Flashback [World's End Grotto] Another Begining (Ricky)

[Tabitha Sweetsong]

Summer 53, 509 AV What was it for? The money? No. The fame? No. It was for this, the applause, the crowd and the sheer enjoyment of pleasing people. Tabitha had been coming to the World's End Grotto for some time now, performing for the people of Zeltiva and those that just come and go. As the applause died down she started her second song. While strumming her Mandolin she began to sing. "What is it about the wind? Why does the sea call as it does? When we go to our beds at night, Will we dream of where the wind goes? We squander about our lives, As the breeze goes about it's day, Not caring for our strife, Just going on it's way. When a sailor tries to brave the sea, The wind will be there guiding his ship. To the end of the ocean, 'twill take him, and back again for a round trip. Back home they come, All in glory and fame, The sailors of today, Too many to name." The applause started again, some people were cheering this time. Tabby smiled to see so many people enjoying her work. "I'm sorry but I must take a break now, thank you all for listening." There was applause again before people started to chat amongst themselves. Tabby moved to a seat at a table not far away and sat down resting her Mandolin against another chair. She was starting to feel rather hungry she realized. It could wait to later though, she told herself.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky had entered the grotto for a simple visit really as he figured a pass the time with hearing the latest gossip would be enough to pass the time. When he entered with Odis he had felt somewhat out of place really, being the only man to have a dog companion to follow him in. Still Odis was in the process of getting along with others, as the dog has been slightly problematic in meeting strangers. He had a real knack at giving Ricky the signs of a good or bad person to meet, but really when Odis was excited in meeting new people period he was easily trouble.. However today he was learning to control himself, or at least remain in control under Ricky's supervision. When he entered though the bustle of the tavern was far more than enough to wreck his nerves, for the dog was already eyeing the place with a wiggly waggy tail. "Calm boy." He gave his order in a low manner to where only the dog could hear, as they both made their way to a table to take their seats. Odis sat next to his master on the floor of course, while Ricky got comfortable with his chair and relaxed. Petting Odis affectionately with a content smile, so far the pup was doing great. No loud barking or unexpected take off's, a good sign that his faithful companion was learning well. He took notice of a woman with a musical instrument, and took a wild guess that she was an entertainer of sort's. He offered a friendly smile should she look at him, a gesture that went with his humble nature if not natural charm. Them being across the room from each other he thought it best, seeing as how randomly getting up to approach her would only spark to much excitement in Odis.

[Tabitha Sweetsong]

Tabby looked around at everyone enjoying their meals. The smell of steak and fish and bacon and sausages. It was becoming unbearable. What she really craved right now though was a glass of fruity, luscious, acetic wine and to smell it's sweet aroma. Tabby was day dreaming now, she shook herself out of it. If there was anything else worse than dieing it was hunger, it eats at your insides until you satisfy it. Her stomach growled. She needed something to do to take her mind off of her hunger! Anything, someone to talk to. Looking around something caught her attention; a man walked in with a dog. He seems familiar, but she can't ever remember meeting him. Maybe she'd seen him somewhere around town, she though to herself. The man sat down at a table not too far away from here, when he looked directly at her she was a bit surprised. When he smiled at her she was shocked, but smiled back never-the-less. He seemed nice enough though. She started to walk over to the man, something she didn't do very often, walking up to strangers like that, but she was in dire need of something, someone to take her mind off of this pain inside her. She could just buy something to eat and knew it was the smart and normal thing to do but she was here to make money, not spend it. Plus, she already had plenty at home that she could eat when she got back. But her gut — no, her belly — was telling her that she wouldn't survive for that long. "Hi, my name is Tabitha, you can just call me Tabby though." She said with a smile on her face as she offered her hand out for a handshake. "May I take a seat?"

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky had turn his attention to Odis when she began to get up, his eyes fixated on the dog as Odis watched the lass in excitement. When she had introduced her self was when his attention was pulled back, he had jerked slightly when he looked at her; the look of surprise immediately being replaced with the same grin he had manage to keep. "Not at all lass," He stood up and gave a gentle handshake, "Ricky Maze, though I prefer Ricky." He spoke in his same humble tone he always had, pulling a chair out for her as she wouod take a seat. He returned to his chair and kept an eye on Odis, the dog now begging him to jump on her. "Odis, calm." He looked to the dog assertively when he spoke, Odis looked to his master with yearnful eyes as his tail swept the floor repeatedly. "Calm." He said to the dog once more, and with a nod to the dog Odis finally stood up to greet the lady. He would first sniff at Tabitha's hands should she greet the dog, and then he would go in for the affectionate kisses should she pet him. Any type of attention she would give would be good, as she was now the center of Odis' attention. "Don't worry, he's a big softy." He would assure her should she tense up or be dismissive, Ricky kept an eye on the dog while he too would focus on her. Diverting his attention to both of them, he made sure they had an equal amount of his attention. "So Tabby, what brings ya here?" He asked her though it was rather obvious, still it was a basic start of a simple question, "What do ye do for a livin?"

