Jade Robin Milo's Story

((Just as a reminder, please make sure that you post at least a paragraph for each post. Unless you REALLY cannot think of anything.))

Jay Robin Milo

Jay walked through the streets of Nika with one of Birdie's wings rapped tightly around her. Spring was quickly approaching so it was getting warmer, but Jay had clearly overshot how warm it would actually be outside and had not wore her cloak. A chilled wind ran through the streets and Jay only pulled Birdie's warm feathers tighter around her. Jay was in the midst of longing for the summer weather when she suddenly looked up as she heard Birdie growl excitedly and his wing was abruptly pulled back from around her. She looked with surprise over at the huge wolfish Creature only to jump back as she noticed a large falcon-like Creature had landed on his shoulder. She was about to swat the thing off when she recognized the Creature as Ricky, her brother's Creature.

Jay suddenly heard two tiny voices from behind her call, "Aunty Jayjay! Look at what Daddy bought us!" Jay turned on her heels to see her two twin nieces, Robin and Selena, come running up to her holding big bars of chocolate. Behind them stood Jay's older brother, Carter with a huge smile on his face. "Look's like my Creature over there likes little wolfy." Jay kept a smile on her face and narrowed her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I was always told I shouldn't talk to strangers." Carter shook his head slowly. "This is how you treat your big brother after two months of not seeing him?" Jay couldn't help but let a few small tears of joy slip as she ran into Carter's arms like a little girl. They stood like that for a moment before Carter put her at arms length. "Where've you been lately?" Jay asked as Carter smiled at her and put an arm around her neck. They began to walk down the street and Carter sighed. "I was in Lefton for a bit selling some fruits they don't grow there."

Robin and Selena had begun to play with Birdie who seemed to love the twins to death. As Jay and Carter walked, the twins, Birdie, and Ricky followed close behind, still playing together. Jay stopped at the fountain in the town square where she usually did most of her dancing. "I have to go work, Cart."Carter frowned down at his little sister. "I hate your job. It attracts too many creepy guys." Jay simply shook her head and chuckled at Carter. "You worry too much, but you should go say hi to Nessa, she'll be happy to see ya again," she said, referring to the motherly cook who had taken Jay and Carter in when their parents had died. With that, Jay gave a short, shrill whistle for Birdie who reluctantly placed Robin and Selena on the ground and started off after Jay.

Carter slowly walked away from Jay as she took her normal place by the fountain. He only looked over his shoulder once and sighed, taking his daughters' hands in his own and calling out for Ricky to follow him as he set off toward his home. Jay sighed as well and scratched Birdie's head. "We'll go to see them later alright," Jay said to her Creature who looked disappointed that they had to leave so quickly. Reluctantly, Birdie lie down in his usual spot at Jay's feet as she began to dance away and gathered a few coins from passersby.

As the girl and her Creature took a step closer, Birdie did so as well, placing one paw in between the pair and Jay. Both Jay and Birdie's heads shot up as a rumble came from the ceiling. Must be a storm comin',' Jay thought to herself and then looked back at the shop owner. She picked up the carving carefully with one hand and then looked over at Birdie. She placed the statuette back down on the shelf and rustled for a moment under the fake feather of Birdie's wing where he always kept her coins. She had made the fake feather just last year out of red leather. It matched his actual feathers just enough that most wouldn't take a second glance at it, but was a slightly different shade so that Jay could always find that one special feather.

Jay produced a few golden pieces from the makeshift feather and counted them. She was about ready to steal the small statue. She knew that she would be able to get away with it before the girl realized, but then the girl told her that the carving was in fact Birdie and her brother's Creature. That was why she had been so drawn to the statuette. Jay shook the thought of theft out of her mind and went back to actually buying the thing with her own money. "It's 'mazingly carved. Looked exactly like my Birdie here and my brother's Creature. You're very talented at this," Jay said as she extended the hand that held the coins. "I got five gold here. I know it ain't enough for this sorta craftsmanship, but I could pay ya at least five more tomorrow if you could maybe jus' hold this little carvin' for me 'til then."

