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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 16:46:42 GMT -8
Lars nodded, chuckling softly at his sister's words.
"Yes, no fighting. The oldest child has the birthright, and Mother hasn't yet seen fit to tell us which one of us that may be. Perhaps it'll be me, maybe dear Lucette...by all rights, it should have been our older brother, Willard. Unfortunately, he passed away from illness last year. Quite the tragedy, really."
Whispering, he added:
"I believe that's when Mother's mind began to deteriorate, I'm afraid."
Lucette nodded.
"Yes, it was a rough time for all of us. I'm glad to hear that life on the road is treating you well, though."
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
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Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 17:09:31 GMT -8
Nadir had grown bored of the conversation and decided to sleep, his claws clutching at the fabric of Echo's shirt and his fast breathing calming slightly. It seemed he'd been expecting something sweet, and had grown tired of waiting.
Echo felt himself drawn to the obvious question. Why hadn't Lady Robynson, or indeed Lord Robynson, named the successor? Why withhold such crucial information? As much as he wanted the answer, he was keen to not impose too much on the matriarch, and feared she may not take well to such a blatant question. Instead, he tried a more subtle approach. "Has a plan been agreed for naming the successor?" He was conscious of overstepping his bounds, but felt compelled to continue. "From my experience with changes to leadership, the longer everyone has to prepare, the better everyone handles it when it happens."
He considered the story about Willard, and it's seeming connection to Lady Robynson's mental decline. It wouldn't be the first time an elder-boy had been done away with by a younger sibling driven mad with desire to wear the crown, and the revelation of such dark family secrets precipitating the fall of a parent. Echo resolved then that he would have to monitor this situation with great care.
"My condolences for the loss of your eldest my lady."
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 17:24:04 GMT -8
Lady Robynson took a deep, shuddering breath. An expression of pain crossed her face, no doubt brought up by the mention of the loss of her eldest son.
"Thank you, Mr. Swansong. I will name the successor when the time is right, and not a moment before. My husband is in perfect health, and shall rule for many more years, so I haven't seen fit to do so. Until I name the heir, my children shall treat each other as equals, as they always have before. No feeling of superiority due to having the birthright. I'll tolerate none of that here."
Lucette sighed, clearly bored.
"Yes yes, equals. You've told us that our entire lives, Mother. When will you realize that we're mature enough to do so even after we know who will inherit the castle?"
She was interrupted by a door opening at the end of the hall. A single cook stepped through, carrying a tray full of roast goose. An assistant followed him, with an assortment of side dishes. The cook walked up to the four occupants of the table and cut them each a generous piece of goose, and added a piece of heavily-buttered bread and roast squash. Closing her eyes, she shuffled the four plates around, then passed them back randomly. Lady Robynson smiled, accepting her food.
"Thank you, Amelia. This smells wonderful."
She started eating her food, as did Lars and Lucette. Meanwhile, the assistant went through a similar blind shuffling procedure with the wine.
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
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Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 17:46:28 GMT -8
Nadir opened up an eye as the cook stepped in with the food. After giving the cooked goose a long and suspicious one-eyed-stare, he closed the eye once more, resolving to wait for richer spoils.
Echo took the plate graciously, commented also on how nice the smell was, and then proceeded to eat around the cooked goose, clicking quietly into his food as he did. While he wasn't strictly a vegetarian, he'd vowed to not eat bird, but he was too polite to say anything.
The bread and squash were good though, and he happily polished them off, leaving the succulent slabs of goose meat sitting untouched in the centre of the platter. He reached for the wine and took a long swig. The wine tasted excellent, and he happily sat back in his seat and quickly polished off the whole goblet.
"So, Lady Robynson, do you own much of the surrounding land? What does your land produce?" He was eager to keep the old woman occupied and present, though he was genuinely interested in the sorts of resources the family had available to them. The castle was large, and he suspected that considerable wealth existed within the family and it's lands.
