Boredom breeds rebellion (waytoonew)

[Daedra]

Amelia was being dragged along to some tavern, to some business deal. As much as she protested to her father, he didn't listen to a bit of it. His goal was to get her in the public eye as much as possible to attract a suitor. The hem of her blue dress dragged at the ground as the entered a dinky tavern.

Upon arriving here, they had to pass a poorer area of the city, and it had interested Amelia, to see all the strife that was normally kept from her. Young woman or not, she was sheltered.  Her father attended to his business and she sat there bored to the point of tears. Amelia excused herself ever so politely,  and made for the door, hoping to find someone,  or something of interest.

[waytoonew]

Marick curses running through the street weaving his way through the people a heavy lute case knocking against his back. He was going to be late, he was always having trouble getting back in time for his show but he needed to be out scouting for work and looking or he would be stuck here. Cussing himself out under his breath he dodged and weaved through the crowd to the small warm looking inn hidden in a small loop off of the main strip. It wasn't a busy place but it was large enough and comfortable enough for him to be happy working there for the time being.

As per his usual arrival the owner, and barkeep laughed and opened the door for him to get ready, it was a normal thing for him to come in only moments before he was due to start playing looking a mess, and it had become almost a pattern that he would run in wolf down dinner faster than was healthy and then rush out onto the stage to begin playing. The regulars even used him almost like a game making bets on if he would be there on time early or late, on the rare occasion he was actually there with more than five minutes to spare the man who gambled on the odds often raked in quite a few coins compared to any other result.

Now clearing his throat and taking a drink of water Marick slipped along the back hall under the stairs and around to the side door that lead almost right to the stage, walking up briskly still panting a bit from his run he smiles and begins opening the case to his lute, it was the only thing he owned that he had earned, he had stolen nothing to buy it feeling it would be wrong to do so.  Slowly he began to pluck, the notes seemed to flow out like honey, he was good, better than most who frequented the town even in larger pubs, but the way he was he would have trouble moving any higher up or getting more for his work. Now the music was moving the pub silent as the notes slithered through the air like a charmed snake swaying and faltering gently in the room the only thing daring to pierce the song being the crackle of the fire across from the bar counter in the large stone hearth.

[Daedra]

Amelia stopped in her tracks as the tune from a lute wrapped it's notes around her, almost like a caress. With soft steps, she moved closer to the stage, eyes glued to the performer. She sat at a small table, her red hair almost hiding her fair skinned face.  He was the best bard that Amelia had ever heard, and she was hypnotized by it.

Amelia had been searching for something interesting, and she had found it. She made a note to stop the man before he left the pub, she almost had to meet him. The sweel and fade of the notes made her mind wander to happier places, a soft smile playing across her lips. Her green eyes closed as she took in every note. How could it, a simple bard had the most talent than any other bard in the richer side of town.

[waytoonew]

With a slow soft pause he ended the song letting the note hang in the air like a heavy humidity making the air thick with tension, after a small sigh he started again, he never watched the bar as he played, he didn't know why it just didn't feel right to be looking at the people as if he would ruin their enjoyment, he strummed a few times letting small squeaking high notes fill the room, the song sped up slowly as he began to sing softly, about a small girl who loved to roam the streets, he sang about her playing and her fun the way she danced and played with the other children, but the pub seemed tense, the regulars smiling but not seeming to be fully happy about what was being played despite the up beat sounds of the song.

Then slowly it turned downwards, the girl was lost, she was hurt, she came home and no one was there, it moved down and down telling the tale of the girl who was looking for her father the warmth that had kept her safe night after night it spoke of her loneliness and then it weaved across the streets searching frantic and unsettling as she moved around day after day looking. The song was longer than the last dragging out longer than it seemed, it went through the girl being attacked by a dog on the street and he fleeing some notes almost seeming like sharp screams coming through the notes as he played fingers dancing across the neck of the lute, there was no twisting and jerking in his hand it slid across the strings like a hand dancing across a lovers hip, this was his passion and his lively hood he put everything he could into his art and he didn't care how people took it. The song wound down to the girl hiding and bandaging her wounded forearm before he faded off strumming wordlessly softer and softer until the sound faded into nothing.

