it was, and feeling the heavy weight of guilt from her actions, cringed back when Caelwyn proclaimed her, of all things, a molester!"
Snapping into offensive mode, she ruffled up her feathers and squared off her shoulders and shot the man a look as she gave him a once over.
"I most certainly am not! It was an accident!" Though her face turned pink, she believed it was more than evident what happened. Her boots tripped over the books! Why could he not see that? Besides! She would never be caught dead doing such a thing! She had never even kissed a man, after all, let alone be a girl to try to tear the pants off of one!
"PAH! You'll be hearing from my father's lawyer in due time for this incident!" Caelwyn snapped, though even he couldn't quite believe that he had just pulled out the father's attorney as if that would actually fix the situation of ripped pants. But his scowl made him seem more than dead serious. "You should be fired for your incompetence. Obviously you have no idea what you're doing. You fumble about like your half brain-dead and blame it on someone else. Besides, you started it when your goddamn book collided with my foot!"
He was positively spitting. Never had he been so enraged in all his life, but he was far too angry to speak anymore before turning on his heel and stalking away toward the table he was working on. And just when he left, Obert Brown came rushing back to the sound of shouting and stood on the other side of the aisle. "What's this about suing!? No, madame! I did not just hear those words!"
Artemis was taken back, making a face of anger and confusion. Was he really so upset over a little pair of ripped pants? And really.. she had only ripped half of it anyway! But at his mentioning of her being fired, her lips fell open as she stared at him- in shock and pain, for nothing could harm her more than to tell her she was incompetent. She had worked so hard to get this position, having educated herself with the help of no one else and many years of lost sleep! Tears had been forming in her eyes, tears he probably didn't see nor care about as she set her jaw and glared back at him angrily.
"It as an accident!"
But it seemed her words would only go to the back of his head. Oh! What a rude and despicable man! And to think he spoke this way to women... she'd hate to see how he was like with others! (Granted, most didn't drop books all over him or rip his pants..)
But that was beside the point! (though it did happen within minutes after they've met..) No that they've properly met at all!
But oh! This was awful, just plain awful and the moment Obert Brown returned, Artemis was left floored. The man went on and on with his lectures about her behavior and hwo, despite her protests and mentionings of her hard work at the library, it all ended witha huff of "That's just enough, Miss Longfellow!" And she cringed when she noticed the look in his eyes before he told her, "You're fired!"
And all Artemis could do was stare.
"I..." she began to speak, but even she was afraid, and too stunned, to properly respond. She couldn't even cry. All she could do was gape.
"DId you not hear me properly, Artemis? This incident is just too much! We've got an angry patron- a very famous man- do you even know who that was? Caelwyn Caye! A famous archaeological explorer! And if he goes on to tell the whole world about this incident, why- ARtemis Longfellow, you might lose more than your job!"
His words hurt more than he could have known, especially when he went on to add, "And to think I gave a woman like you a chance! Go home where you're supposed to be. I'll take compensation from this mess from your owed weeks of pay!"
It felt as if Obert Brown just slammed the door in her face. She couldn't believe this and she was left again, without means to speak, for her throat was tightening into a knot and her mind, numb to all senses. So slowly, ever so slowly, she turned her back to the mess, back to the library- and left, having no idea where she was even going or what she was even going to do with herself.
Her world, quite literally, just fell apart within a matter of ten minutes. What was she going to do now?
Well, that wasn't his problem. Sure he had to walk out of the library using his coat as a dress, or walk out with half a pair of pants. He wasn't too perturbed about that. Clothes were replaceable, but his dignity needed a little soothing, and it was her fault anyway! No, he would not be guilty over her. She was the one that was too clumsy to properly stack books away. Good gods, even the most half-witted colleague of his could do that! And all they could do was count as high as their fingers and toes.
Caelwyn poured over his book, which hadn't been the one he sought, but at least it served a suitable substitute for now. On the History of Essyrn and the Moraki Desert was the label and his quill scratched the paper as he scribbled on it. "Hmm, incorrect, the spring wasn't discovered until the summer of 768, first era," he mumbled as he wrote and flipped pages.
As he heard foot steps passing by him, turning out to be clumsy librarian herself, he cleared his throat loudly and reached out, grabbing her by the sleeve. "Oh, right, could you see if you have the one and only copy of Geodatus Expedition of the Essyrni Territory and Its Foundations? I heard you had one in the back." He didn't even look up at her as he continued to scribble.
Obert paused in the corner of the library before throwing daggers to Artemis. He scowled at the fired woman. "Well?" he said, putting his hands on his hips. "You heard the man!"
Artemis was taken back when her shirt sleeve was suddenly yanked, and when she saw who did the yanking,s he was even more surprised! Hadn't she had enough of that man for one day?! THen there he was- barking orders! ANd there her former boss was, glaring at her as if she had to obey.
Gaping, she simply stared and said nothing, did nothing, that was until Obert Brown stepped in between them.
"Yes, Artemis.." he pressed, gripping her arm harshly. "I do believe that was one of the books you were categorizing this afernoon."
Of course it was one of the books she was categorizing, she knew and remembered ever old book like that. But the fact that she was just fired and this man just sought to patronize her by throwing salt in her wounds made her yank her hand suddenly from Obert's grip.
"I most certainly will not. After all, you sent me on a permanent holiday!" and without so much as looking back, she turned away from both men and stormed clean out the door.
It was only when she was already storming down the streets that she realized- wtih an internal laugh, that's why the book was so familiar- she had taken it home!
"Take that, Uthlyn scholars, as if you'll get back suhc a precious book!" she told them in a huff of airs before she threw her nose up towards the air and continued to storm off towards her home, ont once looking back at that discpicable library-
and back at the library... internally, Obert Brown was cursing out Miss Artemis Longfellow, for he had told their famous new patron he could help-
though as he was in the back, digging through books- he began to realize how incredibly wrong he was.
With a sigh, he moved over to check the book list to see if it was recently checked out. ANd pointing at it with a heavy finger he gave a laugh.
"No wonder it is not here, Mister Caye. It seems Miss Longfellow had checked it out!"
Gods, could his day and luck get any worse!?
"Pfft, no wonder she was fired. That attitude," Caelwyn rolled his eyes and went back to the scribbling just as Obert went into the back room and began rummaging for the book the scholar had requested. Thank goodness he wasn't Connlaothian, he wouldn't know what he would do in the face of all this incompetence. No wonder their army was losing this stupid and dreadful war.
Besides what good was fighting over who could or couldn't use magic anyway? Serendipity did just fine in that regard. Sure, you had your occasional evil witch and mad wizard looking to gain all the power, but there were usually others willing to put a stop to them, so it more or less balanced out in the end. He wondered for a moment why others like High Lord Acaulian didn't try to promote productive use of it by institutionalizing it, if that was the word. Free thinking, knowledge available to anyone willing to learn.
Well, anyone that wasn't Caelwyn Caye of course. He'd nearly forgotten that he'd been kicked out of the university at Reichsgard, for debatable reasons of course! (And none of which were his fault!) But he'd never bee much for the study of magic. He enjoyed literature and history, and the culture of peoples long dead and forgotten. And finding new ways to learn about them.
All that was thought for a different day and Caelwyn went back to his book and sniffed, then growing suddenly impatient for Obert when at last he made his return. "She has it?" he said, raising his brows at the man. "The vengeful crone!" He growled and threw himself from the table, bolting for the door in half-pants.
He nearly tripped over them by the time he made it down the steps and ran after Artemis! "You have the book! Give it to me now! And I may consider forgiving you for you ineptitude."
Artemis Longfellow had barely made it a few steps towards the fountain that lay before the Uthlyn Library, near the town square, when Caelwyn rushed out and began to yell for her. Not realizing it was meant for her Artemis kept on walking until she caught the man out of the corner of her eye and turned around with a gasp.
"What?" she blinked, staring at him as she made a face. "What are you going on about?"
And his shouting was already drawing a crowd. She looked around then back to Caelwyn.
"And if you please, keep your tone down. You're making a scene."
That's the last thing she needed, to get in trouble with the guards as well because this man was chasing after her like a lunatic.
No, it certainly didn't help that he was shouting. But it also didn't help that he was standing in half-pants and was turning red in the face over the matter as petty as a book. Oh, but he knew the ignorant and the small-minded people of this city just wouldn't understand. It wasn't just any book after all! It was the Geodatus of Essyrn! Who knew what kind of hidden secrets it had!?
Oh that's right! THIS! incorrigible woman!
"I don't care about a scene! And don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about! The Geodatus! A rare book I've found was only here in this very library, that YOU checked out and likely never to return! Pah! Give me that book and I'll consider getting you your job back, and that insolent whelp of a manager removed permanently from that facility. What school runs that library? Though I suppose it is a city facility and likely a letter won't solve everything, but I'm sure I could think of something! I just need that book."
"Geodatus?" she asked with a blink. "You mean The Geodatus of Essyrn?" She shook her head. "I had checked that out earlier. It was a new addition to the library." And she gave a short sniff and tucked back some of her pout. "I always read new additions and I have only just got the book this morning and I shall return it when I am done with it. Now sir, if you please... before you bring the guards into this with all of your shouting... Really, I'm sure you can wait until I am finished with it before borrowing the book from the library anyway. Besides," she said, her frown deepening. "With the low funding because of the way, I was going to get let go soon anyway." And she looked into this rage filled eyes, wondering, if this man was for real. "You can't just think you can magically save my job." And then she noticed a few snickering ladies as they passed, and it was only then her gaze followed theirs to his pants and...
Gasping, she whirled away, averting her gaze rather quickly.
"Also, might I suggest.." she went on using her hand to shield her eyes from him. "That you seek a tailor for those pants, first."
"A tailor my eye. You would say anything to distract me from my task," Caelwyn snapped and put his hand on his hips. "Besides, I need that book now. I don't plan on staying in this wretched city another minute longer than I have to be. You don't understand the urgency of my research. If someone else got their hands on that book, I don't know what I'll do."
He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at her with fluxing blue-green eyes. "I'll make it worth your while somehow. If what I'm looking for is indeed where I think it is, I could make a generous contribution to your library." He omitted the fact that it was his father that he would get the money from. "And get you your job back. Please. This is a matter of life and death."
The more the man spoke, the more he was drawing a crowd. And by the end of it, Artemis had no idea what to make of him! She had turned to him now and was slowly backing away from him as she walked, when her rear suddenly hit the stone lip of a fountain. Gasping, she turned around to it, spotted some guards headed there way before muttering, "Oh great."
Turning back to Caelwyn, she frowned.
"Look, all of your flim flam is drawing the guards this way." But at his last statement, she made a face. "Don't be so dramatic. What do you mean, life or death?"
"I mean just that! Life AND Death," Caelwyn said. He didn't pay any attention to the crowd and the guards that were making their way over here. "I'm on the verge of a dramatic discover that could turn the very world as we know it on its head. I'm talking about fortune and glory here. Real glory, revealing the life and culture of a people long dead is all in a days work, but this, this goes further into the history of our own world. What became of our ancestors and what will become of us."
His voice had gone low into a whisper as he spoke to Artemis and he had leaned in close enough when a guard suddenly came through the crowd demanding everyone to break it up. "All right now! What seems to be the problem here!?" His eyes widened as he spotted Caelwyn standing in half his trousers and squared his shoulders. "Are you harassing this woman!? I'll have you know public nudity is a serious offense!"
"I'm not nude in public as you can plainly see, I have undergarments on! And pants can be mended. Just don't look if you're that prudish. Goodness knows what kind of people you Connlaothians are. But that's beside the point. If you'll excuse us this is a private conversation," Caelwyn said with an eyeroll.
"Listen you! I'm the law here and I -"
"Won't tolerate insolent behavior? Then why don't you arrest yourself for loitering, that man over there for public intoxication from the sweat on his collar, the beadiness of his eyes and his wavering stance, that woman over there for adultery, as you can plainly see the tanline on her finger from a missing ring, and how skittish she looks, she obviously has recently washed her hair and is wearing a man's cologne."
The people in the crowd that he had pointed out all straightened and looked nervous, and the woman looked ruffled and clearly upset and the guard was speechless.
The guards weren't the only one's speechless as Artemis gaped.
Maybe he was crazy! Not that she'd have to worry about him for much longer since the guards suddenly came back to their senses and roared,
"MEN! GET OVER HERE! WE'RE TAKING HIM TO THE DUNGEON!"
And he reached forward to snatch onto Caelwyn's arm.
"So just halt right there, sir! You are under arrest!" and before he'd have a chance to protest, iron shackles were suddenly slapped onto one of his wrists. "For harassment of those in the public and the city guards!"
"UNHAND ME YOU BUFFOONS!" Caelwyn roared and struggled. But he didn't have to struggle for long before a hand clobbered him over the head and he suddenly fell unconscious. His head hurt and throbbed as he became limp in their arm, dragging him down the steps.
Artemis was taken back, gaping at such a scene and not knowing what to say or do. This was a most unusual and horrid day for her, but when the librarian came running out, he suddenly let out a sharp cry.
"What is this nonsense!? What is going on here!?" And he approached the guards all red-faced and when they explained to Obert that the man had been talking back, Obert grew furious, and even angrier when he spotted Artemis nearby.
"If you are to blame ANYONE, it was this woman! She had upset our patron and it is only natural he would be enraged! Seems to me her antics have continued with her onto the streets!"
Artemis, offended, took a step back as she stared at her 'former' boss, appalled.
"How dare you blame this on me! I would never be so foolish as to talk back to the guards! Even if I were angry and I-"
"Just hold up your bickering, you two." And the man turned from Artemis back to the librarian. "Now what are you going on about, sir?"
"This woman, RIGHT HERE!" he said, nearly spitting his words as he jabbed his fingers in the air at her accusingly. "SHE is the reason for this man being so upset! She threw books at him, ripped his pants, then rushed off and left him high and dry without the book he requested after I fired her!"
And it was in that moment the large guards turned to face her. Beneath their hulking gaze, she cowered and felt a knot form in her throat.
"Is that true, Miss?"
"I... well... It... no, no.. well, not all of it and I.. well he..."
But no matter how muhc she babbled, Obert went on a tirade and before Artemis knew it, she was thrown against the nearby fountain and her hands forced ebhind her back and cuffed.
"BUT I DIDN'T! DO ANYTHING!" Came her calls from inside the cell, after both she and Caelwyn were thrown into it. "You must believe me! PLEASE!" But the guards only laughed at her.
"You'll spend at least a week in here for your time if you keep that up. Now shut up while we right up this report!"
Cringing, Artemis leaned into the cell bars. Oh boy, what a mess she was in! How was she to fix this!? How could she even get out of here!?
They were both dragged off to the Uthlyn jail and by the time Caelwyn came too, his head was throbbing and he was laying on a metal bench with blood dried all along his head. He groaned and sat up, nursing his head and look around him. He jumped up and gasped. "Oh gods no! NO!" And he rushed to the tiny barred window that was his only view to the outside world!
He looked across to the person in the cell across from him and he pulled on the bars. "You! Why did you put me here, you terrible woman!"
"Me?" Artemis was taken back, a hand to her chest as she was looking away from the jail cell bars. "How on earth is this my fault?" She shook her head and made a face. "Do I need to remind you of the spectacle you made of yourself int he street? Those were very rude things to say! And need I state how uncivil you were towards the guards?" Really, did he need a lecture in manners?
No, no he did not. But things were really looking south now and it was hard to stay in a cheer mood when moments of research were literally slipping out of your fingers. Caelwyn sighed and relaxed against the bars. He swallowed hard on a dry throat so much so that it looked painful for him to do so as the words were forced from his mouth. "I'm...sorry!"
"Look, I was only upset because you were being just as stubborn as I was, and don't you deny it! I wasn't trying to make a scene, but I wasn't about to let you get away with something precious to me, something I need! And need it still! Just what the hell were you arrested for anyway?"
Artemis looked at him, her expression wavering slightly at his apology. If he could call that an apology it felt... huffed and... off. But perhaps he did mean it. She tried to shake off her own irritation, but frankly she was more tired and scared then anything.
She turned away from him and shook her head at his question.
"They blamed me for assaulting you. My former boss rushed out of the library in such a frenzy and pointed fingers at me for being the reaosn you're.. you're.." her eyes flickered over his form. "In such dissarray."
She turned away, nose a bit to the air. "Naturally I tried to deny it, but they believed that horrid man and now here I am. And they decided a shared cell for that matter as well."
Sighing,s he finally let out a hot breath befrore turning to him.
"And I apologize as well. I never meant to drop all of those books on you.." then her gaze dropped to his pants before she turned away, nervously biting a finger nail. "And well.." She continued, clearing her throat and brushing some dark hair from her face. "And about.. about your pants."
And nervously she folded her arms across her chest and avoided his gaze, cheeks flushed.
It was all just a lovely bundle of circumstances and Caelwyn threw his head back and blinked up at the sky. "Oh gods," he murmured. "This day really can't get any worse. He looked down at his tatted trousers and shrugged, leaning on the bars and pressing his face against the dirty iron bars. "Well, I suppose worse things could have happened. Did those guards at least say how long we were going to be in here for? Me for public aggravation and you for assault. I'm not pressing charges anyway..."
Artemis went quiet as she frowned.
"They said at least a week if I didn't stop complaining, so I don't know." She sighed and stared down at her boots. "And I haven't got the sort of money it takes to get myself out of here. So unless they're forgiving, I'll probably have to wait out my sentence here." And she took a wilted seat on a dirty bench that rested against the back wall.
Caelwyn sighed and suddenly perked up. "Bail," be said. "We can make bail. Guard! Guaaard!"
The bowlegged man waddled down the aisle with the jingle of keys banging on his belt. "Look, Sir. I know you probably get a lot of trouble from the prisoners here but I assure you me and my acquaintance here have learned our lesson and would like to post bail. What is it for the two of us?"
The man gave it some thought before he glanced at Caelwyn with a scowl. "I think 500 will secure your release!"
"Done!" Caelwyn beamed. "Give me a paper and quill please! I'll have the bail money within the hour!"
The jailor just looked at Caelwyn.
Then laughed, and laughed...
...
.... and laughed some more.
"Within the hour, huh? And how do you expect to get any money locked up in here?"
It was here Artemis stood up, approaching the bars.
"To ask for a requested, visitor! Naturally.." she siad, looking over at Caelwyn and hoping to god he had someone he could contact around here. She sure didn't and it would take a while to get work back to her home.. and how would she explain? Not that they had any money for bail...
"I have associates, cretin. Don't speak more than your share, you'll make everyone's mind shrink all the more for it," Caelwyn glowered before finishing his note, after the guard reluctantly handed them over. "Get this quickly to a man named Serling! A prisoner is allowed to send messages to his colleagues is he not? I told him to ensure you got a ten percent commission on top of that, so don't mess this up!"
The guard took the note but glowered at Caelwyn. The man was positively rude!
"I'll see what I can do," the man growled, and waddled off.
Sighing at his disappearing form, Artemis shook her head and turned to Caelwyn. "That's great. Now what? What if he doesn't deliver the letter?" She'd hate to think she'd have to spend anymore time in this filthy jail!
"There's as much a chance he will as he will not,"Caelwyn said once the jailer had disappeared. "We can only wait and see if Serling is even in town. It's not a question of if he's heard the news that I've been arrested, I'll wager he no doubt has, it's whether or not he wants to be associated with Caelwyn Caye at this point. But Serling is the gullible sort and he's busied himself with a conscious and academia of the emotional variety."
Caelwyn shrugged and smiled at the culmination of his circumstances. "It was only a matter of time before someone saw it fit to lock me up. What about you? You come here often?"
Artemis blinked a few times at that statement.
"What? No!" She shook her head and furrowed her brows, obviously offended. "Why I would never! And I can not believe you'd inquire! No," she placed her hands to her hips. "This is my first time." And she turned away from him, not really wanting to look at him right now. That statement had made her angry. "Most of my days are spent int he library," she muttered. Sixteen hours, give or take, he practically lived there and when she was home- she barely got a wink of sleep. Just a quick meal, an update on her family then off to bed. THe only one who had it worse was her brother, Arrick, and she knew he'd have a fit if she were in jail!
Caelwyn raised a brow at her and shrugged, crossing his arm over his chest and leaning on the side of the cell. "Well the least I can say is this place is cleaner than most of the holes I spend my days in," He commented idly before turning his gaze back to her. "Look about the whole library thing was but a set of sorry circumstances. You didn't happen to read any part of the Geodatus did you?"
Artemis would have felt more relief if his apology was not so hasty. Twisting an expression his way, she frowned.
"How do you mean? I haven't had it long- just a chance to skim some of the pages. The book looked interesting.. " she looked him over skeptically. "Why?"
[Lol. He didn't apologize 8D]
Caelwyn quirked a brow at her and smirked. "I was only making conversation, seeing as we're right across from each other. What about the book interested you? I've been looking for it for at least six months myself but discovered quickly that all the copy were destroyed over the years, save the one! I can only hope you've treated it fairly in the short time its been in your possession. It's an extremely delicate tome."
OOC: Oh right, BUT HE ADMITTED (sorta) it wasn't her fault? :P
---
Artemis blinked at his question.
"Well, it's a history book, and considering I've read most of the ones already at the library, seeing s we had gotten in some new stock and this one sounded most intriguing, I figured on taking it home. I had only really flipped through the pages..."
She shook her head, frowning at his last statement before replying. "I keep all of my books well." Though to be fair, it was simply laying on her unmade bed at home- and hopefully none of her younger siblings had messed with it! For if they did... she had a feelig this man would be quite upset for it.
"Good. I'd hate for something to happen to it. It's a rare book. Perhaps the rarest and a vital element to my research," Caelwyn said with a huff. He cut his eyes to the way the jailer went and raised the brow. "Where is tha buffoon!?"
Artemis frowned and looked the man over. He was an impatient one. Then again, she was panicking too- but not to this degree!
"What sorts of things were you looking for? I mean, to have come all this way for a book, it's obviously important, but I don't think I understand why you're so afraid. Is the book wicked? Or magical?" Oh! She hoped not, and just thinking about it put a chill inside her belly.
Caelwyn made a face that almost seemed a scoff, but was of more disbelief than anything else. "Why neither! I am simply anxious to have come so far and have it be so close yet so far out of reach is all!" he said and grinned widely. "Why don't you understand!? It's not about the book, it never is! It's about the pursuit! Books contain stories and tales and legends and theories and ideas about things, places, peoples events, history! Legends and myths all have their basis in fact. The pursuit, Miss Longfellow, is the key to it all. A man cannot write a book without prior knowledge or experience or some kind of interest in the topic at hand. But he must hunt for that knowledge, he must fight for it. Pursue it. You must understand, working in a library. Don't you ever just want to ... leave!?"
Artemis was taken back. That was quite the mouthful, but as she blinked, she registered his last statement with a frown.
"Sure, who does not day dream such things. But I don't work in a library for free, and the pay is not that well. Travel is not exactly something I'll be able to just... do." She said witha frown. "It's not practical. Not for someone like me." And she sighed. "But yes... yes... leaving always sounded wonderful. But it was my job. And I have a family to support." Which meant dreams were meant for somebody else.
"Bah! But this is more than a dream," Caelwyn pressed. "I've seen things that could make your jaw never close again, so in awe you would be. To dig and discover and learn things you never thought you could learn about where you come from, where you're going, where you belong. Bah...stuck in a library." He made a suffered moan at the thought and turned his eyes to the ceiling. "Heaven help me if I ever get stuck in such a routine. I would go mad if I were ever cooped up in such a place, with so many chains around me. But we each have a place where we belong on this plane, some are meant to write the books. And others are just meant to shelve them." He frowned and glanced across the aisle to her.
"But I guess you'll have to find new work now. I'm sure there are dozens of libraries in this city."
Artemis frowned, evidently hurt by what he said, even if he didn't mean it as she cast her gaze to the ground.
"Yes... I'm sure there are," she muttered softly. Except the country was at war-a nd the smaller libraries and book shops were being closed left and right. Uthlyn became a penny pinching town, and the poorer people were hurting all the more for it. She simply sighed. It wasn't his problem. He wouldn't understand or care.
Though she was jealous of him. Seemed he was able to live out his dream, while she was always stuck only living it out in day dreams, just like she was imaginging now...
a world so far away, so far awy from this place and fantastical.
But then again, anything was better than jail.
It took forever for the money to reach Serling, but once it had, the old university colleague had found his way to the jailhouse and secured their release. But before the jailer unlocked his cell door, Serling just wanted the minor satisfaction of seeing Caelwyn behind bars.
"Well, you certainly took your time in getting here!" the archaeologist scowled.
"Oh don't start that now, Caelwyn! You know I came here as soon as I could."
