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Date: 06-23-09
Poster: Segan Quinn
Post # 7
Feel
Like Dancing?
Segan was giving orders to his men that lugged the large crates down
from Bovee shipping in a horse driven wagon then unloaded them as he
crossed off the various ones they were to take down the coast to the
Ballicastle port. Day was hot, sun beating down but at least there was a
cool breeze coming in off the ocean. Sea birds chattering as they flew
around, larger ones amongst smaller landing on the rocks near the
ocean's edge where waves lightly crashed against stone sending a spray.
Segan wore a loose fitting poet's shirt, sleeves rolled up and left
undone down the front, baggy pants that were cinched at the ankles, so
they didn't catch on anything which in his line of work could be fatal,
and tucked into shorter ankle boots.
The dancer was hardly looking to stay inside on a day as beautiful as
this one, and with potentials around every corner, Sia took a day off.
She locked up her shack of a family business, and skipped along in cow
skin slippers and metal bangles. Her chipper prance created a constant
jingle from the many bracelets and belts she adorned. It was her usual
attire to dress so fanciful, though still deprived. The ocean blue skirt
around her hips lunged out like wild waves, splitting around her thighs
in long slits that revealed her talented legs. The tanned gold of her
stomach remained uncovered, instead her breasts were tightly held in a
top of the same fabric, with hardly a sleeve to speak of, it left most
of her limbs free to flow. The relaxation in her youthful expression
demonstrated precisely how casual she was today. Emerald orbs stuck out
from the ivory of her face, glancing this way and that between the
moving bodies of the rest of the area. Amongst the browns of the ground,
and buildings, her large quaff of bright fiery hair stuck out like a
flame in the woods, matted in every direction and framing her face. It
was to the ocean's shore that she gravitated, reminding her of her
homeland. Anyone close by could see her skillfully slinking her way
through the working men to finally touch her toes to the white warm sand
in the distance.
Though there were many sounds at the pier and from the marketplace up
another tier, there was not usually such a jingle sound that he managed
to pick up on. Yet hard to pick out in a varied crowd of men and women
about the port and pier area this bonnie afternoon. A shiny day as those
of Eire would say. Shiny was probably more accurate with the glaring
spikes of light that hit various parts of metal on the ships as they
gently dipped and lifted. Writing implement used to cross off four more
crates as he ushered his men to continue on down with them to load
on the Anaconda. Segan was going to make sure this first assignment went
smoothly. He stood at the base of the dock leading out to his ship,
watching them get loaded then back around land wise as another wagon
pulled up and more of the crates were being unloaded and soon to be
checked off the list before taken out to the ship. One that was no
longer anchored out in the harbor but in a slip to make things far
easier than using a barge.
The constant clanking and thudding, and shouting of the men at work had
her ears almost hurting. It should be something she was used to, having
an Inn just down shore, but in truth she always tuned it out. Humming to
herself tunes remembered from her homeland. What was the preferred trade
of the day, she wondered to herself, eyeing the heavy crates as they
were unloaded and reloaded over and over again. She kept her distance,
eyes wide in the opposite direction of the sun. In the distance she
might've sparkled. Those many jewels dangling from her hips and wrists
and ankles catching the mid-day's sun like the wide open sea. But her
goal remained. To walk upon the beach and maybe even indulge in the
murky water. She was climbing her way off the corner of the farthest
dock, looking much like a lost jungle cat as she leapt down and padded
her way to the water's edge. Life was grand. Things were plain. And once
she got her fill, she'd make the trek back home and go back to her
nothingness.
Now that Karina was a little more assured that she'd not be recognized,
the docks district had become one of her favorite haunts. That was
usually the case in each town she inhabited and Heathfield, with its
colorful sailorfolk and exciting shipworks. The bite of salt was in the
air, and the call of the gulls, the gently flapping sails of moored
vessels beckoning to adventures just around the next cove. Karina loved
it, that sense of tantalizing possibilities. Her hands were casually
jammed into her pockets, an easy grin upon her face as she wandered
beneath the shade of her brimmed cap. She paused at a group of bawdy men
who seemed to have gathered for lack of anything better to do - more
specifically, to drink and laugh and sing. Well it's no, nay, never...