[Daedra]

Amelia watched raptly, it was as if his lute were a part of him. He moved and swayed as the notes did. IT was clear to see that this was his passion, and his solace. Not once did he glance up at his audience, his total concentration on making the notes seep into the very corners of the pub. Amelia's attention perked up as his voice filled the room, and she listened intently.

Her pale hands gripped the table as she listened, tears streaming down her face. IT was if he reached into the very core of his audiences feelings. Her heart was pounding, worried, sad, anxious. Was this some sort of magic? The way he played? It had to be, no music had ever reached to her as this did. Amelia lifted her face, her cheeks glistening as the song faded out of existence. She looked around her slowly, almost not even aware anyone else was there. The other, mostly men, of the bar seemed discontented, and Amelia could not even begin to comprehend why. His music, and voice, were breathtaking.

[waytoonew]

He paused and shifted setting the lute down in its case, he stretches seeming not at all phased by the song himself, he moved over to the stairs at the front of the stage passing by Amelia almost bumping her shoulder, he didn't even seem to look down but he left a small handkerchief on the table beside her his hand moving quickly almost unseen through her teary eyes, but he didn't even pause, moving into the middle and going over to the bar he stops and leans on it across from the barkeep sighing and smiling a bit, the man wiping his eyes shakes his head,

"G'damned it's a bit early for that one..." He mutters and shakes his head glaring at Marick who smiled softly and held his hands up in surrender,

"I thought it would be best to get it out early... I need to play it now and then... I'll keep it peppy the rest of the night don't you fret!" Marick smiles as he relaxes pulling a stool up and stretching his arms over his head as he relaxes and looks to the man who laughs and shakes his head returning to scrubbing a mug, with a grin.

"You best keep it peppy or I'll damned help you write a new sap story about your damned dinner..." He jokes and Marick laughs, he sounded no different from his music when speaking, he was loud when he needed to but often kept to softer notes, his voice was soft and kind flowing out like a fine honey mead, it wasn't long before the pub picked up again, Marick now relaxing and leaning back on the bar facing out with a small mug of a warm mead beside him, he sipped at it slowly for a little while relaxing his throat from the song and getting rested for the next as he sat back. Marick looked bright but tired, he looked over the pub just watching the people a small smile splaying out on his features, he was glad to see he hadn't ruined the mood for the night, he loved playing the song but many people disliked listening as it was rather depressing and it often pulled out emotion people didn't want to feel when out drinking. So usually he would keep it till the end of the night or when almost no one was there so he wouldn't kill the mood too much.

[Daedra]

Amelia sat transfixed for a moment as he set his lute aside and stepped off the stage. He brushed past her, almost, but not quite bumping her slender shoulder. She looked down, and blinked with confusion, a handkerchief seemingly appeared from unseen hands. She dabbed at her eyes with it demurly, and turned to follow the bards path with her emerald eyes. It had to have been him, no one else had gotten anywhere near her.

Amelia watched him from afar for a moment, lacking the courage to speak to him. She twined a strand of red hair around her finger and sighed to herself. He wasn't an unattractive man either, and that mde it worse for her. Biting her lip softly, she finally stood, and made her way quietly to where he sat. Amelia's dress caught on a snag in the floor, and she jerked it, causing it to rip. She ignored it, and continued on her way to the bar. She hated the stupid dress anyways.

Amelia sat beside him at the bar, a place her father would hate to see her. He wasn't anywhere in sight at the moment, so she let the thought of getting caught slip from her mind. She turned and looked at Marick, and gave a soft little smile as she spoke. "That song, it was so beautiful, and so sad." She had the balled up handkerchief in her hand and she set it on the wooden bar top. "Thank you for the handkerchief, I needed it." She laughed softly, almost with embarrassment. "I can have it cleaned for you before I give it back if you want." Amelia watched him with shimmering eyes, he had yet to look at her directly, and she waited nervously for a response.