Caelwyn scowled and turned his eyes to the jailer. "Right, because I sent that note out TWO HOURS AGO!"
The jailer merely shrugged and unlocked the door of the girl first before turning to Caelwyn. "Just be lucky you have anyone in this town that would bail you out. Now if I see you in Uthlyn again, I might not be so forgiving."
Caelwyn stepped out of his cell and rubbed his wrists, but turned to the man with wide eyes. "FORGIVING!? Why I'll have you know--"
"Caelwyn!" Serling grabbed his colleague by the shoulder and ushered him to the exit to keep him from throwing himself back into that cell. "Look, you owe me that money! That's for the expedition and if you think you'll just get off it like some kind of spoiled rich brat, I'll throttle you myself."
"Nonsense, I'm neither spoiled nor rich, Serling. And money is money, we'll get it back anyhow." Caelwyn turned when they were in the item chamber to get back their items and gestured to Artemis. "Ah, Serling, I suppose I should introduce you two. This is Librarian Artemis Longfellow, an expert in Ancient Essyrni culture and the current holder of that book I was looking for," Caelwyn smiled and peered across to the younger girl as he collected his bag and threw it over his shoulder.
Serling smiled and held out a hand to Artemis. "Essyrni expert, eh? Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Longfellow, though no doubt Caelwyn dragged you into this mess. With him missing half-pants and all. He's got a penchant for trouble."
"And a nose like a bloodhound!" Caelwyn snapped.
Artemis blinked, a blush falling to her cheeks.
"Expert? Oh, hardly, all the knowledge I know I've done through my own personal research..."
But it just so happened Essyrni history was her area of interest and well.. she's read all the books a dozen times over from the library. Still frowning, she took the two men in with interest.
"But I must admit, I.. might have been to blame for Mister Caye's terrible luck. Though it was an accident, I assure you."
"Accident really should be his middle name," Serling murmured under his breath with a frown. "But look, we've been looking for someone with your area of expertise for a while and few people can just up and go down south to a place as far as Essyrn. But Caye is dogged and won't listen to reason. So, since we can't talk him out of it, we just decided to join him. You may as well come along or he'll never leave you alone and never stop talking until you change your mind."
"He's right. I won't really. Besides, you have what I need, so we may as well go and get that while we're at it." Caelwyn said, eyeing Serling with daggers before rolling them and heading for the exit.
Artemis felt like an awkward third wheel as she followed these men along.
"I.. I suppose I should be thanking you," she said to Serling, delicately tucking back some of her hir from her face. Though as they moved along towards the exit, and Serling suggested she travel with them on such an expedition - and his once frumpy partner agreeing, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Wait.. what?"
Her eyes were wide in disbelief. Did she hear them correctly?
"You want me to travel with you to Essyrn?"
Such an idea could make her faint! But surely, her ears were playing tricks on her.
Serling nodded vigorously. "Why of course! I knew Caelwyn would get an expert in the field somehow. And frankly it'd be easier bring along someone who's already come to see the worst of him more or less. Most people, once they see who they'll be working with, quickly thank us for our time and then tell us to get the fuck out. It's difficult finding anyone willing to tolerate Caelwyn Caye."
"I can hear you Serling! Besides I have incredible people skills that are underappreciated! It's not my fault they don't have much patience for a mind such as mine. Pah, jealousy is more like it..." Caelwyn went ranting to himself as he walked while trying to hold onto the loose fabric of his pant leg.
"Forget him," Serling said, rolling his eyes. "Anyway. We can pay you for your time of course. And food and travel accomodations will be included."
Artemis's mind was in a whirl. Surely she was not hearing this correctly as she followed the other two out, nearly tripping over her skirts.
"Wait.. I don't understand." Sure she got the whole inviting her along thing, she knew what an invitation was, but this...
"You hardly know me. Surely there are more qualified for the job?" BUt was she really offering to give up a chance at travel? Her chest swelled and heart fluttered at such an idea- and to think.. Essyrn of all places....
"But I wouldn't know what to bring for travel, or or... if I would be able. My parents have been ill. I don't know if I could just abandon them.."
But her parents had been ill for such a lon gtime, that much was evident int he rings beneath her eyes and the tiredness of her face. That, paired with her long hours at thelibrary.. whihc were suddenly cut...
She bit her lip.
"What... what sort of payment are we talking for something like this?" she eventually asked, though cautiously.
"Well, we have a budget, understand. And aside from spending five hundred securing Sir Gripes-a-lot's release, I think we can manage a fair rate of saaay," Serling rubbed the beard of his chin thoughtfully and soon nodded. "About a hundred a month, and a three hundred advance, I think we can manage. Does that sound fair to you?"
Artemis's lips parted, her eyes going small in alarm.
"One hundred....coppers?" she said, trying to sound calm. Even coppers was a lot but... surely she had heard him incorrectly.
"Coppers?" Serling laughed and threw his head back. "Goodness, no. Gold of course. We only use coppers to figure meager expenses like mounts and feed and the like. We're well funded by the schools in Ravensway and we have enough for the expedition."
"G-Gold?" Artemis was practically choking on her words, and had to pound a fist to her chest in order to stop herself from coughing. SHe leaned against a nearby wall, or whatever it was that she could, since her legs suddenly felt useless.
"Wha.. how... I.. I don't understand. Gold? Real gold?"
Serling paused abruptly and frowned. "I guess that's...unacceptable to you?" he asked. "I mean...what other gold did you expect?"
Artemis only stared.
"No... it's just that..." she squeaked, not quite sure what to make of this all. Was this for real? Was this just some sort of dream. It had to be and inadvertently, she found herself pinching her arm to check. WIth a gasp, the pinch felt real, and she, remained momentarily stunned by the proposition.
"N-no, gold is fine I just..."
How could she explain this to her family? Though with all of that money.. it would certainly fix their money woes.
She clutched onto the necklace she wore, some crude item that resembled something forgotten in Essyrn, though she knew not what the necklace was she wore, it was something sentimental that she clutched onto when she was nervous, and she ran her fingers across the worn gold. It hung on an equally tarnished piece, though of a much nicer metal necklace as she frowned and tried to take this all in.
"Wh... when is this expedition?" she inquired, glancing from Serling then to Caelwyn.
Serling smiled, seeing that she was taking it rather well. "Oh, just a few days from now. You see we still need the book, and we need to assemble the rest of our team in the southern part of the Sirantil Valley, then we set out at dawn and have to pass through Serendipity and Adela. Though I suppose we could take a ship to the desert down south, it would certainly save on legwork, but nothing is ever easy when it comes to Caelwyn Caye."
Caelwyn at last turned around on them both and looked pointedly at Artemis. "So, there is a matter of the Geodatus that I need, young lady. And you had it, as you said."
Artemis's head was still whirling, but when the question came back to her and her book...
"Yes, it's at my home." She shifted uncomfortably beneath Caewlyn's gaze. "I suppose I've got nothing better to do in this moment. I can head right on home and fetch it for you. Shall we might up somewhere once I've got it? I fear I must speak to my family first over all of this matter, to ensure my parents are taken care of when I'm gone."
Oh, there was so much to do! She just hoped she was doign the right thing! But when would she ever get an opportunity like this? As far as she knew- never! But here it was,a once in a life time deal and she was seeing stars for it.
"Leave?" Caelwyn scoffed. "Why do you have to leave?" Serling pinched him on the arm and stepped on his foot. Caelwyn grunted and glared at his companion.
"That's fine, Miss Longfellow. Please. take my card and meet us at the Ballantine Inn! We'll have your advance then!" Serling interrupted and smile for him and Caelwyn, though Caelwyn was glaring something fierce.
Artemis placed a hand over her lips to hide her smile. Oh my, so childish was this man. If she knew him better she wouldn't be surprised to have met him in the way she had.
"Y-yes...Ballantine Inn," she repeated "But when shall I meet you?" She held her breath anxiously. She could not let such an opportunity go!
"Five in the evening shall be acceptable. And wear something nice! It would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the rest of the team!" Serling shouted back to the librarian as he pulled Caelwyn away from further making fools of the both of them.
"Five this evening," Artemis repeated, feeling numb and shaky as she walked. It took her extra long to get home, only because she had to pause at the town square to keep her head on straight. Was this really happening? Was this... adventure just proposed? And was she really ready for something like this? She bit into her lip. She was hardly an adventurer, her most scandalous thing was climbing up too high on the book shelf ladder and using it to roll herself along the shelves (and even then she was extra cautious).
Yes... an adventure to Essyrn- a world she had never been to but had always had dreamed of visiting (though naturally, assumed she could only visit in dreams!)
By the time she got home, she had fought herself tooth and nail about accepting this proposition - and had even thought about just never showing up, but she had a feeling Mister Caye would find a way to find her home and...
No, no! She just couldn't have that! Besides-w hat was she afraid of?Was something like this not her dreams? She was nearly in tears before she made it inside her home, and wiping them away, she took in a deep breath and steeled herself- and soon found herself in the middle of a catastrophe!
Telling her family seemed a big mistake. Her three sisters were all over her about it, gaggling like geese and her parents, ever supportive, (even in their sickly state.) Even her older brother, who, along side with herself, maintained her house hold while her parents had taken ill-
and not a single one of them would take no for an answer.
Artemis was all smilesa nd blushes but she shook her head.
"Oh, but I must meet Mister Caye and his team within the hour! And I haven't a dress!"
"Oh, dearie, just borrow one of mine!" And after slipping into a layered, black ruffled dress, Artemis sighed as she stared at herself in the mirror.
"You know thi sis a once in a life time opportunity," her brother told her as she leaned intot he door frame.
Artemis sighed.
"I know."
"And you're.. goign to wear that?"
Artemis gasped and turned around.
"Arrick Longfellow!" she scolded.
"What? You look like mom."
"It's mom's dress!" she pressed, eyes narrowing angrily.
"Yes, and you look just like her in it."
Artemis threw her arms up at him "Oh, really, you offer no help! I was hoping to look elegant and studious, not old andoutdated."
Arrick chuckled.
"And if mom heard you say that.."
"Oh, but you won't tell her?"
"I already heard."
Artemis gasped as she turned to observe her mother.
"Shouldn't you be in bed!?" she exclaimed.
Her mother smiled and embraced her daughter.
"Not when my daughter is about to go on the adventure of a life time."A nd she helped adjust the dress and helped her finish tying off the back. "Oh.. sweety, you look beautiful." And she kissed her daughters cheek.
After saying all of her goodbyes (though reminding them she would return home t pack, naturally!) she was out the door and gaspig when she recalled the desired book. Stumbling back inside, she was nearly tearing apart her room for it but when he found it, she tucked it beneath her arm and was ou tthe door before any of her 3 younger sisters could stop her.
They all watched her leaving from the door frame and waved their goodbyes, while her brother nad mother lingered behind them- smiling and waving her off as well.
And so it began, or so it would seem- as Artemis Longfellow made her way to the Ballantine INn,a nd when she paused in front of it, she found herself gaping at how exquisite it was.
"By Ansgar's name.. is this place ever fancy."
Swallowing down a knot in her throat, she placed one boot in front of the other as she climbed the stairs and disappeared inside.
Caelwyn grew more and more annoyed at the sound of clanging coins as Serling was counting over the greater part of Artemis' payment. He didn't mind that she was coming along. Hell, as long as she brought the book, he didn't care if she came wearing nothing but tulips and daisies. He knew enough Serling would be distracted, having a woman on board.
"Would quit that awful counting!?" Caelwyn said at last. He'd been trying to work over his notes and the sound was constant and ever more annoying than the last.
"I have to make sure the money's right!"
"That's the sixth time all ready!I'm sure the purse has three hundred coins in it! In fact if I had a coin for every coin you've counted again and again I''d have 1800 fucking gold coins on top of it!"
"Shut up! She's all ready here!" Serling was smiling as he saw her coming in from the street and he beamed before he rushed to the door. Caelwyn lazily came after him and almost shoved Serling down the steps. At least they would have a dinner between them all and he wouldn't have to look at the sickening blushes and furtive glances of his companion toward one Miss Artemis Longfellow.
The flames from the chandelier cast a sea of sparkles through the air, that glittered and showered down onto the walls and floor with opulent class. The golden reflection cast within her brown eyes and highlighted her hair as if it were turning bronze itself beneath the lavish light, and there she stood, awkward and timid, fingers curling through her hair while eyes looked around in wonder.
She had never expected to be meeting in such a place and well- she immediately felt so under dressed that when Serling called out, she found herself gasping as she nearly dropped the book. Clinging to it, she cast an uncertain smile his way and watched as his jovial, round face flushed with merriment- and right behind him, his begrudging partner followed- and it seemed he was ignorant of her, which was certainly something that suddenly caught her gaze.
At least he was wearing pants this time. Caewlyn only gave momentary attention to Serling as the man reached out and shook Artemis' hand and helped sit her at the table. It was all just boring formalities anyway; it seemed to be the only thing Serling was good at. After the introductions, Caelwyn peered at Artemis expectantly and placed both hands on the table, tucking them underneath his chin and peering at her with fluttering lids.
"I hope the goodbyes were cheery and teary. Now did you bring the book?"
"Caelwyn, have a little class," Serling growled to his colleague as the main courses were placed around the table and wine was offered.
"Oh shut up, Serling. You've been kissing ass all day, now Miss Longfellow, I'm just inquiring as to whether you brought to book or not. I'm sorry, if I seem rude, but hanging around Serling Preston all day makes me into quite an asshole."
"You do that quite well yourself all ready," Serling murmured under his breath.
"What was that?" Caelwyn asked, glancing at him.
"Nothing. So! Miss Longfellow, are you all packed up, ready to head out?" he asked, beaming and producing the coinpurse from his side. "Oh, here I almost forgot. Your advance for the month. It's the best I could muster considering the inn we had to pick."
"It's not my fault, you can't sleep off a cot. I would have been just as comfortable in a back alley somewhere," Caelwyn shrugged.
Artemis looked from one man to another. Well, at least one of the pair seemed amicable, though she found herself frowning at Caewlyn's words, she couldn't help but notice he at least cleaned up since their.. unfortunate meeting. Though his hair still looked a bit.. untamed. She wondered if the man even cared at all about appearances when her thoughts were brought back to the present.
The book- ah yes, he would want that. Hesitant, she finally lifted the book delicately from her lap and set it upon the table.
"There, one Geodatus Expedition of the Essyrni Territory and Its Foundations,"s he reported, and stared over at Mr. Caye as if she just one upped him- but in truth,s he felt she had, as she sat there and waited with a baited breath to see just exactly how he would react to his most precious book.
"Exellent!" Caelwyn suddenly beamed and reached across to pull the old book in front of him. "Looks like you'll be useful after al. On behalf of the Ravensway Archaeological Society, I welcome you to the expedition." He reached across the table and snatched her hand up before he could protest and pressed his lips to the back of her hand before sitting back down and promplty sticking his nose into the book.
Artemis blinked once, twice, then three times trying to register this.
"Er.. you're welcome?" she said, and looked up from Caelwyn to Serling with an uncertain frown and blush.
Serling shrugged and gave Artemis and raised his glass to her. "So Miss Longfellow, just how did your family take the news?"
"Oh.." Her gaze lifted to Serling before she cast her brown eyes to the table.
"Well they took it as I suspected they would take it. And if you knew my sisters, you'd understand that my ears are still ringing." Though she jested, it was true, and she frowned a bit and lightly touched at her ear. "But the thing is.. I told them I'd be back later for a more proper good bye. SO I can pack my things- not that.. that I have much, that is."
Caelwyn was only half listening until she said the last part. "Oh...what was that? You've still yet to pack? Well, we're not leaving until the morning anyway, so you have plenty of time. The point of this expedition to is try and discover more about the ancient Essyrni people, and their ancestors, their migration, were they nomadic or sedentary, or were they merely settling in the fist place they found water. Be sure to bring as much paper and ink as you can. That can get quite expensive."
Artemis took it all in, nodding slowly at his statement before frowning.
"I suppose I can bring what I have."
Though it wasn't very much.
"But what other items woudl you suggest? I.. I've never been outside of Connlaoth, or even Uthlyn, really..."
Caelwyn peered up at her with dull, blinking eyes, and a frown was starting to set in. But at the clearing of Serling's throat, Caelwyn looked at him instead and Serling offered in suggestion, "Some basic things really," he went on. "Like soap if you can, fresh linens, a washboard, but I suppose we have one to spare, and a compass would certainly help. But...are you truly serious? You've never been outside of even the city? Then how exactly did you come to be an expert in ancient Essyrni culture?"
It was Caelwyn's turn to clear his throat as he sat up and forcibly coughed, kicking Serling hard in the leg and turning his eyes like daggers to the blond haired man. "I'm sorry, I suppose it isn't any of my business. But I feel if we are to travel together, perhaps we should get to know each other."
"Serling just wants you to feel comfortable enough around him when he swoons at you from afar and dreams about you at night, and draws sketches of you in his journal," Caelwyn piped in, smirking just as Serling coughed into his drink and nearly choked on it.
Artemis just gaped at such a comment, before she shut her jaw and narrowed her eyes at Caelwyn.
"I suppose you're much better?" she said, looking the man over haughtily before giving a turn up of her nose. "Besides, you should not be speaking to your friends in such a manner. It's quite rude."
"Bah, it's only truth telling," Caelwyn smirked and drank his wine in a small sip. "I have no need to tease and humiliate Serling. I assure he will take care of that business himself." He rolled his eyes and poured back over the book before him.
"Yes, but forgive me for my directness, but bullying him will accomplish nothing. How is it that you work for him but you don't give your colleague any respect? And you aim to take me along with you and presume I'll respond the same? As much as I'm... excited for such an expedition, you'll have to forgive me for my wariness. Though I've dealt with... all sorts of people, at least at night I can go home and forget abou tit, but here.. here we'll all spend many months together without reprieve. I'd at least like to think our companionship can be amicable."
Caelwyn gave her a smile and quirked a brow at her. "If you're claiming that I am incapable of being civil, then you are most hideously incorrect! I am amicable. I am tolerant, and I am a DELIGHT to be around...as long as you don't get in the way. Make yourself useful, don't stand around like a layabout. Serling and I have the perfect working relationship. He takes care of all the boring paperwork and organization, which leaves me free to work on the more important aspects of our work. He is essential, and he has every choice to refuse to work with me or not. It's not like I am forcing him into this. Nor you for that matter. SoI 'll remain as civil as I see fit. I didn't ask you to come along because I needed some motherly scolding. I already have one of those. But if you wish to stay, to make history, then you're than welcome to it."
Artemis frowned. Though she was uncertain what she was going to say, she was going to say at least something-
that was, until a random man swathed from head to toe in robes, suddenly swung a long sword at them- aiming to cut open Caelwyn Caye's head.
"You no-good, dirty, lyin', thievin', sonuva bitch! I'll throw you to the hounds!" the man cried out just before his sword connected with Caelwyn's head. Caelwyn threw himself out of his seat and onto the ground just as the sword collided with the wine bottle and cut it in half.
"Heron! What the hell are you doing here? " Serling suddenly said, turning about. The robed man turned the blade on him and it gave Caelwyn enough time to get to his feet and get a chair between them.
"I didn't steal anything, Heron! I just got there first! It wasn't my fault your theory was flawed! I tried to tell you!"
The moment Heron's sword split the wine bottle in half, Artemis jumped to her feet. She flinched back, cowering up against the wall and between the table, but had no idea what to make of this madness as she held her breath and was too scared to even pray.
Caelwyn's chair was turned into sawdust by Heron's blade and he backed away into another member of their excavation team. "Heron! Calm down! I don't want to fight you!"
"Good! Because I just want to kill you!" He swung the heavy sword again and cleaved a table in two.
Caelwyn scurried over to the otherside of the room and yelped when the blade came at him again. "I was only trying to help!"
"I don't need your bloody help! Now, just here so I can cleave your head in two!" he shouted, but just when he cornered Caelwyn, blade raised high above his head, the smaller man suddenly turned on him and smacked his fist right into his chin. He dropped down into a boxing stance, but it seemed the blow was enough to send him on reeling backwards onto the dinner table behind them.
Guards came rushing back into the dining room and brandished their weapons. One of them recognized Caelwyn and rolled his eyes. "What the hell have you gone and done now? And twice in one day, no less."
Caelwyn put his hands up. "Self-defense!" he shouted, and pointed to Heron's unconscious form on the ground and the blade that had fallen near his hand.
Once the mess was mopped up, the account, written down by the guards, and a few gold slipped into their pocket, the group was left alone again, and Artemis, having no idea what to do. Eventually, her mind became less numb so she could reply as she peered over at Caelwyn and released a breath.
"Does this sort of thing happen everyday?"
"Umm," Caelwyn shrugged sheepishly. "I wouldn't call ot uncommon. Some scholars spend years trying to perfect their research and don't take too kindly to someone more brilliant than they are poking holes into their research! But he should have been more thorough!"
"More... brilliant?" she blinked, staring at Caelwyn Caye as she slowly took in a breath. "Yes, well, I suppose sore losers will be sore losers."
But then her eyes went down to the table and her frown deepened.
"Oh boy.."
Was she really ready for this? Maybe it wasn't too late to reconsider- she wasn't even really an Ancient Essyrni expert, she just... knew a few things about the ancient language, and sort of figured out how to read it in her spare time working in the library. That, and she knew the ancient patheon of their Gods, the legends, myths- just about anything the library had to offer.
So really... she wasn't an expert so much as just someone who used her resources...
She sighed.
Caelwyn relaxed and gently poked her shoulder. "Please, let us get back to dinner. I still have to pour over the first pages of the book. Don't let Heron sway you. We still have much to discuss. It will be a very long journey." He helped her to her seat, scooting her in and sitting back in his former place, though pausing and making a sour face when he realized he sat on a bunch of wine.
"What's the matter?" Serling asked.
"... I wet my pants."
Artemis's face twisted into mortification-a nd against her better judgement- she looked down to his seat. Had the man really just pissed himself? Oh dear...
"Oh...it's just the wine," Caelwyn said, sitting back down on the seat. His butt was squishy, but he otherwise could have cared less. "So! Miss Longfellow, how soon do you think you can depart?"
Blinking, she peered back up into his face.
"That depends. How quickly do you wish to depart?"
"As soon as possible would certainly help," Caelwyn said without missing a beat, devouring his dinner and then looking up at Artemis. "I'll even help you pack. You...You do want this right? I'm not going to ask you to tag along if this is all a little too much for you. You seem...shaken."
Artemis stared.
And stared and stared at his inquiry before blinkingly, she returned to reality.
"OH! No!" she said, tightening her lips. "Of course I want this, it's always been my dream to travel abroad it's just..." Her eyes lingered on the ruined table before she set her jaw and turned his way- trying to ignore the fact well-
Thigns were already crazy and they hadn't even left yet!
"I just have to get used to the idea of travel, that's all." She added the last part with a bit of a sniff.
At her response, Caelwyn gave her a beam, if a slightly sour one and his eyes twinkled, at least a little, at the knowledge that she wanted to go. At least then he wouldn't have to feel guilty about firing her, not that he would in the first place. "Well, that's not so hard, in the first few weeks, you're bottom might be sore...but I think Serling would be there to make you both feel better. As you can see...we don't get many women on this expedition. And Serling is such a terrible flirt."
Serling blushed and kicked Caelwyn from underneath the table. He looked at Artemis and gave her a sheepish smile. "Well, then, we can help you get underway," he said. "I've always been more personable than Caelwyn anyway. Or a bore, as he calls it." He laughed. "So, what part of town do you live?"
Artemis blushed at the men and lowered her gaze when the question came back to her.
"I... in the south."
Which- if they were familiar with Uthlyn (which they might not)- they would realize that was the slums.
Fortunately for her neither new Uthlyn as well as she did. But at the mention of her home, Caelwyn suddenly jumped up and shouted. "Well, then what are we waiting for? Let's go see it!" he said with no small ounce of excitement in his tone. But the look on Artemis' face made Serling pause.
"Perhaps now isn't a good time, Cael-"
"Nonsense. We're going to see it anyway. Why delay?"
"We're in the middle of dinner."
"We can eat on the road, we always do. And personally, I think it's highly necessary that we meet Miss Longfellow's family, so they see we are a legitimate operation. I'd hate for them to think we are kidnapping her with no means of return. That and to deliver the money owed to her of course. No doubt it will be used for your family, isn't that correct Miss Longfellow?"
Artemis blinked- and stared at Mister Caye for a good long while.
"Er.. exactly,"s he finally replied. "And I have found myself not very hungry anymore, so I suppose we could leave anytime."
Why put off the inevitable?
"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Caelwyn spat out and darted for the door. Only Serling stayed behind to help Artemis out of her chair and frowned with concern.
"Is something the matter Miss Longfellow? You looked as if you ate a bad clam."
