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 | | From: | Robin Banco | | Subject: | Mage in A Minor (23)/Winter Celebration - Predator | | Date: | Thu, 30 Dec 2004 18:21:17 GMT |
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 | Robin reported to the merchant who'd hired him to play in the afternoon,
luther in hand, Figment curled around his neck. The merchant had apparently
joined with several others, all of them had contrived to set their stalls up
and cover them with fabric tenting, creating what amounted to a sheltered
square. Given the weather, it would probably turn out to be a terrific idea;
there were several stalls selling hot food and drinks within the shelter
encouraging celebrants to sit out of the cold to enjoy their meals, then
wander through the other stalls before braving the snow again. Robin
appeared to be the only musician within the shelter; the merchant had set
him up a tiny stage just off the stall selling cider rather than wanting him
to wander around.
He hoped Astarte would be able to find the things she was after right within
the shelter; that would certainly make things much more pleasant for them
all around. He had only one thing he wanted from the market; the man who'd
hired him sold cloaks, and he wanted a showy one for occasions exactly like
this. Presentation was everything, he reflected with an inner grin. His fee
for the afternoon was one cloak - his pick of the merchant's stock.
His stage was close enough to the entrance to see the hubbub that was going
on just outside in an alley and he watched as the blind fellow started
decrying a newcomer with a lovely girl. The formidable Sheriff showed up -
causing a nervous fumble on Robin's part, quickly corrected as it appeared
the Sheriff wasn't interested in him - then a mage appeared, towing a crying
child who had apparently relieved a few people of their purses. He felt a
brief pang of pity for the child - he could feel the boy's terror from the
stage, it was so strong.
The melodies he was playing were well-suited to keeping customers amused and
cheerful but took only a fraction of his attention; most of his mind was
watching the unfolding scene like everyone else.
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| | From: | Robin Banco | | Subject: | Re: Mage in A Minor (23)/Winter Celebration - Predator | | Date: | Thu, 30 Dec 2004 19:12:00 GMT |
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| The melodies he was playing were well-suited to keeping customers amused and
cheerful but took only a fraction of his attention; most of his mind was
watching the unfolding scene like everyone else.
Astarte materialised behind him, a parcel tucked under her arm.
"Just checking in," she said, when he glanced up. "I'm never to far away."
She was watching the group in the alley too.
"This looks like it could be entertaining. What's the dandy supposed to
be?"
Robin shrugged. "Don't know. The group with him was in the Inn last night,
late, but I didn't see him. Most of the fuss seems to be a pickpocket - that
kid. Poor thing. Do they do awful things to pickpockets here?"
His attention for the last couple of minutes hadn't even been on the dandy
or the thief, not even on the Sheriff. A rotund, prosperous-looking man was
standing just inside the shelter, also watching what was going on and
licking his lips nervously, every move telegraphing indecision. Was he
perhaps the boy's father? Temporary guardian afraid of the boy's
indiscretion tarring him with the same brush? His body language screamed
that he wanted very badly to join the crowd outside while at the same time
wanting to be somewhere - anywhere - else.
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