The Festival had been going on for a few days now. The Troupe were not able to take their carts, wagons, and Vardos inside the city walls, but they did have enough to pay a local farmer for storage and to watch them so they could go in without worry.
The first thing the Rovers had done after arriving was go shopping to resupply their goods and for some new fabric to make their clothes from. The next thing they did was scope out the land for their first targets. This was the the best time to make money all year so everyone seemed to be enthusiastic and in high spirits.
Streamers and banners hung from every lamppost and music bellowed from every corner and alcove. Confetti and glitter were everywhere - it littered the streets that were so crowded with people that it was difficult to move around without bumping into at least someone. There were acrobats dancing in the street and tightrope walkers balancing on wires high above. There were men on stilts, fire eaters, dancers, and more! There was always something new to see, and since this was Erya's first time at this festival it was a little overwhelming. Jack seemed unfazed however and simply led the way through without getting distracted by a single thing.
Jack made his way through this crowd like a man on a mission with Erya at his side. She watched as he tried to keep his hood pulled far over his head to hide his face but it was hard to keep it in place while being bumped about. When his free hand wasn't on the cowl of his hood it was reaching under his shirt to check if his money pouch was still there. He had the leather pouch full of their money and the precious gemstone he had received from Joseph tied around his neck and tucked under his shirt for safety. Erya wasn't surprised. She knew all too well the allure of crowds like this were to pickpockets as she had gone out many times before to do the same thing. On a good day she'd be able to pilfer enough pockets to feed the entire troupe for days so she really couldn't say anything about other people doing it.
Jack kept a tight grip on Erya's hand so she couldn't get separated from him as he pulled them from the busy street and into a shabby little shop. The shop was dimly lit and smelt heavily like a strange mixture of earth and fire in a way that she really couldn't put her finger on. Erya scrunched her nose for a moment as her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. While the outside of the shop was nothing special the inside was a whole other story! Beautifully hand-carved racks laid strewn about and crammed in amongst each other and each was either full, or partially full of weapons of all kinds. There were swords, hammers, axes, and spears of all kinds as well as several weapons that Erya couldn't put a name too. They all rested in artfully molded scabbards or carefully sewn sheaths. Each and every weapon looked like a lot of time and energy went into preparing it.
Jack ignored them all and walked straight up to a large wooden counter that supported a heavy cast-iron grill that stretched up from the countertop to the wooden support beams above. The most expensive looking weapons were displayed behind the grill. The light from a single candle resting on the counter flickered and danced off their blades and off of the carefully placed jewels that decorated their hilts.
Without warning Jack suddenly banged on the countertop a couple of times and called out, "Greyback!"
The noise startled Erya as it rattled a few glass containers on the counter and reverberated throughout the shop. She immediately stepped back away from the counter and held onto Jack's cloak.
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Aria was sort of staring off into space as she was pulling on the dress she had sent home for for this occasion. The smooth fabric moved through her fingers like water but she couldn’t focus on it.
‘You may take my arm.’ she’d told him. And those 5 words changed everything. She had been willing to give this Lord Osborn the benefit of the doubt. He was a guy used to having his way, he had a charming eloquent air, a mild mannered look about him with his clothing choices and facial features. And it was clear from the way his eyes lit up when he found out who she was that he was interested in her now. She was a beautiful woman who was a Co-Ruler of an entire country. Though he seemed to have little real knowledge about her country. She was also unwed. This all was hardly a crime and she had dealt with this for a long time. Even Long ago before she had to be in charge of a whole country.
But her outlook on him changed when he did take her arm in his. A wave of disgust washed over her when he touched her that it was all she could do not to pull back from him. Not to curl her lip and show off the sharp teeth in a warning snarl when her arm was gently taken into the crook of his. And it only got worse as they shared a carriage ride to his home, accepted the invite to stay at his Pretentiously Lavish Mansion and attend the party that he was putting on the next day. And then witnessed how he treated his servants. Aria felt the mess that he was on the inside and wanted no part of it!
But she had to know why, through all of the sludge she felt from him, there was also that feeling about him that had her heart beating loudly in her own ears. Made her want to cry and sing with relief. And most startlingly, fly into his arms and never leave them. It bothered her how much it affected her. Her heart had never felt so alive in a thousand years. But why? The familiar presence she felt on him felt like it was attached…. but also not to him. It hung around him as tightly as a shadow…. but she was so confused. Her hands sifted through the few selections of jewelry she had also sent for along with her clothes. Choosing the ones that matched her gown choice best as she now sat in front of the mirror. Evainne was now helping her with her hair. Braiding and looping her long hair into a stunning arrangement. Like the Delphox’s mother had done once upon a time.
There was also the tang of a ghost type on him…
“You’re troubled Your Highness.” Evainne stated in a soft voice. Aria nodded her head and peered at her reflection in the mirror. Her aqua freckles were something she never hid with powder. But she did choose a lip-stain for the night. Something to compliment what she was wearing and her.
“I am. This Lord Osborn troubles me.” she sighed in frustration as the Vixen took Aria’s selection of tiara into her hands and came around to carefully place it on her head once Aria had put her Masquerade Mask on.
“His energies taste vile. If I may be so bold My Lady, I would not allow his attentions if it were me.”
“I would rather not myself but there is a puzzle about him that I Must solve. I cannot rest until I do.”
“I do not understand.” Evainne shook her head and stepped back as Aria stood and slowly twirled to get her gown and hair to settle into place.
“Neither do I. But I feel that I will very soon.” Her dress was a work of art that gave Aria an even more ethereal look. The gossamer veil over her hair and the regal cape of the same material giving the impression of a rare, delicate butterfly. She gave a second slow twirl and thanked Evainne before making her way through her rooms. Passed the rest of her guard that oo-ed and awe-ed at how she looked, and then out and towards the ballroom.