The bizarre shuffling of food and drinks hadn't been lost on Echo either, and he wondered who might have instigated such a practice. It only strengthened his previous thoughts of nefarious methods being used between the family, and only hoped he didn't end up getting the wrong food or drink by accident.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 17:55:17 GMT -8
Lady Robynson looked up from her goose, which she'd had absolutely no qualms about digging into. Her deteriorating mental state, it seemed, held no detrimental effect against her appetite.
"The lands? We own quite a bit, in fact. The forests to the south, the fields to the west, the village of Oakwood...all of those are owned under the Robynson family name. We've been here for quite some time, after all. The villagers pay their taxes to us, and we protect them with the troops. Most of the villagers grow wheat, although others grow pumpkins and melons. There are a few families with plum orchards, as well. A lot of the taxes come in the form of hunting permits, which the villagers need to take game from our forests."
Another elbow would bring Echo's attention to Lars, who whispered softly once more.
"Another one of Mother's delusions, I'm afraid. We haven't got any troops, not anymore. The garrison is staffed solely by spiders and moths nowadays. We have a few guards left, but that's it. It just wasn't economical to pay, train, and outfit so many soldiers, not after last year's drought led to awful harvests."
Lucette sipped at her wine, ignoring her mother's chatter. She glanced over at Echo's plate, noticing his pickiness.
"You don't like goose, Mr. Swansong?"
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 18:07:36 GMT -8
Echo smiled at the young female. "On the contrary Lady Lucette, I love geese." He knew he was being a little obtuse by bending her meaning, but he couldn't resist. "It's just that myself and Nadir here made something of a deal. I wouldn't eat bird in front of him, and he wouldn't eat human in front of me."
He turned to consider the dozing bird. "I'm afraid he got the better part of the deal, he only likes sweet things."
Lars' words about the lack of troops began to sink in, and he wondered just how much of what was really going on the mother was even privy to. Lars seemed a nice enough sort, but they seemed strangely content with the messed up situation that seemed to be upon them. Echo began to wonder exactly what these people might be expecting from him, and he feared that the path ahead may not be a simple one.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 18:23:17 GMT -8
Lucette giggled at Echo's statement, watching the sleepy bird clinging to his jacket. She sipped carefully at her wine, making sure not to slurp or spill even a drop.
"Well, perhaps you'll enjoy dessert more, then. Tell me, where did you find your little pet there? I've never seen anyone tame a hummingbird before, much less learn to talk to it. We had falconers before, but never hummingbird keepers. Is he magical?"
Meanwhile, Lady Robynson signaled for the cook to bring out the dessert in question. The cook left, returning moments later with a selection of sweet rolls and pastries. It wasn't the vast smorgasbord one would expect from a feast at such a castle, but it was certainly enough for the four of them. Sugar-covered pastries were laid out on the silver tray, filled with a variety of chocolate, creams, and jams.
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 18:57:59 GMT -8
As soon as the cook returned, Nadir cocked an eye open again, well aware of where the door to the kitchen was. At the first sight of the sugar coated pastries and jams he was up and away, completing three circuits of the table before the cook had taken another step. Despite his eagerness, he managed to contain himself enough not to begin feasting before the platter arrived at the table, and held a respectable distance as it was delivered to the table. His head darted from looking at the food to looking at Echo and back, his exuberance clear for all to see.
"I'm happy to say that it was Nadir here that found me. I was cloistered in a monastery while I recovered from my wounds." He held a hand up, signifying the fabric over his eyes. "Nadir here would frequent the gardens of the monastery, and slowly over time decided to become a friend. Personally, I think it's because I left jam and honey out for him, but regardless of the reason, my life is richer for it."
Echo reached for a smaller plate, pulled apart a pastry, dolloped a small ball of jam on it, and slid it towards the expectant hummingbird. Nadir needed no further invitation, and hovered expectantly over the plate, picking rapidly at the sweet dessert.