They were singing, a shanty so familiar to Karina that she joined in, No
nay never no more! Will I play the wild rover, no nay never....Karina
was jostled then by the bustling crowd but wasn't too bothered by
it, instead just allowed herself to be carried in their flow down
towards the shore.
It was ocean water here, on the constant move so didn't have time to
ever get murky. Churning, foamy, down right dangerous at times during
high winds and storms, but never murky. Eyes on his men that were
unloading from the wagon, were distracted by gleams not of the norm. A
gleaming person standing there as he stared a moment to make certain it
was a person. That didn't last as he heard singing and from the gleam
focused turned on the small group. Had him smiling which slowly faded as
he squinted, was that??
She was almost disappointed when she became distracted by the louder
tune sung by many more-or-less tone-deaf men. She was curious. It was a
familiar thing to hear, and not necessarily intending on joining, Sia
regressed from her designated destination and back-tracked up the poles
of the dock, climbing to her feet and straightening out the flaps of her
flowing skirt. She jumped up on her toes, stretching her eyes across the
crowd to investigate the goings on like a playful child. But she managed
to notice she wasn't the only one looking. Which made her even more
intent to discover just what all the fun was about. She kept herself on
the outskirts of the growing crowd, just sparkling in the sunlight.
The rowdy singers had shifted by now to a different tune... Well when
first I set to sea, twas then I saw the mermaid.... And where Karina had
been about to turn away, now she fought her way back to the group and
filled her lungs to join in the singing loudly, for it was a song she
loved. "Come live with me in the sea said she, down on the ocean
floor..." The men glanced to her but just exchanged grins, for
small and scrappy as she was, Karina was the sort that could fit in just
about anywhere - even with this rough crowd - and they all sang together
as one of them whipped out a fipple flute to accompany. "..But then
one day she swam away, so I sang to the clams and the whales..."
Segan handed off the board with the list on it to his second in command
that returned from the Hollows Wood Inn down the way. A few words
exchanged as he was quick on the move, circling around the crowd to come
up behind one particular half pint as he bellowed out, in tune
amazingly, "so I sang to the clams and the whales." Echoing
her last and almost, almost, harmonizing.
Karina decided to join in the growing musicale, fishing around in her
pockets for some sort of percussion instrument - aha! And out came a
couple of spoons, which she held loosely together and beat in time
against her palm. Caught up in the music and the rhythm she was beating,
Karina turned her head quickly towards the voice that bellowed (almost)
harmoniously in her ear, blinking aqua hues at him before those eyes
crinkled in a grin of recognition.
It was almost amazing what you could find on a seemingly boring day.
Seeing the makeshift band begin, Sia felt her senses tingling. That
usual compulsion to jump in and twirl away overcame her, and she looped
past the already rocking bodies of the crowd to stick herself near the
singers themselves. It hardly mattered to her what tune was being sung,
or even if it was in the right key. It was instead the enrichment of
those gathered that she adored, seeing the once mundane faces brighten
and come together in a knowing pleasure so simple and pure. She felt her
hips circling already, the balls of her feet lifting one after the other
with ever pop of each hip. Her hands were soon to follow, snaking in the
air at her sides til' her fingers were racking through the fire of her
wild hair. The sly emerald of her eyes was bright, glancing around at
those who had noticed her ostentatious attire. Most simply assumed she
was there for hire, and encouraged her impromptu performance. She kept
her pace as the band grew louder with each new instrument, her fingers
twisting like enchanted strings, almost hypnotizing.
