Gypsy Camp II

[Trader]

Trader awoke with a start, his hand instictively reaching inside his battered jacket, and then stopping as he opened his eyes...he sighed, and then dropped his hand from his knife...none of these people were evil...none of them would try and steal his soul, or drain his lifeblood...he looked up at the sun, wishing it could warm him, and then began to notice the commotion...
"i think the wolf and i will go hunting...would anyone like to join me? My hands are getting older, and i cant hold a bow as well as i used to, but i can track..."

 

[cheekyminx]

Mink

The man held me. I was still sobbing and hiccupping into his shoulder. They were strong. I allowed myself to be held for a while before looking up into the mans face.
His eyes were blue, a kind blue. I smiled. He had blond hair.
"Thankyou kind sir for offering your help, but I fear no one can help me." I looked around the camp. Children running around happily. I bowed my head. I looked up at him and smiled. I was about to say something but my tummy rumbled loudly as the aromas of the various stews and cooking meat wafted past my nose.
My mouth watered, and a passing woman offered me some food. "Thankyou so much" I said. I began to eat. I offered to share my food with Fant. As we were both eating, I told him where I came from.
"My father is Lord Dedben. He has a large estate near the New Forrest, close to Portsmith. Im his only daughter. He wanted to acquire more land...but to do that he had to promise my hand in marriage. So he did" I explained. "Only I wasnt about to marry an olgre" I yawned.
Feeling truely safe I nestled up along side Fant, and fell asleep.

 

[intriguess]

Mysteria

OOC wonder where Thomas went

IC

I held his hand and smiled kissing his forehead telling him to rest. I finally had Terra's attention and planned on seeing her while I could. I knew Hoytas departure was tough on her and I simply hoped she would tell me something useful.

We spoke in hushed voices as I told her of my vision of the twins. The little boy and girl calling me mommy, how one distinctly looked like Martine with the swarthy coloring of gypsy's and black hair. The other one paler with freckles and lighter complexion. I was torn between them, and I murmured that while Thomas knew I was going to have twins he did not know one of them was surely Martine's child. I bite my lip and held her hands. I drew the cards, first the empress, and ending with the lovers.

I ran my fingers through my dark curls as we pondered over the cards

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

After having spent some time in Ria's presence Thomas felt his longings for her all too keenly. When Martine returned, wounded Thomas had withdrawn from the scene, leaving Ria and the others to taking care of him. It was late at night now. Ria had gone to speak with Terra, leaving Martine alone in her vardo to heal. Thomas's stomach was all twisted in knots with his violently conflicting feelings for Ria. She carried his child, or children it would seem... But she was with Martine. He had no right to think of her in the manner he so genuinely wished. Remembering one of the things he was taught while he learned the use of a blade, Thomas forced himself to go to the vardo where martine slept. He nocked, his heart racing with the effort to keep himself locked into this course of action. Confronting Martine, just as he had Ria, with his feelings for her...

 

[Guest]

The spread

here is the lay out:
http://www2.dgsys.com/~bunning/ccross.jpg

First card: The present, questioner, theme, starting point. is The Empress
Second card: The momentary obstacles, problems, distractions
The cross card is Hierophant
Third card: Motivation or reason to ask the question (probably unknown) Two of Cups
Fourth card: the past, decreasing influences The Moon
Fifth: Potential, chances, is Two of Pentacles
Sixth: Future, increasing influences is The High Priestess

Seventh card: The person of the questioner, previously unknown aspects is: Five of Wands
Eighth card: Surroundings of the questioner; how others perceive them: Queen of Pentacles
Ninth card: The hopes and fears of the questioner is The Fool
Tenth card: a summary or an aspect that will become meaningful. The Lovers

Interpretation:
The Empress represents your feminine wisdom and nurturing. Your intellectual self is your own obstacle. Perhaps you are overanalyzing your situation. You are seeking comfort with your question. Your past influences have been your emotions. Your potential is harmonious change. Your future influences is mysterious hidden knowledge.

You have had much inner confrontation. Others see you are goodhearted and gentle. You are on a new journey, and you fear your own innocence and lack of knowledge. You will end in Union and harmony.

 

[Morgoth]

When Mink had fallen asleep at his side, Fant took a blanket out of his pack and spread it over her. "Poor girl", he repeated to himself.