"I hope you don't mind I feed him like this. He does make for a delightful spectacle if you're okay with the manners of it." He was aware of Lucette's earlier warning about manners, but it seemed a reasonable thing to do. "I'll confess, when I met him I felt truly blind, and maybe it was just my overactive imagination that we could understand each other. As far as I am aware there's no magic to him, he's never been tamed, and just seems to enjoy tagging along as I seem to avail him with opportunities for easy snacks."
Echo laughed. "I sometimes think I'm the one following him, rather than the other way around."
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 19:11:43 GMT -8
Lady Robynson smiled as the little bird flitted and fluttered about, landing on the sugary treat. The bird seemed to distract her from her troubles, and she laughed as Nadir dipped his beak in the jam.
"The little bird is no problem at all, Mr. Swansong. You'll want to keep him close, though. There are quite a few cats wandering about the grounds, and they'd have no problem at all eating such a tiny little bird. I wouldn't want you to lose your friend here, so you ought to keep an eye on him."
Lucette rolled her eyes and Lars sighed at the mention of the cats. It seemed that neither one was particularly fond of them. As if on cue, a fluffy grey cat walked through the door from the kitchen, tail held high. It hopped up on the table and walked down towards Lady Robynson, stepping carefully over plates and napkins.
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 19:28:37 GMT -8
Nadir was up in an instant, the sugary treat forgotten, and all focus given to the vicious killer that had walked in the room. The hummingbird hovered in front of Echo's face for a moment, a disconcerted whistle emanating from it's tiny beak, before hovering above his head and landing in the thick unkempt hair of the former noble.
Echo clicked, gauging the cat warily. "I wouldn't worry too much Lady Robynson, Nadir's a fast one. Fear not, he rightly has a healthy respect for the threat of cats, even the most docile of which can turn their hands to being expert bird killers."
In truth, Echo was a little worried. He knew Nadir was fast, but his rapid little friend needed to sleep often, and the constant threat of cats was likely to affect the bird's temperament badly. He would have to keep an eye out for Lady Robynson's cats.
Echo pulled the small plate closer to him, and further from the cat, but Nadir was uninterested.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 19:34:16 GMT -8
The cat wandered down the table, stopping in front of Echo. It stared at him for a moment, unmoving, before continuing on to the end. It hopped off the table, landing neatly in Lady Robynson's lap. There, it curled up carefully and went to sleep with a gentle purr. Lady Robynson stroked the cat gently, dessert forgotten.
"Well, as long as he's safe, I suppose. Do keep an eye on him, though. The cats love to bring me dead mice and birds, and I'd hate to see Nadir turn up at my feet. He's a pretty bird, after all."
Lucette and Lars both gave the cat a look of distaste. Lars pushed away his dessert as well, appetite gone. He rose from his seat, and the cook's assistant scurried to take the plate and goblet away.
"Well...if you're finished, Mr. Swansong, I can show you back to your room."
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 3, 2017 19:53:09 GMT -8
"I am indeed, thank you." Echo spoke, as he too rose from his seat, lifting his seat again and tucking it flush under the table. "Please accept my sincere thanks for the meal, and I guess we'll see you in the morning."
He bowed deeply, Nadir spiriting away in usual fashion, and turned to follow Lars back to his room. He remembered the way, a fairly complex map of the route having been mapped out in his mind, but the buzzing Nadir allowed him to follow the young noble with ease.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 3, 2017 20:10:50 GMT -8
Lars led Echo back to his room, stepping inside ahead of him. Glancing back, he shut the door after Echos had stepped in. He took a deep breath, staring closely at the blind wanderer.
"Would you like to become a very rich man, Mr. Swansong? I need your help. My...my sister is a problem. As long as mother refuses to reveal who has the birthright, I still don't know who's going to end up ruling the castle. Lucette is ruthless, she'll do anything to take the castle. She killed our brother. Mr. Swansong. Poisoned him. I need her out of the picture. Can you do this for me? You'll be well rewarded. Kill her, discreetly...or marry her and take her far away from here, I don't care. I can still arrange for her to be married to you, and claim that you were reinstated as head of your family. Mother will believe it, she'll believe anything nowadays. What do you say? Our family can provide a healthy dowry. She's pretty enough, I suppose, and young enough to bear children... I need her out of here, Mr. Swansong. Removed, however you can figure. Can you help me?"