[waytoonew]

Marick relaxes against the bar a bit more drinking slowly, he smiles as he stretches out leaning back, he was glad that things were back up and moving again, he had hoped to be able to pick things up even more with his music later on maybe even get the place up and dancing if he could manage to stir the good mood up enough. He was happy seeing things up and moving so happily already.

It took a moment before he registered the girl beside him, looking over he smiles softly shutting his eyes with a soft warm smile, to her, it was reactionary now, his eyes following where she came from who she was, it took him seconds to examine and size her up. This was the small pause between his smile and him speaking,

"My my what brings such a high class lady such as yourself into this modest pub..." he smiles and flicks his foot on the hem of her dress flicking it up a bit where it was torn. He smiles and clicks his tongue, "Now now won't your mister be mad you ripped your pretty little dress?" He teases smiling, he was already well aware she wasn't married but he was trying to flatter her and get her to speak more and trust him so he needed to make some mistakes faked or not. He smiles and drinks more of his warm mead nodding. "Well the song was written to be moving... I'll take the stains as compliments..." He winks playfully and drinks a bit more smiling and patting the cloth, "No no don't worry about it, it's a handkerchief not a shirt or something it's not like I need it all that much... Keep it for when you need it." he smiles and pats it squeezing it into her hand and holding her hand through it briefly as he smiles, "Use it as you see fit, call it a gift." He smiles and finishes his drink hopping off his stool and standing with a slow stretch of his back.

[Daedra]

Amelia couldn't help but return his smile, with her own soft smile. She watched as he sized her up, and she couldn't help but blush a little. She in turn looked him over, and found he was quite pleasing to the eyes. Amelia tucked a stray strand of curly red hair between her ears and looked away demurly.

When he finally spoke, she met his eyes with her own. Amelia could feel his foot flick her dress just so. The tear revealed in all its glory. She couldn't help but give a little smirk, though she was quick to conceal it. "I was dragged here by my father while he does business. Though, it's not as bad as I thought it would be." She looked up at the stage pointedly. Amelia blushed slightly when he winked at her, and returned it with a wicked little grin. "As for the dress, I hate the stupid thing anyways."

Amelia couldn't even possibly imagine what her father would say if he caught her sitting at the bar of all places. She found herself not really careing either. He rejected her offer to return the hankerchied, and instead, pressed it into her hand, holding it longer than what was considered polite. "A rather fine gift it is. Since I have recieved such a helpful gift from you, may I possibly know the name of the gentleman giving it to me?" Her words were honey sweet, her fiery nature flaring up past all the politness bred into her.

[waytoonew]

Smiling playfully he turns to face her and steps forwards almost pressed against her he pushes his mug back across the bar finished his drink already he smiles and then swings the leg furthest from the stage around spinning on the other foot as he laughs. Looking to her he pauses and thinks,

"How about you first then, you came over to me didn't you miss?" He smiles and walks back to the stage stretching each arm across his chest as he went up a slight swagger to his gait as he walked onto the stage again slowly and delicately lifting his lute out and running his fingers along the strings. Then it started again, swaying and bobbing the music weaved its way through the room like a shuttle through a loom it wove the threads together drawing people into singing, he played but didn't sing, an old classic drinking song letting the people rile each other up by singing together instead of just making them listen to his voice he let them fill in the blanks and have their fun, for the first time on stage he looked up and to the strange noble woman he had spoken to, winking playfully he crosses one leg over the other as he picks up the tempo of the song a bit returning his focus to his lute as the place fills with varying voices in different degrees of slurring and mumbling along with the music depending on how much the voices owner had drank.

