(Untitled)

[enigmaestro]

Who: Everyone at the State Island Renn Faire.
When: From noon 4/29 to 11:59pm 5/2
Where: Staten Island.
Summary: Reality is temporarily broken as demonic forces accidentally make a Renn Faire very real.
Warnings: None?
Format: Whatever thou doth deign upon.

Comments

Open and in the afternoon; all formats accepted here

[hasgonehonkers]

Gamzee was, as always, whistling and playing his lute. His hands plucked gently at the instrument's strings, unlike his lyrics which picked and pulled at just about anyone he knew. Thankfully, his language was hard to decipher so should anyone only bother spending a little of their time they'd probably miss his insults all the same. Though, really, hearing a word like motherintercourser was probably sure to keep a few people around long enough to try and understand him.

Of course, Gamzee's strange music and words weren't the only things that could draw a person to him. His strange makeup and his being a troll could draw people in by sight alone. And without sight the strange rumors that came from Gamzee hiding his parentage could certainly tug on someone's ears.

Really though, him being an annoying bard was probably all anyone ever wanted or needed to know about him.

[enigmaestro]

He was making haste to the shadows of Fortune's Stage, eager to meet with his contacts. Lord Nygma took care to hide under the umbrage of deceit and smiling villainy, especially with the keen eyes of King Norman's guard gazing about. The man felt hounded for his intention, a sin against the very structure of society itself.

And yet, his conscience carried no weight under this treason.

After parting with the mercenary Seline, Edward refurbished his coinpurse before heading to a darker destination. It was by sheer chance that he happened upon the dulcet sounds of a whistling bard and his lute. Lord Nygma stilled his steps, his mind itching to place the sound of that rhythmic voice.

Ah.

"Here, bard, let me see thine visage." Edward plucked a coin from his hold, coaxing Gamzee closer for a look. As a nobleman, Lord Nygma was privy to the many secrets of his society. Gamzee was one of those secrets.

[hasgonehonkers]

Gamzee wasn't quite aware of how much Edward knew of him or else he may not have approached. As it was he was still under the impression that hardly anyone knew about his family or any of his other secrets. Lately he had been underestimating a lot of people and their ability to gather knowledge, but at least he wasn't going to completely underestimate a Lord's power.

At the very least he'd keep himself somewhat polite until he got the coin and he definitely wouldn't make his song outright insulting even if it'd be lacking in praise.

"Ah, my Lord, would you all like to hear a song or is my face all you're up at having need of?"

[enigmaestro]

"An obedient response," used the lord as he dared another step closer. "How pleasing. Forsooth, you strike a resemblance to a family I am well acquainted with. The physical look is quite striking, uncanny even." Embodied with the privilege of his class, Edward stuck out a hand to grab at Gamzee's shoulder. He intended to hold fast, and pin this lad to the truth once and for all.

But his curiosity anchored elsewhere.

"Sing thy song, mayhaps the tone will ring a note of remembrance."

[hasgonehonkers]

He did not pull back in time to avoid that shoulder grab, today was just a very unfortunate day it seemed. With the way Nygma spoke of his family he was actually certain this was one of his worst days in his life so far. Gamzee was certain now that Edward had to know who Makara really was and that was the last thing he wanted anyone to know. Perhaps flattery and keeping a sharp eye out for an opportunity could provide him an escape. With that in mind Gamzee smiled and began to play

[enigmaestro]

The dulcet sounds eased Edward's hand and swelled his heart. His thoughts of family ties and progeny fluttered away as he heard those sweet words, and that grab soon eased into a comforting pat. The name of Makara, a direly noble house, was but a glint in the distance before this serenading drip of ego-stroking power. The magnificent song of the bard incited a favorable expression on Lord's Nygma's mouth.

"A lady's nuzzle, indeed? A bawdy touch, m'lad," he said while warming into a grin. "Forsooth, I like it well. I've a mind to hire thou for thine art more regularly, I do."

He lingered with the bard, his curiosity quelled under the gleam of self-satisfaction.

[hasgonehonkers]

Gamzee almost sighed in relief. His secret was kept and he could continue playing a bard. Thank goodness this Lord loved getting his ego stroked, he wasn't sure what he'd have done otherwise. Flattery was, unfortunately, the only tool he had to use in public against a Lord.