He glanced towards the door, but heard no footsteps approaching. Breathing a sigh of relief, he watched Echo's face carefully for his reaction.
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 4, 2017 5:13:59 GMT -8
And so there it was. Echo had been expecting something like this, but he still found himself taken aback as Lars set out his needs so directly. To openly talk of killing his sister? Echo had no desire for marriage, not at this stage at any rate, but likewise he didn't like the idea of murdering the young woman on Lars' behalf. Lars and Lucette had both been present when he entered the castle and was originally offered the job, so to Echo's mind, he held equal responsibility to them both.
The silence stretched for what seemed an eternity as Echo thought hard about how best to continue. While deep in thought, Nadir dropped lightly onto his shoulder and began chattering excitedly in his ear, a collection of whistles, pops and peeps, as the hummingbird stared hard at the young Robynson noble.
"My Lord Lars. I fear marriage is out of the question. As I told you at dinner, I really have no desire to return to the life of a Noble, and I fear I would be honourbound to offer Lady Robynson the truth." He talked slowly, his mind still trying to find a way to appease the man while still honouring his own strong moral conviction. "I can assure you I will do everything in my power to protect you from your sister, but I feel it only right that we wait for the decision of Lady Robynson as to who will take over. When you and your sister hired me, I agreed to protect you both, so to go against that now I fear would be inconceivable to me. I feel I have agreed to work for the House Robynson, and thus I will work hard to protect the interests of the rightful heir to the family name." He clicked unconsciously as he finished, and Nadir hopped into flight, buzzing above and behind the head of the former noble.
Nadir considered Lars with interest, seemingly keen to see what the young nobles next step would be.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 4, 2017 9:39:08 GMT -8
The young man sighed, disappointed. He'd expected this, but what else could be done? It was a last resort, asking a stranger to step in to Robynson family affairs.
"There's no need to notify Mother, Mr. Swansong. If you're unwilling to do it, my sister is in no danger. As much as I want her out of the picture...I couldn't possibly do it myself. She's still my twin, after all. I'd rather she didn't die, but she just needs to go. That's why I suggested marrying her off. It'd work out better for everyone. If I was willing to kill her myself, don't you think I'd have done it already, rather than risk bringing in an outsider? Thank you anyway, Mr. Swansong, but I'd much appreciate this if you kept it to yourself. Er...do you know anyone from far away? A lord perhaps, someone willing to marry a young, attractive lady from a wealthy house? That's the best option, really. If not...well, thank you anyway, and pray that I survive. Please, be discreet about this talk."
He sighed, getting ready to head out.
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 4, 2017 10:00:20 GMT -8
Nadir seemed relieved that Lars hadn't reacted aggressively to the honest words, and subsequently landed on Echo's shoulder once more.
"I understand my Lord. I appreciate the pressure you must be under, and I'll do whatever is in my power to assist in securing justice for your house." Echo was a little surprised by how quickly Lars had backed down, and hadn't expected such resignation in response to his words. Perhaps he had judged the young man unfairly.
"You seem sure that it was your sister who was behind the death of your brother. Do you have any proof? Why can you be so certain that it was indeed her? Perhaps if we can get to the bottom of that particular mystery, we could ensure that justice is served." If Lucette had indeed killed Willard, there must be some evidence or witness who could attest to it.
"If there is no way to bring your brothers murderer to justice, I fear that the future of your house is in your mothers hands, and if she is as mentally unstable as you say, I fear that we have no better option than to confront her with the truth." Echo couldn't really see any way forward, and unless these three Robynson nobles sat together and hashed out the facts, there would only be underhanded games and power plays to come.