[Daedra]

Amelia could feel his breath on her skin as he stood so close he was almost pressing against her. Her heart gave a nervous flutter, but she squashed the feeling quickly. He pondered her for a moment, a laugh escaping his lips. He was being almost coy with her. Amelia stood as if to follow him, words tumbling from her mouth before he got too far from her. A blush seeping up her delicate neck. "I'll let you know, after you are done playing." She gave him a sweet smile, hoping to entice him into further conversation later. He was intriguing, different than the sort of people she was accustomed to.

She watched him swagger back up to the stage, a smirk touching her lips. The bartender offered her a drink, and despite herself, she took it. sipping it while watching Marick perform. He sure knew how to get a crowd excited, and she found herself laughing and smiling with all the rest.  Amelia caught his eyes with her own, a honeyed smile on her lips as he glanced at her from the stage winking ever so slightly. She didn't know the words, but she didn't have to, to enjoy the music that wafted through the rafters.

[waytoonew]

Marick smiles brightly her sweet grin lightening him up if only a little, with the song ending he stretched and then dove into the next one, it sounded like something played on a ferry floating down the river, it bobbed and shifted gently all the while picking up speed and and tempo the bobbing quickening almost like a light heartbeat. Marick was swaying to the tune of his own song now enjoying the sounds as he went.

He passes another glance at the odd little noble girl who had come up to him, he often had people doting on him for his music be it artist wanting a muse thieve wanting a helper or even just people wanting to get him drinks, but she seemed different, she has a certain air of strength and steadfast to her. It made him want to crack her shell open to see what was inside and drew him to her. So now the song was reaching its climax every few notes a higher one would call through and be held wavering at the top before the next bob of the pitch as he smiles letting his head sway to the music. As he played it tugged and pulled at the people slowly some of the more intoxicated men were on their feet and dancing and swaying holding each other up and swinging mugs to the bob and sway of the tune. The song ended on a twanging low note that shook its way through the room. A slight pause and tension filled the room and he was off again the music picking up he began to sing again.

The song was light and rather silly following a farmer and a course of events that brought him to finding moose in his wood shed and his trials to get it out. The story seemed to be something of a bed time story for children but it worked with the light and flourishing tune livening it up as people began to get into the song turning to a light jig as it went. It was about halfway by the time the men who had stood were dancing and not much longer until others were joining drunkenly doing some form or another of the jig. Marick loved it throwing his head back and laughing in between verses he kept plucking until the song came to a slow ending. He smiled and thought for a moment before suddenly starting another song this one quick and exciting, it seemed intense and suspenseful before suddenly moving out into a light cheery tune of a man coming through a city trading and his adventure bumping into a beautiful woman all across the city. Marick played and sang of the man and seeing the maid place to place by chance and how things were happening loving the song and loving getting to play for the people.

[Daedra]

Amelia watched him play, eyes rarely wavering from him. He seemed to be enjoying himself, as much has the crowd was. She caught herself tapping along with the music, and she grinned. She hadn't had this much of a good time in a while. The songs were so upbeat and cheerful, causing laughter to bubble up as she clapped along. The drunks were swaying, and dancing, even the bartender was humming along.

Amelia sipped the ale the bartender had given her slowly, she was sort of a lightweight as it was. She had just met him, yet she felt as if there were more to him, and she wanted to find out what it was that had her so drawn to him. It was inevitable that they would speak again, he seemed just as interested as she was. Amelia felt a tap on her shoulder, an invitation to dance from one of the revelers. She laughed and allowed herself to be brought before the stage, dancing with various men in the crowd. It was exhilarating, and more fun than she could believe.

As Marick paused before the next tune, the tension was tangible, but he brought the crowd on another adventure, and the dancing began again. Amelia felt a rough hand grab her arm, and pull her around. She protested, until she saw it was her father. He had her arm tightly, and was trying to lead her away from the music and the crowd. With a yank, she wrenched her arm from him.