Artemis shook her head.
"No, Mister Serling, I shall be alright. This is just a lot to digest for me."
ANd as she lead the way, she felt a bit embarrassed; there was an entire entourage of men following her from the more gilded section of town- to the slums. She grew a lot more quiet as they headed towards her row house, and once they neared it, she gestured towards the window that still had a candle burning in it's window.
"There, that's my house,"s eh said, ad paused for a moment as she released her breath before she turned towards them both. "You may... both wish to stay here. I have to... inform my family that we have guests." And she gave a forced smile to both Serling and Caelwyn before she slipped off inside.
[It's just Caelwyn and Serling.]
At the sight of her house, Caelwyn was no less than satisfied at the sight of it. Not that he would hold it against her that this was where she lived, but at least that she trusted him enough to show them both. Serling, however, was more down cast and pinched Caelwyn to get that smile off his face.
Slipping inside, there was a long moment of quiet and darkness before a young girl's face appeared in the window. It was Arisa's, quickly followed by Jane, and lasty, Naddy, who was still adjusting her glasses on her face. Though it couldn't be heard through the glass and closed doors, it seemed as f the girls were squealing.
A moment later, all three pulled their heads from the window and a second later, the candles were lit and the door, opened a moment later where a panting, pink cheeked Artemis now stood.
"I think it's safe now. Mister Serling, Mister Caye,.." she began, clearing her throat. "You both may come in."
Though as she moved aside to allow them entrance, she gave a yelp as she stepped on Jane's boot- and then another cry came from Arisa as her eyes fell upon Caelwyn.
"Oh, isn't he handsome! What a dream!"a nd then more giggling happened as the three girls scrambled into a group, as commanded by their older sister. But oh, were they not a handful. Artemis was blushing more as she turned to Caelwyn with a shrug.
"These, Mr. Serling, Mr. Caye- are my sisters."
She gestured to the glasses girl,"THis is Naddy." Then to he shortest one beside her,"ANd Jane." Then to the wide smiling and oogling eyed Arisa. "And this one here, is Arisa."
And just as it appeared as if Arisa was about to burst if she didn't say her proper hellos to Mr. Caye, Naddy was the first to speak up - and her words made her sisters croak!
"So I heard you were taking our sister to Essyrn."
Artemis shot Naddy a look. Really, her sisters had absolutely no manners sometimes!
Caelwyn really wasn't interested in any of the looks or gawking of Artemis' sister, he just wanted them to be on their way already. He nodded to Naddy and bowed his head. "Of course," he murmured and beamed as he gestured to Serling. "This is my colleague and we've both needed an expert on Ancient Essyrni language and culture. Of course, I know enough myself, but he insisted. I bumped into Miss Longfellow here at the library and we had a small discussion on a book we were both looking for and well, here we are."
That was the short-short version of course, and even Serling didn't know the whole story. So all his colleague could do was blush and bow his head to the lot of them. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Though, is this all the pack now, Artemis? Or are there any more faces we ought to meet?"
Before Artemis could reply, a pair of heavy foot steps entered the room, as a dark and dirtied man, who nearly touched the ceiling from where he stood, entered into the home of his gaggle of sisters and two strange men. His face was nearly black with soot, and his clothing faired the same. It was only when his teeth flashed white into a smile did any distinctive features of his face show.
"I didn't know we were expecting guests."
Artemis, still gaping, peered at her brother before blinking a few times to get her wits abou ther- but her sisters were tangling tongues to answer him first. It wasn't until Artemis stomped a foot to demand order did she huff after the silence as she turned to her brother.
"Arrick, I'd like you to meet Mister Serling and Mister Caye."
She gestured to them before before awkwardly clearing her throat.
"And Mister Caye, Serling- this is my older brother, Arrick."
[I just realized I never gave Serling a last name xD.]
Serling was the first to extend his hand forward and shook Arrick's hand, with a friendly smile extended across his face. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Longfellow," he said with his teeth showing. "I'm the director of this expedition, and my friend Mr. Caye here is the lead scholar here. We were hoping to give your sister here a job as an expert on Essyrni culture. We're from the Ravensway Archaeological Society."
Caelwyn simply clasped his hands behind his back and bowed his head to the older man. "Serling, didn't you have something to give them."
"Huh?"
"Payment for her employ of course."
"Oh right!" And Serling removed the heavy coin purse from his belt and passed it on to the filthy looking man. "It's a hundred every month and three hundred advance payment. I hope you find this acceptable."
While his sister gave him an awkward smile and he- now holding a heavy pouch of gold in his hand- it took Arrick a few moments to respond.
"Uh, what am I looking at exactly here, Artemis? I don't think I'm following."
Artemis smiled at her brother and excused them as she pushed Arrick off into a back room- then after giving him the short version, then a slightly longer version of what had occured, Arrick's head was still spinning.
"This is all crazy, but I'm happy for you, Arty. I really am. TO think, you'll actually get to see the world..." But he had to chuckle as he questioned, "Expert on Ancient Essyrni Culture? How'd you get them to believe that?"
Artemis smacked his arm.
"Oh, you! You know how long I've been studying Essyrni history at the library! You of all people should know my obsession well and I-"
But a hand to her mouth silenced her as she peered up at her brother.
"I know, Im pulling your leg, Arty. But really?" he felt the weight of hte pouch. "They're going to pay you all of this?"
"No," she told him wtia bright smile as her hand rested on his arm. "They're going to pay our family it. And maybe we can finally afford some real care for mom and dad."
The pair went silent for a while before they returned to the common room.
"Well, I've decided you can keep her,"Arrick said cheerfully as he bounced the money pouch in the palm of his hand.
"Arrick!" She nudged him.
"Well, you can't just presume you could take my baby sister without permission, but... well, after she bent my arm, I must say you have my approval." And he flashed both men a toothy grin.
"Ah, that is good to know! We hope to leave as soon as possible," Serling said with a toothy grin of his own and extended his hand again to Arrick, shaking it vigorously and smiling as he did so.
"All right don't be such a simpleton," Caelwyn growled, clearly annoyed and pulled his colleague back and Serling stumbled back into Naddy who was standing behind him. "Whoops! You ought to watch where you step, Serling! Are you all right m'dear?"
Caelwyn helped her up and offered her a generous smile, dusting her off and clearly laying it on extra thick, even as Serling struggled to his feet.
"Yes, well..." Artemis began, helping her sister along as she forced a smile towards the two gentleman. "I suppose it's high time I get to packing..."
But oh- she could only imagine the trouble her sisters could cause in the meantime and she cast an imploring look towards her brother. Arrick shrugged at the look. He knew someone had to be on sister patrol. Looks like it would be him!
"So how long will this little adventure be?" Arrick asked, plucking an apple up from the table and giving it a bite.
"A minimum of three to five months. It depends on what we find and how much. And I suppose, our Artemis' willingness to withstand deep, dank, darkness and cobwebs and who knows what else down in the tombs and the caves might also factor into that as well. She is sturdy isn't she?" Caelwyn asked with arms crossed.
Artemis had only stepped into her room when she caught Caelwyn's question-
Did he have no gall to ask her that to her face? But Arrick's response calmed her- albeit only a little bit as he informed Mister Caye with a flashing smile,
"You should see her tackle the cobwebs in the basement! Though she's no fan of spiders, she's the only girl out of the lot who'd dare brave cleaning the webs, or even smashing one pesky one beneath a book or broom."
Caelwyn put his hands behind his back and danced on his heels, rolling back and forth. "Grand! Just grand! The last thing we need is someone squeamish. I'm sure Miss Longfellow will do just fine on our journey. So, tell me about yourself then, Mister Arrick. What's the tale of ...er, all this?"
"All this?" Arrick repeated, blinking as he peered back at Mr. Caye. "You mean our home?" He looked around and gave a sheepish rub to the back o fhis head. "What's to tell? My parents pay rent to the owner of the building and we live here."
"I hear you've come into hard times," Caelwyn said and smiled at Arrick. "Seems we came just in time. I never thought of myself as a hero, y'know, but it feels nice to give back once in a while."
And Caelwyn suddenly nursed his side when Serling punched him in the ribs.
Arrick raised a brow, his smile turning more leftward at Serling's gesture (for that wasn't missed).
"So I guess Artemis has been talking. Well, our parents have been ill. Her and I maintain the house so that we can keep it, other than that- I think we get by alright," he added with a grin and looked this Mr. Caye over before adding, "Why, is there something I ought to know about you wanting to play hero for my sister?" The tall man pried as he folded his arms over his chest. And it was bluntly obvious he was referring to courtship and it had all three of his younger sister's holding their breaths in anticipation. Was Artemis truly to get engaged!?
OOC: looooooooooool
"Well I suppose it's the only right thing to do," Caelwyn wheezed, regaining his breath. "I mean apart of it was my fault. But she brought it on herself. I'm a respected member of the -"
Serling interrupted him with what sounded like a snort, to which Caelwyn only glared at him.
"Academic community," he continued. "And...well, frankly, Miss Artenis took something I said a little too personally, the man at the library was at his wits end and he fired her. Then one thing led to another. We landed in jail and then I offered her a job, and made everything all better and now here we are. So see, I am something of a hero."
Serling's jaw dropped. "Wait...you got her FIRED? From her job!?"
Serling wasn't the only one surprised, and after digesting all of that, he began to cough on his own breath.
"Fired?" he repeated, blinkingly before tossing his head back and laughed. "And here I presumed it was an impossible feat!" Though his laughter soon died out as he realized, "Wait? Did you just say jail?"
ANd his sister's all held their breaths again, looking from Caelwyn to their brother then back to Mr. Caye again.
"Well, yes. Didn't you notice the smell? They're not exactly the cleanest cells in the world, y'know. But I guess I've suffered worse. Fortunately, I managed to have Serling here bail us out, but that's another matter altogether," Caelwyn shrugged again.
Serling reared on Caelwyn and nudged his shoulder. "What is the matter with you!? You got her fired! AND THROWN INTO JAIL! HAVE YOU ANY SENSE, MAN!?"
Caelwyn stepped back, narrowing his eyes. "What are you going on about yelling at me for!? She's the one that ripped my pants!"
Arrick looked at Caelwyn. The man was tired and covered head to toe in soot. The only thing HE was smelling was the dirt up his own nose. He shook his head and looked over at his younger sisters.
"Shouldn't the three of you be in bed? Go see to mom and dad. You don't have to be so nosy."
"But Arrick.." Naddy whined, but when Arrick gave them a stern glance, they resigned to their fate, but naturally, were still heard giggling on the other side of the door from the opposing room. Arrick shook his head and peered over at the two men.
"So... you threw my sister in jail after getting her fired because she.... ripped your pants?"
Artemis, who had also been listening in, had heard just about enough of this and finished stuffing her last bits of clothing into her travel bag before clamping it shut and stepping out of her room in a huff. A few loose curls of dark hair fell over her eyes as she frowned.
"And I can assure you it was an unfortunate accident."
Arrick tried to stifle a laugh as he turned towards Mr. Caye- wondering if he was still wearing his ripped pants or if he had the time and money to get himself a spare.
"Oh come off it, I didn't do anything of the sort," Caelwyn said defensively, crossing skinny arms across his chest. "It was simply a misunderstand I assure you and it simply escalated too quickly before guards and their meager brains stepped in and attempted to resolve the issue. It's unfortunate nobody wanted to listen to reason. But at least men can still be persuaded by their greed...for the most part."
"You realize you'll owe that money back, Caelwyn. You can't just spend expedition funds every time you get in trouble. We'd be bankrupt!" Serling cut in.
Caelwyn brushed him off. "Do I have to keep repeating myself? Because if I do, I'm just going to go back to the hotel. Now, Miss Longfellow, do you have your effects in order, or would like some assistance in packing? It certainly beats standing here prattling the same things over and over again with the meager-brained and muscle bound."
Artemis clamped her lips shut as she listened before releasing a sigh.
"Yes, I am just about ready," and before he could get any ideas to join her and help, she rushed back into her room and set a few bags that were already packed by the door befre she turned around, swept some loose strands of dark hair from her face and went back to stuffing her other, much larger bag full of clothes.
"Essyrn.. Essyrn.." she muttered, trying to figure out which dresses would be most appropriate for such a place in the desert, and what would be most acceptable to such a society. Unfortunately for her, she knew they wore.. little, and sometimes no clothing, but all of her dresses were...
well, thick in fabric, and prude. But she knew that could at least aid in protecting her skin- but what of the heat?
Leaving her pack upon on her bed with a few half folded under garments across the top of the pile, she moved towards her closet, needign to take steps over her piles of books on the cramped floor before she began to rummage about to find some sort of parasol and appropriate travelign shoes.
"OH let me help you! Oh, goddess please, you're never going to get anything done like that," Caelwyn said rolling his eyes as he observed the pish posh way she'd thrown her stuff in the bags. And he opened up the first one and immediately began throwing out her undergarments and pantaloons.
Whirling around, Artemis gasped.
"What on earth do you think you're doing!?" And there, up into the air and now clinging to her book shelves and cramped furniture all around them were her panties- flashing proudly at the pair of them as her face went red with anger- as well as embarrassment.
Caelwyn emptied her bag and proceeded to organuze it once more, though he didn't seem at all fazed by the prospect of handling her drawers and panties. "I'm helping you organize. Gods know there's enough testosterone in that living room. Sometimes a man just needs to be around a lady. Now should I pack by size, color code them, or on what occasion you plan to be wearing them?" He plucked up a particularly string pair and held them up to his face, quirking a brow quizically at her. "And when would you wear these? Gods, you'd show almost everything, especially your buns in these!"
Artemis's face went red before she yanked the pair of panties clean out of his hand.
"Mister Caye, no one invited you into my room, and might I remind you how proper you are supposed to be acting in front of a lady. I never thought it would be needed to be said, but you are most certainly not to be handling her undergaments- so if you'll please... I can handle packing myself!"
"Well, you must be doing something wrong because you're awfully slow at it," Caelwyn griped and moved toward her other bag. "Besides I just want to be on our way and if helping you will accomplish that, then I'll do it."
Artemis glowered at the other man. Did he not hear her?
"Did I miss something?" she asked with a blink. "Are we in some sort of a race?"
Caelwyn nodded to her. "I bet you five coppers I can repack this bag faster than you can repack that one!" And started to hastily fold and put it away in the bag.
Artemis blinked. He did think they were racing! Shaking her head, she placed a hand upon his arm.
"Mr. Caye, please, if we are in no such hurry, I would like to proceed and finish packing..... my way."
"Then go about it if you please. I am in an awful hurry. I just want to get out of this dreadful city," Caelwyn moaned and left her drawers where they were.
Artemis shook her head and went back to finishing packing the bag that had already been packed- you know, until he came along to ruin it.
"Is my family that bad you want to hide away in here?" she questioned, realizing that was a pretty solid reason for any man to want to try and hide. Though she never thought Arrick was as terrible as her three younger sisters.
"Nonsense! I don't even like my own 9 sisters! Bah I'm just so...eager! We still have to go through Adela and Serendiptity if we intend to travel by land, which I'm still unsure of. Though I suppose boat would be more efficient and save us so muc more in travel expenses. Not to mention stifle Serling's whining! Bah, but either way, we still have to leave as soon as possible. I don't know if you don't know this, but timing is indeed, everything."
"Twelve sisters?" Oh, dear. She shook her head and delicately tucked back some of her dark hair. "Yes, well, if you have twelve sisters, than you must be well versed on how a woman likes to pack-" and then she added with extra emphasis, "her own things."
But at the mention of how to travel, she frowned and went back to organizing her things again- (considering she was nearly done when he so rudely interrupted her and tore through her bag!). SHe sighed, began to refold her clothing and contemplated travel on a ship.
"I've never been on a boat before, or even the ocean. My family can't really afford the travel, but we've done some picnics near the Matron River. It was very nice. Summer time in Connlaoth can be quite splendid, though I dare say I've never been through Serendipity, or Adela- and it might be lovely to see both countries, though I dare say this isn't reallymy choice as I was invited along so.." She said with a sigh and smoothed down all of her refolded clothing. "I suppose I am at your disposal. So whatever is proper and best, I'll agree."
Caelwyn had stepped aside and allowed the woman to pack as she pleased, well against his natural instincts to do things the right way - which just bartered down to doing it his way. Which was the right way of course. "Bah, perhaps the travel might we worth it. I do have a few extra notes to drop off to the college in Ravensway and I can just borrow money from my father, whatever the case. Serling can just wallow in his whining."
"Oh, don't change your plans on my account!" she said with a blink. "I was only mentioning it because I.. I.." Why had she anyway? Shaking it off, she went right back to packing. "Oh, pesky clasps on this bag- They're so worn and rusted and oh!-" Suddenly the button she was trying t secure popped clean off and went bouncing about the room before hitting Caelwyn directly on the ass. And all ARtemis could do was gape and stand beside her half closed bag- one that was a bit too puffy and nearly bursting with her clothes.
Caelwyn had crossed his arms over his chest, as slender as he was and nudged his head to the suitcase that had just exploded. "You should probably get that."
ARtemis continued to blink and gape, long after he spoke. Then her face went crimson.
"I.. I'm so sorry about that! THe bag.. it.. it is rather old!" And sheepsihly she scrambled to fetch up the broken button, and frowned- realizing... that was just another thing to add to her list. Maybe she shouldn't pack so much... and with a sigh, she began to open her bag again.
This time Caelwyn tactfully kept his distance and watched the panties he'd previously held up flutter onto a lampshade and stay there. He smiled at her nonetheless and shrugged. "Are you sure you don't want any help? You can use my belt to tie the bag together. I don't need my pants anyway."
If her face wasn't already crimson, it would surely be now!
"Oh! But Mister Caye, please!" she insisted, with a quick shake of her head. "Pants are a necessity, and it just seems this bag might be too old to make this journey." She sighed at the thought, and wiped at the sweat on her brow before turning to him, appearing almost defeated.
"How.. how much clothing do you.. do you think I'd need for such a journey?" She asked while tucking a strand of hair sheepishly behind her ear. She just presumed take as much as humanly possible, cram it in a bag and go, go, go! It didn't help she had a few other heavy suitcases, those also bursting, but instead of clothing, they were full of books! One could never be certain when they were traveling, especially to exotic places, when one would need a book about Essyrni politics, or on ancient Essyrni text. She knew a lot of it, and was proud to have taught herself most of what she could get her hands on in the Uthlyn library, but there was so much more she could learn, especially if she were to read between the lines.
"At least a little bit of everything. The closer we get to, Essyrni though, the less of it you're going to need. You know women are practically naked down there. Not that I'm saying you have to be, but it would certainly be prudent to dress in loose airy clothing," Caelwyn remarked idly as he helped her pack anyway and undid his belt to strap the bag shut.
Artemis frowned.
"I see." Peering down at her bag, she sighed. "Most clothing I have is for Connlaothian weather. I'm afraid not much of it would be that acceptable for a hot climate such as Essyrn."
"Well don't discard everything. We'll accomodate you when we get to the South. In the meantime, Serendipity can have some pretty hostile weather in this season especially," Caelwyn replied.
Pressing her.lips together, Artemis raised her gaze to his.
"Then I suppose we're done here."
Caelwyn gave a nod helped and heft the bag from the bed. But the bag was too heavy and quickly he sunk to the ground.
Artemis gasped and rushed to his side.
"Here, let me help you with that!" And she moved to his side. "We lift on three? One... two..."
Caelwyn huffed as he hefted one half of the bag while she lifted the other and helped pull it out of the room. But as he walked however, his pants loosened and suddenly fell down around his ankles from the absence of his belt.
And it was at just this time Arrick appeared behind them, arms folded across his chest.
"Need a hand? Or.. rather, belt?"
"Yes, a belt would help. Or a rope," Caelwyn said as he shuffled his feet into the living room. He set the bag down and reached down to pull them up back around his hips. "At least I'm wearing clean linens."
It was here Artemis's three younger sisters noticed what was going on and in unison, they all gasped. Artemis turned away, red faced herself as she hid her eyes behind her hand.
"Perhaps you ought to borrow a belt from my brother, please."
And with a nod, Arrick gestured for Caelwyn to follow him.
"Just this way. You're a lot smaller than me, but I might have something you can use in my father's room." And taking a step inside, there was another small room to be had crammed with furniture. Arrick barely fit in sideways as he made his way towards a drawer and began to shuffled around, sorting through things in order to fnd a belt. Once one was found, he offered it over to Caelwyn with a smirk.
"Here you go. Hopefully this'll keep your pants where they belong."
"Geeze this belt is a lot better for wrapping that bag than mine was," he said softly before knotting the thing around his waist. "Oh well. Thank you Master Arrick! I guess we ought to be on our way then."
And it was here Arrick's large hand came down upon his shoulder, and he gave a gentle squeeze.
"Hey.. hold up a minute. I've... got a question to ask you before you go. More like a favor."
Caelwyn stiffened and brushed his hand off his shoulder. "Well, spit it out then!" he muttered. "It's a long way from here to Essyrn."
Arrick shook his head at the man's temper, but smiled anyways.
"Look, just.."And here he sighed. "Just take care of my sister. Okay? I'd like to see her come back from there in one peace. Someone had to tell us all those stories, after all."
Caelwyn rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yes of couse! She'll have no more than one or too scratches on her, honest!" he beamed.
"Scratches are not what I'm worried about." And he gave Caelwyn a look. "She's my sister. And though she might be the oldest out of the four of them, she's still my sister. So, just be sure to take good care of her. She's got a good heart, maybe a bit naive, so just... see to it no one takes advantage of her okay? Something like this is her dream. I just hope you and your associate have the adequate supplies and men for such a journey. What are you after, if I might ask?"
"Arrick!" It hadn't taken long for Artemis to figure out what her brother was up to. With a huff, she stepped into the room. "How long does it take to get a belt? Really now... we're all eager to leave. Are you two done in here?"
"Yeah, I guess so," her brother replied, giving a sheepish rub to his hair. "No need to get impatient. You'll be gone for months anyway. Don't you want to spend these last few moments-"
"No, I don't!" she snapped. "Please, Arrick, we've delayed this man enough."
Arrick's eyes softened before he gave her a nod. "Very well," And he moved to give his sister a final hug goodbye. "Just... stay out of trouble okay? I won't be around to help you out if you do. Essyrn is a long way from here."
"Don't worry Master Arrick. Serling here will take very good care of your sister," Caelwyn said with a laugh before bolting out of the door, leaving, Serling behind with a deepened blush.
He paled when he looked at Arrick before quickly looking at Artemis. "Let me help you with your bag!"
Artemis's brows raised.
"W-wait!" Where was he going!? With a sigh, she turned to Serling. "Thank you." But before either could get tot he bag, Arrick hefted it up on one shoulder.
"Here, let me help. It's the least I can do." And he gestured for the other two to lead the way to their carriage, or what ever it was he'd be loading this cargo into.
With a nod, Artemis followed after, scooping up her bags of books and moving swiftly out the door, but not before saying all of her final goodbyes.
It took long enough but soon they were on the road out of the city in a small line of carriage with the rest of their expedition. Caelwyn was in the front, sleeping in the back, while in the middle carriage, Serling sat in company with Artemis. "So, is this your first time abroad?" he asked with a smile.
"Oh, why, yes! I haven't even been out of the city!" she informed.
"I hope you don't get too seasick," Serling informed. "We'll be heading to Cerenis on our way through Serendipity and from there we'll take a boat south and a caravan en route to Essyrn."
"Well, I've never been on a boat before! I think it should be lovely, if not a bit scary in its own right. I mean, I've never seen an ocean, after all," she went on, delicately tucking back some of her dark hair. "Is there anything I should know before I board a ship, Mr. Serling?"
Serling motioned to look at his lap where he had a book open. "This is the great Hivan Ocean," he said, showing several pictures of the ocean made of fine paints and etched colors in addition to gold inlaid print. "The pictures don't do it justice I assure you. But the water is a dangerous, perilous place. If we don't capsize, I'm certain all you'll really have to worry about is seasickness. And our own apothecary, Mr. Greebs, is in charge of that. He has a special tea that helps with that."
"Yes, I've seen pictures before," she said with a nod, peering down at the pages curiously. "And that's good to hear," she replied to the latter, tucking back some of her dark hair. "I'd hate to ruin taking in all of that ocean by getting ill."
And as they spoke, her brown eyes went straying over towards Mister Caye.
"So how long have you two been associates?"
Serling cleared his throat and closed the book in his lap. "Ah, well, there isn't much to tell. We were school mates, met in the last two years before he finally graduated. And boy were his professors glad to be rid of him. Can't say I blame them either. I mean, could you? The fact of it all is that I admire the man, he's quite brilliant, despite all his other shortcomings. He's intuitive about the most unlikely things, and yet he just a great big...ass. I'm sure you understand. We've worked together for the past five years or so, though only more seriously in the last three. Frankly, I'm only one of the few of our small, but diligent crew that can work with the fellow without pulling my hair out. Thankfully, I don't have to. It falls out all on its own." And his expression was only all the grimmer for it.
