[The Bazaar] Dancing the Day Away [Open]

[Jezabelle]

Summer 510 AV Day 2

It was still early in the day as Jezabelle emerged into the cavernous area that was the bazaar. She pursed her lips and looked this way and that, a little smile tugging at her lips at the almost comforting hum of activity that was already rising. She stood for a moment in the entranceway lost in thought with her simple dark blue cloak wrapped tightly around her with its hood well up and shading her face. It was strange in its own way, how safe this place made her feel. There were uncountable eyes with unknown purposes behind them all around her and yet... once she'd gotten used to the sheer amount of noise and life that ran rampant through it they didn't seem to be as important. More of an oddity was the fact that It didn't matter how many times she came down here she could never put her finger on exactly why she felt this way. Maybe it was just the thought that if the worst came to the worst and she had to run it'd be child's play to do so in the warrens the stalls made.

"Out of the way!" came a booming shout from behind her, startling her out of her reverie as she jerked to one side, the end a heavy looking beam appearing right where she'd been standing with samples of rich furs nailed to it. Jezabelle muttered a hasty Sorry" and set off through the bazaar towards her usual spot. She made way with her head slightly bowed, nimbly dodging past those setting out their stalls for the day's coming business. She liked to get down here while everyone was still setting up, people who recognised her were less likely to talk to her while they were all occupied with their own affairs after all, something that she was always grateful for. Still there were those who did have the time to greet her and for those she always nodded and exchanged brief greetings in reply, quickly moving on before they tried to say anything further and drag her into a conversation.

Soon enough she reached the fountain that was her destination. It was a simple little thing that flowed with four merry sounding trickles into its shallow pool. It sat in the middle of an intersection between the packed stalls, a patch of clear ground in amongst the hustle and bustle of commerce. It'd taken her a month of shifting round the bazaar to find this spot, ideal in many ways what with the greater passing trade who were usually either seeking water or simply a way through. More important than that though, at least as far as Jezabelle was concerned, was the small brazier that sat next to it. It was simply a god send during the fall and winter and even though summer was coming on apace the morning's down here were still a little chilly for her liking, particularly when she removed her cloak and was left with just her costume.

Jezabelle laid out the rug she'd brought with her as she did each day, both a barrier against the leeching cold of the stone through her thin slippers and the fact that dancing on stone in thin slippers very quickly gives you sore feet. The rug was decorated with a simple little design made up of swirls of bold, cheery colours and had served its purpose for quite some time now. In fact it was starting to look a little frayed here and there. Jezabelle added replacing it to her mental to-do list as she laid a small clay dish and her deck of Tarot cards on the corner that always, always curled up before perching on the edge of the fountain close the brazier's warmth. It'd warm up in here soon once the crowds started to gather and then it would be time for her to perform but for the moment she could simply sit and luxuriate in the heat as she swung her heals back and forth, beating out a spiky rhythm on the fountain's edge. She reached beneath her cloak and pulled a small apple from within, breakfast for the day, and tossed it idly from hand to hand. It'd be time to start her day's performances soon judging by the state of the nearby stalls, but she could spare another couple of minutes, another couple of nice warm minutes.

[Skylar]

It was strange how the day-to-day affairs of mortals seemed so unimportant to Skylar. Over time, perspective and knowledge shifted until there remained only an uncertainty that the trivial matters ever mattered at all. Skylar was having one of those days, where he was having serious doubts he was EVER human, today. It was nothing more than a simple little trip through the bazaar that prompted these feelings, but the way everyone cared so much disturbed him.

They cared about a few stray coins, about a sip of water or wine, about food, air, warmth. The shortest of the short term fulfillment that Skylar could not understand at all. Where was their desire to act? It was said the shorter-lived the species, the more driving their need to accomplish. Skylar could see none of that here, only the desperate scrounging and weird, cyclical struggle. Say what you wanted to about Skylar, he didn't need to perform such routine maintenance.