[Tabitha Sweetsong]

"Thank you" Tabby said politely when he pulled out a chair for her. He seemed nice enough, he had a nice name as well. Tabby giggled at the dogs excitement, Odis he called him. Dogs are funny creatures, she thought. She put her hand out to the dog as it walked over, it sniffed her hand. She patted him on his head, while answering the question, "I'm here playing my Mandolin. It pays alright and it's fun at the same time as well as satisfying. You could say I'm a Bard of sorts." "What about you? What do you do for a living?" Tabby said as she sat her instrument on the table in front of her. "What brings you here?" Tabby really needed friends, even though she had been in Zeltiva all her life she really didn't have any friends. She often spent a lot of her time on her own but now would be a good time for that to change. It would be good to have someone to talk to once in a while. Tabby looked down at the dog, this man was lucky to have such company. Giving the dog one last scratch behind the ears she took her Mandolin off of the table, "I could play a song for you if you like?" she said with a smile.

[Ricky Maze]

What were they doing here? A question that Ricky wished he had a real answer to, yet the reason he had present was more then enough for him to accept. "Well I'm a fisherman of a sort, and today I just happen to be roaming by." He was content now as he watched Odis respectfully receive his desired attention, so far the dog was doing good out in the public. Better than Ricky expected anyway, which was a pleasing relief. When she asked him if he wanted to hear her play though he gave a humble grin. "Of course," He cheered to her, " only if yer in the mood though. Don't wanna over work ya." He held his smile as he sounded enthusiastic, it would be a real pleasure to pass the time with some music. Today though Ricky felt full of free time though, so however he was going to spend it was a good question. His schedule was an open book with a blank page, so her being performance would be the first exciting thing to happen today; other then keeping Odis on a calm leash. OOC : Sorry, didn't have much to lead on this really. I'll make a much better post next time.

[Tabitha Sweetsong]

Tabitha smiled at Ricky, the fact that she was about to play a song for someone she'd only just met a few minutes ago, a man nonetheless. She started to blush a bit, "No, it's really no problem at all" she said as she pushed her chair back to give herself room and picked up her Mandolin from where it sat on the table. While strumming a string of chords with a slow tempo she started to sing. The buzz of conversation slowly died down as people started to listen. "I've seen high mountains Wash away. As they fall, so rise another day Flesh fades to bone, Bone back to dust The sharpest blades, give way to rust. Nations rise And kingdoms fall And rise again built strong and tall. Light dims and dies, And the night falls down. The cursed name called with great renown. Yet my time flows on Amidst this waste And the death I've seen I'll never taste." With her final strum on her Mandolin a bit of cheering and clamping went around the room. Once again the conversations started up again and everything seemed the same as it was before she started the song. Tabby pulled her chair back up to the table and sat her Mandolin down again. "Well? What did you think?" Tabby asked Ricky, "Did you like it?".

[Ricky Maze]

'I'll be damned,' Ricky thought with a pleasant smile, 'She's quite good with that instrument o' 'er's.' He admired the sound of tune and listened to her words, the voice she carried pleased his ears as the words brought out emotion to the mind that made him think. The lyrics interested him quite well, all in all Tabitha proved to be an excellent bard to him. When she pulled back hee chair and took a seat, Ricky gave her a warm hearty smile.

"I enjoyed it very much, and thought it a pleasing performance m'lady." He enthused with a chuckle, as he leaned down to pet Odis behind the ears.

"Ruff!" The dog agreed with a gleefull expression, which was a tail wag and tongue dangly moment. Ricky looked back to Tabitha with a look of curiousity.

"How long have ya been playin? Ye're really good with it, far better than me with a lute anyway." He complimented with a sincere expression, his natural personality took the humble side once more. He found himself interested in getting to know Tabitha, and paid close attention to what she would say.

[Tabitha Sweetsong]

Tabby smiled at the praise, she felt glad knowing people liked her work. "My mother started teaching me when I was ten years old and I've been playing ever since." Tabby beamed with obvious proudness in her voice. "She'd play many songs for me and teach me some of them too". Talking about her mother had made her a bit sad; even though it'd been many years since her death it sometimes still got her upset so she decided to change the subject before she burst in tears, "What about you? How did you come to be a 'fisherman of a sort'?". OOC : Sorry for the short reply, my creative juices are lacking a bit at the moment.

[Ricky Maze]

'Interestin, me pa taught me a little with the lute about the same age.' He thought to himself with intrigue, and wondered what her mother was like. She had asked how he became a fisherman, and he gave a friendly smile as he looked to the table with a modest expression. "Family job it seems. My pa was a sailor for a long while until I was born, then decided to be a fisherman and raise me to be one too. When I was holdin a rod when I was practically six." He explained with a humble tone, Odis laid his head on Ricky's lap with big eyes. Ricky looked at Odis with a grin, as though he were being tested by the dogs cuteness. "Alright, but behave." He instructed the dog.

"Rark!" Odis exclaimed as he went to Tabitha with a tail wag, he looked to her with the same eyes he gave to Ricky. Puppy dog eyes that begged for affection from her, if she would spare it of course.

"I can call 'em off if ye don't like dogs," He assured her, "if ye don't like dogs or anythin." Odis would likely just sniff at her and then return to relax at Ricky's side, since his master wouldn't let him run wild in the building. If Tabitha did pet Odis though, Odis would smother her hands with slobbery wet dog kisses. Ricky continued the conversation though, now that his curious about her had grown. "What 'bout yer pa? What'd he do?"