"I know of no suitable nobles who could marry her, but surely there must be some within this kingdom somewhere. Maybe finding her a husband should be something you invest your time into my Lord." The devil makes work for idle hands, and Echo thought it wise to try and channel Lars' efforts in a more positive direction.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 4, 2017 10:15:30 GMT -8
Lars sat back down, slumped over in defeat.
"Proof? No, I've got none of that. It was just something Willard whispered to me, moments before he died. I couldn't possibly tell Mother that, though. It would destroy her, especially considering her fragile state as it is. No, Mother can't ever know. She's gone through enough already."
He took a deep breath, pulling a small flask from his pocket and taking a long sip. A moment later, he looked back up at Echo and Nadir.
"I should try and find a husband for her, but I fear what would happen if I left the castle now, at such a troubled time. Perhaps you could help me? Set out to find her a husband, I really don't care who. Someone rich, aged...oh, I don't know. 16 to 50. I can convince Mother that marrying her off is the right thing to do, she'd agree with me. Because of Father's illness and Mother's mental state, arranging her marriage would be left to me, legally. All I need is a husband for her...which shouldn't be all that hard, considering. Could you help me find someone? I'd pay a fortune, it's better than the threat of death hanging over my head. Please, consider it. Sleep on it and let me know in the morning, I know I'm asking a lot."
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 4, 2017 10:32:10 GMT -8
Echo nodded, agreeing to sleep on the decision and let the young lord know his thoughts in the morning.
He would look to guide the young noble out of his room, but he was going to need to find an outside window before he retired for the night. Zenith would be close to the castle, and Echo decided it was a good time to update the barn owl on the day's events. He may prove useful in discovering more of what may be going on around here.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on Jul 4, 2017 10:40:33 GMT -8
Echo would find a balcony easily enough, just down the hall from his room. The night air was cool and dry, very pleasant and comfortable. As he stood on the balcony and waited for the owl, he'd hear footsteps approach. Lucette walked up to him, dressed in an extremely sheer and low-cut nightgown. She approached Echo, leaning on the balcony beside him.
"I was wondering where you were, Mr. Swansong. I looked in your room, but didn't find you there. I've got a problem, and a proposition for you. Can you help me?"
She leaned against him, pressing up against his body.
"I just need you to help get rid of a problem, that's all..."
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Echo Swansong
Committed
Roleplay posts: 62
Age: 32
Physical Description: Echo wears a heavy fabric covering over his eyes, and his hair and beard are unkempt. A small hummingbird can usually be found sitting on his shoulder.
---
Clothes and Equipment: While his clothes look like those of a wealthy noble, they are in poor condition and show signs of heavy wear. A green bejewelled brooch is pinned to his chest.
Registered: Jul 3, 2017 4:33:59 GMT -8
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Post by Echo Swansong on Jul 4, 2017 11:00:58 GMT -8
He sensed her long before she was there, and Nadir too took flight, suddenly having some interest in a flower that clung to the side of the wall of the balcony area and hovering in front of it. The hummingbird had little interest in flowers unless times were tough, and considering his consumption today, Echo had no doubt that the bird was simply making himself scarce.
Echo regarded the young woman quizzically. He could sense she was dressed to impress a man, but obviously hadn't considered that the effect did little for him. The nature of his perception meant that he saw most people fully dressed in exactly the same way he saw her now.
As she leaned against him, Nadir took the chance to openly spy on the pair. A humorous whistle escaping his long straight beak as he hovered behind her shoulder. Echo shrunk away as she encroached, keen not to give any outward signs that may confuse his thoughts on the advance.
"Lady Lucette? I needed a little air, that was all. I tend to sleep under the stars, so I feel the weight of heavy stonework above my head if I'm cooped up in it too long." Echo continued to backtrack away from her advances. "A problem you say? While I fear I may know already what you plan to ask, please tell me of your problem, and I'll see what I can do to help."
Echo suspected he knew exactly what - or more accurately, who - this particular problem would be.
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