The jaded cynicism hardly suited his new body. The young man who's face he now wore would not have thought as he did, certainly. The boy had been barely fifteen after all, and not the kind to care. He'd probably indulge in that mindless repetition, even!

Skylar then spotted the girl. An entertainer of some sort, if he had to venture a guess. These types were interesting. Warm and personable enough, usually, but when business started all of that personality and friendliness became merely an act. It was frightening how a mantle meant to entertain others causes such callousness in the entertainer.

Some unfathomable whim made him stop near the fountain, where he took a sip of water he neither tasted upon his black tongue nor felt in his stomach. Nor did it sate his long thirst. He looked over at the girl, a good opening line would break her momentum.

"Let me guess... fortune teller. Or magician."

[Jezabelle]

OoC: By the way, anyting in italics represents Jezabelle's thoughts rather than speech.

Edit: Not entirely sure which body you're in at the moment Skylar, hope I didn't get anything wrong with Jezabelle's impressions.

BiC:

Jezabelle was still tossing her breakfast from one hand to the other while half heartedly watching the nearby stall holders making their final preparations. There was Marcus across the way, sitting on that little three legged stool of his amongst his rugs, his usual steaming morning cup of tea in his hand. Theresa with her little pots was in the next stall over dusting off her wares as she smiled up at the few people who were already making their way through the bazaar. Jezabelle guessed they were here early for something in particular, that or maybe they were just morning people? Who knew, who cared? They were passing trade and that meant it was past time for her to get to work.

She threw the apple one last time across her body, right to left, when someone she hadn't noticed said:

"Let me guess... fortune teller. Or magician."

Jezabelle jumped in surprise, the apple sailing past her left hand and landing on the stone floor beyond the rug and rolling round in a litle circle. A little hiss of frustration escaped her lips beneath the hood as she sat looking down at it for a moment or two. Oh hells... well... I've eaten worse I guess... can't keep a customer wating either now can I?

Jezabelle came smoothly to her feet, whipping the cloak off as she did and turned towards the voice, revealing her black show dress with its red trim and a bright smile on her face as she took a couple of steps forwards. "Right in part first time sir, care to hear what the future holds for you? Cross my palm with silver and alllll will be reveled." Her smiled widened slightly, her left hand beckoning him forwards as she twirled back across the rug with the skirts of her dress billowing out and headed towards her fallen breakfast. Mid-twirl she bent smoothly, still pivoting on her back heal, and flicked the apple back into the air with her left hand, turning once more before catching it in her right.

"If not perhaps you'd like to stay and see the show? There isn't a better dancer than me in the whole bazaar you know." She finished with a coy little wink, the familiar, easy sales patter tumbling from her lips. And so begins another day...still, beats being dead doesn't it.

She took a moment to look over her first customer, trying to guage his reaction so far. He was young, looked... tired, or perhaps a little strung out judging by the bags under his eyes. Maybe he'd spent too long in one of the taverns? Doesn't matter what he's been up to does it? As long as he's willing to pay he's welcome to stay. And those clothes say that he's certainly got the means to do so. Maybe today won't be so bad after all?

[Aedai]

The crowded bazaar was the one thing Aedai hated, it was pure suffocation. Huge crowds gathered more closely than trees did, all the shoving and pushing. Even the occasional bump here and there on places people shouldn't have their hands on. Aedai had learned caution from his father whenever they would enter the bazaar, one of the many things his father had passed on to him as he liked to remember it. The many stands and the rather curious items some held were at times interesting while some were boring. Aedai wasn't looking for anything interesting he was just passing by on his way out of the castle to find something interesting to do. Lately he had just been trying to help his mother out with sorting out her garden herbs that she used for medicine. Nobody ever really bought herbs from her, she just dealt with Medicine. She threatened to kick him out if he didn't find something to do soon. It was the start of summer some said, his father said summer is marked by hot sweaty days.