Scarny thought for a moment. She reached up grabbed the carving and the dress she thought good for her. She went in the back of the store. She grabbed a few things from the back like cheese and milk for her cow. Her father always told her that the cow had the sweetest milk all over the lands. She put in some feathers that Scar had shed. They where good writing feathers. She also added an outfit that her mother had gotten after saving a gypsy. She never wore it and thought the girl would have it. She still didn't think it was enough for the coins. So she placed a few more carvings within the folds of the dress. They where tries before to make the creature stand alone but it didn't look good enough to her. She hoped the girl liked them. She wrapped them up so that you couldn't tell what was inside. She handed them to the girl. "Hope its enough. Oh and sorry about Scar growling at you. He is very timid and protective." She held out her had for the coins. Any other store would have asked for more for just the carving but all the things put together she knew wasn't worth that much so she wasn't going to rob people of there good earned money just as her father taught her. "Come back anytime you need something" She smiled at the girl and her creature. But was still embarrassed about the growl.

Tess hurried her way to her room, entering only quickly enough to snatch up a hooded cloak and her purse of coins before making her way out of the keep. The two guards at the keep entryway nodded to her as she passed them. She could only see red as fury consumed her thoughts and quickened her pace. It wasn't like she didn't like the prince; the few times she had met him she thought he was very charming indeed. It was the idea of others controlling her life. She had followed the rules, she had learned the etiquette. For what? Sitting inside a cold keep, waiting to be auctioned off to the first male found desirable? She was nothing more than livestock to be bargained with.

The young woman found herself at the fountain where she had seen the woman dancing earlier. Glancing around, Tess didn't see her and felt a little disappointed. She would have liked to give her some money for cheering her up and giving her something to practice her lute to. Tess also would have liked to ask where she was working; one could not fully support themselves by dancing on street corners, could they?

" 'Ello, sweetheart," a voice loomed behind her and she felt a large shadow block the sun. Whirling around, she had to lift her chin to see into the man's eyes and she saw a snake-like Creature wrapped around his shoulders. Jewel let loose a hiss and growled as she swiped at it. Tess herself felt uneasy and disliked the proximity the man was standing. However, when she took a step back he followed, stepping forward.

"Excuse me, I don't believe we know each other," Tess said uneasily while taking another futile step back. The man grinned, showing yellow teeth. "No, but I'd like ta get ta know ya much betta'," he chuckled, causing Tess to wince at the stench of his breath. Her eyes darted around frantically, looking for someone to help but there was hardly anyone in sight that did not seem engrossed in one task or another. Chuckling again, the man reached out and grabbed a hold of Tessla's wrist. "Yer comin' with me, girly," he huffed. Jewel hissed again, weaving her way down Tessla's arm and sinking her fangs into the man's hand. He gave out a yelp and Tess turned and ran toward the nearest open shop, glancing behind her in fear to see the man hurrying after her. "Help!" She cried out to the two girls she saw silhouetted in the shop doorway.

((I know that I kind of rushed this. If you guys want to change anything, please let me know.))

Jay handed the girl her coins and was about to thank her tremendously when she heard a cry of, "Help!" from outside. Jay whirled around, set her goods down on the table, and made her way outside quickly. The man with his serpent-like Creature from before was chasing after the girl who had tried to play a song to Jay's dancing. Jay gave a shrill whistle and Birdie took one graceful bound over her head, making his way toward the man. Jay motioned for the shop owner to help the girl as Jay also made her way over to the man.

Birdie had pinned the man under one giant paw and carefully picked the girl's small Creature up in his mouth and set the Creature on the ground as Jay finally made it over to the man who was still pinned. She placed a hand on Birdie's large neck and shook her head sarcastically at the man. "Now, I thought my Birdie here made it clear that you ain't welcome 'round here." Jay had all but forgotten about the man's Creature when it suddenly made a leap for Jay. She turned just in time to put her arm out in front of her as the snake's fangs bit into her. Birdie growled and snapped at the snake-like Creature's tail, taking off a good portion of it. As Birdie spit out the part from his mouth, the man got loose, the serpent leaped back, and they both took off down the street.