Artemis gave the man a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"The man may seem a bit.. err... eccentric?" she said, being cautious of her words, considering how close the man actually was, but kept her voice low, hoping to keep the conversation between her and Serling... well, private. "But we've all got our quirks." She gave Serling a reassuring smile, though she herself was a bit exhausted already from him. From ripping his pants, to pummeling him with books, to him trying to re-pack all of her things...
She had to wonder what other sort of quirks were in store. At least, well, she knew this journey would hardly be boring.
"If you don't mind, Mr. Serling, I'd like to brush up on my history." And she picked up one of her most favorite books, and a note book, resting the note book on her lap while opening the book inher hand to one of the various marked pages. "If I'm going to Essyrn, it's best to have my knowledge in tip top shape!" And she smiled at herself pleasingly so and put her nose to the book. She was always better at interacting with books, it seemed, anyway. Besides, she was a bit too giddy, any she, though curious of her knew companions, was also anxious. Reading was definitely one way to relieve that.
"That sounds like a lovely idea," Serling agreed and stood up in the carriage as he grabbed his bag and opened the door of the still moving slow array of carriages. "I shall speak with the quartermaster about a few things before turning in myself for the night."
He stepped out of the carriage, slamming the door behind him, which promptly woke Caelwyn up. "The hell was that!?"
Artemis paused for a moment, observing Caelwyn over your book before going back to her reading.
"That was your friend, Mr. Serling," she said simply, keeping her nose to a few pages of this read. The leather of the book was worn and the pages, brittle and yellow with age. And there were notes and weather marks all over it- it was evident the book was well used, and, despite it's age, well cared for. The title read The Presumed Secret and Unknown History of the Essyrni.
"Right Serling does have an interest in all that boring crap doesn't he," he reminded himself, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Gods my neck! We need more padding on these benches I swear. Or at least proper beds."
Caelwyn quit his complaining for the moment before observing the title of the book Artemis was reading. And began to laugh.
"Mmmhmm," Artemis said, half in thought and half still reading her book. It was then she heard him laugh and at that, her brown eyes peered up from the page.
"Do you find something amusing, Mister Caye?"
Caelwyn weezed and shook his head. "Sorry," he said. "Sorry. It's just that...I mean you can't possibly believe what you're reading in that book, can you? I mean surely you're merely poring over it for your own amusement."
Artemis blinked, but once she realized why he was laughing, her cheeks pinked.
"Well, yes and no," she went on, explaining. "I've been reading this book for a long time, and the mysterious and possibilities laced behind it well... it sort of influenced me to continue my research on my own, to see if indeed, such things proposed could be true. It also helped me figure out some more of the... difficult translations. It gives an interesting idea onto the methods of Essyrnis past."
Not to mention..
There was a lot of romanticized topics in there. One in particular that always caught her interest...
the love story of a King of the Past.
But well, she adjusted her weight on the bench. Mr. Caye did not need to know that.
"Except that there have been more reliable theories and even more enthralling discoveries made since the book's publication, I'd say there's little you could possibly be interested in within that text, really," Caelwyn said with a roll of his eyes. "Half of the book has already been proven wrong. Why waste your time further?"
"Well, there's also an art in nostalgia," she pointed out, frowning outwardly at his comments. But instead of opening her mouth to yell at him, she simply sighed and gave a shake of her head.
"And which books would you recommend, Mister Caye?"
Caelwyn got up and moved to sit beside her. "Well, for starters, I would begin with the everything and then chip away what is so obviously a fallacy," he murmured thoughtfully. "Take the Valley of the Falshour Princes for example. Here." He reached across here lap and flipped to the proper chapter, mindful of her page, and scanned the text. "It says here Great King Medeas cast off his sons to die in the desert because they were unworthy. That is a fallacy, when the truth is the King was mad with paranoia and power and his sons had planned a coup. They nearly succeeded too, had it not been for the divinations of his court magister, a mysterious mage whom he trusted implicitly. His sons were banished into the desert and the king fell deeper into madness. Eventually he was poisoned by his magister and he took the throne for himself. It's all in the glyphs. See that drawing there, that's only half the tale."
"Oh," she said, blinkingly at the text. "Well, it would seem some of it would be presumed dated material, though it is hard to say what is fact and what is fiction in the glyphs. The winners always write the history we keep, so even if the sons had been innocent, who's not to say it was not the magister himself who had concocted it all?" She gave a thoughtful shake of her head. "It's why history is so romantic. All of the truths can not be fully proven, unless, of course,"s he said with a small smile. "We were to somehow go back in time and live it."
And a day dreamer like Artemis wished she could.
"Ah but the sons were guilty of course," Caelwyn beamed. "And that is why the Valley of Falshour is said to be cursed. But no one can say eactly why it is. Was it because the princes were trying to save their kingdom from their father's madness or did they merely desire power for themselves? You are right about one thing however. We may never really know. The magister was executed later on when one of Medeas' grandsons came back to reclaim his throne. His father and uncles were interred in that Valley in an attempt to redeem themselves, supposedly to beseech their father for forgiveness. But his body was never found."
Despite the fact they were talking about death and usurping and all sorts of scandal and betrayal, Artemis's eyes were positively shining over such ideas.
"Yes, the Valley holds many secrets, and I bet a lot of them still undiscovered, buried away in the depths of sands." She gave a sigh at that, before adopting a thoughtful expression and peering back to Mister Caye. "You don't suppose we'll find anything worth while on this journey, do you?"
"That IS the idea. But, like with anything, you can never really say for certain. Our first destination before any in depth exploration would be Essyrn of course. I'm sure there'll be plenty you could learn there of history and culture. Tell me, what do you know of the Essyrni? I mean without the pressure of a real interview. The other explorers don't know you're just a librarian after all."
"Well, I know as much knowledge as our library has to offer- as well as some of my own personal thoughts on the history. But it's really not much of anything, just some thoughts about the blank pages during the later dynasties, and as to why so many have gone lost, yet some were still preserved." And at his last comment, she frowned.
"And why haven't you told them about me?" She paused. "I mean, to tell them my real profession?"
"Eh...well, suffice to say, not everyone on this expedition...er, trusts my judment. I can't imagine why, being the dedicated scholar that I am. But! It seems to help that they think we have a real expert coming along. I'm sure when they do find out your profession, they probably won't take it so hard, seeing as we're already on the road and you certainly have a keen interest in the subject. I hope that doesn't bother you." Caelwyn frowned a little, but he shrugged nonetheless.
Artemis frowned at such an answer.
"I do not know if I am comfortable with lies, Mister Caye. It would definitely put a strain on my relationship with your crew if we are to work together." And she sighed. She supposed it was what it was.
"But what draws you all to Essyrn? As opposed to, I don't know, searching some of the ruins in Hyoite or the islands?"
"Because I can't afford new shirts for all the holes my frozen nipples would make," Caelwyn said with a shrug. "But what's with all the 'Mister Caye' nonsense?"
Ooc: lol, have you recently watched the animated Sinbad movie or.something? 8D
They make a ref. To cold nipples putting someone's eye out 8D
_________
"I don't know. It just seems more appropriate. You are my.employer, after all." And.naturally, she ignored his comment about his nipples. That was.. just such a.strange comment!
"But going back to Essyrn, what really drew me in was the legend of the globe of O'Rississ. Are you familiar?" She asked, eyes shining. "It tells of a legend of an ancient King and his adventurous son. And if the stories are.correct, it was his youngest son. But anyway, it was said he was the first one in history to travel most all of the world and when he returned, he spent his remaining days creating a globe of his discovered places. Just think of all of that ancient history... And who knows, there could be lost knowledge hidden on.that globe... Well, presuming the legend is.more fact than fiction."
[I've never seen that movie.]
"Ah, can't say that I have. Which is odd since I know everything," Caelwyn shrugged. "Nevertheless it sounds intriguing, this Rississ' Pieces or whatever you said. And it's Caelwyn, please. I'm not yet my father's age. Save the Misters for a gray old man with a glass eye in his left socket."
"You've never heard of the Globe of O'Rississ?" Artemis said, gaping at him for a bit longer than intended to before she cupped a hand over her lips and closed her mouth. Turning from him, she went to fish into her bag, and pulled out a rolled piece of parchment.
"I copied the story from some of the ancient scrolls at the library. Perhaps the story isn't common knowledge like I'd want to believe it is." And here, she offered it over to Caelwyn. "Feel free to have a read of it, Caelwyn." And she smiled, most pleased about being able to call him that. The only ones she could normally be informal with were her family. And now... well...
She'd be miles away from them soon enough.
Caelwyn read over the rolled piece for a few minutes, commiting most of it to memory and he gave her a strange look when he met her gaze again. "So what kind of knowledge do you think we could expect to find about this globe? What a strange word that is...gloooooobe."
"Oh, it is strange indeed! But for some reason, the man decided to graph his map on a sphere." She shook her head of it, but smiled none the less. "And I don't know what to expect really.. I suppose continents yet to be discovered, whole island chains maybe... a whole new world.." But then she realized she was gushing and turned away from him with a bit of an embarrassed blush.
"Though I doubt we'd find anything like the O'Rississ globe. It might just be a myth, after all."
Caelwyn rolled the paper delicately back up and handed it back to her. "The greatest and most important thing you could ever learn in this kind of work, Miss Longfellow is no matter what god you believe in, the one thing you must never close your mind to is to believe that anything is possible."
Artemis accepted the parchment back and gave it a tight squeeze at his words, not realizing she had done so, or that her eyes had grown large and glittering. Though once she did, she eased up on her grip and felt her cheeks blush a little before tucking the paper away.
"Yes, so anyway," she said, clearing her throat. "This is a long journey and now that you've procured the book you've been seeking, perhaps we should use our time in reading up some of the articles within the Geodatus Expedition of the Essyrni Territory and Its Foundations? It could be beneficial to read it together, that way we can discuss something you are currently in study of?"
Caelwyn gave a quick nod. "Hm, you make a valid point. Very well, we should look through it," he nodded and produced the book from his pack and with it rolls of notes and corrections that he had found to be pertinent. "I suppose Essyrn would be as good a place to start as any."
"Yes, well, if you flip to the page about the Valley of the Dead, there's some interesting things to read in there. I know I've only glanced through it, but it was intriguing and also gives us reason to suspect that there are more burial tombs than just those found in the valley."
"It's strange. It hints at there being some pyramidal structure, but there is no evidence to prove it, considering there is no such structure standing in the Niafi West River Valley today, or anywhere near the Valley of the Dead." And at suhc an idea, she sighed. "It's almost as if it just.. disappeared." Or maybe never even existed? But if it had not existed, then why would it have ever been labeled in such a place? Unless her translations had been inaccurate, considering that part was entirely in ancient Essyrni...
"Well such a discovery would be fitting if that is indeed the name of such a place, don't you think," Caelwyn said pointedly. "And exactly what hints do yoy refer to? Pyramidal structures?"
"If you look down here, on page fifty-seven," she said, scooting closer to him as she peered over the book and tapped a finger upon the page. "Right here. See where it talks about 'and with a broad base, the rest of the structure was built up towards the heavens at a point, yet no man could claim to have built it'- most might wave this off as just an implications, but who knows, it could hve been real. What other structures have a wide base then point at top. That speaks of a pyramid shape to me. And there's a crude implication of it that's worn on one of the back pages...'
And as she moved to flip t the page, she frowned.
"That's odd..."A nd she kept flipping back and forth. "It's as if the page is missing..."
How strange.
"Hm, well, some people feel they must deface tomes and books for the sake of their own miniscule minds. Shame," Caelwyn said idly, frowning at the tear in the binding.
"Yes but..." and here her frown deepened. "No one else should have touched this book but you or I." And her face wrinkled in confusion as she peered up into his face.
"So what is it that you are trying so hard to decipher, Miss Longfellow?" Caelwyn asked sharply. "That I ripped the page out of the book? Because I most certainly did not. You're free to check my person because you'll find nothing."
Artemis's frown deepened so much she appeared to pout.
"It is not that, Caelwyn,"s he said with a shake of her head. "It would be silly for you to even consider tearing out such a page. We are traveling together, so you could simply borrow it whenever you would like. And I'd like to believe you wouldn't be so brash in handling a book." And here she leaned in closer, to speak much more softly to him, "Besides, no ordinary man would have acted in such a way at the library if you were simply there to tear out a page." Concern creased her brow as she flattened her lips, still frowning at him and unsure.
"Unless I am mistaken, someone must have taken the page was I was indisposed." Which hardly seemed like a logical explanation. When could someone, anyone have gotten to it?
"Logically the only other person who would have had access to it would have been your emloyer," Caelwyn noted, crossing his legs in thought. "But why on earth would he want to do that?"
Artemis gasped at such a revelation.
"But why would he, indeed! I could not conceive him to be a petty thief, especially in regards to the precious pages of some history books."
"Then stop beating around the bushwack and reading the following pages! Surely there's some clue in the context as to what would be precious enough to remove from these pages."
Artemis blinked and refound herself at his prompting.
"Oh, it was just a page with a symbol. One of a triangle encasing a snake. Or," she pressed, sifting tbrough the pages. "A pyramid encasing a snake."
"A snake, eh? Would there be any religious attachment to such a symbol? I'm afraid I need a little more to go on," he said, leaning over her and looking intently at the page.
"Well, yes, Essyrn's find snakes to be quite holy, their goddess, after all, is a snake in her own right," Artemis pointed out. "It is said such a structure may have been built in her honor, but from we all know from what the scholars have deciphered is that the houses of Gods are built in a similar fashion, so one can only conclude that this pyramid could have, in fact, been some sort of home built for Hakeshna herself- or.." she then added, with a small smile. "Perhaps one of the first kings or queens of Essyrn." For the Shah was the vessel of Hakeshna's will, after all.
"Perhaps. You may have a point in some respect. When the Shah dies, she will be buried with all the rest her kind, as is the norm, I believe. Perhaps that is where she will finally rest. And perhaps it might be worth looking into when we finally reach the desert city. There's nothing like a little excavation amongst the dead after all. But why the page would be ripped out, perhaps we might never know. I don't have it, that's for sure," he said with a shrug.
"Yes, it is troubling," she went on with a frown and bit her lip. "Perhaps it just got ripped out on accident?" Though she knew it most definitely had to be torn out by hand. It was a page lost in the middle of the book- and the odds of it 'happening on accident' were pretty minimal indeed.
"Well, so we're going to be traveling for a while together. DO you mind if I ask a little bit about you, Mr. Caye?"
It was far from accidental. Though the book was old and some pages tended to all out with extended use, the perforations on the edge and lack of any other pages following suit were telling signs. Whoever took it, for whatever reason, better pray Caelwyn didn't get a hold of them for defacing a book. He gave a few more seconds of thought to it before moving on.
It wasn't like the page would magically manifest out of thin air.
Caelwyn looked at her and raised a brow, making fart noises with his lips and shrugging. "If you must. I suppose better to get it over with now. Shoot."
"Well, I know you mentioned you had a large family. Is your family also into this sort of thing, or are these interests unique to you?" For in her family, it seemed she was the only one with her nose in a book and loved to get lost in it- especially anything regarding history. And she couldn't deny how giddy she was for this trip.S he never dreamed it would happen, and as she waited for Caelwyn to reply, she tried to hide it from him, but she pinched herself, just to see if she was awake and this was real. When she felt the pain, she knew it to be true, and released a breath, but her heart was still beating rather rapidly.
Everything was so new and exciting, the people, the places they'll go, even this type of travel was new to her- as her family was too poor to afford a wagon or horse, so she normally walked everywhere. It kept her in pretty good shape, if anything, especially when she was on her feet all day at home, and the library. But she supposed this would be a different sort of labor all together.
And as the wagon continued onward, she tried to remain still, but she was antsy. There was just too much excitement and not enough outlets for her to expel that extra energy.
"Oh, those details are long, atrocious and bothersome," Caelwyn said with a wave of his hand. He shrugged and picked the dirt out of his fingernails instead. "Let it suffice to say that families are all rather tiresome and a waste of time, wouldn't you agree?"
Artemis frowned at Caelwyn.
"I wouldn't say that, tiresome, maybe, but I wouldn't change my family for the world."
Caelwyn shrugged and picked something out of his nail that looked nasty. "Pah, well, to each their own. It certainly explains a lot."
"I take it you're the type who prefers solitude? Of being alone curled up with a book somewhere or studying quietly at a museum? Though I can relate to that. To me, the quiet is rather refreshing, and I often times find myself without it that once I have it, I find myself treasuring every moment of it. But there I go on." She shook her head. "Though come to think of it... my sister's could use a muzzle from time to time," she quipped with a small smile, but avoided looking over at Mr. Caye.
Caelwyn rolled his eyes, looking out the window then sighing as if the whole matter was tedious. "Sometimes, but the best learning is done with your hands, not simply from reading a book. You'd know that if you got out more," he said. "Get into the dirt. That's where the secrets are."
"I suppose I'll find this out soon enough?" she inquired, raising a brow towards him. "Getting my hands dirty, that is. And don't think I'm afraid to do it either. I might not be an explorer, or an adventurer, but I'm excited to watch, and to learn, to really see these things first hand." And she felt the excitement tickle through her as she looked over at the horizon.
He sighed heavily, annoyed. "If you're here to watch then perhaps this was all just a big misunderstanding. I'll stop this carriage this instant and we'll turn right back around!"
"Oh, I think you misunderstood," she went on, with a blink. "Really, if I was only there to watch, I might have well have stayed home. I can 'watch' from a book. But what I meant was, watch and learn. It would be silly for me to leap in without knowing the proper rules and methods and things," she went on.
"Heh, pfft, well then, I suppose you best take initiative. Or ask Serling. He'd be happy to show you around and the ins and outs of archaeological digs if it meant any possibility that he might be able to get under your skirt," Caelwyn snorted. "Oh and speaking of skirts, they're impractical and not allowed on the jobsite. So if you have some trousers you can wear. Or if you prefer not to, that is also acceptable. Essyrn is quite open to public nudity, and for good reason. You'll turn into a cherry tomato before sundown without protection."
Artemis froze, her cheeks turning red at such a suggestion.
"Well I... this is really all I have.." she went on, tucking back some hair and looking away from him. "Though I suppose I could purchase some trousers on our journey..."
Though it was a strange thing to consider, she had only really wore trousers when she was little, but they were hand me downs of her brothers- it was far easier for her family to afford dresses and skirts than pants, anyway. And despite the windy weather of Connlaoth, that's just how it was.
"And you and Serling.." she went on, brushing her hair aside. "You seem to speak critically of him often. And why would you say he might be..." ANd here, she bit her lip and hesitated, "You know... interested in such things beneath my skirt."
And she hesitated before stealing a glance towards Serling, then looked over at Caelwyn.
[Serling is not in the carriage 8D]
"Oh, don't bother your little head about it," Caelwyn said with another nonchalant shrug. "I'm sure nothing will come of it. He's a man, of course! All men with no other useful preoccupation generally succumb to the failing of the pelvis and burning of the loin. Serling has so few qualifying traits - other than his 'people skills' I suppose - that I find it almost quaint that he finds himself dizzied over such trivial pursuits. Never the less, he's a sweet man and will likely be useful to you if you know what to do with him. He'd even if you his own pants if you asked."
Artemis's blush held.
"Oh, I couldn't ask that!" she said with a shake of her head. "I'm sure he needs his pants."
And at such a comment, she tried not to laugh as she turned away and peered outside the carriage window.
"How long do you think it will take us to get to Essyrn? I can't even begin to imagine how far we must travel." And she felt her spirits perk up again as she thought over the adventure and her smile blossomed and grew as she continued to look at the endless see of grassy plains of the Sirantil Valley. She'd surely miss this place, but it was so exciting to be seeing, well... the rest of the world.
"Perhaps a few months at most. Serling goes on and on about the expenses and all that other unimportant nonsense. He supposes our combined jail time has cost us at least two week's expedited travel. But I suppose we will make it in good time. You have a lot of time to read up on what we have written down thus far and get acquainted with the language," Caelwyn said.
He looked tiredly out toward the window then back to her. "You look as red as a cherry tomato. Are you ill?"
"Am I?" And she touched her face. "Perhaps I am still a bit flushed from all the excitement."
"Oh it certainly is exciting isn't it!?" Caelwyn said with unabashed glee. "I just hope the locals don't mind we're digging up their old tombs. That can always be quite the downer."
"Oh, dear... I never thought of it that way. I suppose if it were my own tomb, I'd be a bit upset as well."
"In any case, Serling says it's best to treat them with the utmost respect, whatever good that will do? You seem like a nosey do-gooder, I'm sure you will be fine," he said with a grin.
"Yes," she said with a sigh. "A nosey do-gooder who winds up fired and thrown in jail for ruining a man's pants." She rolled her eyes at that one and stole a glance Caelwyn's way. He looked pretty handsome when he smiled, and though she found herself staring at him, she forced her eyes away.
This was a professional trip anyway. She hadn't joined up in search for love. Besides...
Her employer was a bit...... odd.
Then again, some could say the same for her sister's, or even herself!
"Well, if you don't mind, Mr. Caye, I'm going to brush up on some more reading. Unless there is something else you'd like to discuss?"
She did often times find herself more comfortable in books than with others. It was probably the reason she never married.
That, and men sort of... scared her. At least in the romantic sense. What if she made a fool of herself? Yep.. best just to read about that stuff in books!
"Oh, no, no, nothing. You should read up," Caelwyn said with a snort and moved toward the other seat in the carriage. He threw himself out along it and stretched. He balled up his jacket underneath his head, yawning. "I believe I ought to catch up on some much needed rest. You ought to as well once you've finished your catching up or whatever it is you're doing."
He turned and promptly went to sleep.
Artemis looked over at him as he so easily fell asleep. It somewhat reminded her of her brother. He could sleep through anything, but always managed to wake up on time for work. She soon returned to her book, but after about half an hour of reading it, she found herself in the mood for a novel. Fishing through her bag, she found her one novel... A romance novel, and found herself indulging into a few chapters before she too, fell asleep.
But sleep did not last long when Artemis suddenly found herself catapulted straight into Mr. Caye's seat. The book, which had fallen to her lap, was now spread open on the floor and she? Too frazzled to notice or care. It was at the sudden jerking stop of the carriage did she finally look up as the coachman called into the pair, "So sorry about that, Caelwyn! I didn't see the bump in the road!"
Caelwyn abruptly awoke when he felt like he was being squashed underneath a cow. "Ow!" he howled and jerked underneath Artemis. "Please remain in your own seat. They're not big enough for share," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Artemis huffed and pushed herself up.
"You talk as if I had a choice," she grumbled, and pushed her hair aside then signed and turned to where her book fell on the ground as she reached down to pick it up.
Caelwyn turned over on his side, his back to her and curled up to go back to sleep. "If you insist on reading tawdry trash, I suggest you put the book over your face to hold muffle your snoring. Thank you."
"Tawdry trash?" She wrinkled her nose and looked the man over. "So I take it you've read it then?" she asked, her lips curling into a smirk.
"Not at all," Caelwyn said, disinterested. "But Serling did. He wouldn't shut up for days. He even cried a little. The husband at the end or something to that effect."
Artemis held her smirk.
"But if you did not read it yourself, how do you know its a bad read?"
"Because they're all tawdry trash," he sighed through his coat. "I tried reading one my sister had a few years ago. I nearly died of boredom. But at least someone enjoys it. Then again I'm not surprised."
"Oh?" she raised a brow. "And does anything surprise you, Mister Caye?"
Caelwyn sighed. "Not usually, but I welcome the enlightenment. It doesn't help for a man in my position to keep a closed mind to potentially useful knowledge."
Artemis couldn't help but smile. So he read it hoping to be.enlightened? No wonder he was so disappointed! She kept her laughter in check and just let her eyes return to her book while also trying to keep her smile tucked back.
Caelwyn tired of the conversation and tucked his coat over his shoulders, closing his eyes and going to sleep.
Without Caelwyn's crisp criticisms, any tension in the air faded away, and soon the rocking of the wagon lulled Artemis to sleep, too.
And when she woke up, she'd find Caelwyn doing a little light reading. In fact reading her copy of that little romance book. Naked.
Opening her eyes, the first thing she noticed was a lot of peachy skin in her line of sight. Making a nose, she moved to stretch and took notice, groggily, but curiously, of the title of the book.
"Is that..." she began to say- but that's when her eyes went down and suddenly she gasped, cupping a hand over her lips. Oh right, she ought to turn away. So she did so, stammering between her fingers.