Aedai noticed something particularly interesting, instead of a stand or a stall it was a rug on the floor. There was a woman and a boy who looked about his age. He shrugged and approached out of curiosity. He wondered what this was all about, he never noticed the rug set up in the Bazaar. It was afterall the Bazaar,Should be nice to see where this goes.

He waved his hand, "hey there what do you do here?" He asked more of curiosity and interest. It was like his father use to say, a good amount of curiosity makes you a little wiser.

[Jezabelle]

OoC: Sorry Skylar but I've been waiting a while and you still haven't gotten back to me and since I want this thread to go... somewhere I'm going to be a little bit naughty I'm afraid.

BiC:

Jezabelle's winning little smile seemed to have no effect on her first customer who simply shook his head and walked away and she stared after his departing back with a little frown tugging at the corners of her lips. Ugh... win some lose some I guess... ah well, at least the crowds are starting to come through and there's a long day to go yet. The smile was back on her face as she curtsied to the passers by, her lips parting breathily as she prepared to sing the first notes to her routine when another interrupted her voice and called out from the crowd. She turned with a beaming smile and took in the newly arrived youngster walking towards her little patch of ground reserved by the brightly coloured rug. He was dressed for the outdoors judging by his leathers which made him a guide, maybe a hunter? Might have some coin, depends on how good work's been for him I guess. Still, nothing ventured nothing gained right?

Why hello young master!" She replied in a cheery voice, "I'm so glad you asked. Cross my palm with silver and I'll tell you what the fates have in store for you or perhaps you'd just like to stay and see the show? You'll not find a better dancer in the bazaar you know." The last was said in a confident, matter of fact tone and emphasised with a little shimmy of her hips, sending a ripple through the pleated skirt of her dress. That at least had drawn the attention of some of the other passers-by, at least if the boy wasn't interested she'd have a few others who might throw some copper and silver her way. Her smile was still fixed in place as she turned away on her tiptoes, taking little steps across the rub with her arms sweeping round to beckon to the crowd,

"Come one come all,
pierce the veil of time,
hear what your future holds!

Come one come all,
see the dance that'll
set a fire in your veins!"

Jezabelle's sweet voice rose as she half sang, half chanted her little advert. They weren't the greatest words she'd come up with but when set to the simple little melody she used they did seem to be having some effect. Gotta make 'em believe in you otherwise you'll never get 'em to stay. The words of someone from long ago in another life echoed in her head as she shimmied back across the rug to to the young man who'd called out. Graceful step flowing into graceful step, her hands raised over head and clapping out the rhythm she'd set for herself in a sharp staccato rhythm. She came to the edge of her rug and ended her little advert with a louder clap to match the stamp of each foot and looked at him questioningly. "Anything else you'd care to know young master? Or did I answer your question well enough?" she asked with a little laugh and a cheeky wink, hearing the clatter of a couple of coins finding their way into her clay dish behind her.

[Aedai]

He was a bit surprised, this dancing activity was something new he had never heard of. The way she moved invoked something within him but he tried to ignore it and pass it off as anxiety. His father use to say anxiety is the weird feeling you get when you can't wait to do something. It didn't feel like anxiety but he would rather pass it off as that then start wondering what her movements were provoking in his head. He was alot more interested in knowing what she would have to say about his future, Aedai had recently learned that magic existed from Sir Tenegriso. Maybe she has some type of magic, power to do weird stuff, he thought to himself as he watched her give him a little wink. He didn't know whether to wink back or to stay passive but the wink had brought again the strange feeling that he couldn't put away.

He also didn't understand most of the things she was saying but he did get the whole point. He heard something about silver but all he had was gold. She is in a way selling herself or her skill in what could possibly be magic or weird-strange-provoking-feeling-movements.

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "How about telling me of my own future then?" It would be great to see how this works out, he kept his smile and his gaze at the woman. He found his gaze did linger to other parts of her body but he tried to keep it straight towards her eyes. He reached into his pocket and felt a couple of coins juggle between his fingers. He felt a few in his pocket and only hoped it was enough.