"I'm glad it all pleases you, my Lord. I'd be up at playing more for you in the future," and he quickly pulled back, making his pull almost look like a bow - he was hoping it would look polite enough that Edward would not be angered by the obvious escape attempt - and started to turn to leave, "I do all need to be up at attending to bits of business though. May good fortune up and follow you for the rest of the day."

[enigmaestro]

Edward nodded, approving of this note. His exalted bearing shone brightly down at the young bard, a look that rarely graced the company of anyone below a lordly station. He turned to the side, about to half-step away, when his foot stilled.

"Hold a moment, my good bardling. Have I heard rumor of you? Methinks I caught the whisper of the King's Captain." Lord Nygma took a peer, albeit one far less invasive than his first. "Your songs know the court."

[hasgonehonkers]

He paused and turned back around, trying to avoid looking distressed "My songs all know the court now?"

It took a moment for him to gather himself properly for asking another question. He didn't want to seem too interested, but this was important. At least Lord Nygma seemed a little fonder of him now, so that might help. Still, something told him he should at least try not to give too much of himself away here.

"And what songs might those be?"

[enigmaestro]

"Those joyful ballads you have of the King," cooed the lord as he offered a treasonous wink. He didn't mask an ounce of that amusement, and the warmth that exuded from his manner seemed quite authentic. In truth, Edward had taken great pleasure in the word of Gamzee's lyrics, especially once the town gossips got a hold of them.

"You be of high repute, my friend, I cannot deny that. I was wondering, if thou mayst humor my query, what inspired thee so?"

[hasgonehonkers]

"Well, you could all say that I up and got my inspiration from - " his own hatred for weak human rule, the streets often lacked in blood and whimsy under a king of this kind; the king's court, kingdom even, lacking in decent jesters that could only do a kindness to the world by dying " - the King's lacking of mirth."

He smiled perhaps a little mischievously and the almost open armed shrug he gave hinted at something slightly wicked. In truth if Gamzee wasn't more than slightly annoyed with Edward knowing his past or worried about anyone coming along and hearing a word or two they shouldn't he might have warmed up enough to discuss more on this matter. Though, perhaps Edward could infer what he meant if he knew just enough of troll culture.

[enigmaestro]

"Mirthlessness." Lord Nygma stated the word with empty belief. He didn't outright allude to a deeper meaning, nor did he chase the bait of a specific query -- it would have been questionable ground to tread indeed. And the thought allowed for potential disagreement, and an altercation would have corruption Edward's driving need; that of the bard's relation to their king.

Bards were, after all, poets of gossip. It would suit his needs to have the eyes and tongue of Gamzee under his hand.

"Indeed," said the lord with an eager shrug. "Thy words know truth. And such truth enjoys company, does it not?" Edward's fingers slipped inside his change purse, retrieving two silver coins. "Truth worth more than copper. Tell me, hast thou seen the King as of late?"

[hasgonehonkers]

Money was a good way to get Gamzee talking, it didn't always work, but in this instance he'd be glad to give some information in exchange for it.

Gamzee drew a little closer both for the coins and because he needed to use a hushed tone for this. "I have not all up and seen him lately. Another though I all know is up at seeing him frequently and has gotten at speaking of his pets. His best dog does seem to stick around a little too long, but eventually it does get out at on in the hunt. Sometimes the other mothe- mutts do get up and get at hunting or resting though, leaving the King little company."

It was true that Gamzee had heard these things about the guard and he was fairly certain his informant, the only member of his family who he liked and who would refuse to out him, wouldn't lie to him. There was still a chance that something would be off though. That and the guard could just get better at sticking around more.

[swwag]

The plans for engaging Mindfang's craft on the lake at some later point set - it would no doubt be a glorious affair, with or without the serpent's interference - the great Dualscar had glanced over the ship and then released his crew to the pleasures of the town, to return the next day at dusk for the attack. He demanded perfection from his men and had no qualms with punishing anything but; however, he also knew that there must be a give to his take. And as long as his crew dragged themselves back to the ship sober enough to run it, he had no problems letting them have their fun

[hasgonehonkers]

Gamzee loved pirates. They made for some of his best lyrical material and there was the bonus that if he mocked one as much as he wanted someone else might actually appreciate his efforts and the guards wouldn't have to try to punish him again. It was doubly fun to crush a pirate's ego when they were so condescending to him