Birdie was about to follow when he noticed the two small holes in Jay's arm. He flattened his ears and was ready to lick the wound when Jay held up a hand. "That thing might've been poisonous, Bird. We don't want ya to get it too, do we?" Birdie's ears flattened even farther back and he whimpered lowly, looking over at the two other girls as if to ask for help on what he should do for the girl he loved.

Scar not even hesitated jumped towards Jay. He rubbed his feather mane on the wound before she could object. When nothing happened he nodded towards the wolf creature to lick the wound. He knew it was safe. He looked towards Scarny to enplane.

Scarny dropping the cons at the yell left them in the shop. She ran out seeing what Scar was doing. She walked towards Jay. "Don't worry there's been a spell put on them by a wizard. If it where to turn red they would have been poisonous but since it did nothing. You are good." She was embarrassed speaking of the spell placed on her creature. Her father had it done when her mother died from a snake bite.

Tessla stood and had watched the whole ordeal in shock. Never had she seen anyone act so crudely, nor had anyone acted so brave on her behalf. Now the girl was standing there, holding onto her bitten arm while Tessla scooped up Jewel from the ground. Her Creature didn't look any worse for wear other than her bristling fur. The wolf-like Creature (Birdie, did she call him?) whined in her direction and she felt hopeless. She didn't know any first aid and had no idea where the nearest apothecary was; they had always come to the keep if needed.

She jumped, almost dropping Jewel in the process when a large lionish Creature came forth and began rubbing its mane on the wound. How strange, she thought, hoisting Jewel back up onto her shoulders. A shopkeeper came out and began explaining her Creature's actions. Relief washed over the noble as she heard the bite was not poisoned. How horrible would that have been? Taking a deep breath, she joined the circle where the others stood.

"Thank you, for helping me," she spoke first to the wolf Creature then to the dancer woman. "I...I didn't even see him come up from behind! I've never..." Tess realised she was starting to loose her composure so she stopped, cleared her throat, and lifted her chin while her eyes suddenly became serious. It would do her no good for these commoners to see her all excited. "Anyways, I thank you. I have some money..." Tess reached into her purse and grabbed a handful of gold, pulling it out and offering the small pile to the bitten girl. "Please, take it. If anything it will pay for a doctor." Or a bath, Tess thought, wrinkling up her nose. Jewel crawled down the fabric of the cloak and strained her neck to sniff at the other two strange Creatures.

((Just as a reminder, this RP is in past tense.))

Jay was a bit surprised as the lion-like Creature rubbed it's mane along Jay's arm. However, the shopkeeper explained the spell that was on them and Jay smiled up at the her and then over to the lion Creature. Birdie slowly began to lick the bite mark as Jay held a hand up and ran it slowly through the feathered mane of the lion. Evening was approaching and the black feathers seemed to catch the glint of the sunset. "Thank you," she whispered to the Creature and then looked over at the noble girl who had joined them. She offered Jay a few coins which Jay normally would have snatched up in a second. Instead, Jay shook her head with and chuckled softly. "It's fine, darlin', I didn't do it f'r money." Birdie stopped his persistent licking and looked up at her with a questioning look on his face. Jay payed him no mind though and furrowed her brow as she cautiously looked the noble girl up and down. "Where're ya from, doll? I haven't seen ya 'round here." Jay took a quick glance over at Birdie who had slowly bent down to sniff at the noble's Creature with curiosity.

