Caitrin Fell's Story

The Hidden Glen was a deceptively peaceful setting for a jovial gathering, with a history that extended as far back as any Terran could remember. It was that historic element that made it an ideal location for many to gather, since there were few who had not heard of the quiet little glade. These days, pedestrian traffic was less often seen, save for the few who looked for solace in the midst of the forest’s embrace.

Wagons had been pulled in, horses put out to pasture at a distance from the bonfire that had been lit at the clearings’ center. There was a festival in Wing City, and gypsies from all corners of Terra’s continents had gathered together to pool resources, bringing their wares, their magical artifacts, and exotic foods to sell to the urban dwellers. Not everyone was in the clearing, however. A few had broken off to walk the Dark Forest, communing peacefully with one another and with their surroundings.

Among those gathered about the fire was a young woman of perhaps seventeen or eighteen, her rose-gold hair glowing brilliantly in the firelight. She was smiling, a wooden chalice cupped in her hands as she listened to a nearby woodsman tell some tall tale of a dragon he’d encountered during one of his adventures through the distant mountains. Someone commented on the inverse proportion of the dragon’s alleged size and the woodsman’s manhood, and that set all of those within listening distance to laughter.

A rather stunning brunette sitting to the young lady’s right didn’t so much as crack a smile, and had an old book spread across her lap. The redhead nudged her, frowning slightly.

“Lorn, don’t be such a bore. You must’ve read that thing a hundred times by now.” She complained.

Lorn looked up, her expression smooth. “Caitrin, I hardly think that we’re of an age or maturity level that finds phallic references amusing.”

Caitrin rolled her eyes.

The gathering was quite the occasion, and it meant the Cassier was out in full throttle, more than eager to test his flirting skills against the ladies of the Rom. They were absolutely lovely to see, and he plucked the occasional strings on his guitar, tuning it so he could play for the dancing that was sure to occur later tonight.

He would have his turn on the dance floor too, of course, but for now, he admired the ladies, blatantly so at that. The man stood and put the guitar away, taking it back to his wagon before he returned, and paused by the beautiful Caitrin Fell and Lorn.

"Ladies." He greeted them, admiring them openly. "Come join me about the fire. There's something wrong about too beautiful woman like yourselves sitting to the side like this. You could be in the thick of things, with suitors surrounding you." He teased them, rather pleased to have the chance. His caravan was largely immune to his charms, thanks to his rather extensive flirting there.

"I need a suitor like I need the plague." Lorn murmured, turning a page in her book while Caitrin met Cassier's gaze.

"Don't mind my friend." she said with a smile. "She came to the Gathering unwillingly, and likes to remind me of it." She stood, the silk of her skirts falling down around her bare ankles. "I, on the other hand, wouldn't mind your company."

"I'm certain he doesn't mind it either, Caitrin. Or any other ladies' for that matter." Lorn said, this time looking up and drilling Cassier with a rather firm stare.

"You wound me." He teased Lorn and he held out a hand for Caitrin. "Join me then. You can have me at least until the second shift of musicians for the dancing." He was trying to be charming. Roma ladies were certainly very different that the nonRoma. Roma ladies would be treated better for one thing, and he wouldn't try and sleep with them right away. They deserved a proper bonding.

Of course, the one was rather harsh. "Your friend is more than welcome to join us anytime of course. I'm Cassier. May I have the honor of knowing such a beautiful angels names?"

She took his hand, ignoring Lorn's skeptical look as she stepped away from her friend, eyes tilted towards the star-studded sky.

"I'm Caitrin." she told him, clearly unflustered by his actions. She enjoyed the attention, but she supposed she was a little disappointed with the presentation. He was another face, more flattering words.

"Which caravan do you call family?" she asked, her arm laced through his now. She looked at him occasionally, but often glanced around, her brow gently creased.

"The Corrigan caravan." He said, and smiled to her. "And you?" The woman certainly peaked his attention. She was completely unflustered. How to convince her to remain with him. The man smiled flitatiously. "Surely a blessed one to have you there." She was pretty enough.

"No caravan." she said softly, her steps hesitating. She mentally shook herself, then smiled up at Cassier. "I suppose I don't play well with children my own age."

She looked down at the ground. "So I suppose it was fortunate that you saw past my rather bristly caretaker. I look forward to a dance, Cassier."

No caravan? Well, she may be out of the running than, based on family politics alone. Of course, it may simply mean she was all the more eligible. It depends, be suspected, largely on her. The man offered her a smile, and placed two fingers under her chin to raise it, so she was looking him in the eyes.

"I am certain you play well enough." He assured her quietly. "And I cannot wait for a dance with you. Your caretaker is not so fierce that I would be dissuaded, after all." He kept his gaze gentle as he lowered his fingers and smiled.