"What do you think you are doing girl, you're an embarrassment. Noble women don't dance with the common mongrels." Amelia glared at him, arms across her chest. "I'm a grown woman father, I'll do what I please." She saw the red of her skin and grimaced, that would be a bruise shortly enough. "You are the one that brought me here, after all." With a smirk, she turned on her heel and weaved back into the crowd to watch the bard sing again, her mood a bit soured.

Amelia glanced at the door, watching her father leave in a huff, and she allowed herself a sigh. She'd find her own way home, or maybe she would stay out all night and let her father fume. Another crowd goer grabbed her, and the music filled her ears, she let it's happiness carry her away, her body moving gracefully the the notes that cascaded around her.

[waytoonew]

Marick watched her dancing and laughing with the rest, seeing her cut loose as she was doing now was uplifting for him. She had seemed so weighted down when she came in but now she was moving and dancing with the others and cutting loose. He looked down again to focus on his playing and to lift the mood as much as he could. Humming and smiling in the parts that were without words he plays quicker and quicker, looking up he didn't see her, it took a few moments of looking as he played before he found her marching her way back to the front looking to have had her mood shaken. He pauses as the song ends then smiles to her for a moment before he resumes playing another song.

This time the song was light and jumpy but followed the story of a girl and how she loved to fiddle, it followed along her story of starting fights, and playing music all over the world. The girl was always running from something, but it wasn't a song that put the girl in any real danger or pain, it was comical and light hearted as she escaped over and over only to end up in some new form of trouble from running from a drunk to clambering up a tree to avoid a rather annoyed moose she always seemed to escape with her fiddle. The song slowly wound down and ended with her playing in a bar with a small line ending it in,

"right up till the last string snapped on that old fiddle neck of hers!" He smiles and stands up laughing as he looks at the people, he was going to be given a longer break this time, the pub often brought in guest musicians from all over the city who just wanted to be seen or needed some money or a place to play.

Marick came off the stage and suddenly took her from her partner by the hand swinging her around and spinning her before catching her in one arm, then he lets the momentum carry and dips down with her before lifting her smaller frame back up a he rose, he smiles and laughs as he  comes up launching her inwards and catching her against himself before he slipped around her, "Well shall we continue speaking and having a drink while the next performer fills the gap?"

[Daedra]

Amelia had looked up just in time to catch his smile, sending him a bright one in return. Her arm still stung, but she ignored it. She had received plenty while training to wield a sword. As she twirled, her red hair flared behind her, and she felt free as a bird, laughter once again bubbling for from her lips. At this point, she was too caught up in keeping up with her dance partner, she hardly heard the words of the song. Something about a girl with a fiddle.

Amelia was laughing, her eyes bight not realizing he had stop playing. She gave a little gasp as he pulled her from her current dance partner, whirling her away with a pull of her hand. Before she could even react, she was pressed against him, her heart pounding with excitment. He slipped gracefully around her and she turned to face him, her fair face flushed red. "I would love that." She followed him to the bar and sat at a stool, her eyes following his every movement. "Once again, that was fantastic. I've never had so much fun in my life!"

Amelia quickly remembered that she had agreed to exchange names with him. "I'm Amelia, I promised you my name, and I am eager to learn yours." She looked down at her arm, the bruise finally showing itself, an ugly purple on her fair skin. 

[waytoonew]

Marick smiles and laughs as he looks back, "Glad to give you a good time~!" He teases laughing a bit as he dodges through the crowd and over to a table flopping into the booth with her he sways her across to the other side and sits across from her smiling. He orders a drink from the waitress and looks across to the Amelia waiting for her order. Marick sighs and relaxes listening and nodding, "Mmmm well I'm glad you remember that bit!" He laughs playfully and relaxes.

Her name rang through his head he had heard it somewhere before but he wasn't sure, smiling and nodding he laughs. "I like it... Its a nice name!" He smiles and leans back in his seat as he looks across to her, "I'm Marick, wonderful meeting you Miss Amelia..." He smiles and pauses as the drinks come, he smiles and holds it up, smiling a bit as he notices her bruise, he holds his cup up.