Tess had to strain to understand the dancer girl's strange accent. She hadn't heard the like within the keep and the way she spoke left the noble struggling to comprehend. Plus she felt uncomfortable being addressed as "darling" and "doll" by a stranger. She wondered if all commoners were like this and had to fight conflicting thoughts about if she liked this girl or not. One could be appreciative without being friends, could they? Forcing a smile, Tess smoothed down her dress and re-arranged her cloak after it had been knocked askew from running. "I am from the keep," she pointed off to the looming building that sat up on the hill. "I...I wanted to come down and watch you dance," she lied. "It is very charming, nothing like I am used to." Jewel was busy sniffing Birdie's nose before she let loose a playful squeak. In a flash, the Creature was running up and down Tess, around her legs and underneath the cloak, finally popping up next to Tessla's neck with a high-pitched trill. Tess frowned down at her Creature, disapproving of her behavior in front of these strangers. There went all hopes of seeming reserved.

She turned and saw the shopkeeper running to them and began to worry that the big man had returned. All she did was hand a package to the dancer. "Here you left this at the shop and you gave me one to many coins. Its in the bag. Well I have to go i promised to take Scar swimming." She smiled handing the stuff over. Tess snooped a little and tried to judge what was in the package but it was wrapped. What kind of items did people usually buy in the market? The merchants usually all came to the keep when they knew they would have something to sell, like silken fabrics. Then the tailors and seamstresses would come by the keep to make the clothes there. The nobles made sure that there was no reason to go outside of the keep and Tessla was suddenly aware that this was her first trip outside without her father. No wonder she had gotten into trouble.

Tess watched as the other girl's Creature started searching for Jewel, trying not to frown at the way the girl was trying to get her back home. Yes, she didn't fit in. But she didn't want to be sent home like some stray, either. Sighing, she reached up and took a hold of Jewel, expertly maneuvering the struggling Creature out from under he cloak and holding her in front of the wolfish Creature. "I suppose I do not fit in very well here, do I?" She asked sadly, keeping her eyes down on Jewel. Her Creature made a series of short high-pitched barks while wiggling in Tessla's grasp. It had been a while since she had seen another Creature that did not seem to be stuck up and proper. Her legs were pumping in air, looking like she was running. Tess couldn't help but smile sadly. "She has been cooped up there for years," Tess explained. "No friends...nobody understands her." Tessla didn't understand the irony, that she was also describing herself as she set Jewel down on the ground. Jewel barked again, jumping up into the air and rolling around playfully at Birdie.

Tessla's face went stony as she felt the sting of truth to the dancer girl's words. Yes, it was no way to really live. One could survive comfortable enough within the keep. But could anyone really call it living? She stood back up and watched at the two Creatures played together, running around the fountain and splashing through the water. Even if the day was a complete disaster it still made Tess happy that Jewel was able to get out and let loose a little. "I...," Tess struggled to think of a way to explain. What business was it of this girl's? But she felt like she needed someone to talk to and, well, this girl at least seemed willing to listen. "My parents are trying to arrange a marriage for me. I just," Tess looked sadly down to the ground. "I wanted to get away for a little bit. While I can, at least." She fidgeted with one of the lace loops on her dress; a bad habit that her mother had punished her repeatedly for. Clearing her throat, she turned back to the girl. "My name is Tessla, by the way. I really do appreciate you and your Creature's assistance."

One of Jay's brows raised as the girl spoke of an arranged marraige. Jay was lucky if she got married to anyone, but she sure didn't want it to be arranged. However, she decided that she was prying too much into the girl's personal life. "The name's Jay," she said as the girl, Tessla, told her her name. "It was nothin'," Jay sighed and continued. "I understand wantin' to get away, but I like ya, so jus' promise you'll stay outa trouble, kay?" she asked the girl with a chuckle. Behind her, Birdie had caught up with the fast little Creature, but had tripped and fell into the fountain. He quickly got up and shook himself out, hitting a few passersby with the water as they grumbled angrily at him.

Tess nodded, still twisting her fingers around the lace of her dress. "I...I did not mean to attract trouble. I thought the king's guards would have been protecting the marketplace a little more." The girl watched as the two Creatures played around the fountain and a small smile passed on her lips. Jewel was now openly swimming through the fountain water, splashing up and teasing Birdie whenever near him. For all her lack in strength, Jewel was an exceptionally fast Creature. "Your creature is beautiful," Tess commented sincerely. Usually she was forced to complement the other nobles and she had almost forgotten what true admiration was. "I hope Jewel is not frustrating him too much." Indeed, it seemed like Jewel's energy was limitless as she ducked and weaved around the fountain. "I also enjoyed your dancing." Tess was trying to keep a conversation going, if anything to extend the amount of time she could stay away from the keep. "Do you dance somewhere else, too?"