 

[intriguess]

Mysteria

I left her vardo as confused as I was before I sit under the full moon and let it's gentle light bathe me. I missed the simplicity of my own life, the life I had planned with Roberto. The children were what mattered though, and closing my eyes I could cleary see the image of them. I blinked back a few tears and smiled. First I would tell them about the children, and see how that went and from there I would rebuild my life and my family.

 

[Morgoth]

Fant sat with Mink at his side, and looked through his pack. At last, when he had found what he wanted, he took it out and hid it.

 

[tighe]

martine

I heard a knock at the door of the vardo, or did I? I was feeling much better, but had been drifting in and out of sleep. Closing my eyes I decided it was a dream. Just as I did, it came again. Steadying myself, I raised up on an elbow. "Enter." I called. The door opened and I saw it was Thomas who came to visit. Inside I sighed, knowing this day would come. Outwardly, I smiled at him, hoping it would not degrade into anything more than a spirited conversation. "Thomas, welcome. I am afraid you catch me at a disadvantage, but please, have a seat and be comfortable." The dagger kept under my pillow fell into place in my palm. 'Don't do anything stupid, Thomas.' I thought to myself. Outside I heard footsteps approaching. Someone to join us.

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

"Martine..." Thomas said, trying to keep his voice even and free of the emotion he was feeling. "I heard you had been injured. I... I came to see if you were well..." He said, suddenly finding it imposible to speak what he truly wished to. He took the seat that Marine had offered and looked up at Martine. His lips parted as he tried to speak, but they simply worked mutely. He lowered his head feeling like a miserable fool for having even thought to go through with confessing his love for Ria to Marine.

 

[tighe]

martine

Thomas took the seat I offered. His demeanor was not violent, but more, searching. He stumbled over his words, not saying what he came to say, I was sure. "Thanks you, Thomas. It is very kind of you to check on me." I watched as he sat there. "I only hate that I lost a very good horse today." I was hoping to give him the opportunity to speak his mind.

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

As he kept his gaze locked on his feet Thomas warred with the words, finally forcing them out. "I love Ria." He turned his eyes up to look at Martine for the briefest of moments then back to his feet they went. And as they did he once again fought to speak his heart.

 

[cheekyminx]

Mink

"No No..leave me alone. I wont..no no" I jumped up and looked around confused and scared. It was dark and quiet.
I realised I must have been dreaming. My heart was racing, feeling like it would bounce through my chest.
Trying to relax, I didnt want to wake Fant next to me, thats if I hadnt already done so.
I took a deep breath and snuggled up against him. I couldnt close my eyes, I couldnt go back to sleep.
Looking at the sky, it would soon be morning. I had some decisions to make. Do I keep running, or ask someone if I can stay on with the gypsies.
Laying, listening to the first sounds of the birds in the trees, and people beginning to rustle about.

 

[Morgoth]

Tears came to Fant's eyes as he heard Mink's words. He hated to decieve her, but he was wide awake, watching everything and everyone around the camp, looking for possible troublemakers.

 

[cheekyminx]

Mink

It was starting to get cold in the early morning. It was still dark, but daybreak wasnt so far away.
I couldnt get back to sleep.
Gypsies I thought. Could I really live with them? Or would I place them in danger. I know how much my father wanted that land. Oh hell who was I kidding..it wasnt land. It was power that he wanted. Would he come after me...yes of course he would. He wanted power that much, like he craved it.
Remembering the children playing yesterday. So happy. What if my father sent men after me. And I would have to tell the gypsies about my father. It wouldnt be fair to have them in danger...especially the children.
I sat up. No..maybe it was better if I went. I really didnt notice Fant at first. Until I felt his eyes on me.
He was awake afterall.
I looked at him, meeting his blue eyes.
I have to go I said.

 

[tighe]

martine

Thomas finally managed to speak. "I love Ria." He said quickly, his eyes dropping to the floor again. "I know you do." I told him. "So do I." I waited. "Thomas, I do not want to be your enemy. I have no arguement with you. It is Mysteria who will make our decision. You and I have little say in the matter." His eyes met mine once again. "Good luck to you." I told him.

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

"Yes... It is her decision. And I fear it..." The words were coming a little easier now. It was like a flood gate being opened. "Fear that she will never forgive my foolishness..." Frowning he looked up at martine. "She carries twins... She saw it..." Thinking about the children Thomas began to smile. "Im the father... I want to be there for them... For as long as I can." Thomas stopped and looked directly at Martine. He wasn't sure how much he knew.

