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Date: 06-29-10
Poster: Vincent Hamilton
Post # 1
Strange
Happenings
The Celtic Gardens were a place of wonder, a haven of enchantment amidst
the busy everyday doings of a prosperous kingdom. It was always a
pleasant temperature here, warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
For those attuned to magic, it all but thrummed in the air, mingling
with the sounds of buzzing bees and chirping birds. Every color seemed
unnaturally bright, with flowers of fuchsia and canary yellow and
violet, and neon green grass as far as the eye could see. Fountains
gurgled here and there, and it was on the edge of one of these where the
Knight sat. All of the accoutrements of his profession were replaced by
the garb of a simple country man, the sort his comrades so loved to
jibe. But here, there was nobody to say him wrong. The silence was
complete but for the faint whispers that one could catch only if they
sat perfectly still for long enough. His fingers idly traced through the
cool waters as he let the peace of the place wash over him.
Her travels were never ending and the Lady ranger seemed to prefer this
kind of life style. To always be on the move and never settle down for
too long a time in a single place. She was of a free spirit, kindred
with nature itself. Her features were unmarred by the journeys
traveled, by the battles fought, and by the life lived thus far. In her
time, she'd visited many places, some that remained and others that were
nothing more of legends and myths to be told at camp fires and bed
times. For awhile now she and Finbar had slowly made their way into the
new lands known as Heathfield by passersby in their idle talk. While
most spoke of the busy and bustling hot spots, it was the whispers of
the Celtic Gardens that beckoned her attention and requested her
presence, almost all on its own. Of course, Kennocha seem to be drawn to
such places naturally. One had to wonder if she had wandered upon these
locations, or if she was there for a reason. As she neared closer to the
desired destination, she dismounted the white stallion with the kind of
grace and well calculated movements that only her type were capable of.
Alluring... whether intentionally or not, she allowed those dark
cerulean hues to drift idly and take in the serene surroundings. The
figure of a lone man however would have her settle her gaze upon him for
only a moment. She'd remain quiet and once Finbar was settled, she'd
remain so as not to disturb the man's peace... for now at least. She was
ever the observant one before allowing herself to initiate things.
It was that kind of night where the humidity was so high, one could
stand in place and sweat. The light breeze offered little help in
changing that factor. Vincent had gone through the water gauntlet of
which he was presently, pleasantly soaked. Hair was still dripping as
was the poet's shirt stuck to his skin, forming a second layer. It
didn't bother him for it would dry as would the cut off pants he wore.
About the only thing dry were his sandals. He had gone looking for his
comrades and remembered that Thane had a favoring of the Celtic Gardens
and after that episode where Simon had gone there and came back with
sparkles on his skin, got it on his too, it was time to take a trip
there. The walk was pleasant and not all the far as he could feel the
change in the air as if it was electrically charged. Wide belt held the
empowered sword he was knighted with and set to his hand alone.
Steps slowed as he caught sight of not only his comrade but a lass. Had
he interrupted something? A slow grin was on the rise. The only warning
of his presence given was the low grunt under his breath.
The man's features were largely obscured by a shock of dark hair, the
locks long enough to fall across his brow and eyes. Nonetheless there
was a distant cast to his eye, his body in a pose of deep thought. Far
away as he was, he ever had an ear tuned to his surroundings, and the
presence of another was noted... even if he did not look her way for
several seconds. When he finally did look her way, she might get that
feeling that he had noticed her the moment she stepped into the place. A
blink of surprise was given, however, to see a stranger standing
there... and for a moment he could believe the stories of exotic beings
walking these gardens. She had that fey look to her, almost as if born
of the flowers and trees themselves. Coming to his feet, Thane was just
about to find his tongue and address her, which was when Vincent made
himself known with that Neanderthal grunt. Now he could only look
between the two of them, a bit at a loss. "Vincent... hello."
His voice was deep and quiet.
Kennocha continued to walk along the outer edges of the garden for the
most part. While her attention was undoubtedly drawn toward the flowers,
the trees, and all the other beautiful living things found close by, she
could feel the weight of his stare upon her. The kind that seem to be of
awe struck perhaps? She did often get odd looks, but it was something
she had grown accustomed to over the many years of her life span. Slowly
those mysterious hues of dark blue cut to the corners as she glanced to
him from over the one shoulder void of fabric or weapon. Long red
tresses seem to sway ever so lightly with the soft turn of her head.
When the male stood to his feet, she knew he was about to say something
and slowly she was turning to face him fully. However, the arrival of
another came and those cerulean hues drifted toward him a moment. A slow
studying type gaze drifted along his form from head to toe and then back
as her chin slightly lifted. It seemed the two knew one another and
since she felt she was possibly interrupting something, she'd be the
first to speak. "I'll not be long. I only wished to come and admire
the beauty that's rumored." This was said to both of course before
she grew silent once more and awaited their response or reply.