Her grin was met with a growing one of his as a wink was tossed in. A
fiddler had joined the crowd as well one with spoons to add in rhythm
beating them against his knee as his foot was
propped up on a crate. Ragamuffin children came running to add to the
dancing or clapping, taking a reprieve from trying to earn a coin by
helping some lady at the port with her bags or lugging sacks for an
older man and so forth. Starting up another, "I'll sing you a song,
a good song of the sea with a way, hey, blow the man down and trust that
you'll join in the chorus with me. Give me some time to blow the man
down." This was an easier one for the younger scrappers to join in
with.
As Graham moved down the street, he shoves his hands into his pockets as
his shoulder leaned into one of the walls of a shop. He picked a good
day to hang out at the port it seemed. As the music poured out amongst
the people, he couldn't help but grin to himself and tap his toe to the
beat. He had no rhythm really, nor did he have a singing voice but he
enjoyed himself anyway. Besides, his eyes were too busy looking at all
the pretty faces in the crowd.
Lifting her voice she joined Segan to sing the next tune, an old
favorite with this crowd and they seamlessly continued the musical
frenzy they'd whipped up for themselves. Shifting herself a bit so Segan
could squeeze into the massed circle, "There was an ole skipper I
don't know his name, with a way, hey blow the man down!" Karina was
all but beaming as the crowd grew, and the primal rhythm seemed to beat
in all their pulses. She loved impromptu gatherings like these,
especially when she was a part of them! Watching with some admiration as
the silver-gleaming girl did her exotic dancing, and letting out a laugh
at the antics of some of the kids. By now a ruddy color stained her
cheeks and seemed to make her clear eyes shine brighter.
Sia was quick to entice the attention of men and women alike. But the
ones she most enjoyed were the children, taking hold of a young girls
hand and twirling her in small circles before releasing her again and
shaking hips with her. Sia kept her hands clapping to the beat of the
tune, a rhythm of chimes made from all the bangles attached to her
clothes and limbs. The squares of her skirt flared out around her
swimming legs, her dance growing quicker and slower, her smile bright
towards all that surrounded her in this joyous celebration.
The crowd continued in low to high voices, some in tune and some not,
some with laughter edging the words, "His ship lay be-calmed in the
tropical sea with a way, hey, blow the man down. He whistled all day but
in vain for a breeze give me some time to blow the man down." He
noticed one that looked familiar as he waved to the obvious Frasier man.
Not being too certain if he had met the one in particular for there had
been quite a few to meet, of which he met a few already. He nudged
Karina lightly as he indicated the lass dancing in a sparkling way for
the jewelry worn. "Can you.." was that sounding like a
challenge?
His chin dipped in a slight nod as his hand rose slightly to gesture to
the man who he had met at the shop one day. Usually, most of the meat
processed in Heathfield was Graham's doing. He sort've had a lot of work
to do, but he
shoved it off on his apprentices today because he needed some fresh air.
He stood up straight from his lean, and tried to inch his way close to
those singing and dancing.
Karina had made room which he kept some of it open for the Fraiser man.
As he drew closer he recognized him. "Ham is it not?" The
nickname had stuck. "This is Karina," introducing the half
pint teen in scrappy clothing having her fit in down here. He had still
to investigate the shop he saw her going to a few nights ago. "I
don't know the dancer's name." One twirling close to where they
stood. Music was kept up even if the singing had lulled out at this
point.
Karina joined in to sing that final line, pausing the spoons she held
til a new tune picked up, this beat markedly more swinging - not quite
an air, still a lively tune. "Well I took a stroll on the old long
walk, of a day i-ay-i-ay ...."
Karina lifted a brow at his nudge, glancing to the dancing girl with a
slow smirk forming on her lips, but that was when Segan mentioned her
name by name of introduction. Turning her attention to the Frasier she
bobbed her head in greeting, causing the copper curls spilling from
beneath her rough cap to bob as well. "Fine day tae ye," she
offered with a good-natured grin that sparkled upon her face. Aye, with
all this music she was in a fine mood indeed!