Jay looked over at Birdie who was happily trying to catch the small Creature by swatting at it with his paws. For a moment, Jay was worried that he might hurt the Creature, but she soon realized that the Creature was too fast for him. Jay looked back up at the girl and gave her a short, course laugh. "Hah! As if the king's guards could give two craps 'bout the lowest of the low." Jay snorted and then gave the girl a smile. "It's no both. Eventually he'll tire himself out and just collapse," Jay laughed and then stopped abruptly when the girl asked if Jay danced any other places. She did do private dances for special occasions and parties, and she always brought Birdie along to make sure that the men never touched her. Though Jay decided to not tell the girl about those, thinking that the girl would take it the wrong way and think of her as a stripper, which was wrong since Jay never actually took her clothing off. Jay had more pride than that. "No, it's mostly jus' in this ol' place," Jay said abruptly and glanced over her shoulder at Birdie again as he continued to make the commoners angry by splashing them with water from the fountain.

Tess frowned, confused. Was she insulting the King or his guards? Wasn't the king a good man? To hear her father tell it the King could move mountains and worked very hard every day to make sure his people were safe. Perhaps Jay was wrong; this was probably just a bad day for the guards. Or maybe they had been busy elsewhere. At any rate, the kind probably had better things to think about than the lazy peasants in the slums. She was very surprised to hear that Jay did not dance anywhere else. "Then you have another occupation?" Tess questioned, a confused eyebrow raised. Nobody could fully support themselves by just dancing. Tessla remembered thinking that a while earlier. Was this girl...poor? She didn't look like the many destitute her parents had described to her; she seemed healthy and well fed. Birdie was strong and energetic, much more so than the overstuffed Creatures within the keep. Perhaps, she wondered, excess was just as unhealthy as lacking. Another scenario entered her head. "Oh, you live with someone, yes? Perhaps married?" The noble girl had failed to try and see if the girl was wearing a wedding ring.

((I won't be on for the entire weekend, but I'll be back Monday night. Off to the beach :))

Jay half laughed, half snorted at Tess's question of being married. Of course she wasn't married. What man in his right mind would want a girl like herself to support? Jay held both of her hands and wiggled her fingers around. There were six rings on her left hand and seven on her right and numerous bracelets jangled as her hands moved. "Nah." Jay laughed and then continued, "None of these are wedding rings." Jay sighed and placed her hands back at her side. "Yeah, I live with my adoptive mother. She used to be a cook when she took me and my brother in, but then she got sick. Dancin' may make me a lot of gold, but it's enough. My brother pays part of the bills, but it's mostly jus' me, her, and the left o'er money from 'er restaurant." Jay was about to add the money that she got for private dances, but stopped herself before she said anything of it. Jay sighed before looking up at the girl with a small smile. She didn't want this girl or anyone for that matter pitying her. "I can't feel sorry for myself though. There are too many people who got it worse than I do." She gave a small chuckle and silently asked herself why she was telling this girl anything about herself.

Tess nodded at Jay's explanation, though not really fully understanding her living situation. Did just two women support themselves within one household? Of course, she had said with the help of her brother. He must be a very wealthy type to be able to support two houses. Tessla could not, though, make herself understand why someone would dance for money if they had other opportunities. Why, running a restaurant did not seem like a bad spot of employment...so why dance? "Why do you dance, if I may ask? It seems like you have other, less..." Tess trailed off, trying to find the most diplomatic word to use. "Questionable." She still doubted if this was the right word; it wasn't like this woman was stripping or teasing the men. But it still was far from a stable job, for stable jobs were what kept the economy stable. Or, that was what she was taught up in the keep. "How are others less fortunate?" She looked around the square, searching for people who seemed destitute. "Is there not enough work to go around?"