It was near immediately noticed that the air became dryer here, not the
humidity that blanket the rest of the lands. Vincent's hair was a shock,
for he had run and rubbed his fingers through it getting the excess
moisture out best he could. It left it sticking out every which way it
wanted. Usually a man would run his hand over knowing the shock his
hair would appear but not Vince, no, he left it that way looking like a
dark haired Einstein. "Thane," with a slight dip of his head
in respect of his comrade. "I am not intruding?" Glancing from
him to the lady, "miss.." pulling at the shirt to get it
unstuck from his skin, he did that much for his appearance. Realizing
then the lass was on her own and so much for assumptions, he smiled
cordially, "you are welcome to stay as long as you wish,"
eyeing Thane the moment but felt he had no objection unless he wanted to
be totally alone. In that case he would have picked a spot none of them
would have happen upon. "I am Sir Vincent and this is one of my
comrades, Sir Thane. Are you traveling through the lands m'lady?"
"No... no," he swiftly replied, and a bit uncomfortably. He
should have known Vincent would imply that something was afoot, as much
as his comrades enjoyed baiting him. And that negation would be his only
words for now, as he fell into the role of silent observer. With the
more outgoing Vincent around, it was a much easier role for Thane to
assume. He did incline his head towards the lady when he was introduced,
polite to the letter. Dark cobalt eyes flicked along her and then her
horse as he reached down to lift the empowered sword by its hilt,
where he'd set it on the ground. Now it was buckled about his waist.
That mysterious gaze would continue to travel between the two men as
each seem to take their turn in responding in their own little ways be
it by voice or gesture. However, a thin red brow arched as it seemed
there was plenty to assume at least by one male. That thought alone
would have her smirking if for no one else but herself as the idea that
came to mind was amusing. When she was told she was welcome to stay for
as long as she liked, the redhead would nod and smile. "Thank you,
and yes... I tend to find myself on the road quite a bit. It's the life
I know and love." she replied before there was a slow gaze upward
as she let herself be distracted by a few fireflies. Her smile would
grow, and it was the kind of smile that sometimes made people envious of
the emotions that normally accompanied such a bright, warm, smile. Those
eyes would come to fall upon both men yet again. "My apologies,
allow me to introduce myself." she paused a moment and debated on
whether to close the distance between herself and them. While she was
not armed with man made weapons, she could still pose a threat to
certain people. Like those that might be a bit paranoid? Yet, she didn't
seem to get that feeling from either man. "My name is Kennocha
McGowan, and its a pleasure to meet you both." There was a nod of
her head to each of them before her gaze would come to shift between
each.
With the heat and humidity it seemed to be a perfect night for a swim.
And so it proved to be. Simon had spent a few hours at the lake,
enjoying the water. The dampness of his hair would be a sign of where he
had been. He was on a search for his comrades-in-arms, first at the
castle, training fields, and sparring hall, then at the Thistle.
Finally, knowing Thane often sought out the Gardens, he made his way
there. He heard voices and followed them, pausing at the sight of his
two friends and a strange female.
His hand didn't rest on the hilt of his sword, not in this place anyway.
"Welcome to the lands, Kennocha," taking the moment to
pronounce it correctly. It was not a usual name. He noticed the Fae look
about her for he had met a few others here of kind. Although he hadn't
gotten to know them, hadn't gotten too close to any female to know them
more than passing. Perhaps he was too particular or trusted more in fate
for there to be something outstanding. It didn't, however, stop him from
teasing his comrades over an unusually pretty lass and this one
qualified there. He caught sight of Simon probably at the same time as
he did of them. It was the buzz he felt that drew his attention from
Simon to the sheathed empowered sword, "what the.." lifting it
up a fraction as light flowed from it a split second only to be dashed
away as he shoved it back in completely again. "Simon," moving
towards him, "where did find those, ah," lowering his voice,
"butterflies." Right. Both knew it.. all three knew he was not
talking about butterflies.
In truth Thane was a bit relieved that his comrades had shown up, even
if it meant an end to his quiet solitude. It also meant that he would
not be on his own to converse with an unfamiliar lady. Put him on the
field of battle and he knew just what to do. When it came to
conversation, however... he was usually at a loss. Glancing over when
Simon appeared, he nodded his greetings to the other Kingsman then
quirked a brow towards Vince. His gaze dropped down to his own sword,
fingers closing around the hilt that vibrated just slightly... sliding
it up out of its sheath only half an inch before shoving it back in.
What did this mean? A gaze lingered on Vince and Simon as they talked,
before he realized that they were rather leaving the lady out of the
loop. His lips quirked in a faint, apologetic smile to Kennocha.