"Mister... Mister Caye! Your... your clothes!"
"Oh! Good morning Miss Longfellow," Caelwyn said, beaming as he turned a page on her book. It thankfully served as a barrier between her and seeing his manhood, that and he had his legs crossed. "I thought about what you said last night and thought I'd see what it was all about. I have to say while the prose is fairly simplistic, and the syntax leaves much to be desired, the story is a bit interesting. Especially the parts where Elizabeth and Jon make a mess of the staircase as they are unable to make it to the bedroom. It was worth a laugh, certainly."
Artemis would have gaped at him, but her lips and most of her face still buried beneath her hands.
"The book's premise is of little consequence. Mister Caye!" she yelped. "What happened to your clothes!?"
"Oh! They're getting washed. And I'm afraid everything else I have is dirty. Serling offered to let me borrow something clean of his, but I couldn't possibly wear his clothes. It's a bit nasty don't you think? Besides you don't mind do you?" Caelwyn smiled at her. "Oh, and if you have anything to be cleaned, I suggest you take the load in immediately, we won't be by this river forever."
Artemis blinked, and peered over at him through her fingers.
"Don't mind? Sir!" she went on, voice shrill. "This is no way for a man to act in the presence of a lady!"
Couldn't he have at least borrowed something to drape over himself!? And what was wrong with borrowing Serling's clothes!? If she wasn't so afraid to remove her hands from covering her face, she would have bolted clean out of the carriage by now.
"A man? In front of a lady? Funny you say that. I just reached the part in the book where Elizabeth walks in on Jon stripping down and finds his 'growing passion unbearable so that she found herself on her knees before him as if in worship.' Fascinating really," he said. "Besides it's not as if I'm parading around like he is. Right here, 'he shook and trembled in pleasure.' I'm in no pleasure. Oh, my legs are rather cold, could you hand me that blanket beside you?"
She felt as if her face was to burn off from the immense heat consuming it. But at his request- a blanket? Why did he not take it before!? And with her eyes still covered,s he groped for it and threw it at him.
"Well, I hope you enjoy your read, Mister Caye. I'm going for a walk."
And with that being said,s he threw the carriage door open and stormed- well, stumbled, out.
"I will! Thank you!" he said, smiling and opening the book again, reading where he left off.
Just then Serling walked by and closed the carriage door. "Miss Longfellow?" he asked. "Is something the matter?"
She was already stomping away from the carriage, too embarrassed to even speak. But her destination was the river, though she avoided where the laundry was being done. She wanted to be alone.
"I just need some air!"s he called back to Serling, not wishing to be rude. But her voice sounded strange, and she wish it hadn't. What had she gotten herself into?
"I was wondering when she was going to be done with that blanket," Caelwyn said, shrugging as he walked out of the carriage. He had the blanket around his waist, covering himself considerably and shut the door behind him.
Serling just stared at him, mouth gaping. "What! Did You DO?" he said and nudged him on the shoulder.
"I was reading. What did you think I was doing?" he asked.
"Then why is she flustered?"
"I don't know. Why don't you go after her and find out." Caelwyn laughed and watched Serling go beet red.
Some time alone to walk by the river was nice. She hadn't realized how anti-social she could be. She wasn't exactly an extrovert by any means, and though her family was quite... rambunctious, most of her time over the years had always been spent in the calm atmosphere of the library. She thought back to those days, even prior to her working there and smiled a bit, and felt her cheeks beginning to cool. Even still, she continued to walk. She figured they'd have quite a long journey ahead of them. Might as well get some use of her legs.
And well, hopefully to become at least a little less flustered by the time they were to move on.
Ugh.
Maybe she'd travel in the front of the carriage rather than inside...
At least that would fix one awkward situation. But she really couldn't avoid him and... whatever his unusual antics were for the whole time they'd travel.
She smirked a little at that.
Yes.. what had she gotten herself into?
An adventure..
a quirky one...
And ironically, that's sort of what she had always dreamed.
[Artemis is just a regular Disney Princess isn't she? XD]
Caelwyn decided it was a good time to take a bath while he waited for his clothes. So the first thing he did was head off toward the river, after having gotten an earful from Serling who made little sense in his objections. Nevertheless, he might as well get clean while he could.
So he wandered off, with the blanket in one hand, cleaning supplies in the other and set off down the path a little a ways from the caravan.
OOC: She is a special snowflake 8D
---------
She was enjoying her walk but figured it was best for her not to venture too far. After all, she was still the obligation of her charges, and she never liked making things difficult for those she sought to help. So in attempts to erase her mind from Caelwyn's silly nude, romance reading in the carriage, she began to walk back towards it while thinking on their mission.
Essyrn. Was she truly going there? Such an idea sent a flutter through her heart. Ever since she was a little girls he had been so captivated by it that it was a motivation to get her to learn to read, and at quite the young age. Even her older brother barely had any reading skills, and out of her three younger sisters, only one truly could (the others pretended, or stumbled through it- but they knew the printed word good enough).
Even still, it was hard to imagine this was all going on, and she was wholly engrossed in her fantasies that the sound of nearby water splashing made her turn towards the river suddenly, but her shoe got caught on a rock and well-
She supposed she looked anything but graceful as she tumbled down the small river bank and landed in the mud.
Caelwyn turned just in time to watch the show. And there Artemis was, tumbling down the side of the muddy bank face first and he just stared at her, especially when she landed with her dress over her head. It was only then that he laughed. He tried not to let it get the better of him, but the sight was one to behold and the only thing funnier was when he caught Serling masturbating to that ridiculous romance novel.
Caelwyn wasn't sure what protocol dictated, as he eyed her for a few moments longer. He was still naked from the look of it. And she didn't seem to respond that well to it before. So instead he cupped his hands together to his mouth and called out, "You all right!?"
"I'm glad my grace amuses you!" She called out. "But aside from a lot of mud and embarrassment, I'm sure I'll be okay!" Besides, as he already figured out, she was anything but comfortable around him when he was naked. Though it seemed the show was hardly over, because when she tried to stand up, down again she went, face first in the mud.
At that Caelwyn burst out laughing and when his belly had enough, he waded through the water over to her, largely concealed by the waterline and grabbed her hand to help her up. "You're wearing the wrong shoes that's why. And a dress, not to mention. If you were wearing trousers, or nothing at all, you wouldn't have this problem. But, mud is quite a good look for you. It's good for your skin as well."
"Oh, you flatter me, Mister Caye," she said through a grumble. "Though most would tell me book dust is more up my alley."
Brushing her soggy hair aside while water continued to drip down her nose, she only nodded.
"Thank you. But I am aware, more now than ever, how inadequate these shoes are. And my skirts..."
And here, she recalled him being naked as she tucked her lips in and looked away.
Clearing her throat she went on, "Well, it's a bit more prudent than... the other option."
"Look, well, you can't return to camp looking like that. Serling will have a fit. And if he's had one fit already, two will just give him a heart attack and we can't have that so early in the journey. We'll save that for when we're in a tomb and we can shove him into a hole," he said, half-jokingly. "Considering you're already wet, just take off your skirt. We'll get you cleaned up, don't worry."
She was about ready to agree- for she'd hate a man to feint, or heaven forbid, he'd have a heart attack, but at the mention of removing her skirt, she gave a gasp.
"I will not! I can clean up well enough with it on! It's dirty, anyhow."
Really! What was he proposing!?
"Nonsense! As your employer, I will not have you made a fool. You'll do that enough yourself already," he said and dragged her along with him anyway. "Now remove your skirt, please. I have plenty of scrubbing supplies here. Let's get your face first though."
With a soft yelp, she felt herself being tugged along.
"C-Caelwyn!" Of course, propriety dropped the moment the situation became... well, this! She splashed about behind him but couldn't get good enough of a footing to attempt to break away.
But at his last statement, she perked up with a gasp.
"Mister Caye, please! I can do well on this on my own!"
Really, one little slip in the mud did not make her a ninny!
"Wash your face? Yes. But you can't seem to be able to listen to reason. It's all right, I've done this plenty of times before," he said and moved around behind her, undoing the knots on her skirt and tugging it down. "There! You can clean up and I'll wash this. I've got a scrub brush over here."
She couldn't believe him! And before she could give him an earful- he was dropping her skirts, just like that. With a scream, she tried to stop him, but heaven forbid she do anything right, as she dropped into the water, splashing them both. THougb by the time she came up she had a firm grip on her skirt and hefted it up as high as it could go- which nearly reached her breast as she turned to him with a glare.
"MISTER CAYE! Is this the first time you've ever traveled with a woman?"
How many sisters did he say he had anyway? It was hard to believe, if that were the case, he was so inept!
"Silence your maw, woman," he said plainly. "I'm going to wash your skirt is all. Now stop acting like such a ninny and let me help you." He pulled at her skirt, wrenching it free soon enough.. "I know what I'm doing. Relax. I can take these stains out just fine."
"You just.. just..." She could have slapped him, but instead, she stomped off away from him. Was he really so ignorant? Maybe from where HE was from men could act this way, but where SHE was from....
Sighing, she looked down at her outfit. Not that it mattered what she wore but...
She only owed so much clothes and well....
Sighing she tried to push all thoughts aside as she tried to calm her anger, but even as she tried to calm down her own- she elicited the anger from something else.
Magical creatures were not uncommon on this trail- least of all int he river. But most men had tried to snuff them out. It didn't mean the fire breathing river eels were all dead! And certainly because they were lacking in numbers did nothing for their temper, so when her foot made contact with its' slippery tail, the beast sprung from the water with a hiss and shot fire, which she barely dodged as it singed her arm.
And thought he beast was upset at Artemis, it wanted no part in sticking around,a d began to speed off down the river- heading straight for Caelwyn and her skirt. Gasping, she did the only thing she could think of- as she shouted, "Watch out!" And attempted to hurl a rock at the nostril smoking fish.
Well, fine. She could suit herself just fine. Caelwyn went about washing her skirt, like she asked when something suddenly struck him on the head. HARD! And down he went, splashing into the water, in the path of the smokey, ill-tempered eel.
But when it burned him, only then did he wake up and yelp. "OUCH!" he howled and scrambled out of the water. The eel wiggled after him and that's when Caelwyn suddenly jumped on it and used her skirt like a net, holding and wrangling with it as it struggled to be released.
Slapping her hands over her mouth, she stared in disbelief, and shouting an apology, she quickly rushed to his sided shouting, "What can we do? If we keep provoking it.." and that's when a puff of fire blew up from her skirt.
And that's when it scuttered away. Caelwyn stood there with a smokey face and holding a skirt with a hole in it. "It's all right. I can fix. Well have to cut the length about half though. The good news is the mud is out."
Artemis blinked. She couldn't believe he could just worry about that after what happened to his face.
"But... but Caelwyn.." she suddenly found herself giggling-f or he looked quite the sight. But she tried to cover it with a hand.
"Your.... your face.... Does it not...... burn?" Or hurt, even a little?
Caelwyn turned to her and then felt his face. "Oh...I suppose it hurts a little. But it's nothing really! Now come here and wash up!" He pointed for her to clean up with the bucket of soap and a brush and even a loofa that sat on the bank. "I'll cut your skirt for you."
Artemis just blinked and gave her head a tilt.
"With all due respect... I think you ought to clean up, first." After all, mud was mud....
But the poor man had soot all over his face!
Caelwyn raised his finger to her but conceded to her point soon enough. "That you are correct. Come We will wash each other. You ought to slither out of the rest of your clothes too."
At that, she blinked. And had to laugh.
"Really.. Mister Caye, this is getting exhausting. You know perfectly well I can't do that."
Really! Where WERE his manners?
"And you gave no logical reason as to why not. You must understand that rules of propriety, as you claim to state, do not apply out here on the road. I will treat you as I would have any one treat myself. With as much respect as well. To survive out here, one must be practically. I promise whateber you have under there is nothing I haven't seen before."
And at that, she gaped.
"MISTER CAYE!" she barked. "Of all the things to say- just because we our out here on the road does NOT mean we can throw our civilized world away! Are we to simply regress to the time of the ancient Essyrnis? To not know we are naked? And not know self control? Really- wilderness or not- I will not throw away all I've been taught!"
And really! He could NOT be serious!
Caelwyn stared at her blandly, brow quirked, waiting for her to be finished. "Indeed. Then it seems we are at an impasse. I believe we have little choice in the matter. And in this case, I only have one question for you. Exactly what do you mean by 'self-control'? Do you intend to insinuate that I have designs upon you?"
Her face went red.
"I just meant self control in that it is so easy to throw aside what we've learned. But clearly, by the way you are dressed, those types of thoughts would only serve to amuse you. Now if you'll excuse me, I will take care of my own cleaning over here!"
"I only think that if you are to think of this as little more than an experiment, it is harmless. Life doesn't have to be so complicated. However, if you insist." Caelwyn surrendered the skirt to her and bowed out.
She took the skirt from him and clutched it tightly, watching him leaving before breathing a sigh of relief. What does he mean, experiment? Getting naked in front of a man was no experiment! And though he probably meant such other things, that was the only thing clouding up her mind.
Men... even one as quirky as Caelwyn Caye was, were just some other creature to Artemis all together. They always made her tongue tie, her palms grow sweaty and churned her head into a mess! Perhaps she just over thought things- or 'complicated' then as he put it, but that was too difficult for her to see. She turned her back to him, relieved to have at least SOME privacy as she went about in using the river's water to clean off the mud.
Though she'd still have to figure out what to do with her skirt. She supposed once it dried, she could mend it next time they rested for the night on this inevitably long journey south. Just the idea of that once in a life time opportunity made her feel a bit more comfortable. She supposed she'd just have to get used to Mister Caye's quirkiness. Perhaps she could inquire to Serling how he dealt with it! After all, Caelwyn had stated he was the only man who could put up with him! And she'd hate for her to have any bad memories from such an adventurous time in her life.
Caelwyn returned to camp, and thankfully by then the laundry was done and most of his own clothes were dry. They all had to chip in to stay clean. It was a luxury very few of those traveling in the caravan could afford, considering that most of the time they were buried beneath tombs, and mountains of dirt. Caelwyn was happy in his soft shirt and proceeded to go right back to sleep within the carriage.
It was certainly better than hanging around a stressed out Serling.
He had watched Caelwyn return, but without Artemis and he began to worry. So he went down that path along the river, hoping to catch her before something terrible happened.
Artemis had begun her trek back to the carriage, soggy, torn skirt in tow. But at the sight of Serling, she felt relieved.
"Ah, Mister Serling, glad that I caught you. Do you have a moment? I have um... a few questions to ask you, if you don't mind."
Serling looked a little startled at her insistence. He was just glad to see she was more or less in one piece. "Oh, well, let's walk back, and we can discuss your questions. I'd be happy to answer anything you want."
"Oh!"S he grabbed him by the sleeve suddenly. "Walk back... er... why not chat here a bit?" ANd hse looked around, ensuring the coast was clear before informing him, "I have a few erm... questions about Mister Caye, if you please."
Serling tugged his sleeve from her grip, suspicious now as to what she had to ask. "What is it? Did he do something to you?"
Artemis blinked, her expression turning mousy.
"Well, uh... not quite,"s he went on, gritting her teeth and raising her brows. "Mister Caye.... he's... not exactly like other men I've known."
Serling then nodded, understanding and he shrugged. "So what is it that you wanted to ask about him? He's harmless really. I mean, he talks about him being able to box in his youth, but none of the other scholars here really believe it. In fact, when a dangerous animal comes along, he's the first one running!"
He laughed at his anecdote and shook his head. "Well, what was it you wanted to know?"
Artemis blinked as she took that in.
"No... that's not exactly what I meant. Mister Caye... I mean, Caelwyn... is there any particular reason he seems... seems... not to oblige... common, er.. manners? You know... like.. proper etiquette around a lady?"
"Proper etiquette?" Serling asked, requiring clarification. "Did he do something in particular that you found...unsettling?"
Artemis just stared at Serling.
And stared.
And stared.
"I woke up to him reading my book...." And she paused, setting her jaw a bit uncomfortably. "Naked."
"Oh... Oh," Serling replied and made a thoughtful expression. "Well, I'm sure he didn't expose anything, did he? While he is quite, er, unconventional, he isn't that sort of man. But you have to understand, Caelwyn would never do anything that would put your honor in jeopardy. He's a practical man, if nothing less."
She could deduce that enough from Caelwyn herself, but the last comment made her want to laugh.
"Practical? Wearing pants is practical."
Serling blushed, even covering his face enough. "He was insistent, and at the risk of hearing half a novel's worth of a lecture, I....allowed him to be nude in your presence. I did give him a blanket! I do apologize, Miss Longfellow. I hope that doesn't stain your image of Caelwyn, or the rest of our expedition! I apologize a thousand times over."
At this, Artemis just sighed and actually found herself laughing, and just laughing as she shook her head.
"Oh, do not worry yourself over it, Serling, I have quirky younger siblings. What's one more quirky person to add to the mix?" Though getting past... some of his obsrudities would be... rather difficult, but for now- for now, all s he could do was laugh! What did she get herself into?
At her sentence, Serling gave a nervous laugh. A very nervous laugh. She may have had quirky siblings. But she never had to deal with Caelwyn Caye before.
So instead of commenting anything further on the matter, he instead said, "Well, then maybe we ought to be getting back then, yeah? They're serving the stew now. Something to eat would be nice."
With a nod, Artemis kept her head up high, a smile force across her lips and tried to walk as confidently as possible back to the camp sight.
"Yes, stew sounds delightful!"
Lunch went about the same as Serling expected. Caelwyn kept largely to himself, preferring to eat alone in the carriage, and then walking about alone around the camp afterward. It wouldn't be long before they were off again, and he had a feeling that his companion would want to stretch his legs before they were on the road for another five hours.
Caelwyn walked around the cooking fire when it was vacated, a small book in his hands, and he quietly flipped through it, lost in thought.
Artemis enjoyed small talk with Serling before she too, felt the need to go on a walk. Though she saw Caelwyn over by the fire, reading something- she decided to leave him alone. She'd be stuck with him in that carriage for a long enough time that well-
She'd rather not 'over do it' in getting used to his.... eccentricities. But still, as she passed his way, she couldn't help but glance curiously towards his book. She wondered what he was reading. Hopefully not her book again!
Caelwyn sat criss-cross when Artemis came by. He saw her, but said nothing just stayed reading, eyes moving quickly over the words. "You could just ask me you know," he did say at last, but didn't look at her.
Stumbling to a sudden halt, she blinked and peered over in his direction.
"I beg your pardon?"
Caelwyn never looked up at her. "What I'm reading of course," he said.
"And you are reading....?" she went on, leaning forward a little with curiosity.
"Journey into the Underworld," he said and looked up at her. "By Vincenzo Vittori. A fascinating read. It's fiction, obviously, but much of his lore was taken from Essyrni mythology. I felt it was relevant."
Her eyes lit up at the title.
"A fine choice to read. Vittori is a very well developed author. That's one of my favorite books of his, the latter being: 'Forgotten; Roam.'"
"That one is quite good. I like what I'm reading so far. Some of it's a little muddled, but it's decently researched. I've read worse." Caelwyn grinned a little and looked back at the page he was on.
She gave a nod.
"I agree, though I like the liberties he takes on some of the more ambiguous information about Essyrn's past. Though he's also got a lot of personality when he writes." And as she leaned forward, daring to take another step forward, she asked, "So do you own that book?"
It would be interesting to think he owned the same book as she!
"No. It's another researcher's copy. She lent it to me for the night. Said she wanted me to come back to her tent to discuss it for some strange reason," Caelwyn said, shrugging after thinking of it for some time. "I prefer to read alone. I think better without all the loudness of stupid."
Artemis just stared at him. And stared and stared.
"Yes... seems odd." And she wore a puzzled look, but at his last statement, her brows rose.
"So I take it you do not like the woman whom you borrowed this book from? And how are you to return it? Are we taking a detour on our way to Essyrn to see her?"
Caelwyn looked at her funny. "She's in the expedition," he said simply. "She's a very nice woman. But she's...odd. She flips her hair everytime we speak, surreptitiously as if I do not notice. She's strange, but intelligent, in an air-headed sort of way."
"Oh!" She blinked, considering what he had just said. "So we'll have another woman with us, shall we?" No matter what Caelwyn said about this woman, it would be nice to at least have one member of her gender around.
"Is she well versed in Essyrni history as well?"
"It must be a scalp condition. Why she keeps flipping her hair," Caelwyn continued, closing the book. "Her name is Brandt, Sonia Brandt I believe. She's an expert in Essyrni language and lore, for the most part. She absolutely reviles Serling though. He's more for negotiations; too bad they have to work together."
It was very hard for Artemis not to hold back a laugh or snort. Flipping hair? She had seen her younger sister's try that far too many times on the boys they had their eyes on. They were such boy crazy fools.
But at the last thing he said, her interest perked up.
"Why is that?"
Caelwyn shrugged. "I haven't a clue. But she often says foolish things like how he's holding me back, but I feel so bad for the poor sod. He'd be lost without me really. You know Serling comes from a middle-class family with no real important ties. He worked his way through the University in Jadenshine with all but his shrewd wit. Maybe he's not much use on the field other than talking with others but I suppose he's grown on me. He fancies you, y'know."
At such a comment, she gave a tilt of her head.
"I don't think there is such a person who could hold you back," she professed. "But if Serling is able to actually do it, all the better for him. And what does it matter where you come from? It just goes to show that true heart and spirit can over come great obstacles. Though I suppose my own story is really all in thanks to you and er.... again, I am sorry about how we met. The circumstances were most unfortunate but either way, I'm excited to be traveling. I've been cooped up for so long that -" And here she paused and snapped her mouth shut. "Oh, I'm rambling again." And her sister's weren't here to wag their tongues at her!
"My sentiments exactly," he said with a smile. "Oh, don't mind me, please go on. It's a nice distraction from reading."
At that, she laughed.
"And here I thought you were enjoying Vittori..."
"Oh I already finished the book, I was merely rereading," Caewyn said and offered her a seat. "You never had much of an opportunity to tell me about yourself. Considering how long this expedition will be, I guess now is as good a time as any. Please, sit and talk with me."
"Sit?" That idea, out of all of what he suggested, sounded the most ridiculous.
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather walk and talk? We will be crammed inside a carriage for a good many hours and... I must admit, I'm used to being on my feet all the time."
"Very well. And if the ground swallows us up, I ate least have an excuse not to give the book back," Caelwyn said, standing and dusting his trousers off. He picked up the book and tucked it underneath his arm, waiting for Artemis to lead the way.
With a nod, she lead the way, through a copse of trees and a path that sat above the river, over looking it.
"You said you wanted to know a little bit about me- but I don't know what there really is to say. It's not like I live some secret life. When you met me, that was more or less what I did every day- well... " and she turned to him with a frown. "Except the part about harming others with books and.. er.. the pants ripping bit. But the library was my life, more or less. Sure, I saw my family, after an exhausting day at work- but it helped pay the bills, since both of my parents are invalids. We're just lucky they haven't passed yet. The sickness they have has been keeping them bed ridden for years it seems. It's been so long, I've lost count. But they remain pleasant enough- though I know they're in pain, they don't like us to know that, though."
Caelwyn listened with interest. He really was. It was as he expected, but it didn't matter that he wasn't surprised. "Maybe they're better off if they did," Caelwyn said. "Die, I mean. Why let them continue suffering?"
Artemis sighed.
"I sometimes wish they did. But I know I'd miss them too much. Maybe I'm selfish. But they'll pass when its their time. I just hope its peaceful." And she shifted uncomfortably as they walked. "I suppose everybody wishes that."
"Did you tell them goodbye?" he asked, curious.
She turned to him; curious.
"Yes, before we left. Several times."
"Good. I'm glad. But please keep in mind that there isn't much room for sentimentality on a long expedition like this. We need professionals, people who dedicate their lives to their respective fields. We're all away from our families; we're all in this together," Caelwyn said clearly, though he smiled as if amused.
Artemis gave a tilt of her head.
"Oh? And what if I made room?" she challenged. "I don't think such a request is natural. Repressing one's feelings...."
Though as she thought it over- she supposed she had done that already- and she was used to such things at work. Though then again- she could always escape in a book..
or day dream..
Which she was doing now as she stared off into space.
"What I mean is, as people, of course we cannot help what we feel, but for the great task we have before us, we cannot let it interfere with our work. Repression will only distract, likely make you think of your troubles all the more. Balance, Miss Longfellow, balance is everything. Well, for your kinds of people, I suppose." Caelwyn smiled and looked out to where she looked, eyeing the stars.
"Cressida," he said, pointing to the constellations out before them. "Cambus, Corbin, and Crow, her three brothers."