"How much will it cost me?" He asked.

[Jezabelle]

The kid was looking worried and confused by the opening of her act, didn't he get it? Had he never seen someone dance before? Or maybe she was coming on too strong? Though given the way his eyes were wandering it might just be that he was embarrassed. He was younger than she'd first pegged him as, and that meant he might be more willing to part with more than she was asking. Since he'd asked about the price he was definitely interested and a definite silver at the very least was better than the providential loose change that ended up in her bowl. "It'll cost you a silver miza young sir, just a little silver to hear what the future has in store for you. Bargain at twice the price really isn't it?" She asked as she turned a quick twirl again, hoping to catch the eye of other potential customers to make sure they were listening. The kid was good advertising all by himself really, easy enough to entrance and reel in, bringing a small crowd in behind them who were curious to see what was going on. Couldn’t have planned it better really, looks like it’ll be a good morning after all!

Jezabelle took a couple of steps back, her hips swaying slowly from side to side with a wicked little smile on her face. Draw him in, maybe get a little extra off him. He can manage it if the quality of those leathers is anything to go by. She had to admit there were some little pangs of guilt at what she was thinking of doing but at the end of the day it was for the children... those that could afford to lose a little should do if it was to support them, shouldn't they? "However young master, a silver miza only gets you your basic fortune, good for a couple of months maybe, depends really on what the fates see fit to reveal you see and they’re fickle beings at best." She grinned again, hoping that he was falling for the amount of rubbish she was spouting, the more ridiculous and mystical it sounded the more people fell for it, it was what they expected from a fortune teller and it never paid to disappoint your audience now did it?

Jezabelle slowly sank to the floor and crossed her legs beneath her skirt, one hand reaching out to pat the ground in front of her in an invitation for her newest customer to sit opposite her. "If you'd rather get the more... exclusive service though a gold miza will see to it that you get a full prediction, tell you what's coming for a good couple of years if the cards and the fates that drive them favour you." She reached for her deck and started shuffling the cards slowly, cutting the deck every couple of rounds the cards made as she waited for the young man to join her. "The name's Jezabelle by the way, nice to meet you. What's your name? The fates need to know you see else they can't direct the cards to tell you your fortune. If they didn't know who you were who knows who's destiny they'd tell?" She giggled prettily, the pangs of guilt spiking through her belly again as she sat there waiting for him to join her with that same little welcoming smile masking how she felt. It's all for the kids girl, all for the kids. Just gotta remember that.

[Aedai]

She seemed friendly and looked honest enough. Aedai couldn't help but feel nervous, crowds were beginning to form around him and he hated crowds. He prefered a crowd of trees over a crowd of humans. He was raised in a forest and it was only natural to feel this way, he was human himself so he wondered why everyone have to huddle so closely together like animals. It made him feel uncomfortable and all the more willing to get this little curiosity of his over and done with. He looked around once to see how many people were beginning to huddle and shove just to see what was going on. His left his eyes on the woman as she explained how her business worked.

She sat on the rug and beckoned him to sit, he felt almost compelled to and sat in front of her. She said it was one silver to see into the future but one gold coin see even farther. He didn't know the difference between gold and silver since his father or mother never taught him the value of money. If he had to guess from how the woman had explained it, gold is worth more than silver. Jezabelle, as she had introduced herself, sat with a nice welcoming smile. Aedai helped himself and sat down, taking out a gold coin from his pocket and laying it on her palm. "My name is Aedai, Aedai Releah if you need my last name", he said with a smile making himself sit more comfortable on the rug.

He had never given someone his last name since he never thought it was necessary. He thought it might be now since these 'fates' whoever they were might need it. "Thats all I really got so take it and I guess I'll have your err 'exclusive services'", he said the last bit slowly trying not to embarass himself. He had more gold from what his father had, but no silver. Better to give gold than a silver. Right?

