Fire Breathing

The day had been too lovely to spend sitting around the townhouse working on projects, or working on extra chores. Their last venture into the market had been a disaster, but Gwynevere was determined to make it different as once again she dragged her poor maid out with her for another adventure. Hopefully poor Ana wouldn't get sick of her antics to leave to find other employment, but at least the girl didn't let her maid get bored? Lacing an arm around Analisse's the now seventeen year old now walked with the other girl down the streets, "As I said I promise this time we won't go anywhere beyond the markets." The mischievous girl paused a moment before holding a finger to her chin while feigning a thoughtful expression, "Unless of course you want to venture out further Ana?" A wicked grin crossed her lips breaking the illusion of innocence as the young girl giggled at the thought.

While she waited for a response from her maid the sounds of gasps distracted the girl. Blue eyes shifted from the attention of her companion to that of the gathering crowd now wondering just what was going on. "Oh is there a show! Come on let's go see!" Not waiting for the other girl to agree Gwynever pulled her maid with her towards the audience of the fire juggler. Stopping just a bit short of the growing crowd the young girl's blue eyes sparkled in delight at the scene before her seemingly memorized by the dancing flames spinning in the air. Nothing like this ever came to Forestier! The seventeen year old lady beamed excitedly going to put a hand over her mouth gasping as one of the flaming pins came very close to hitting his face before he caught it at the last possible second.

"Oh, I wonder how one would learn to do such thing!" Were Gwyn not so obsessive about her own features she would consider trying something so daring herself. But her face was too lovely for burn marks as was the pale blue green dress she had chosen to wear that day. Unfortunately the young noble girl was so entranced by the performance she did not notice the other ladies among the crowds although truthfully she had never met either of them as well. 

@analissesmith, @gwynvercadag, Christina Delamara

She returned the younger girl's good-natured hug and was about to answer when she saw that the baton had slipped. And was heading towards them. Without hesitation she jumped out of the way, pulling the other girl with her and taking them both to the ground.

She looked at Vyn with concern. "Are you alright?" Then she noticed the hem of her skirt was beginning to catch fire. "Eeek!", she screeched and quickly began dampening it with her shawl, putting out the small flame a moment later. With a relieved sigh she looked back at Vyn.

She gave a small smile. "Good, you're not on fire as well. I'm sorry I pulled you down but I didn't want you to get hurt. Are you alright?
"

@gwynvercadag

(I have no idea how I didn't notice that I was on Christina's name and posting as Cassandra. Can we just pretend that the first two posts of mine were under the correct name? I apologize for the lack of attention.)

@gwynvercadag, @gwyneveredeschenes, @analissesmith

Analisse was quite enraptured by the performance, but her attention was necessarily diverted when one of the batons fell and caused a fire to catch on one of the ladies' skirts. Gwynevere did not need to tell her twice that they should do what they can to assist. Of course, the problem was largely handled in a matter of moments, but Analisse was quick to help the escorts who handled the baton. She returned the item to its owner with a gentle urging to be careful in the future. Such performances were dangerous, by necessity, but it would not do to catch patrons on fire in the middle of the market square.

Turning her attention back to Gwynevere and the other ladies, Analisse hurried to her charge's side to see if she needed her assistance with anything in particular. Though she did not possess as many of the useful skills as her charge, Analisse was good at mending clothing, and she thought that her skills might be required if the fire had damaged the woman's dress badly.

@gwynvercadag Cassandra Delamara @gwyneveredeschenes

The next thing Vyn knew, she was on the ground with the woman atop her. Well, so much for a good natured hug. She hit the floor harder than she was prepared for and found herself laying there for a moment wondering what in The Maker’s name had happened. She blinked, once, then twice, her mouth forming a curious ‘o’, as she seemed unable to draw connections in the situation that presented itself. The force with which she was taken to the ground had knocked the air out of her a little and, while Vyn liked a little adventure and was use to the fall from a tree to the ground, this one on the cobbled stones of the market walkway felt like someone had just punched her between her shoulders and the arch of her back.