"Here's to enjoying our night as much as we can!" He smiles softly and looks at the other player the people dancing, Marick sips his drink and relaxes, "Something happen earlier? You disappeared for a bit then this..." he runs a finger along her arm over the bruise, "Everything okay?" He pauses and lets her take her time or even just deny it.

[Daedra]

Amelia sat across from him, her palms resting on the cool grain of the wood. She looked shyly at the waitress and ordered ale for herself, it wasn't really something he had ever really had. Amelia was trained to steer clear of liquor, but she was ready to break from her chains and become an independent woman. Her eyes met his, and she smiled at his compliment. "Thank you, I'm pleased to have met you too Marick. You have a very handsome name." That wasn't all that was handsome about him, but she dare not think of that.

Their drinks arrived quickly, and she sipped from hers gratefully, it gave her hands something to do. Amelia laughed softly and nodded. "I'm sure you are the right person to show me how to enjoy myself!"  Amelia flinched away from his soft touch along her bruise, and then composed herself quickly.  With a sigh, she looked away from him, embarrassment coloring her face. "My father was angry I was dancing with..." She paused, not wanting to sound rude. "Someone not of my political stature. I wouldn't let him shepherd me out of here, I'm a grown woman after all." She didn't know why she was telling him all this, she shouldn't burden him with her problems. He just seemed so easy to talk to.

[waytoonew]

Marick sighs and pouts a moment shaking his head and looking at her, "So you are just going to wander the streets for the night?" He asks cocking his eyebrows up, he liked fun but hated the idea of anyone else being caught out on the streets for a night especially someone who seemed so refined as this woman the idea of her trying to keep out of trouble brought dozens of scenes through his head. He sighs and shakes his head, "You're crazy... I'm not going to stop you... I have no right to... But I have to make sure you are able to get out of it if you want to..." He mutters and sips his drink, more of the sweet honey mead, he smiles to her shaking his head.

"I can tell you're trying to stop yourself... How about after my next, and last set... We can get a bottle of wine or something and you can just vent in private..." He mutters, he was often the one people admitted things to around the place since he came through as a friendly face, he was happy with it all the same it made things easier for him and made him all the happier to help people who seemed to need it more than himself.

[Daedra]

Amelia gave Marick a warm smile. It was nice of him to be so concerned for her safety. After all, dressed as she was, she would stick out like a sore thumb on the dark streets of the city. "I guess I hadn't thought it through all the way, I just know I don't want to go home right now." She sipped her ale, actually quite liking it's taste. The girl had never been drunk before, let alone left within the company of strange men.

"It's nice of you to want to look after me, if I had my sword, I wouldn't worry so much." She laughed softly as Marick shook his head at her. "How do I know that you won't get me in to trouble yourself?" She gave him a sly grin, drinking her mug down to the halfway point. "I can't wait to hear you play again Marick. As for venting, I'll take the wine, but I won't make you suffer a noble's suffering. It is not so big a deal. I would rather spend my time getting to know you better."

[waytoonew]

Marick smiles and cocks his brow up on the left letting her realize the fault in her plan. One of many but he didn't want to keep jabbing at her. He sighs and smiles turning and sitting sideways with one leg up and out across the booth's bench the other splayed out to the side comfortably under the table. He miles and thinks rubbing along his chin.

"How will I know that I won't get you in more trouble..." he mutters and thinks tapping his hand on his ear as he holds his head up with his fore arm his elbow leaned on the table. He smiles playfully and looks to her, "Well now..." he whispers to her leaning across, "You stumped me... At least so far I've been fun." He smiles and leans back sitting with his back against the wall. He looks across to her looking a bit more serious now squinting a bit at her "Do you really think me to be the type to take advantage of you?" he glares lightly wondering if she actually thought him to be so low.