((Yay beach! My excuse is far less fun: I had a paper to write all weekend. Poo!))

Tess noticed the shortness of Jay's reply and worried that perhaps she had overstepped her boundary for asking questions. People in the keep always bragged about where their money had come from: trading, textiles, rewards for brave deeds and an impressive wedding dowry. Tessla doubted many of the nobles within the keep every had to work much for their money. Instead it came from the many businesses they owned within the city and around all of Carmanio. She was having trouble thinking, with the amount of money each noble bragged about earning, that there would not be enough jobs for the people in the city to work.

"Hey!" Tess turned to see a woman shaking herself after being splashed with water after Jewel had dived into the fountain. "Oh dear," Tessla sighed, walking on over to the lady. "Forgive my Creature, please," she bowed her head slightly. "I am afraid she likes playing in the water and forgets that there are others around who do not appreciate it as much as her." Tess turned to give a warning glare at Jewel, though both of them understood that it was mostly for show. She couldn't help but smirk when she saw how wet Birdie had gotten while trying to chase Jewel.

Tess reached into the pocket of her cloak and withdrew a fine-looking hanky, gesturing for Jewel to get in. With a chirp her Creature jumped in and continued to emit a weird growling sound as Tess scrubbed hard to dry Jewel off. She knew her mother would have a heart attack if she saw the state Jewel was in, and in public no less! Tessla couldn't help but laugh to herself as she mimicked her mother's voice in her head. She looked over at Jay and Birdie and saw that Birdie had hugged Jay with his wings, getting the girl wet. She held Jewel up with a playful glare. "Don't get any ideas, Missy." She shook Jewel slightly at the last word to emphasize her point and her Creature barked in reply. Jewel was kind of strange with her noises and could mimic a whole variety of sounds. Tessla thought it charming and loved how her creature could almost "talk" with her different sounds to match her different moods. It was too energetic for the keep, however, and many times complaints about the noises coming from Tessla's room caused her mother to be stern. Thinking about her mother again, Tess sighed and continued to softly dry Jewel.

"Well, your Creature must be pretty sneaky to get past my Birdie, 'ere." Jay only chuckled. Tess rolled her eyes. "Jewel has had a lot of practice being sneaky, believe me." Jewel let out a muffled chirp underneath the hanky as if agreeing. The girl turned to admire Birdie. "Your Creature is fantastic. I bet many people think twice before approaching you." Jewel let out a disappointed mew and Tess lifted up the wet creature, bunches of fur sticking up everywhere. "You are ferocious, too. I bet that nasty man will have to finally wash his hands. I hope you do not get sick." While the last sentence was still part of her tease, Tess couldn't help but wonder if Jewel really could have caught something from biting the man.

Jay patted Birdie's side lovingly. "Why thank ya. He tries to stand down when I'm workin', but he can't help it sometimes." With that, Birdie have a short growl jokingly at Jay's last statement. She gave a quick laugh at her Creature and then turned back to Tess. Jay couldn't tell whether Tess had been joking or not about her Creature getting sick.

"Well I sure hope she doesn't." Jay thought for a moment and then, as if a light bulb appeared over her head, Jay gave a quick, "Oh!" Without giving the girl an explanation, Jay slid a hand into the makeshift feather on Birdie's wing and pulled out a small pouch. She opened the pouch and produced a tiny herb. Birdie shuddered at the sight of the herb and Jay only smiled. It was an herb that Nessa had given her. It was quite bitter, but always kept Birdie from getting sick after licking or eating something he shouldn't have. Jay held the palm out with the herb to Tess. "It don't taste that good, but it'll keep her from gettin' sick. At least it works for Birdie. He eats everythin'." Jay chuckled at the thought of all the things her Creature had eaten in all their years together. She didn't know whether this girl trusted her enough to take the herb, but only hoped that she trusted her enough after Jay had helped her out with the man from before.