She moved her other hand, wrapping her fingers around the ones that rested at her chin, and took a step back. There was a gentle warning in her eyes.

"You seem confident, Cassier, and quite charming. Do you typically have ladies wilting with those eyes of yours?" She searched his, her own glowing in the light of the fire.

"I promise that I'm not quite so easy, or simple-minded."

Too much too soon it seemed. She was a sharp one, this Caitrin. "Not Roma ladies no. Roma ladies are much too smart to be taken in half so easily. But flirting is still pleasant, is it not?" Even if it resulted in nothing at all.

"I would never expect you to be easy, Caitrin. Partly because you are Roma, and wise, and partly because you're fierce caretaker would make sure you were not."

"Mmm, your tone of voice says otherwise. Indulge my curiosity, Cassier, what if our positions had been reversed? What is it about you that would attract my single-minded attention? What sets you apart from the other Roma boys?"

Her smile was a bit quirky now. "What about you deserves my absolute attention?" She was drawing him out of Lorn's line of sight, slipping her fingers between his as a violin crooned, calling couples out to dance.

"Oh no. The tables have turned." He led her to the dance floor, so to speak, listening to the music. The dances never allowed for speaking, given the speed of them. "Perhaps my skill at dance could convince you? After all, there will be other Roma boys no doubt, trying to make their way past your fierce guardian and into your heart."

Though her eyes were bright, she seemed a bit disappointed. She shrugged, allowing him to lead her through the turns and twirls, her skirts swirling as she stepped with him. She was well matched, in spite of her self-professed lack of a caravan. As the dance came to an end, she stepped back and offered a polite curtsy, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Your dancing was suitable." she acknowledged, rising to her full height. "I fear it doesn't answer my question." She sighed, planting her hands on her hips and looking towards the musicians. Without another word, she walked over and leaned down to whisper in one of the men's ear, and he seemed delighted to hand over his violin, and allowed her to perch on his knee.

Without warning, she began a song, fast and loud and full of spirit, and it wasn't long before percussion joined in, lending rhythm to a full-bodied song.

"Ah. Only a suitable?" His heart hurt. Still, he recognized the challenge for what it was, and talked his way into borrowing a guitar himself. He preferred the guitar of course, but he could play the violin and play it well enough. For this though, a guitar would work, even if it wasn't his. The moment she paused, he launched into his own song, and the percussion joined in as well, backing him up with ease.

A challenge of the instruments wasn't something he had expected, but he would rate more than a mere suitable in her eyes. He had a reputation to uphold!

It seemed as if the camp had parted, standing to either side and watching as the pair, at first partners, then rivals, played simultaneously, both with and against one another. What was curious, was the way the fire seemed to pulse with Caitrin's music. She had stood, facing Cassier and moving with her song. Ladies clapped behind her, dancing in spite of the heat that danced between the pair, and it wasn't just related to the fire.

Lorn had risen as well, and was watching Caitrin, her eyes wide with concern as she looked from her to the fire.

The fire worried him, and he was sure to move a bit farther away, but he didn't let up as he played with and against her, rallying quite a few men to dance behind him, supporting him in this rather intense duel.

Moving with the song was a matter of simply letting the music move him, and the grin on his face reflected exactly how much he was enjoying this challenge. Even with him a bit farther from the fire though, the heat between the pair remained, and he knew she felt it jsut as much as he did.

The fire didn't seem to bother Caitrin, and she was smiling, her eyes closed as every part of her moved with the song. She spun, her dress swirling around in a wide arc, and the fire next to her suddenly twisted, doubling in height and sending sparks into the air.

Lorn had started to move towards Caitrin, her eyes full of concern.

But Caitrin was moving closer to Cassier, her eyes open now, and glowing. Her bow arm moved furiously as their song reached its climax, and people had stopped dancing to watch in wonder as the fire grew so bright that the couple were nothing more than shadows swallowed up by the glow of the flames.

The song's climax was complicated, but he found himself moving closer all too deliberately, the fire catching his attention, but the music swallowing him up, cause him to ignore the danger. It wasn't until he finished that he realized how high the fire had risen and exactly how much danger they were in.

With the fire this high, both of them could easily catch on fire. Judging by her glowing eyes, she had some control over it, but he remained ready to act, to knock her down and away from the fire if she lost control.

With one last crescendo, the song came to an abrupt, but satisfying end. Her chest heaved as the fire died down, the applause errupting enthusiastically all around them. She stared at Cassier, before stumbling back a step and regaining her balance.

"That," she breathed, barely audible above the noise of the crowd.

"That was a dance worth having."

Cassier grinned and held out a hand, to help her stay balanced. He was sweat covered, exhausted, and grinning like a cat that caught more than on canary. "That is was Cait. That it was." And it was damn near exhausting.