[Jezabelle]

That's all he's got... does he mean that's all the money he's got in the world or right now? Ugh... now I... wait a chime, I heard the mizas in his pocket so... ah, never mind, money in hand and it's one with the show! Jezabelle had been confused by what the kid, Aedai, had said but decided it was better to just ignore it and get on with things. It was a good thing she was used to keeping her thoughts to herself as far as her expressions went, she didn't to confuse the kid anymore. He might want his money back or something after all. "Thank you kindly young sir, now I'll draw five cards from the deck, totally at random you see, letting the fates guide my hand to show you what your future holds. Then, once the cards are laid out we'll see what they have to say for themselves,"
she said, keeping her tone rather jolly and friendly.

"So... Let's begin shall we?Jezabelle took a deep breath, her eyes starting to wander as her nimble fingers flipped through the deck that lay in her palm, drawing 5 cards without even looking at them and laying them out face down and roughly in the shape of a sword, her eyes having come to a slightly unfocused rest staring at a point roughly half a foot above Aedai's head. Jezabelle had found that it always helped to sell the bullshit about the fates if you pretended they had some measure of control over you as you drew the cards when she'd first tried this routine.

She blinked a couple of times and looked a little confused, her head quickly looking from one side to the other, as if she didn't know where she was, before she looked back at Aedai and smiled. "It's always the strangest sensation being a channel for them, the fates I mean... you always feel slightly lost when they leave..." She was laying it on thick she knew, but this performance was as much for his benefit as it was for the people behind him. The more she sold this little fairytale the better her takings for the day would be after all.

She looked down at the cards and then back up at Aedai with an approving expression on her face. "Look at that Aedai, it's just as I thought. The minute you walked over I knew that if I did a reading for you this is what they'd say. You see the pattern here, how it's in the shape of a sword? That pattern's their way of saying that they see great courage and strength within you." Well, maybe there was some of that in the kid, she didn't really care either way, she just knew that boys of his age usually liked hearing something likw that. Tell 'em roughly what you think they want to hear and they'll lap it up and ask for more, long as there's the right amount of mystical crap to go with it that is... were the thoughts running through her head as her free hand crept forwards to the card closest to Aedai at the point of the sword pattern she'd made, her fingertips resting at its edge and ready to flip it over. "Now, are you sure you want to see what they have to say? You can always back out now and I'll be happy to give you your miza back. There are always those who don't like what the fates say is instore for them you see..." She trailed off, her face radiating good natured concern as she waited for his response, one last little verbal flourish to draw him and the people beyond in to her act. It didn't always work it had to be said but you kept more customers than you lost. The idea that others had been through this same thing and believed was a comfort for most, a reassurance that there was nothing wrong in what they were doing.

[Aedai]

He kept his eyes on the cards as she called them and kept his eyes on the shape the cards made as she laid them out flatly on the rug. It formed the shape of a sword. He didn't know whether any of it was true or not, the experiance was solely what he was curious about. To see what she did, to see what the whole point of her being in the Bazaar was. It is entertainment, it was for money, she uses her skills for gold rather than to help, not the nicest way to gather money but it seems to work for her. He thought to himself quielty while he watched her work with the cards. She said he was marked by courage and strength, he had to disagree. With what happened to his father's corpse, he had finally gotten over it but it left him with the impression that he wasn't strong at all.

He was beginning to doubt her abilities, she said she had lost connection for a moment. Maybe she got the first one wrong because of that? He watched closely to see more and when tempted to continue he shrugged his shoulders. "Sure go right ahead, might as well see how this works out", he gave her a smile and kept his gaze back down towards the cards. He had watched her little act and figured he never wanted to deal with these 'fates' whoever they were. I don't want to feel lost, not ever again, not by some strange force that is out of my control, and with this thought he was beginning to have doubts he even wanted his future read.

Can't back down now, or else it would be just like before and I would end up not knowing anything at all.