"My kinds of people?" she repeated, but did not press the question.She peered up at the sky and saw the one he was talking about.
"And Khesma, her faithful coyote," she said, pointing to the constellation on the other side.
"Her three brothers conspired against her because she held their father's favor. Their father was killed in a skirmish and the decision of who would rule next came into question. But before he went off to battle, Cressida was given a wild coyote, a pup, to be her companion and protector. The coyote grew large, larger than any natural beast and had what was considered a human intelligect. When the wolf learned of the Brothers' conspiracy, she slew them, ate them whole. But instead of being rewarded for her devotion to her mistress, Cressida's advisors deemed the beast mad and a danger to their new empress. Khesma was slaughtered. When the winter solstice turns, it is said an observer can see tears flow from Cressida's eyes, sorrow for being unable to save her most loyal companion," Caelwyn said. "An interesting tale."
"It is said some if the stars we see in Connlaoth are not all visible in Essryn. The Northern Sword, for example. I heard it disappears once one reaches the southern area in the Serha Plains."
"It does. Vanishes like a fart on the high winds," Caelwyn said. "Oh, and don't get near Serling after he eats a bowl of beans." He waved his hands in front of his nose. "You'll lose your eyebrows."
Artemis gave a smirk.
"So you think you're immune to beans?" she seemed to challenge.
Caelwyn furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"Meaning it's effects on the body," she explained. "I think just about everyone I know who has ever had beans makes a musical medley of their experience."
"Oh, no I don't enjoy beans. They taste funny. I'm not immune to such effects however, I just keep to myself. And I suppose I just digest it better than he does. Nevertheless, we're all mostly human here," he said and laughed. "Don't you think it's time we got back."
"I'd have to agree. Beans aren't exactly a favorite of mine- but if it's all we have to eat..."
She gave a shrug at that, but then at his last statement, she gave a nod.
"Yes, I suppose if we ever want to get to Essyrn, we shouldn't dawdle"
Caelwyn smiled at her and took her by the arm. "Tis getting awfully dark. We shouldn't dawdle, indeed." He escorted her back to camp where the rest of the expedition were drawing in for the night.
The crew, by the time they returned, seemed antsy to get moving. Though they seemed not to be in bad spirits at all- in fact, it seemed a few of them had enjoyed a few spirits during their short break. It was funny to think how alcohol could affect one's behavior, but Artemis just smiled at them politely before stepping back into the carriage and sighing.
"Well, that was nice while it lasted."
Time to remain confined in this moving cage for the next.. who knew how many hours! But either way, she still smiled as she peered out the window of the carriage, towards the stars.
She'd be going to Essyrn! She'd truly get to see and experience the full cultural diversity and some historical expeditions in Essyrn!
It was the start of a long journey ahead and for the week, Caelwyn took his time surveying the land, reading as much Essyrni lore as he could, taking notes and generally just keeping to himself. Serling was pleased, at least that Caelwyn wasn't making any trouble, and thus far the travel was going rather smoothly.
That was until the bend in the path went down an unforseen bumpy road. Caelwyn had been reading when their cart suddenly lurched and there was a loud crashing sound. He yelped when the carriage tipped over and Caelwyn suddenly yelped as he landed into the door. It opened abruptly and he rolled out onto the side of the road, landing in the mud...in his skivvies.
Caelwyn felt his face turn red, furious. "What the hell was that!?" he howled, turning around and looking at the broken wheel of his carriage. "Ugh!!!!!!"
Caelwyn wasn't the only one jostled around, though Artemis faired no better, and though she did not bounce out of the thing, she remained inside to be rattled around, scuffed and bruised as the thing fell onto it's side, Artemis in tow. She wasn't sure what just happened and sat up abruptly, only to hit her head on the door frame.
Serling immediately came running to the scene of the accident and stopped dead in his tracks when it came to seeing Caelwyn in his small clothes and the carriage's entire rear axle cracked.
"Gods!" he muttered and ran to the door. "Miss Longfellow! Are you all right?" Serling reached for Artemis and helped her out of the carriage. Meanwhile Caelwyn was reached down and throwing mud around in a tantrum.
Grateful for the help, she managed to step outside of the carriage, almost unscathed. Though there would surely be bruises, as she watched Caelwyn's tantrum,s he winced. Thankfully she hadn't been thrown into the mud.
"What happened?"
"The Kia-fangled axle broke!" Caelwyn said and threw mud at the carriage. He looked over to the driver. "Didn't you watch where you were going?" he asked.
"The road's bumpy!" he said and kept distance between him and the half-naked man.
"This will delay us for weeks!" Caelwyn wailed.
"Oh, calm down! We can bunk with the other scholars! It won't delay us for weeks," said Serling with a shake of his head. "Besides why are you in your undergarments!? Put some pants on!"
"Why don't you shut your pie hole?" Caelwyn stalked out of the mud and back onto the road. "I could walk to Essyrn from here and get there before this wheel's fixed. And I am NOT bunking with other scholars! So you'll just have to fix it!"
Once the tantrum was done, it seemed, Artemis swallowed the knot in her throat and turned to observe the wheel.
"Is there no spare wheel?" she asked. "Or a place nearby we could get a replacement?"
Serling blanched at Artemis' question and he turned his burning glare toward Caelwyn. "No! Because someone said we didn't need it!"
Caelwyn rolled his eyes. "That is not my fault! You're in charge of the miscellaneous things on this venture, Serling. You should have known I wouldn't think of such things."
Serling have an irritated huff and walked over to the carriage to inspect the damage. "This will cost at bit and take a few days. But first things first, we don't even know where we are. Maybe there are some farms nearby with spare equipment. Ugh..."
Caelwyn walked over to Artemis and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Serling. "Stupid stupidhead."
Looking between both of the men, she felt as if she were back at home.
"Why don't I figure that out, and you two take a rest? It's obvious we all needed a break anyway, and I don't mind the walk." Approaching the end of the road, she saw the outline of a wind mill.
"Well, there's at least something down there- in the valley ahead."
"Yes, please go on ahead," Caelwyn said, irritably. "At least someone is making themselves useful." He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Go with her, Caelwyn," Serling replied as he inspected the damage.
"What!? No!"
"Go on! You can't leave a lady to travel alone. Go!"
"No. And you can't make me."
Artemis sighed irritably.
"Both of you men are better suited to watch the cart. Perhaps you can find some supplies to use in case any other parts were damaged or need salvaged," she suggested, and continued on her way. She had nothing to fear, after all, having always walked home late at night or early in the morning from home to library, even through the slums of Uthlyn, however, she had her own path, her own rules, and was not completely foolish when she did so (not that she had a choice of career- she needed the money, and was more than elated she could at least work in a place she loved).
Finding this trail not any different, and at least it was daylight! She continued onward, over the hills and through the open wood, hoping someone would be home and if they couldn't help- at least could point them in a direction of someone that could.
"Good luck!" Caelwyn called back and watched back, sulking as Serling tampered like a fool with the broken axle. He supposed there was time better wasted in getting cleaned up than standing around and so he went in and took a wet rag and cleaned the mud from his body.
If there were any doubts of Artemis's competencies, they might be quelled upon her return- for not only did she come hefting a rather heavy looking replacement wheel (whcih she could wheel some of the time, but the road was awfully bumpy), she also had a sack of bread, which was partially smashed upon her return. But that mattered little to her as she rounded the bend and sighed with relief to see the caravan was still more or less in tact-
no more chaos added to the mix.
And by the time she finished hauling the wheel, she collapsed to sit on the foot well of the carriage to catch her breath, to crack her back and grin at how it ached. She supposed she wasn't as young as she used to be.
"There..." she said, through a pant. "I believe this wheel will do. You're lucky they happened to have a spare and weren't going to use it. Said they found this one in the bushes near their home but it was not the right size for their wagon, so he gave it to me for free. And his wife.." She went on, opening p the sack to reveal the bread. "Had just made some fresh bread."
Caelwyn was sipping tea when somehow the delicate Miss Longfellow managed to drag a spare wheel back from the middle of nowhere. They must've been sprouting from up out of the ground like ragweeds. He found himself laughing grimly and Serling glared at him. She had made quite an effort after all. And that only solved half their problem.
"Thank you, Miss Longfellow," Serling said, stepping forward, rolling the wheel away from her. But at the prospect of fresh bread, Caelwyn stood up and dashed toward her, snatching the sack away and snagging a piece of bread.
He ripped his teeth into it and he smiled. "We need an axle too," he said with a mouthful of bread. "Did they have one of those?"
Artemis just stared at Caelwyn.
And stared.
... and stared.
"Y'know the axle. The thing that the wheel attaches itself to?" Caelwyn said and waved a hand over Artemis' face.
At that, Artemis wilted and waved his hand away.
"I know what you mean. And no, I didn't think to ask, but I doubt it."
"This sounds like a quest then. And we will scour these farms until we find someone who has an axle. I don't care if we have to sell our very souls to get it. And you're coming with me. I suppose you're ready now yes? WHY YES OF COURSE YOU ARE! LET'S GO!" Caelwyn grabbed Artemis's hand and pulled her back down along the road.
Artemis released a noise as she was abruptly pulled along.
"Are you serious, Mr. Caye? The next house in these farm lands must be at least a mile away!"
"As serious as a swollen stubbed toe, Miss Longfellow!" Caelwyn said, dragging her along. "All the more time to stretch our legs and focus on the task at hand. Besides, miles, wiles! I've run longer distances with rocks at my back!"
"Rocks at your back or on your back?"
"At my back. Pay attention woman!" Caelwyn said, rolling his eyes. "They hurt quite a bit when thrown with a good arm. Or heaven forbid slingshots! I've got some scars, but I pulled through thanks to overbearing sisters."
"So someone tried to stone you?" How appalling! The poor man..
He must have had a difficult childhood indeed!
"Oh, it's no important matter. Just another boring facet of childhood. Never the less, we are here. Let us be in the now," he said with a charming grin.
"Yes..." She agreed, adjusting her over coat. She would probably not wish to speak of it either had it happened to her. But growing up with her family... Well, she didn't need to bring up Arrick putting bugs in her hair!
"Well if we're to find an axel, I suppose at the fork in the road we should go left, as Ive already been the other way.
[I think Harold the Farmer should make another appearance.]
"Very well, left it is!" Caelwyn marched on rather happily.
OOC: Lol he totally should 8D
-------
Artemis, surprised by Caelwyn's sudden change in demeanor, couldn't help but ask, "You seem rather happy. Did something happen while I was gone?"
"What could've happened while you were gone?" he asked back, curious. "I ate, bathed, and dressed. Usual morning routine when it's available too me. Why? You look like you've slept better. Got bags under your eyes."
"Well I just mean you seemed quite upset when the wheel broke. Though I suppose those things can not be helped."
"It's how the reed breaks, it's how you deal with it that counts," Caelwyn said with a resolute nod.
"That's a good way of putting it. And that's an Essryni proverb, is it not?"
"What!? No, my sister used to say that whenever a boy she was sweet on dumped her like a dog with a sour stomach. She is far too happy for my liking but at least she doesn't let anything get her down," he said with a grin. "And that is always a good lesson to learn, broken wagon axle's aside."
Artemis lifted her brows.
"Ah.. I see." She gave a tilt of her head, as if she was about to ask something else but did not, and simply kept walking down the trail in silence.
"I must warn you, this road could be a long trek. The last one took me a good few hours. But hopefully," she went on with a sigh, "We'll be back before it gets dark."
Though she was used to traveling in the dark, and knew the dangers, this place was still foreign to her and while the city had it's own unique dangers to contend with, so did the forests and these trails.
"Miss Longfellow, I'll have you know I have spent many nights trapped in the dark, in the cold and wet, in the absolutely loneliest places on the face of this land," Caelwyn said with a puffed up chest. He smiled at Artemis. "But if it's a bit jarring to think this journey might be a long one, perhaps we should sing a song to pass the time. Do you have any suggestions?"
Artemis titled her head. She could have laughed.
"Sing a song?" And she tried to tuck back a growing smile. But just as her lips were opening to reply, someone else was singing for them. And Artemis stopped abruptly in her tracks, her face scrunching as she strained to listen to the sound, for it was accompanied with sloshy foot steps and the breaking of loose and low tree branches, among other things.
"Wheeen yerrrrr fassssst aslEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!" came the groggy voice, a song loud enough to make the ears of pigs bleed and cry out in agony. The man that was singing was clearly drunk and as he emerged from the brush, that was made evident by the jug in his hand.
He saw the pair on the road and jangled his lantern toward them. "Ah, who are ye?"
Caelwyn just stared at him, then back to Artemis. "Ugh sir, where are your pants?"
[He still has underclothes on, just fyi]
Where as Caelwyn at least could talk, Artemis found, after staring at the man's near naked stance, turning away and placing her hands around her eyes like blinders.
"We are simply passing through, sir."
"What? Ain't ever seen a naked man a'fore?" the drunk farmer laughed. He snorted. "Just what are ya passin through for?"
Caelwyn snickered, looking at Artemis. "She's very delicate. We came looking down this way, sir, in search of an axle for our wagon! You see, I'm a very famous explorer Caelwyn Caye. Maybe you've heard of me? Ah, well, yes, where was I? Ah, well, we were looking for an expert on Essyrni culture and we came all the way to Connlaoth for such a person. We're on a great expedition. To Essyrn if you can imagine-"
"Oh SHUT IT! All right. WELL! I might be a but drunk but ye're more than welcome to come and look at me farm. Follow me now," the old man said and shuffled pass them, bumping his hip into Artemis on accident, junk moving around. "Ah, sorry, Miss. The old Hag would be happy to have some company around! Maybe she'd a get distracted from noticing I've lost me pants again."
Artemis could not believe any of this was happening. Though she was happy the man seemed to oblige, but at what costs? If his wife was anywhere near as eccentric as he...
She sucked in a breath, trying to steel herself and avoided looking anywhere but where his pants were..
well not.
"Yer lucky ya happened upon me when ya did," Harold said, tossing back a swig of something in a clay had to his lips. He sniffed a little and spat.
Caelwyn made a face. "We just what were you doing wandering around half-naked?"
"Oh ya know, the usual, getting away from the wife. Swear ifin I don't, I reckon m'ears are just gonna fall right off and run to the hills."
Artemis gave Caelwyn a pleading look and moved to squeeze his arm lightly.
"Perhaps we shouldn't disturb them. He seems to have his hands full as is.."
Caelwyn pulled his arm away. "Nonsense. Who else is going to help us out here in sticksville?" he hissed to her. Thankfully it seemed Harold was too drunk to hear them and had actually started to sing a nice little sailor song, filled with lots of booze, breasts and fornicating.
Artemis sighed.
"I hate to admit it, but you're right."
Giving a nod over to the farmer, she said, "Can you show us to your home? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can relieve you of our burden." And it was beginning to get dark!
"Htm, 'drain I prolly won't be able to guide ya back in time. Both of us look rather scrawny, too scrawny to lift an axle by yerselves. Tell y'what, you twos can stay for the night and I'll drag that axle back with me mule. How does that sound?"
Artemis blinked.
"Stay the night?" she turned to Caelwyn with a frown. Though the accommodations could potentially be nicer than sleeping in their carriage, it could also be a really bad idea... after all, who knew what his wife was like? Or if the man would continue to go around pantless... or worse.
"I... I don't know. Won't Serling and the others get worried if we don't return?"
Caelwyn shrugged. "Probably, but who cares. Free dinner!"
And Artemis just STARED. But seeing how he was following the old man already, she bit her tongue and followed along, giving one glance over her shoulder, as if to apologize to the people that weren't there.
It did take a while, but soon the soft lanterns appeared in the distance and Harold pointed off to the farm below just at the side of the road. And that was when a shrill, high pitched bag echoes out all the way from the porch.
"HAROOOOOOOOOOOLD! You come here and get your pants this instant!"
Harold scowled. "That's be the wife, " he grumbled.
Artemis cringed. Even at their distance, her ears were ringing. She turned to Caelwyn, wondering if after such a display, he changed his mind...
"Don't worry madame! We found your husband and he's safe and sound!" Caelwyn called out and when they reached the house, he bowed his head and kissed her hand gallant. Which only seemed to make Harold snicker.
And the old woman simply yanked her hand away.
"Don't patronize me! Were you out there with him?" And she gasped, seeing Artemis. "And with a woman, too! HAROLD!" and she stepped forward to box his ears.
"You're as clever as ever, Lize," he said and brushed her off. "Thems two're travelers from up the road. Says they need an axle for a wagon."
"What? That rotting old thing?"
"No the good one I kept hidden in the back of the barn," Harold sniffed and welcomed the pair inside. "They be weary travelers, least we can do is let 'em have a hot meal."
"Oh a hot meal now? You aiming to do the cooking?"
"If I don't want to send them in their way wretching to death, I just might."
His wife gave a huff and looked Caelwyn and Artemis over.
"Well, come inside! Come in! Before you all catch your death our there. The winds been picking up and the frost has been killing my begonias. But never you mind, I'll go see if the roast is ready." For she had been cooking all along, and only when Artemis stepped into the house did she get overwhelmed by the aroma, and felt her stomach gurgle hungrily.
Caelwyn ushered in right behind Artemis and beamed. "Do you have biscuits and gravy?" he asked.
Lize turned her head to the pair and then at Caelwyn's belly. "What your wife don't feed you none?".
Artemis blinked, not understanding the wife comment, unless she thought...
Clearly she didn't think her and Caelwyn were...
But before she could correct her, the women went on and on about the meal, ushering them inside and telling them they could have their son's room. He had long gone, off and married someone from Serendipity, or so they were told, and hastily seated at the table as Lize believed they had to be tremendously hungry, and while they waited for the food to be finished, she fed them both a scoop of corn meal mush to tide them over.
He pushed it away a little. Thankfully Harold was too drunk to notice and Lize had her back turned. "You should eat that. I'm not much of a fan of corn," he whispered to Artemis. "The roast smells divine though doesn't it?"
Lize was talking about something, largely berating Harold about his drunkenness, but he just smiled and slipped out a flask from under his shirt sleeve, a flat clay thing that was easily concealable, and took another swig.
Not nearly as picky as her companion, Artemis ate the mush, though slowly. And only nodded in agreement that the roast smelled divine. It even tasted so, and she was sure to compliment Lize on her cooking. But when Harold popped the question,
"So how long have you two been married?" She began to choke on her food.
Caelwyn snorted a laugh, playing with the mush and munching slowly on the roast. Harold gave an odd grin to him and the explorer looked over to Artemis. He shrugged. "Oh, we're not married. In fact, we met only a few days go! We're going on an expedition to Essyrn. It will be delightful."
Lize gasped.
"You two have only just met?"
Harold waved it off. "Woman, this lady here is old enough not to need no escort. And Essryn?" That called for a laugh. "Why the hell would you go there?"
"Well, maybe you recognize me," Caelwyn said with a sly grin. "But I'm quite a famous explorer. My name is Caelwyn Caye, and my associates and I are leading an expedition to Essyrn to uncover some ancient tombs! And learn more about their ancient civilizations. It is all very prestigious work. And if we find new discoveries, could lead to great fame and fortune. Though, I'm going just for the chance to dig. I love being in dark dank places. It's very exciting."
Harold made a face.
"Why would I know you?" he asked, with a mouth full of food, some of it dropping into his beard. "And all that adventurin' sounds like hog wash!"
"Harold!" his wife scolded. "Really.. that all sounds very nice, but we live a simple life. Though I'm sure the city folk might know about you, dears." And she gave a sympathetic pat to Caelwyn's hand.
"Hey- you say you like to dig? Maybe you should help me with my farm! We could always use the extra pair of hands!" the old man cackled.
"Oh I'd love to," Caelwyn said. "My father owned a farm and I know quite a bit in agricultural science and crop rotation. I would be happy to help. Perhaps tomorrow, in payment for you hospitality and the axle of course."
Artemis frowned and looked to Caelwyn.
"Do we have the time to spare?" she inquired. "And what about Serling and the others? They will worry."
"Look Serling is such a sourpuss, you're a welcome reprieve from all his griping. Please don't turn into another just like him," hesaid with a roll of his eyes. "Besides, I won't be the only one in the fields. You'll be right next to me."
Artemis raised both brows.
"Me?" She blinked. "Heavens.. I don't know how much help I can be. I haven't had to tend to a garden in years. My job, well.. my former job at the library consumed most of my day. I'm afraid I might not be so good at it, or cut out for it at the moment, but I won't leave you to work alone." He was her employer, after all!
And to Lize, she asked, "I don't suppose you have any sort of a hat? I burn in the sun rather easily." For the same reasons mentioned. It's not like the library she worked at had a sun roof, or anything of the likes.
"Lize will take care of ya dear. If she can take care of me, she can take care of you," Harold laughed, throwing his head back, admist his wife's glare.
"Only because you're too drunk to find your pants!" And with that she promptly slapped his trousers into his face.
Caelwyn laughed and quickly hushed. But still had a meal to finish after all.
Once they were finished eating, the spare room was set up for Artemis, and a bed on the couch for Caelwyn in the den.
"You might want to get to bed early. Harold rises early to get the farmin' done."
"And why must I get the couch?" Caelwyn said indignantly. But Lize only glared, her hands on her thick hips.
"Because you are unmarried, and it is not done in this land, wherever you may come from, some heathen place I presume."
"You presume correctly," Caelwyn huffed, in no mood to argue religion. "I still don't see the reason why I must get the sofa, andshe gets the bed! She could get the sofa too! I should have the bed."
"Oh quit her whining, you young fool."
"Oh, he does have a point! I could sleep on the couch, instead."
It was the least she could do, it wasn't like Caelwyn was being paid for this, but the other way around!
"Nonsense! You both stay put where you are. You both need your rest regardless,." Lize wouldn't hear another word about it, and vanished into her room.
After about ten minutes of waiting to see if she would get up, Caelwyn bolted from the sofa and formed a body beneath the blankets via ppillows. He immediately crawled in with Artemis, and slipped beneath the blankets.
Artemis had barely gotten into bed when she felt a whoosh or wind, or something and then suddenly, her bed swelled. Blinking, she lifted up the covers and felt her face heat.
"Mister Caye? What on earth are you doing?"
If he wanted the bed, he should have just asked for it! And if Harold or his wife were to pass by- what would they think!? They both knew they were not married, and she his employee, no less!
"Going to sleep," he hissed at her. "Now keep it down before you wake those old boots. It's not like we're going to partake in coitus. This is perfectly acceptable." And he tossed a little, fluffing the pillow beneath his head. "There's no reason with of us have to sleep on that lumpy sofa. This will do for both of us."
Sighing, she had no more energy to argue.
"Very well, but if I kick you while I sleep.. don't say I didn't warn you."
"Consider me warned," he said. He mumbled and started to doze off. And some time during the night, he kicked her in the shin.
And his kick was replied in kind when Artemis turned and whacked him in the face with her hand, all the while still sleeping.
They both remained asleep as they continued to exchange whacks. Caelwyn somehow got entangled in her limbs and kept lightly snoring away.
It was only when her arms fell asleep that she woke up, and when she tried to pull away, she inadvertently pulled Caelwyn towards her as the pair cracked heads!
THWACK!
Caelwyn sat up and shook his head. "Fine, mom, I'll clean the chicken coop."
Where as Caelwyn seemed to still remain half asleep, Artemis was not as she yelped and rubbed at her head. What was his skull made out of, steel!? Frowning at being called his mother, she sighed and turned away from him, and tried to go back to sleep. But it seemed she was getting a head ache. Great!
And with that Caelwyn turned and spooned behind her, putting an arm around her and burying his face in her hair.
And at that, Artemis stiffened. If it wasn't for his snores, she had to wonder if he wasn't doing that on purpose, but with a sigh, she tried to go back to sleep- but it was impossible. The man was latched onto her like a leech, and it made her quite uncomfortable!
Hours must've passed like that because before he knew it, a pillow slamming into his face woke him up. "Did I just not leave us on the sofa when I went to bed!? To think I trusted a heathen! You'll not soul this girl's honor!" And the pillow came sailing at him again.
Caelwyn blocked out with his arms. "Miss! Nothing happened! We just slept! And your sofa is lumpy!"
"How dare you insult my sofa!" Another thwack.
"Miss Longfellow, please tell her nothing happened!"
Artemis wasn't sure she wanted to say anything. Last night had been quite uncomfortable, and she barely slept a wink! But he was right, nothing did happen and she sighed as she stepped out of the bed.
"Unfortunately, he was right and stole the other half of the bed. I was too exhausted to argue with him other wise, besides, he's my employer-" Artemis went on but was cut off by a gasp from Lize.
"Which makes the situation even worse!" she went on, hitting him again with the pillow.
"MISS LONGFELLOW!" Caelwyn howled and deflected each pillow strike, well most of them. And when a particularly hard one came down on his head, he slumped down on the bed.
