RoadsideAttractionRoadside AttractionIn front of the Manor house, Brandeigh, Percy and James stand as the 1930's era sports car, in blue, slows as it approaches the three of them. "Since you know her, sort of, you can do the introductions." James says to Brandeigh. Improbably, the low sound of music comes from the car as it pulls up to the trio standing in front of the dilapidated house. The sky above the four individuals is still dark, and the wind chillingly blows at right angles to the road, the grass, and the branches of nearby trees swaying with its passage. The woman of the trio stands about 5' 4" tall and weighs about 115 lbs. She is very slimly built with long, slightly curly reddish-blonde hair, currently being blown about in the wind, with brilliant emerald green eyes. She is lightly tanned and very beautiful. She is wearing a loose fitting white silk blouse or tunic under a forest green velvet vest decorated with golden Celtic style knot-workings or embroidery. There are two golden pins or badges worn above her heart; one is a golden star, the other a heraldic device of some sort bearing a rampant Lion. White, tightly fitting cotton breeches are tucked into black, soft leather, knee-high boots. A black leather weapons belt/harness with a golden buckle supports a large pouch on her left and an emerald studded dagger on her right. An intricately wrought torc of gold is worn about her neck; a matched pair of large rubies set in the finials. Beneath the torc on a simple silver chain is a silver crescent-and-V-rod pendant. Golden intricately wrought bracers are worn on her left and right forearms, and a bejeweled ring is worn on each hand. The woman of the trio waits until the car comes to a complete stop and the driver shuts the motor down before stepping forward. "Leigh?" the woman calls out. "Is that you? I believe we've met before. Sort of anyroad. In a dream. I'm Brandeigh." She'd been called many things in many different places, but "Leigh" was a first. The woman being addressed allows her car to idle as she regards the group. She has shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and a face more clever and pretty than beautiful. An indigo blue collared button-down shirt of obviously high quality frames her face and neck. Her hands, which rest lightly on the steering wheel, have short, unvarnished nails; one finger is adorned with a single silver ring. Playing faintly over the car's speakers can be heard: Take a walk outside myself/To some exotic land/Greet a passing stranger/Feel the strength in his hand... "No, that's not me," she replies. "You've got the wrong person." I feel my spirit resist/So I open up my fist/Lay hand over hand over... The shorter of the two men is dressed in blue, gold and black. With blondish hair and green eyes, he looks at the car and its driver with some wariness as it approaches. He says nothing as the two women speak. His eyes, however, flicker between them as each speak in turn. The tall man with dark hair and pale skin, the tallest of the trio wears a white t shirt and blue jeans A coil of rope remains on his thick black belt, with a silver buckle with the symbol of a rose. He fingers a blue ring as he regards the driver. "Who are you then..." he looks at the woman in the car. "traveler of the worlds?" "Or perhaps, we should introduce ourselves to each other?" The woman's eyes widen as she is referred to as "traveler of the worlds" and chuckles. "I'm Dagny, actually, and you are a very astute individual. I'd have your name, please." She turns back to Brandeigh. "If you're offering help, thank you, yes, I'd love some. In your wanderings about here, have you happened to see..." she pauses, as if to choose her words. "A sort of big, blue, glowy, squiggly line along the ground? There might even be a garden of some kind around it." Brandeigh nods in the direction of the man who'd spoken; "That's Percy, the other is James." She then shakes her head; "No, I have not seen... anything like you describe here." She then glances at both men; "But these two are more familiar with this place than I, perhaps they should answer." James regards Dagny with a hooded, guarded expression. His body language is closed and suspicious. At Brandeigh's words, there is a incremental shake of his head. A smile plays across Dagny's lips as she regards the suspicious James. When he shakes his head no, she waggles her eyebrows--jump, jump!--and lowers her gaze again. Percy, the man who spoke earlier, regards Dagny with much less hostility. He gives a glance to Brandeigh, gives a nod, and then regards Dagny. "There is such a design here." Percy admits. "Why have you come to seek it, Dagny?" Dagny stiffens perceptibly, although her half-smile doesn't fade. "Let's just say I'm sightseeing, and that's next on my list of photo opportunities. Would you happen to know in what direction it is? I've been driving around looking for it for awhile." "It's not for casual visitors." James says in a low mutter, seemingly more for himself than as an active response to Dagny. Dagny turns back to Brandeigh. "Is there an inn or tavern or something of the sort nearby? I could use a break." She shrugs. "Maybe you all could join me for a cup of coffee or something." Brandeigh watches the interplay silently. At Dagny's words, she smiles pleasantly. "I imagine there are such establishments here, though you would have to ask the gentlemen for directions. Coffee does sound nice though. Wouldn't you agree, lads?;" she asks of the two men. "No." James says, more actively this time. Percy sighs. "I think something like that could be arranged." "Sightseeing?;" Brandeigh asks Dagny. "Where else have you been? What have you seen?" "Most recently, Versailles, which if you haven't heard of it, has this ancient palace and really fantastic--and unusual--gardens. It's a ways from here though. Before that..." Dagny pauses and frowns. "Uh, Paris. They have really good pastries. I think I have pictures of Paris somewhere in my gear. If we stop somewhere I'll show you if you like. Now, I think you said you weren't familiar with this place. Are you a stranger here, yourself?" "I've been to Paris before;" Brandeigh replies. "Good wines as well, though I much prefer a good whiskey." She then nods in answer to Dagny's last question. "In a manner of speaking, yes. I've never been here before today." "I am familiar with this place." Percy says. "As is James." He spreads his hands slightly and turns so that he can regard both Dagny and Brandeigh. "You will forgive our companion's surliness. This is not the sort of place that anyone comes to by accident or by a casual visit, you understand." "As far as a Coffeehouse, there simply aren't any other places in this world. There is just the Manor, and what it protects. I think though we can perhaps find food and coffee within the Manor. Perhaps it will even be gezellig." Percy offers. "I...will not join you." James says, and turns on his heel and walks in the direction of the hedge. Dagny frowns as James stalks off. "Who took a shit in his cereal?" she asks the other two. "Well, in any event, if there's a snack to be had, I'm all for that." Dagny turns the key in the ignition, and the low purr that was the engine fades away. She steps out, brushes off her black cargo pants, reaches back into the car, pulls out a large silver broadsword in a scabbard, and slings it over her back. "So this gezellig, is that an adjective or a noun?" Brandeigh shrugs her shoulders. "It's his way, I'm afraid;" she says regarding James. She looks at Percy; "Why don't you show her around while I find out what's up with James? I'll catch up to you both shortly." She looks over at Dagny; "If you'll excuse me for a minute or two?" Then she turns and follows James. "Certainly," Dagny responds, and looks to Percy. "We'll be inside, cariad." Percy says to Brandeigh, giving a smile, and gesturing to Dagny to stop and exit the car. The tall dark haired man waits patiently for Dagny to ready herself and then gestures for her to follow him to the doorstep. In the meantime, Brandeigh can follow James... Backlinks |