"Again, thank you. Though, I feel as if perhaps I might be.. well,
imposing on a meeting of sorts." she offered politely and with a
small smile. Her name? No, it wasn't of the usual sort and it was often
remembered easily for such. As for her fair features, was she of
the Fae or of the Elven kin? No one would know really unless of course
they came to be close friends with the lady ranger. As for the male
gender? Well, Kennocha got along with them just fine as long as they
didn't give her a reason not to be. For the redhead could be quite the
handful, or two, full of trouble as friend, foe or love interest. While
there seem to be an awkward silence that fell over them, another male
seemed to soon join and to be honest, this made Kennocha wonder if
perhaps she had stumbled across an all male populated region, almost of
course as she had seen other females along her journey here. That
thought brought a self pleasing smile of bemusement to her natural berry
colored lips. A nod and warm friendly smile was granted to the third
male just as she had given the others. Though, her gaze would fall to
each of their weapons as they seemed to have.... sensed something.
Her brow arched curiously, but she of course wouldn't question them of
it. She after all was the stranger, and well, Kennocha could learn quite
a bit by being the observer rather than the interrogator. Things seem to
go much more smoothly that way. It was best really, for all...
Butterflies? It took him a moment before he caught on, distracted as he
was by the reaction of the sword. "Ah, over toward the fountain,
that way." He motioned and gave Vincent a slight smile. "And
in reality they found me." He had reason enough to keep things to
himself. Interrupting? If they wanted to have a private meeting, they
surely wouldn't have been in the Gardens. "I was at the lake, and
saw one of the Egyptian lasses. Very exotic. Almost otherworldly."
The Fae blooded (or partially Elven) lass looked about to take flight,
maybe it was his hairdo? This was Vincent's first visit here since they
came in from Kildare. He tended to spend his time at the spar field, the
king's field and the lake. He noted Thane noticing the same when it
dawned on him, "I think the crystal cave is near here where they
were empowered by the Druid." That made sense to him. He started in
the direction where he heard the gurgling water as light played about
them in fireflies and something iridescent as if the fauna itself took
on light when night befell the lands, lending it as if a moon shown down
all the time even when there was no moon at all. "Exotic
Egyptians?" turning back around in a heel to face Simon, brows
rising, certainly that got his attention.
That did, indeed make sense, that the swords would react to being so
close to the place of their birth. He had felt that sensation before, on
his visits here... but having three of the swords together in one place,
it seemed to be stronger. He was mulling that over when he realized that
yet again, Simon and Vince had immersed themselves in conversation and
he was standing there, awkwardly quiet alongside the just as quiet Lady.
Eyes shifting to her as he cleared his throat and took it upon himself
to answer her. "It is no meeting, the presence of all of us here is
merely coincidence."
That apologetic smile from Thane hadn't gone unnoticed. She waited at
precisely the right moment and time to have her eyes meet his before she
gave the softest of nods in an acknowledgment of his apologetic smile.
Finbar snorted and normally Kennocha would not have bothered to glance
in his direction. However, since they were within new lands, and seemed
to be very near something of an enchanting nature, Kennocha cooed soft
reassuring words to her four legged friend. "I'm sorry my friend, I
did not mean to forget you." The words of course were of her kind,
and her tone was soft and melodic. While her normal talking voice was
pleasant enough, there seem to be a quality in this language and tone
that was drew attention well enough. When Thane spoke up, the ranger
looked back to him and nodded. "I was beginning to wonder."
she replied in the common tongue. "Have each of you resided here
long?" she asked, glancing to each of them in hopes to gain
some sort of a reply.
Vincent's turning nearly had Simon running into him and he laughed.
"Aye, two of them and two great hulking bodyguards. It seemed that
in their homeland, there is a Blessing of the Nile. They decided to do a
ritual to bless the Lake. It was quite interesting. I also get the
feeling that they sneak away from their guards as often as possible. But
the ritual made them seem quite mysterious. And their singing voices
were incredible." He was a short distance from Thane and the woman but
looked their way. "We're from a sister realm, Kildare, ruled by
King Leoric." And back to Vincent. "Do you want to search or
talk of the Egyptians?" Suppressing a grin with his question.
Vincent was really trying hard not to be the social one as it usually
landed on him to be so. Yet, he didn't want them to come off as rude
either. "Where do you hail from, Kennocha," yes, there was an
Irish accent there. "I see you remain in one piece, Simon,"
the laugh coming rugged and deep as certainly Simon got to see the
exotic Egyptian ladies, two even, and survived. His eyes were not burned
out in his skull by the two guards. Of course he didn't ever expect
anything like that to happen but it was an amusing thought in a way.