Lize put her hands on her hips. "NOW GET UP, LAYABOUT! Harold is waiting in the fields! He remembered to wear pants this time!"
Artemis had no idea what to say, and bit her tongue, holding her breath, in order to keep herself from saying something else to make this worse! At Lize's orders, she simply nodded.
"No worries, I'll be sure he and I are both ready to work, soon."
Lize took that notion to heart and made a 'hmmph!' sound to Caelwyn and promptly marched out of the room. He sat up with a groggy head and glared at Artemis. "Why didn't you wake me before she came in!?"
Artemis frowned.
"Would it have made a difference? She came barging into the room," she hissed in a whisper.
"Oh tough spigots. Let's just get to the fields and get out of here!"
Artemis nodded, and silently followed Caelwyn outside, and they were barely a few steps out into the field when a familiar voice came huffing from over the horizon.
"For Kia's sake, Caelwyn!" Serling shouted. "I've been bloody looking all over for you!"
Caelwyn smiled at his companion. "OH SERLING! You're here just in time to grab a rake!"
"A rake!?" Serling looked baffled. "Caelwyn!" he huffed, running over to him. "The others.. the others are waiting. Are you not anxious to be on with this expedition?"
At this, Artemis sighed.
"Yes, but we had the convenience of finding this farm who happened to possess an axel we need. And to show our appreciation, well, Caelwyn here," she went on with a pat to Caelwyn's shoulder. "He couldn't have been happier to offer up the help."
It was here Artemis handed Serling a rake. And he just... stared.
The morning was spent digging and ploughing and Caelwyn hadn't remembered the last time he'd worked so far before breakfast. He was sweating like pig, but it was to finally be digging again. With his shirt discarded, they worked to rotate Harold's crops, and mixed the soil from one to the next.
Artemis tried not to stare, but she too, was sweating something fierce. But unlike the men, she couldn't just be rid of her shirt, and had to manage the morning in her sweat soaked dress. It was uncomfortable at best, and she'd have to change out of it as soon as she could, but getting this bit of exercise was surprisingly uplifting. She was afraid it would exhaust her completely. But several hours later, she felt rather accomplished and smiled when the last bit of work was done, not really seeming to mind or care that her face was smudged with a plentiful amount of sweat.
[She tried not to stare? XD]
Serling slipped and landed face first into the fertilizer and Caelwyn threw his head back, cackling. But he did help his friend up and threw more soil on him. "Oh lighten up Serling," he laughed. He gestured to Artemis. "Looks like Miss Longfellow is ogling you."
Serling angrily blushed and wiped his face off. "No she isn't. Besides, we've got to get back. Let's get the axle and get out of here."
Serling continued to blush, though he threw surreptitious glances at Artemis, eying her through her soaked dress.
Good thing for Artemis she was on the other side of the field. She had no idea what the men were saying, but shook her head at her employer's antics. Resting her shovel down, she signed and moved to wipe the sweat from her brow. The humidity hardly did a thing for her, causing her hair to become extra frizzy, which meant extra poofy. The only saving grace was the sweat keeping some of her hair down. The result was something strange and unfashionable, so in other words she probably looked like a cave woman.
It was at the site of Harold's wife that she beamed and waved to the woman.
"Come on out from the sun. Yinz'll get burned if you stay out in this heat any longer. I've got eggs and bacon cookin'. And some fresh squeezed lemon juice!"
Oh boy did that ever sound heavenly, but as she moved to lift up her shovel, it slipped from her sweaty grip and hit something in the ground that... Didn't sound like dirt at all.
Confused, she leaned down to see if she had.t dropped something, when a strange symbol could be seen, buried beneath the grass. Not certain she was looking at anything of consequence, she got down on one knee to inspect the grass better. And when she pulled some aside, she gasped.
"Caelwyn! Caelwyn come quickly! There's some sort of carved fresco in the grass." And as she brushed more grass away, it revealed...
"Oh Ansgar..." And soon she was screaming Caelwyn's name more urgently.
"It's Essryni! Whatever I've found... It's definitely Essyrni!"
He had heard that screaming and though somebody had shot a bird down with an arrow for all the squawking it proved to be. Caelwyn walked across the field despite Artemis' urgency. "What is it Miss Longfellow?" he asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Serling had gone on ahead of them into the house, coming right when Lize had summoned them for breakfast.
By the time Caelwyn arrived on the scene, Artemis was digging fervently in the dirt with her bare hands, uncaring how filthy she was becoming as she gestured for him to look.
"Come see for yourself." And as she brushed some dirt away, it revealed an ancient King... Or rather, Queen."
"This carving. I just know it must be ancient Essrynian! See the old text? How it uses hieroglyphs to depict words? And this..." She went on, brushing more dirt aside. "It's the old Queen's symbol." And she peered up at him, nearly shaking at how exciting such a find was!
"What!"
It was uttered in almost disbelief as he came kneeling beside her and helped her unearth the foreign object. "It couldn't be true, it couldn't."
"Oh but it is, it is! It must be! See the insignia for the Queen? It's so intricate and unique... And was designed that way so no one could forge it. And we can't forget Essryn had once been the world power. Though some speculate they couldnt have possibly come this far North, now it seems we've got the proof to tell the world otherwise!" Ans she was so excited she could not help but exclaim, "Take that, Serenian scholars!"
Caelwyn had his doubts. Why of all places would such a thing suddenly appear on a farm in the middle of the Sirantil Valley, and they suddenly happen upon it of all people? He didn't want to dash her hopes however, and far be it from him to deny the possibility of anything!
He pulled it from the dirt. Fingers dusted it off, the soft soil clinging to the intricate carvings and he shook his head. "For the record, Miss Longfellow, I am a Serenian scholar," he said in a passing comment and stood up. "Do not sit on your eggs before they've hatched. We should take this back to the caravan immediately. Serling! We will meet you back at the carriage! And don't forget the axle!" And sped off down the road.
In the excitement of the moment, Artemis hadn't even considered eating. And as they all conversed over it's possibility of authenticity, they began to deduce, it was, a fake. The material, they realized, was just all wrong, and though whoever created it nailed the Queen's signature marking, the jewel's used in the item were glazes and not the real thing, which a Queen in such a time would never have used a paste. But it was still curious why or how a false, miniature carving was found in Connlaoth of all places. Though she supposed tomb raiders could have traveled far, or, perhaps someone duped a foreigner into its purchase and they later discarded it once revealing it was, infact, fake.
"It's a shame so much evidence supports against it being the real thing, but still.. it is curious is it not? Though one must wonder as to its purpose, if it isn't what we've already deduced. But even that in itself makes for an exciting story. Maybe we can find out more information about this fake in Essyrn?"
Caelwyn was slightly disappointed, but it was to be expected. So few things in real life turned out what you hoped it would be. Even he could get carried away when it came to trying to find new discoveries. Just because it was covered in dirt, and had centuries-old patina did not mean it one should invest all their hopes into that one object. When they were dashed away, what more did you have left?
Caelwyn nodded to her and turned the intricate fake over in his hands. It was cracked, possibly from impact, he deduced and shook his head. "I can't imagine what would possess them to even bother. It is not the best I've ever seen, and I've seen many. It is not really surprising how many actual fakes end up in the hands of collectors thinking they've achieved a hidden wonder of the world. But this, I've never see anything like it. It resembles a royal seal. Perhaps we should take it with us on our journey and ask around when we reach Essyrn. Pehaps someone will recognize it."
Artemis nodded, and looked at the fake artifact one last time, turning it over as she checked the large crack. She wondered if it was her fault that was there. Though she wondered if it even mattered. Moving to pocket the thing, she heard something drop and a flash was seen from the corner of her eyes. Blinking, she looked down beside her boot to see some sort of strange sun symbol with a two headed snake woven across it. It was strange, and as she picked it up, she held it to the light.
Caelwyn peered at the object curiously. He leaned close to get to examine it, just short of snatching it from her hand. "Now this... This is something," he breathed. "Perhaps they concealed this in the fake. Someone tried to smuggle something away from the smugglers."
Artemis blinked.
"And you think this too, is not a fake?"
Though whatever it was, she wasn't sure just what it was...
"Such a strange item.... what do you think it's purpose was? Perhaps some prestigious ornament to the Shah of the late Essyrni dynasty?"
"I suppose we'll have to wait and see," he said with a resolute nod. "Until then, we should leave the item as is." And he placed the object back inside the false artifact.
It wasn't until they were back at the carriage that the day's events weighed heavily upon her. Having not eaten, her stomach rumbled something fierce, but she was too exhausted and rather than bother anyone for food,s he simply went to rest by a nearby tree, and was soon asleep before she knew it, not even realizing that the axle was being fixed, despite the noise.
There was also the threat of rain, for off in the distance was the soft rumble of thunder and a flew flashes of lightning, which made the men curse and move faster to help fix the damn thing before the rain would make it even harder.
Caelwyn was back inside the carriage before the first few droplets of rain began to come down. With the axle fixed at last, they could finally be on their way. And when they started on down the road again, Caelwyn had a feeling they'd forgotten something.
"Caelwyn?" Serling asked, waving a hand in front of his face. "You all right?"
"Eh, it's probably nothing." He shrugged and opened the book on his lap.
The soft rumble of thunder wasn't what roused her, but when a brilliant flash of lightning stuck over head, and its thunder clapped and shook the land, she was jostled out of her sleep and on her feet in seconds.
"Goodness.. had I... was I asleep?"
She grit her teeth as she looked up at the rain as it poured down, even through the canopy of trees. She moved swiftly towards the road, using the scarf around her neck to cover her head, but by the time she made it to the road, she noted... They were gone!
Blinking, she thought she was mistaken, but as she looked further up the road, she saw the caravan moving away.
"Wh.. I..."
She was so baffled, she couldn't speak at first, btu was soon grabbing onto her skirts and rushing after the carriage.
"M..M... Mister Caye!" she shouted, waving her arm about her head like a loon. "Mister Caye, wait up! You've forgotten me!"
"Do you hear something, Serling?"
Serling had been jotting something down. "Hrm? No, I just hear thunder. Why?"
"I just got the feeling that we forgot something."
Thunder rumbled and Caelwyn abruptly sat up. He looked out the window just as rain started to come down. "Miss Longfellow! What are you doing out there?" The carriage kept rolling, when he opened the door and stood on the railing, holding on by a harness. "Hurry up! Run faster!"
"Run faster!?" she squealed through the rain. "But can't you just stop the-"
ANd that's when her boots misstepped, and down into a puddle of mud she went.
Goddammit!
"Serling, stop the carriage. It seems poor Miss Longfellow here has got pasta legs," he said with a sigh and when it finally slowed down, Caelwyn stepped out from the cart and waited for Artemis to rise to her feet.
Well! She hadn't had a good face full of mud since her youth! And though it was humiliating, to say the least, she knew there was not much she could do about it. Picking herself up from the mud, she attempted to brush off what she could before sighing.
"I don't think it would be wise for me to travel inside the carriage in this condition." Plus, she felt like she could use the fresh air.
"Considering it's raining, I'd say I'd agree," Caelwyn said with a nod and made room for her. "Don't get any mud on the sofa!"
"Oh, but I couldn't. I was saying I should not be inside. Besides, I don't mind the rain."
Caelwyn didn't wait another second of arguing before throwing her inside. He was getting pelted with rain too and it was ruining his shirt. He liked this shirt. He sat down beside her and smiled at Serling.
"Look, friend, look what I found screaming in the rain," he said with a snort.
Artemis's face went red.
"Found!? What on earth happened anyway!?" she asked, shrilly. "I was resting off this morning's adventure and when I came back to the road, you were all nearly out of my sight!"
"We were ready to go," Caelwyn said with a shrug. "Why didn't you sleep in the carriage?"
She blinked.
"Well, to be fair, I hadn't thought I was going to fall asleep. But it was so peaceful where I had been sitting and I closed my eyes and well... I guess I was a lot more tired than I wanted to admit to myself."
Serling scowled at Caelwyn's crass response and produced a blanket from his bag. "I do apologize Miss Longfellow," he said. "Caewlyn is a huge horse's ass."
Gratefully, she took the blanket.
"Thank you, Serling. You're too kind." But she did not comment on the bit about Caelwyn, and bit into her lip as she stared down at her feet.
Clearly the woman was nuts to just go outside and sleep. Who did that? Only hopeless nasty vagrants that never bathed or crazed librarians that had no outside survival skills. Caelwyn shrugged off the moment and buried his face into the book he was currently enjoying and went about the rest of the evening much in the same way.
Until a crook appeared in his neck and he cracked it loudly. Serling scowled at his companion and when he noticed it stopped raining, he got out of the carriage and walked up along to the driver's seat, at least to give someone more congenial some company. Calewyn could have his stupid book.
Caelwyn wasn't the only one busy with a book, for Artemis too, found herself nose deep in another novel of hers, this one with a well worn, leather cover but no detail, or at least no title that remained. And it smelled like the library. To think where she used to work nearly threw away this treasure due to its age! It was a classic, and one she had favored alot growing up and could not part with it- even when it wasn't her's to keep.
And so she had dug it out of the 'burn' pile and had kept it with her, since.
[A LIBRARY HAD A 'BURN' PILE!?!? WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!!??]
Caelwyn peeked up from his book and just stared at Artemis. Of course she would read right when he was.
OOC: A vile library that should be ashamed!
I'm assuming they'd get rid of the books that are in shambles or ruined by other means :P
--------------
But Artemis did not notice him watching her as she continued to chew on the tip of her thumb nail.
"For a poor family, you have very good teeth," Caelwyn observed.
"Excuse me?" She blinked, peering up from her book.
"Did I stutter?"
"No, I just.." she blinked. "It's just strange. No one's ever um, given me a compliment about my teeth before."
Especially in such a context as he!
"Well, there certainly is a first for everything," Caelwyn nodded nonchalantly and went back to his book.
Artemis stared at him. She was too distracted to go back to sleep.
"What are you reading?"
[She was reading. Not sleeping. 8D]
Caelwyn turned the book to the front page. "I wasn't sure. I didn't read the title. Ah, here it is. Uh, Mustaches and Maidens: The Gentleman's Guide to Woo-ing with Facial Hair 'Property of Serling Makloughklin' Interesting stuff."
Ooc: I wrote that to explain why she was also reading originally lol.
-----
Artemis stared before coughing a smirk.
"What's the real name of it?"
[Lol, whoops! D<]
Caelwyn turned the book so the title page was facing her. "See?" he asked and grinned.
Cupping a hand over her lips, she nodded.
"And here I thought you were joking. I guess one learns something new everyday. Though one has to wonder... Are you considering growing a mustache , Mister Caye?"
"Oh heaven's no! I don't have for that sort of nonsense. Too much time for grooming and primping. Such foolishness is for men who don't have grand discoveries to make. Why? Were you interested in one?"
"Oh, no! But I think I'd like to write about it. It'd be the first book of it'd kind!" She beamed. "And I could call it Taming A Ladies Mustache." She giggled and moved to dig through her bag. "I need to write this down!"
"What approach shall you take for it? Shall it be fiction or otherwise?"
"Oh, it would be one of the grandest adventures! And one only a lady could tell!"
Caelwyn put his hands up in resignation. "Don't let me stand in your way then. By all means," he said. He gestured her to write and he went back to his book.
And write she did! ANd she was having a splendid time of it, even if it was difficult to write with the carriage jostling about. But she was so engaged in her writing idea, she could have cared less. ANd the more she wrote, the dirtier her fingers got and the closer her face got to the pages.
Caelwyn wasn't keen on sitting there and listening to her scribble away. It was a nice night for a walk anyhow.
But she was keen on it, so she continued, even when her wrist and hands began to hurt. She simply shook them out and stretched a little, before continuing on, thoroughly amused and beginnign to get ink stains on her cheeks, fingers, and even a s mall smudge across the tip of her nose.
The days went by, thankfully without incident. They didn't talk much, which was just fine for Caelwyn. After so many detours and road bumps, it was finally good to be getting underway.
Artemis was a plain woman, and liked plain things. Though her dreams were large, and she still couldn't believe, even after weeks- or was it nearly a month now of travel?- that they were on their way to Essyrn! As they moved past the mountain range, she watched as the sun set and Connlaoth began to disappear along with it. It was strange to see it go, but as the mountains were passed and the path opened, she found herself excited as the carriage jostled along the trail and carried them out and into Serendipity.
Though not much different than her home up North, it was still exciting to see new landscapes, so once they had a break in a local town,s he couldn't help but observe each and everything around her- to the eclectic people, and their free spirits, to the more colorful food being set before them to eat. The types of fruit here were never offered up in Connlaoth- at least none she could afford, and as she ate them- she wasn't sure she liked them at first, but was soon adoring then.
"Whatever these are, they're better than apples!" she told them all with a grin.
"Nectarines? Of course they're better than apples! Though admittedly, I am quite fond of granny smiths," he said and smiled at her, munching into his own fruit.
They stopped in a small town in Northern Ravensway and it was clear on Caelwyn's face that he was ecstatic.
Quietly, she observed him. He was an interesting fellow with very boisterous emotions. There never seemed to be shades of grey with him. And though it was refreshing, it could also be draining. Even still, that smile was infectious as she smiled back. She could even consider him handsome, in a bookish way. She supposed his companion was of equal looks, which she only seemed to find peculiar now that both gentlemen were unwed. Then again, she supposed the same could be said of her, and she continued to digest all of that while continuing to enjoy her fruit.
"Nectarine..." she'd have to remember that.
"As you should," he muttered and stepped out from the carriage. Ravensway. Home at last. He smelled the sweet air. So much more crisp than that awful Connlaothian air. And the people here were so much nicer. Oh except for that farmer Harold and his wife. He'd have to remember to send them a basket of nectarines.
Ooc: I thought they were already out of the carriage?
Artemis could smell the freshness in the air, too for it was unlike the dry, dusty air of the library, or the sooted air near home. In fact, much was different and she simply took it in in wonder.
[Probably]
Caelwyn looked to Artemis. "Shall we take a walk?"
Artemis gave a nod.
"Yes, I'd love to look around. Have you been here before? To this town in particular?"
"I believe we've passed through this settlement on our way North. I think it was called Ariad. I didn't have much time to look around. So this will be the first time with you."
"Oh! I just thought..." but stopped abruptly to laugh at herself. "For some reason it seemed like you knew this place. Well," she gave a shrug. "I'm always up for some exploration. You think this place has any unique history it's famous for?"
"It's posible. I think Ariad is known largely for its orchard crop every year. My father loves the wine from here. That much I know as well. I think that's what they're mostly famous for. Good wine can keep an army away from you if you can keep them drunk enough."
"So very true," she went on with a smile. "And does your father live close? I bet you miss him with your extensive traveling lifestyle."
"Not at all. A man learns to live on his own. You can't pine for home all the time, or you would never leave. And I never would have accomplished all that I have," he said. "My father is much farther away. He was Connlaothian you know."
"Oh really? What duchy was he from?"
"Vythe, " he said. "He never favored going back."
She mouthed the word 'Oh', and said nothing more of it. She knew some of the things that had happened there, but wasn't sure if that was a sensitive topic. After all, what happened at Vythe might not have happened or affected his father. And his father probably was no longer there when the events of the 'war' had occurred.
"Did he?" she asked, and held her breath. "Ever go back, I mean."
"No, I don't believe so," Caelwyn said nonchalantly. "He had his life and family here. Why would he go back?" The question struck him as odd.
"Well, I wasn't sure if he had any ties back in Connlaoth. You know, to go back and visit relatives, family, or friends."
"Probably, but it doesn't matter now."
She gave a short nod.
"I suppose not."
Caelwyn still smiled at her and took her by the hand. "Come on then, we got a whole town to explore!" And pulled her off running.
"Explore?" she laughed at the idea. "And hopefully without trouble!"
"Only if you're no fun. But granted, yes, no trouble would be nice."
"You know, that reply sends quite a mixed message!" she told him with a laugh.
"As does saying, don't get your panties in a bunch."
Not understanding why he used that example, she frowned and looked around.
"There are a lot of guards in the city."
"Good. That'll make you feel protected yes? Because if we get into trouble gods know I probably won't be able to do much."
"Oh well, I was really just curious why there would be so many. Do you think someone of importance is here?"
"You should ask one of them since you're so curious," Caewlyn suggested and gestured for her to do so.
But her grip on his arm tightened.
"Oh.. but I couldn't be a bother! They look awfully busy, don't they?"
"Then worry less about the guards and more about us having a good time, silly!" he laughed and dragged her along again.
Artemis was tripping over her feet, but was soon running along side him with no problem. And though she laughed, too, she didn't know why! But the closer they got to the town square, her eyes went wide at all of the colors.
"Oh, a festival!"
"Oh! Posh! Don't tell me you want to go in there?"
"Oh? But why not? Cant' you smell the pig roast? The candy? So many people are enjoying themselves.. " she paused one moment to laugh. "Don't you think it might be fun to explore it?"
He had to give it some thought. "Perhaps," he murmured. "We can spend a few minutes here. I am awfully hungry still. Perhaps we shall see what delicacies they have."
Artemis's mouth watered at the array of smells.
"It seems we have quite a lot of choices on food. Shall we head this way to check out these vendors first? Seems they have everything from fried fish to a glazed pork roast at the end."
"Just a little bit. I don't want to spoil our appetites now."
"Well, I wasn't suggesting we eat as we go. That rarely ever agrees with me, and I'd rather not find myself iIll. I just meant.. You know, browsing." she shrugged. "Like... Window shopping for food."
He nodded. "Okay then. Then we go see the acrobats!" he said a little too excitedly.
"Wait, but I thought..." But soon she was running along side him. "Weren't we looking for food?" But to see that childish smile on his face, she couldn't help herself but shake her head. "I take it you're a fan of acrobatics?"
"Oh of course! They're amazing to watch. Tumblers and acrobats came to my home town once when I was small. They're fascinating. I threatened to run away once, to be an acrobat. But that was about the time my dad started me boxing," he said.
"We can eat food too. Let's try that cart over there."
"Boxing? So you're father taught you that?" She idly wondered if it was to keep him away from acrobatics. "Did you ever try what acrobats do? I mean, on your own. Or did you give that up to focus on what your father was teaching you?"
"My father taught me to box to fend off the other town boys whose intellects were too meager to be much good for anything productive. And it was quite fun," he added. "Have you ever done anything of the sort? Something mildly athletic in nature?"
"Uh.." She blinked. "Does running away from the neighbor's dog count? Other than that, no, not really."
Caelwyn laughed. "That counts enough for me."
"I got very good at it until the dog finally passed about a year ago." And suddenly her hand tensed on his grip on her's as her eyes widened.
"Oh, look!" She pointed straight ahead. "What on earth- that looks..." She was basically pulling Caelwyn at this point as she dragged him over to a booth labeled The Chicken Puff Pool. There was a vat of some bubbling broth over a fire, and an old couple rolling out gobs over dough over a mixture of what she could only presume was chicken. And it smelled heavenly.
"Oh, these..." she read the sign with a squint. "Chicken Puffs smell wonderful! How much for one?"
"Three copper a piece, or two for five," the old man said. Artemis reached for her bag.
"Then I'll take-"
And that's when a young kid bolted out of no where, snatched the purse and ran, leaving Artemis just standing there, completely shocked.
"My.. my satchel!" And before she knew it, she was pushing away from the scene to dash after the boy. She needed that! How else would she pay for her food!? Survive this trip! She was desperate as she called out, "Stop! Please!" But when she finally broke through the crowd-
She had no idea which way he had gone.
It was too quick for even Caelwyn to register what had happened. But the thief was long gone before he could do anything about it. Even if he wanted to. He panted a bit beside Artemis. "Well that's unfortunate. We can still get the puffs. Come now I can buy some," he offered.
"Yes, but.." her grip on his hand tensed. "My notes... my book... some of my belongings I need.. well, I'd like to have... were in that bag."
"We'll never be able to find him in this crowd. No use crying over split bananas as Sterling is fond of saying." He smirked a bit and gestured to the stand. "Let's go get those puffs."
Artemis felt crushed. And also so pathetic. She had never considered she'd get robbed..
But she had heard so many stories about it, now she was one of those people, too!
Not that she wanted to be in the 'I just got robbed' club.
Wilting a bit, her steps were less enthusiastic as they made their way back to the puff cart.
"I'm sorry you have to offer to pay now. I'll be more careful with my things in the future."
"There's no use mulling over it Miss Longfellow," he sighed and after paying for two puffs he handed one off to her. "Let's go see the acrobats. That'll cheer you up. You'll love it. I promise. Come in now."
Gratefully she took the puff with a nod, and moved to walk along side him, keeping it in her hand to let the puff cool on the holding paper.