Well then, the singing started up again!
She was moving up from the children and plucking clapping patrons out of
the crowd to dance with. They were are all generally rocking to the
tune, but when you were picked as her partner, you were gonna dance! She
had her hands outstretched, holding the hand of a less youthful man, and
gently turned him and his giant grin. She released him back into the
crowd, plucking a heavily garbed woman out to spin as well before
letting her dance with the man beside her. She was encouraging them all
at the same time to move those hips! Her own kept swaying as if unable
to stop, the pads of her slippers tapping faintly amongst the jingles of
her bells. Her wrists twisted around the flames of her head once again,
eyes glancing this way and that. She struggled to see anything but the
smiles and hear the tunes. To convince her out of her trance now would
be quite the challenge.
"Aye," He replies as he rubs his chin while shoving his hands
back into his pocket. "Ham is my name, and the ham is my
game," He snorted out again as he laughs at his own joke. As he
laughs about his own funny, he winks at the half-pint before speaking,
"You too, little one." Ham then decided to look over his
shoulder at the woman swirling in silver. He was impressed by her
getting people to dance. It wasn't an easy feat!
The portmaster was around this day seeing to his duties. Sometimes they
were calm like this day provided as he headed up along the pier where
the singing was drawing the attention of many, sailors and landlubbers
alike. Port didn't only consist of sailors, oh no, but plenty of those
making a living not even of the sea, just providing those that sailed
the ocean blue. Billow sleeved shirt with the front left partially open.
The back marked in the signs of sweat for the heat of the day and his
job. Hair tied back out of his way into a tail at the nape of his neck.
Dark eyes picked out his cousin then the other captain he met briefly
last week after he was hired on by Andre. Those of a rougher nature took
notice who was about and would be on their best behavior, knowing the
port master's reputation.
Her knees bent, taking her down into a crouch as her hips continued to
move back and forth and her hands snaked up to the sky then back down to
her sides. She leapt up on a strong beat, and quickly swirled around
with a wide grin, the skin of her face had turned bright red with
exasperation, but it was worth it. The sunlight caught every swinging
pop of the many bangles that hung upon her, her eyes nearly lightening
an entire shade. Her hair swung wildly to each side, a pillow of
strawberry touching her smile and flying back with every side-step.
Karina's keen eyes caught all those glints of gold and silver upon the
dancer, oh yes... and her mouth watered, thinking how easy it would've
been to make one or two of those shinies disappear into her own pocket.
But she held back, for some reason, instead just enjoying the singing
and homegrown music, "And I ask you friend what's a fella ta do,
cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue...." She let out a
laugh at some of the less graceful of those that had begun to dance, at
the gypsy woman's urging.
He hailed Adrian with a salute from one captain to another respectfully.
Being the man was still a distance away that was all that was done and
focus back on the crowd singing and those dancing.
He came to a halt a distance away as he took up a lean against one of
the pier posts. Not interrupting or have certain ones too uptight they
felt the need to leave. He would watch, keen dark eyes that never gave
way to his thoughts or exactly what had his attention more than the
whole. A cigarillo taken from a pocket of his shirt, was lit before the
match was tossed with a flick of his wrist.
She let out her own melodic laughter at those that began dancing around
her. It was certainly one hell of a get together. But the gypsy was
hardly adorned in luxury. In fact, those shinies were merely things
she's constructed in the back room of her father's blacksmith shop. Why
else would she allow herself to be so vulnerable amongst people who were
quite desperate for coin in their pocket. So steal away, they were quite
replaceable. This was hardly on her mind though, as her stomach swam
like waves, rolling into the hips that swirled now larger circles. Her
chest heaved up and around, while her arms outstretched and lifted and
lowered rhythmically.
Segan could dance and best do some practice being they were to escort
their sisters to a ball in another land this very night. He moved out
into that area that became the designated one and into a jig, more
following the fiddler's tune. Fancy footwork that had paid off in
warrior techniques on the field when he trained with Eion when teens.