 

[Morgoth]

Fant stood up. "I will go with you. No, hush, don't argue. If you don't agree, I'll just follow you through the woods or wherever you go", said Fant. "By the way, I have something for you. Something that could help", he said, pulling out a small dagger, beautifully engraved and studded with many precious stones. He handed it to her, watching her admire it.

 

[intriguess]

Mysteria

I smiled as I looked for the two men, I couldn't find Thomas and finally went to the vardo I had been sharing with Martine. Upon opening the door the air was thick with tension. I didn't expect to see the two men I had been looking for staring each other down. I was at a loss for words as I managed to sit down comfortably.

"I've been looking for both of you. I wanted to speak to both of you. As you know, I'm pregnant with twins. A little boy and a girl, what you don't know it that they do not share a father."

I let the words sink in my fingers resting upon my abdomen.

 

[Ravenloft]

Thomas:

Looking into Ria's eyes curiously, it felt as though his heart was leadened down and that he might fall through the floor, directly to the pits of hell. "I... I don't understand Ria..." Was all he could say, he wanted to reach out and touch her but didn't dare. Instead he focused on her face. He didn't know why but it was as though she glowed with beauty. It was more than physical beauty though, it was something else that drew him to her. He dropped his hands limply into his lap as he fell stone silent and just gazed at her.

 

[tighe]

martine

Mysteria joined us in the vardo. Thomas had opened up to me about his feelings for her. He was young and was taking everything hard. His was still the way of the gadji, not the Rom. What will be was the way the gypsy lived. Truly, I did not want to lose this woman who had finally given me the possibility of family life. I watched the way her head tilted with her words. She would make the decision that was best for her and her children.

 

[cheekyminx]

Mink

The dagger was beautiful. I looked into this mans eyes. My mind in a whirl. I sat down again. Frowned.
"Im afraid of my father following me, and hurting the children here if I stay. But I dont know where to go, or what to do" I said while fingering the dagger.
Looking at him, seeing a world of knowledge and travel in his eyes, I decided to trust someone for the first time, in what seemed a forever.
I looked deep into his eyes "What should I do?"
I handed the dagger back to Fant. "Please take it back. Its beautiful, and you may need it yourself one day. Although Im honoured and most grateful of your giving it to me. Its..." her eyes welled with tears as she cried. She wasnt used to people giving her things without reason. She was, as far as her parents were concerned, a thing to be traded, to be used.
Mink was not used to unselfishnes or kindness.
"...beautiful" she whispered.

[Edited by cheekyminx on 01-25-2001 at 09:08 PM]

 

[Morgoth]

"Thank you, but I always have my sword", he said, handing back the dagger and raising the great weapon. "I do not share those thoughts with you, I am afraid. If you look around at this camp, you will notice quite a good number of experienced warriors", he said, pointing to a few different figures.

 

[intriguess]

Mysteria

I went on, "My life has been in turmoil since Roberto's death. Both of you will be fine fathers to my children. Thomas," I softly say turning to him seeing his eyes light up. "You have altered your life, you have changed, and I used you to have this child. You hurt me and I felt so alone, I never intended to hurt you and am sorry I did." I pause and look at Martine, "Martine, you were there when Roberto died, you were there when I was hurt. You have stirred new life in me when I thought my life was over. I needed that stability. I want my children to know the kind of paternal love I didn't have. If you make me choose right now, I will choose."

 

[cheekyminx]

Mink

I listened to Fants words. His was a voice of reason, of experience.
I thought for a moment and looked around the camp that was beginning to stir into life. I hadnt noticed any of the others when I walked in. Fant had been the first person to talk to me, and of course I noticed the children.
I looked into his eyes, "you really think I should stay?" I asked. He nodded.
I looked at the dagger again. It was beautiful. I tucked it in the top of my stockings. I blushed as I showed a bit more of my leg than I should have. "Thankyou" I whispered not looking at him.
But what could I do to help here. Up until now I had people waiting on me. I did know how to cook, but not hunt or anything else.
Biting the corner of my lip, I looked up at him. "Alright, I will stay. Do I need to ask if I can stay?" I said looking around the camp, breaking eye contact feeling a little different.

[Edited by cheekyminx on 01-26-2001 at 06:51 PM]