"So what's your favorite part about these acrobats?" she asked as they walked.
"The high-flyers. You know the ones on the trapeze? But they're all great. Oh don't think of sour things, Miss Longfellow. We'll find your satchel. Perhaps even before the day is over."
"Find it?" she blinked. "BUt I thought you said not to worry about it."
"Worry in the sense that such thoughts prevent you from enjoying the moment."
Artemis sighed.
"Very well. I'll try my best." and she went on to eat her puff.
Mmmm, this is as wonderful as it smells. What do you think of it?"
"It is very tasty and very crispy. Its good. But I do wonder why it is called a Puff. A choice word indeed."
"I would guess it's because of how it balloons up when it cooks. It's over twice the size it was before it was thrown into the waters. And it's so moist. I wonder if they wouldn't mind me asking for the recipe, later. I think my parents would love this!"
And soon she was starry eyed as a man who ate flames came into view. He had been twirling the flames iwth his baton, and eating it just took the cake.
"Oh my, I wonder if he needs a glass of water?" she chuckled. "Speaking of water, I could go for something to drink. Do you see any vendors that might be selling something? Or a well?"
There was so much to look at. To explore. Caelwyn was content to let his eyes wander a moment, munching on the puff here and there. At the mention of being thirsty, he nodded quickly in agreement.
"There's a woman there selling cranberry juice. Let's go there!"
She guzzled down her juice rather quickly, wiping any excess off on the back of her hand.
"Ah, that hit the spot. Though it tasted a tad strange."
Caelwyn made a face at his own cup, sipping it slower than Artemis. Perhaps he just wasn't as thirsty. He set it aside and nodded. "There certainly is a bit of a zing to it isn't there. Hey look, let's go into the tent, get some seats! See what's showing now."
Nodding, Artemis took the lead and stepped in through the tent flap, looking for seats. There were a pair near the back and she urged Caelwyn to follow.
He did, munching on his puff, sitting down with eager giddiness. And that was when the circus master came to announce thw beginning of the show.
As the circus master announced it, Artemis's eyes lit up.
"Oh? A lion tamer will be having it perform with two women on the trapezes?" She peered up at the ceiling of the tent, and saw the women already having climbed and were positioned at the top. Though it was tall, that was not what made her anxious. And the second the lion was brought in, she gasped softly and found herself reaching for Caelwyn's hand.
Caelwyn jumped a little at the contact of her hand, but didn't retract it. Not immediately anyway. It was a curious phenomenon, and he observed her then the spectacle of the show. Indeed the lion tamer danced and whirled around the animal as the high flyers above swung from the trapeze and flipped in the air.
Caelwyn took the hand Artemis had been holding and yanked it away from her grip, pointing up into the air with wonder as one of the women flipped over at least two stories over the lion's head. One wrong move and they'd be bait, but to see them perform such death-defying feats was extraordinary.
She hadn't realized she was holding her breath until he yanked his hand away, and a second breath was loosed when the women landed safely, then moved forward to pet, hug and kiss the lions!
Artemis applauded along with the crowd.
"This is extraordinary! To think those women have such talent... And no fear!"
Caelwyn whooped and shook Artemis' shoulders. "I completely agree! It's amazing!" And he clapped with fervor.
So taken by the moment she almost missed the symbol embroidered on the lion's jacket. Gasping, she pointed, "Caelwyn, look! On the lion.. See the embroidered symbol? Its the same one found on the fake artifact we found in Connlaoth!"
Caelwyn sighed. "Oh, let it go, Miss Longfellow. What difference could it possibly make?"
She blinked at Caelwyn.
"Is that symbol so popular outside of Connlaoth?"
"Well, no. But I don't see it's relation to a circus act and a faked artifact."
"That's what I mean. I think it's strange. But perhaps I'm reading into it too much."
"I think you ought to lighten up. I thought we were trying to have a good time," he said and took her hand in his, patting it.
"Oh." her cheeks rosied. "Oh you're right." she tried to laugh it off. "My family alway said I was too elsewhere to be anywhere. Yes, well, work aside, it looks like they're starting their next performance!"
"That's a saying worth holding on to."
He let go of her hand once she was settled and went back to enjoying the show. By now the lion tamer had taken the beast back inside and the acrobats were alone up at the top, twirling in the air.
A saying to hold onto... Right! If she could ever remember it! But the show was delightful.
"It's like they know how to dance on air."
"And now we would like volunteers from the audience!" announced the circus master, looking out into the crowd.
Caelwyn froze then stared at Artemis with wide eyes. And he promptly grabbed her hand and raised it along with his.
Artemis gasped and tried to pull her hand down.
"Mister Caye!" What was he doing?!
"Let's try it! I'll go if you go. What do you have to lose?"
She froze, despite his excited look. Her mouth fell open, moving a little before she stammered, "Lose? But I- it's not that I just..."
And whens he turned to look- it appeared as if the announcer was looking and even heading their way! Her heart leaped into her throat, so when the man approached and said, "How about you two?"
All Artemis wanted to do was shake her head!
Caelwyn wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't terrified. But the thrill of going up there overshadowed his fear. And he knew somehow that Artemis would have a good time as well. If only she would take a moment to stop being so stuffy. "Yes. We would love to go up there!"
"Well, come on, the both of ye!"
Love!? She turned to Caelwyn, eyes wide. Was he crazy? Maybe he was! He had gotten her fired and then for some reason still beyond her, agreed to hire her on to this expedition! And though she wanted to shake her head- maybe she was, somehow she was stumbling along with Caelwyn before the crowd.
Caelwyn wasn't going to lie, the thought of being here in the middle of this crowd, thrilled him to the core. He smiled and waved to people as they were instructed to climb up to the acrobat's perch. Oh, sure it was kind've high. But he kept his hand secured in Artemis' as they stayed up there.
"All right you two, just hold on to the acrobat, and the other one on the other side will snatch onto you and swing you to the other side. Just relax and try to have fun," the man beside them explained.
Artemis had been quiet the whole time, finding herself not exactly the biggest fan of heights, but when the directions were given, she jerked out from her terror a moment to stutter, "W-wait... we're supposed to do what?"
But there was little time to answer her disturbed response when Caelwyn went first and was taken with the first high-flyer. He yelped as they swung off the platform, but whooped soon afterward. He was flung into the air, twirling once, and feeling as if he was going to fall, only to be caught by his arms when the second flyer came around, swing him off onto the platform safely.
And Artemis was next.
He wasn't the only one to yelp as Artemis froze in fear when the acrobat came for her. For he was handsome, and well muscled, but lithe and strong, so when she felt nothing but the wind sweep beneath her, all she could do was cling to the man's warm body as he grinned and they continued to swing through the air, and somewhere during the whole thing of it, she was passed on to another and was upside down, all around before she was set on the opposing platform again.
And her heart was drumming wildly in her ears, her body shaking but stiff as she simply stared off into the tent in wonder-
and soon the place was shaking with a thunderous applause. It was only then she was broken from her fearful spell, and blinked and coughed out a gasp.
"Oh my god.." she found herself unable to stop smiling all of a sudden. "That was- Did we just?" But as she turned to Caelwyn, her heeled boot slid in just a way that it was no longer on the platform. And with no real sense of balance, she found herself suddenly pinwheeling as she began to fall.
"Miss Longfellow!" And it was Caelwyn's hand that pulled her forward back onto the platform and his arm held securely aroundher waist. The crowd applauded louder, cheering as Caelwyn waved an arm at them. They were escorted down, safely back to solid ground.
Embarrassed, but also grateful,s he found herself clinging to Caelwyn, even when the pair were both back on the floor, and the crowd was still cheering, the show still continuing as she was still unable to recover just yet from the ordeal.
They returned to their seats and Caelwyn couldn't stop smiling. He kept his arm around her shoulders. "Oh, that was so thrilling wasn't it!?" he said, finally able to laugh.
His smile was infectious, and though still feeling her stomach flip flopping over the ordeal, she gave an eager nod.
"Y-yes... though I was so terribly afraid!" she admitted, a bit too loud in her enthusiasm, but one had to be loud to speak over the crowd. "But oh... I've never done or dreamed of such a thing in all my life!"
And she could of swooned just remembering it!
"Yes! I could live with that for days. Let's get out of here," he said. He took her hand and pat it. "You see? Wasn't this fun? And you were reluctant to go!"
"Well, I-" she went on, stumbling beside him as they moved to leave. "You know, fun as it was,
she went on with a nudge. "I think I'd still try to protest if I was asked again! But..." She went on with a laugh. "That was a once in a life time opportunity."
And she was still feeling the high.
"I think I might need a drink after that."
And she rarely drank! But something would have to help with her nerves! ANd what would her family say?
"Maybe if we stay in this town over night I can write to my family. They won't believe it though- what just happened I mean."
"Whether or not they believe it, it's your memory and your adventure," Caelwyn beamed as he helped her down from thestands and walked out of the big tent.
Finding a place away from all of the hullabaloo proved difficult. Though she was able to get a cheap glass of apple cider ale, just about every nook and cranny of the town was in full bloomed festivity. Drinking of her cider, the pair found themselves along a narrow walk full of men hollering about games of chance, sparkling, colorful prizes, and fortunes to be told! Despite herself, she couldn't help but look at all of the games and wondered just how badly she'd be at them.
"Oh, look! A strong man game!" she went on, pointing it out to Caelwyn. "My brother used to be amazing at those. He won me and my sisters many prizes there. And other games as well. Like, oh! See the milk bottle ball toss? He was also good at that. I can't say I was ever any good," she went on, smiling at the memory. "But it was fun to try."
Though she still wished she could have won something at least once!
The festival was indeed thrilling to watch. Even after being tossed and caught in mid-air, Caelwyn was still more than welcome to what new thrills they could have. He took Artemis' arm in his own as they strolled through the games. He laughed when she mentioned the 'strong man' game. As if he would ever be suckered into that.
"Why don't you try a game, Miss Longfellow?" he asked, gesturing to the milk bottles.
She smiled.
"That might be fun, but perhaps not that game? I doubt could even hit one."
"Then any game! Look, there are fishing pots, keep the fish you catch! Or perhaps darts. Those are fun!"
Though good suggestions, a rattling sound caught her attention as she turned to stare in wonder at a spinning colored wheel.
"Oh! Why not that one?"
"Let's go check it out!" Caelwyn pushed her along.
As they approached, she was captivated as the rainbow wheel spun around and around, and when she finally observed what this game was all about, she pointed down towards the table.
"Look, it's a game of chance." She fished into her purse and produced a coin.
"Why don't we try our luck on yellow?"
ANd she set her coin down and watched as the man moved and spun the wheel.
"I'll take the blue," Caelwyn said and as the wheel spun, pins rattling against the stopper, he squeezed Artemis' hand in anticipation.
The little arrow went tick tick tick as it slowed and Artemis's hand squeezed his tighter before she shouted.
"Yellow! It's on yellow!" Her smile broadened. "That means I won!"
"Indeed you did!" Caelwyn said, beaming. He watched as the man moved over to a selection of prizes displayed along his booth.
"Congratulations, Missy! Now what'll you have?" he asked Artemis.
Artemis couldn't stop smiling. She pointed to a small clothe figure.
"There. The stuffed lion with the yarn mane."
Though it looked rather strange, it also had a charming quality to it. Once handed the item,s he inspected it proudly and turned to show it to Caelwyn.
"You think he'll like joining us to Essyrn? I heard lions are more local down there."
"He's a welcome addition to the expedition!" Caelwyn said and shook the little lion's paw.
"You should try to win him a companion!" she went on, playfully. "You've been lucky today, too, remember?"
"Why, because I didn't break my neck being thrown by acrobats?" He chuckled and shook his head. "I could try. Here, put this on green."
She did, and held her breath as the wheel spun. But the color came up pink.
"Oh well.. better luck next time?" she said, sighing and giving him a try. "Why not try once more?" The fee to play wasn't unreasonable, after all!
"I think you might have a gambling addiction," Caelwyn laughed. "But I'll bet one more. Two on black, good sir!"
"Two?" she eyed him up with a laugh and returned her attention to the game. SHe was applauding for luck. "And you said I had a problem." And she tried to hide her growing grin.
"Red, darn. Oh well, better luck never I guess," Caelwyn said with a shrug, satisfied with his effort. He walked off.
A bit crest fallen, she almost didn't notice Caelwyn going to leave. Gasping,s he stumbled after him, still toting her stuffed lion.
"Well, I suppose winning at least once was good enough. We've.. had a pretty long day," she went on, still in good spirits but a little bum she continued to try to win and ended up on the losing side. By then, however, she felt her stomach growling as they passed by a series of steaming sweet treats.
"By Angsar's name, those smell delicious," she went on, feeling her mouth salivate.
Caelwyn stared at the food, feeling his stomach turn sickly at the smell. It didn't even look all that appetizing, slop to be spread on a stick and served to paying patrons.
"Well, I'm not all that interest, but if you're hungry, you should eat. Just don't puke everywhere. I have no doubt that stuff is as foul as it smells."
Blinking, she turned to regard him.
"Oh? Not a fan of fried sweets?"
"Oh, I love sweets. Just the ones that taste like chocolate. Please! Don't mind me, just enjoy yourself, Miss Longfellow." He gave her a smile and a gentle nudge onward.
Doing as he suggested, Artemis moved happily along and ordered a few fried treats for herself. She was surprised at how bad some were, but how amazing a few others could be. One even left her surprised as she laughed nad held up a stick of friend dough.
"Oh my, Mister Caye, you might actually like this.." She moved to lick the chocolate that had dribbled down her lips. "It's chocolate." She leaned the fried stick closer to him. "Care to try it?"
"It doesn't look like chocolate," he said, quirking a skeptical brow at her. "But I'll try it. If I die, tell Serling there's a bag of crisps in his sock trunk. And it broke and scattered all over the place. And if I live, then that was a lie and not true at all."
He smiled and raised the stick of whatever the hell that was in the air before taking the smallest bite he could manage and swallowed it quickly so he wouldn't have to taste it. He kept is eyes clenched shut. "Am I dead? Have i died yet!?"
She gave a light hit to his arm.
"Stop being so dramatic and tell me what you think." She held onto his arm and looked up into his face. "Well..... I mean, you're not dead so... How is it?"
Caelwyn gagged a bit. "It tastes a bit like death. I don't know. What is it supposed to taste like?"
"Like chocolate!" she was trying not to laugh. "Really... and you said such a treat was your favorite!"
"Yes, but this is just a greasy abomination. Truly, how can you enjoy this?" he chuckled, handing his to her. "You eat it. It just makes me want to hurl."
"Yes, but now your spit is all over it. How am I to finish? And we shouldn't waste..." she went on, teasingly, and nearly prodding him with the deep fried chocolate stick.
[I wish I knew how to envision just what the hell it is they're eating.]
Caelwyn just shrugged and didn't linger long. He walked off from her and went about enjoying the sights further. The town was lively, that was for sure, but he was getting tired and he started to walk back. Serling would probably be wondering where they went.
STill giddy though tired after their long day, she was happy to see they were looking for Serling. Surely this meant it was time to retire. She yawned and stretched her limbs.
"Today was nice." She smiled and looked away, watching the colorful candles that lit the street for hte night time entertainers.
"This moment.. I dunno... it seems like one of those magical moments you read about it books." She stared up at the sky, watching a few magic-balloons float up towards the moon.
"So magical it's nauseating," Caelwyn sighed as they slowly returned to their initial path. He observed her for a moment. "Its nice to see you smiling though. It's been a long time since we left Connlaoth."
Blinking she turned to him. Smiling? She always smiled, what did he mean? Perhaps she hadn't realize most ofher smiles had been faked and well practiced. Now that she was feeling more comfortable around her company, her smiles, indeed, were much warmer.
She then wrinkled her nose at him.
"What do you mean, nauseating? You going to ruin the nice night by being a sour puss?"
"Sour? Me? I'm a ball of sunshine!" Caelwyn laughed. "I resent the implication I'm a stick in the mud. Why? Because I didn't want any fried sticks to eat?"
"Yes." Came her simple reply. "You should have seen your face.. I'm pretty sure it's the face babies make when eating mashed bananas."
"I suppose it is," he sniffed. "We're here now. It's late. I think I'll turn in. Have a good night Miss Longfellow."
She gave an enthused nod.
"Thank you for the lovely evening. It was a nice break from all this travel." She stretched a bit and looked at the stars as they walked back to where they'd be staying. "I suppose we'll continue onward tomorrow?"
"Indeed. Don't go eating any mashed bananas now," he said, throwing her a wink and departing to his own quarters.
She blinked, and just watched him leave.
"Mashed... bananas?" She shook her head, smiling a little as she didn't understand what he meant. Though perhaps he was trying to be unconventional, silly. She shrugged it off, whatever it was, and made her way back to her room. Finding a new book to read amongst her things, she read just a few pages before falling asleep, book draped across her chest.
And if she was in sleep deep enough she wouldn't wake to the sound of scissors quietly cutting at her hair.
But Artemis slept through the shenanigans.
And nothing else would disturb her the rest of the evening.
And when she awoke, she stretched and paused, noticing a long lock of her hair across her lap. Blinking, she reached a hand up to touch her hair-
and screamed.
Caelwyn heard that scream, and groggily awoke. Serling emerged into his room. "What the hell was that?"
Caelwyn shrugged. "Miss Longfellow screaming over something I imagine. I need my coffee."
Serling did a double take. "Well! Go see what's wrong!"
"Me? Why?"
"Caelwyn!"
He sighed, grabbing his shirt. "Fine! But you better have my coffee ready." And went to investigate.
By this time, Artemis had leaped out of her bed, rushed to the mirror to stare in horror. And if she wasn't so much in shock, she might have screamed again.
"What is all the fuss about?" Caelwyn said, opening the door and peeking in to her quarters. "You look different."
Artemis whirled around to him,
"Different?" She gave a little stomp of her foot, almost crying. "How did this happen!? I was sleeping and just... Someone cut my hair!"
"Oh. And it looks like they left it all uneven too. Who could have done such a horrid thing? Certainly not a barber."
By this time, Artemis was crying.
"I don't know!" Came her shrill reply. "But it' gone! Most of it's all gone!"
It had been so long and pretty, too!
"Well, if that's what all this squawking is about, then we've covered it and should get ready to be on our way again." He smiled.
She shrieked and clung to his arm, giving it a tug.
"Aren't you going to do something? To say something? A man... someone was in my room last night and just cut off all my hair! What if they had done more? ANd how am I supposed to deal with this?" She pulled at her locks. "They're a mess!"
Caelwyn stilled in his exit, observing her grip on his arm, and straightening. "And what do you propose I do to find this Invisible Man? Observe the room for evidence of his passing? As far as your hair is concerned, I don't consider myself in anyway a skilled barber. I barely have the patience to cut my own hair! Though..." He gave it some thought, with an appreciative tilt of his head. "Perhaps I can cut the rest of it off."
Artemis was shocked at his uncaring reply- and how harsh it felt for him to call the culprit Invisible Man, as if she had made the thing up! She huffed at his side.
"You can't be serious!"
He couldn't be! No one was so uncaring... right?
"The crime has been commited and past, what do you expect me to do?" he asked, entirely serious. He crossed arms over his chest and moved past her to inpsect the room. He saw nothing save for a scrape of mud on the floor and trace strands of hair traipsed over her pillow.
She sighed heatedly, still reeling over what happened and his apparent indifference on this situation. Her brother would have been furious, all her younger sisters as well! It was appalling to think anyone would traipse into a woman's room as she slept, and though it appeared cutting off her hair was all that occurred, what if something far worse had? Or.. what if it did and no one knew anything outside of the hair as a rouse?
Shaking lightly, she moved to look around the room, heading towards her bag of things.
"Looks like the culprit had quite the foot! These are positively massive. Miss Longfellow, see where the mud scrapes against the flooring, and ends almost a foot underneath your bed? Must be the size of two men's feet. How odd," he murmured. He looked up at her, quickly moving to her side. "What are you doing?"
In truth, she was hardly paying attention to him, now bent over her bag and looking through her things. But it was hard for her to focus. She was too upset. And it seemed she was fumbling in her bag with no purpose at this point.
Caelwyn turned on her and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her lightly. "Miss Longfellow! We are on the verge of a major investigation! If you wish my help, we must begin immediately!"
Artemis's eyes went wide.
"What? What do you mean?" She blinked and soon realized what he was saying and placed her hands on his arms. "Wait... are you going to help me find out who's done this?"
Because she was beginning to worry he didn't care what happened here- or that something worse could have!
"Yes, don't you see? How did such a large-footed fellow sneak into your quarters without rousing you from sleep. It's mind-boggling. Someone would have to be very feather footed, or very delicate in size. I will do what I can, Miss Longfellow." Caelwyn smiled and proceeded to look around the room.
Her face skewed with uncertainty, but she kept herself tight lipped and just haughtily breathed through her nostrils. But it was hard to pretend to be patient.
"Maybe they weren't feather footed... maybe I just slept through it?" They had had a long journey, after all.
"Please let us be realistic, Miss Longfellow, this perpetrator had very large feet. Just look at all this mess!" Caelwyn said, gesturing to the ground.
That irritated her.
"I am being realistic." Her face was partially flushed before she turned away with a bit of a sulk. "I practically lived in a zoo... I slept through a lot of loud noises."
"Very well then, how is that you could sleep through someone physically touching your hair?" Caelwyn asked her with his arms now crossed over his chest. "Nonetheless, we have evidence to examine, now don't we?"
She knew he'd ask that question.
"Easier than I'd like to admit." She pouted and cast her eyes downward, then began to look around.
"So what are we going to examine? What else can be useful from these boot prints?"
"How about the very evidence that sits on your neck, dear Miss Longfellow!?" Caelwyn said and moved around her to examine the curvature and angles of the cut of her hair. "It's a mess. Whoever did this, didn't do a very good job," he muttered thoughtfully.
Artemis blushed and turned away.
"How is a bad hair cut evidence?"
And she moved to grab a few curls as she wrinkled her nose. She couldn't believe it. How had she not felt someone stealing her hair!?
"Please, dear Miss Longfellow, surely you have some aptitude for observation," Caelwyn said, rubbing his face with his hands.
He reached up to touch a few stray locks. "Clearly he was in a hurry and didn't care if he did a good job. He wanted only to take as much as he could as quickly as he could. He had no concern for your hair-do, only that he didn't disturb your beauty rest. So despite his hurriedness, he has a hand delicate enough to cut hair while you're sleeping, a feat surely not even I could accomplish, unless I drugged you of course."
Caelwyn tilted his head thoughtfully. "Surely you're not under the influence of any foreign substance, are you?"
"What?" Her eyes went wide. "Wh.. why? How would I even.... What are you proposing?"
"I am proposing nothing. Merely making an inference, that is all," Caelwyn said with a shrug. "We should document this evidence as best we can, while we can, Miss Longfellow. It will not last forever. First and foremost, these shoeprints. We should size and make copies of them if possible. I have everything we need, or most of it anyway. Feel free to peruse my equipment, I will take to measuring them."
Artemis looked from him, to his bag, then back to him again. She wasn't even sure what he'd want her to do, and found herself reluctantly fishing through his things. She managed to find a piece of coal and something to write with as she moved closer to his side, wondering if maybe she could keep track of the numbers he'd found.
"Oh for crying out loud, just bring the whole bag!"
She nearly dropped all of his things. Scrambling to get it all together, she brought his things to him and deposited it beside it.
Raking a hand through her hair, she sighed.
"So what do you think? What do you see?" She hadn't realized she had smeared some coal on her fface, not having thought about having touching it and what results it would yield.
"Hmm, all the evidence seems to be fairly jumbled. However, these shoe markings are approximately twelve inches in length, and all this confetti all over the place seems rather telling," Caelwyn murmured, busy looking over what details he could find.
Oh this was more exciting than listening to Serling whine all night. The hunt was on!
And he looked up only briefly. "Miss Longfellow, brilliant idea. A mustache is the perfect disguise for you. The evidence seems clear. It must be someone from the festivities last night. We must go and question them immediately. Probably someone from the large tent!"
She didn't get what he meant, but he appeared to be crazy, but things began to click for her (in some way or another). She gasped.
"You don't think... Someone took note of me and... and.. decided they wanted my hair?" She took a hold of what was left of the curls before looking back towards Caelwyn with a bit of a pout.
"But why on earth would they want to? You don't suppose it was some withc or mage... andthey aim to curse me... do you?"
She couldn't help but become superstitious, even if she ought to know better.
"This we must discover," he said with a wide grin. "Quick don the rest of your facial hair, we must attend to this at once. I'll go back to my quarters and get dressed. I'll meet you at the big top once everything is settled. Kia above this is so exciting! Another adventure after another. Am I glad you ripped my pants in that library."