From behind the fire of her hair, emerald hues met with the newly
arrived dancer, seeing the man use a more masculine pattern but still,
to see a gentleman of his age in such vigor was intriguing and Sia
danced closer, meeting his gaze with hers briefly before smiling to the
crowd again.
Karina grinned broadly, clapping her hands now in lieu of the spoons and
just watching Segan and the others. Well well well...looks like the man
could dance. Somehow she wasn't surprised. But as for herself, her feet
might've itched to try but she'd never had much opportunity to do so! So
instead of making a fool of herself she just tapped her toes and sang
loudly with the rest.
He was only in his twenties still so not over the hill but he'd seen
ones in their forties keep up with him in dancing up a storm. Especially
the Gypsy pack behind the one McDonough ranch where his brother was now
employed. Sure he went to check out the place! As he came around he
grabbed Karina's hand long enough to draw her into the fray, that is if
she wanted to dance or more prompting her to. A smile sparked upon the
lass already dancing as he continued on gathering some of the children
to try and imitate this steps in the quick pace jig.
He squinted an eye at the noon day sun gauging approximately the hour.
Shifting up from his lean as what was left of the cigarillo was flicked
away into the lapping waves not far from where he stood. He was over to
clap a hand to Graham's shoulder, "I'll be up later to your shop
for some meat," which would include socializing. A dip of his head
to the others as his hand fell away and he on his way heading up to the
upper area of the port town where the main marketplace was.
"No - wait - I can't - aieeee!" Karina's protests were lost in
her own squeal of laughter as she was pulled into the fray (though she
didn't pull back too hard). And so up she came to join Segan and now his
pack of little mimicers, and Karina was amongst them, watching closely
to learn the steps Segan led. And she wasn't a bad study, either - in
fact she was a quick learner, and was soon jigging along with them,
albeit with constant laughter and observant eyes to avoid trampling his
feet or one of the chitlins. A little boy, no more than six perhaps was
bouncing around the outskirts and Karina grabbed his hand, smiling
widely as she danced with the little one.
Without breakfast in her stomach the dancing was unfortunately short
lived. She felt her muscles ache for sustenance and had to tap out
early. To the crowd and other dancers she bowed graciously and grinned
all around before clapping her hands to the tune and slinking through
the joyous crowd. It wasn't a clean break. Some less clear-minded men
had the right idea to follow her out, quickly fumbling over sentences of
obvious intent. To those observing her, the displeasure in her
expression gave hint to what she explained to those around her. They
departed, chuckling still regardless of the loss, and Sia managed to
escape towards the less entrapped buildings. She held a hand to the bare
skin of her stomach, glancing around for somewhere to purchase food. Oh
wait, you need money for that. She sighed, her pools of emerald rolling
back with frustration. Despite all the fun she'd had, there was no coin
to remember it by. Penniless, the dancer contemplated leaving the beach
without fulfilling her previous expectation, in order to quiet her
belly.
Heel to toe, toe to heel and around we go. One pass in front of the
other then the opposite while keeping to the beat of the fiddler. Fast,
slow or somewhere between, moving to one side then the other. Giving the
sparkling dancer a wave as she seemed to be parting. Noticing then
Adrian had gone on and Ham far too quiet. He was in need of catching his
breath and far better to end now or be worn out before they ever
reached the dance this evening. His sisters wondering why he wasn't
dancing. Stepping back into the outer ring to watch though he took note
to notice his men were done with loading all the crates. Which of course
he would not know but if the dancing lass happened to head up into the
commons and the Thistle tavern, she'd find there was no cost for food
nor drink. Alex tended the place, older gentleman. He needed to go get
the signed off list up to Andre before they set sail next morning.
Leaving the others to their dancing, he headed up to the uppermost area
of the port where the finer places were located. Bovee Shipping being
one of those.
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