Then back to the lady, as he almost spoke up but bit his tongue instead,
leaving it to Thane. Instead, he commented to Simon, "seems you
have been quite taken with them. Perhaps I shall have to go to the lake
more often and see if I get so lucky." Grinning with that.
Thane's attention was drawn to Kennocha's horse, a fine creature, and he
watched her soothe it gently... approving of the way she did so. He drew
a breath to answer her query, but Simon beat him to it. As the others
bantered back and forth about Egyptian damsels, he glanced back to the
lass. "Aye, Kildare is a realm north of here. We serve its King,
but business sometimes brings us here." Falling quiet when Vincent
asked where she hailed from, and he awaited the answer, though he did
remember she had mentioned that she was something of a wanderer.
With the two nearly bumping into one another, it was hard not to chuckle
really. She cut her eyes amusingly from them to Thane and then back to
Vincent as he posed his own question once Simon had answered hers.
"I see.." this said to Simon first before her gaze would shift
between Vincent and Thane. "Me? My home is where I make it."
she replied with a friendly smile. "The road is my family and
Finbar there is my companion." she answered with. Since it seemed
the other two were already into conversation of much more appealing
subjects, (which she found funny) Kennocha took it upon herself to try
and indulge in conversation with the quiet one. "Business brings
you here often then, yes?" she then asked as she had picked up the
idea that he frequented these gardens often. How has she come to assume
this? His body language said it all as he was very relaxed and very at
ease here. That wouldn't be the case if this was unfamiliar territory to
him.
"Aye, I did, for I kept a respectful distance though I spoke to
them. It seems they live in Ballicastle and must travel quite a
distance." He shrugged, "I doubt if I'll see them again before
we return to Kildare. Then again, there are some fetching lasses
there." He gave Vincent a side glance. "Like Jael." And
with that, he stepped around Vincent and headed in the direction of the
fountain. "We won't be far, Thane!"
He hadn't answered his question, maybe because both notions were
enticing to him. He wasn't sure why that of the paranormal drew him
but it was tonight and had more and more since they joined up with King
Leoric and his twin brother. "The closest is always the best
choice," which he was here and there was Fae about. The Egyptians
were probably home by now. "I want to meet one of the Sylvan
Elves." He should be careful in what he wished, "I hear their
beauty is beyond compare, full blooded, their skin shines." Or
maybe it was the light in their eyes as well their smile if so graced
upon a mortal man. He wondered if Kennocha was related to the
traveling bard he heard of that came through the lands recently. Word
got around on those visiting even swifter than those about. "Surely
you have lands you were born in or originated from?" That reply
that never really answered the question always got him. Flashing a smile
her way as he was walking backwards, talking to them while following
Simon. The fountain was not that far a distance and he seemed to know
where to step without faltering. A blink then as he stopped with a
glance over his shoulder, "who is Jael?" It would seem Simon
was the one getting around with the ladies. "Wait, Jaelysa?"
Certainly there was her.
Her lifestyle was quite different from his own... nonetheless he could
understand the allure of it. The possibility of starting anew, creating
your own life each and every day. Certainly her life afforded plenty of
freedoms as well as its own set of hardships, he reflected. A brow
lifted briefly at her question as he realized just what she meant.
"To this place?" A blue gaze scanned the gardens. "No...
this is somewhere I come when I am not occupied with business."
Quietly spoken before Simon called out, and he gave his two companions a
wry look as they retreated on their little mission. Which left him there
with the one called Kennocha. He cleared his throat again, striking
about in his mind for a topic of talk. "If you are a wanderer,
then, how do you earn your keep?" He had the same thought as Vince,
perhaps she was a bard... a common enough occupation for wanderers.
Those dark cerulean blues shifted from Simon, to Vincent as he seem to
share a few things aloud with those around him. She knew of whom and
what he spoke of, but she'd not volunteer any information so soon after
meeting. When he posed his question yet again, just worded it
differently, she grinned. "I do... and perhaps one day you shall
learn of it." she offered in reply with a bright beaming smile as
it seemed to reach those mysterious eyes. Attention would then return to
Thane. "No no.. I'm sorry, perhaps I should have worded it better.
I meant, does business bring you to Heathfield often?" she asked
before answering his question on how she earned her keep. With a smirk,
her eyes gestured toward the bow, the quiver of arrows among other tools
of her trade. "Surely you have seen or at least heard of
rangers." she replied. "Though, I tend to see to quite a few
skills rather than just focusing on one." she took a moment to
pause before continuing. "I track, hunt, scout. I have been deemed
a pathfinder among many other ranger abilities." she added.
"Yourself?" The question was then turned on him as a hand
lifted to tuck a few of those red strands back behind a dainty looking
ear.
-c- |