Very slowly her eyes went to the fire and she shivered. Vyn, with no uncertainty, was terrified of the beautiful destructive force that was fire. She found her mouth drying as Cassandra handled everything with such dedication and decision, and she found herself small and feeble in the light of this girls action.

”Good. You are not on fire as well.”

Thankfully. These words seemed to settle Vyn whose eyes went to her guard. Olwyn was a loyal man, a man who was use to guarding Vyn and use to the girl’s uncanny ability to attract all sorts of trouble. He’d handled the fire almost professionally, stamping it out first before rescuing his charge.

”Are you alright?”

”Yes, yes, of course.”

Once more she found herself feeling foolish and embarrassed around Cassandra. Twice now she had met the girl and on both occasions Vyn had the poor-sense to do something stupid and find herself upended on the ground. She flushed, scarlet with her humiliation, and did not like the realisation that everyone seemed to be looking at them. Including the juggler, who was no doubt having visions of the inside of a cell.

”Are you okay?” She found her voice to ask Cassandra.

”Are both of you alright?” Came another woman’s voice and Vyn turned her position a little to see that they had been joined by two others.

”Yes, yes I believe so.” She answered the question, sitting herself up on the ground. Her dress had become ruffled in the moment of chaos that had happened and she took a moment now to right herself, tugging her sleeve back into place to hide the burns. It would do her no good for the women around to notice the marks and assume the damage had come from the baton. Still, her words were a little sore on her dried throat and it was clear the girl had been more than a little afraid by what had unfolded.

”You didn’t get burned did you?”

”no- no- I’m fine.” She insisted.

Olwyn, stepped up aside them now and helped his charge to her feet, taking her hand dutifully and almost fatherly, he righted her and stood beside her for a moment. Stoic and stern faced, it was clear he was not overly happy about what had happened here this afternoon and his eyes went to the three other women, narrowed.

She, once on her feet again, brushed down the folds of her sapphire skirt and straightened her collar a little. ”Thank you, thank you for your help.” The girl said, gentle and well-mannered. She came more confident when the crowd, catching the look in her guards eye, started to disperse a little and the entertainer moved on to find himself a well-needed drink and a new patch from where to work his trade.

~~
@gwyneveredeschenes / @analissesmith / Cassandra Delamara

A sigh of relief escaped the young lady as she slowly went to push herself up to her feet. With all the excitement Gwynevere had forgotten herself in what she had been actually doing, kneeling on the dirty ground in her dress in front of other ladies of nobility! Her blue eyes widened slightly as they darted down to the skirt of her dress slightly mortified at her own careless as now dust clung to the fabric. Granted the lives of the two other women were far more important than her appearance, but what cruel consequences there was for kindness!

Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves, the young lady looked up from her skirt to offer them both a smile as she placed a hand over her heart, "I'm glad, that was terrifying! Thank goodness you have such quick reflexes my lady. And for the adeptness of your guard in putting out the fire." Blue eyes glanced between the two young lady's as Cassandra introduced them. The girl couldn't help a soft giggle, "Lovely to meet both of you..." Pausing she went to dip down in a slight curtsey as Gwyn was one who enjoyed maintaining her manners, "I'm Lady Gwynevere, of House Deschenes. What a conqinidence to meet another Gwyn at the capital!" Grinning the girl rose before gesturing to Ana, "And this is Analisse Smith, my dear friend and ladies maid." Perhaps, it would be considered odd for a noble woman to introduce her maid to other girls, but it was the truth. Next to her family Ana was one of her dearest friends thusly she would treat her as such no matter who was around.

And yet while Gwynevere was able to maintain her appearances as well as concentrate on the conversation her mind kept fluttering back to the fact there was a dusty spot just on her knees. It was obvious, everyone had to be noticing it, what if they thought her improper? Or worse what if the stain never came out? Perhaps now it would be an appropriate time to dust herself off? Deciding she had waited long enough her gaze glanced back down to the skirt of her dress while casually going to brush off some of the dust. 

@analissesmith, Cassandra Delamara, @gwynvercadag