the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

The road to Pirate's Swoop winds up and away from a large and flourishing village near a pleasant-looking beach. It's wide and flanked by forest, but the traveler never loses sight of the castle ahead. Unlike Barony Olau, Pirate's Swoop is very much a fortress, built out of heavy, thick stone blocks around three central towers. Two walls surround the inner courts and buildings. Sheer cliffs and rock drop away from three sides of the castle. On the other, facing the road, huge gates guard the entrance along with burly guardsmen.

This being Baron George Cooper's home, there are other ways into and out of the castle, most known only to him. To a first time visitor, however, the road seems the only way to reach the Swoop.

A brown flag with a golden key flaps in the breeze atop the central tower.

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It's not that Abigail and Raph aren't talking, because they are. It's just that they're not talking much, and not usually to each other. To say that the last few days have been strained, is akin to saying the ocean itself is wet, or the sky blue.

They'd paused briefly to look out upon the beach and ocean, but not so silently decided to go up to the Swoop and announce their presence before exploring further. Thus giving them both some time around people that aren't each other, lest the I told you so battle continue anew.

Abigail's nerves aren't helping the situation any. As she gapes at the impressive castle looming ahead of them, irritation is joined by worry; even Raph's innocuous "Watch out for that root" is answered with a sharp "I know!"

No matter that he claims the Lioness is like family. No matter that she would probably say the same. Abigail now knows that they're not. What is she, a common tavern girl, doing calling on a Baron and his rich friends for a holiday!?

Her mouth thins into a straight line and she grips the reins so hard that the usually mild-mannered Cloud tosses his head.

And now they are days late, thanks to Sir I-Know-Which-Way-The-Sea-Lies.

In his defense, he did find it eventually, and a great deal sooner than the last time. Honestly, she should consider herself lucky!

Raph would have to admit that the Swoop is something to marvel at. It's a beautiful structure. But to Raph that's all it is: a structure. Nobility and all the trappings that come with it don't hold the same meaning for him as it does for Abigail. From Raph's perspective the only thing that makes rich people different from poor people is money. Respect is earned, and can't be bought for any price.

"Ain't this somethin'," he says with awe in his voice, as they approach the gate.

Abigail's eye is caught and held by the flag; it announces to all who see it that the baron is in residence.

She nods stiffly. "Aye."

Their progress is being watched by the guards. She feels a small measure of gratification that they don't look inclined to let them pass, and drops back to let Raph do the talking.

Which is just...never a good idea. Ever.

Raph's suddenly pleased that he went against his better judgment and actually rode into town, as opposed to walking. He looks down at the guards from his mount. "Gentlemen," he says in a tone more often used for the word Boys. "We seek an audience with the Baron. He's expectin' us."

Oh sure they outnumber him, but Raph's pretty damn sure he could take both guards down if push came to shove.

The larger man hooks his thumbs in his sword belt, puffs out his chest and laughs. Insouciant, he strides forward and looks up at Raph.

"Is he now? And who might ye be?" he asks, gaze sliding toward insolent.

The man's manner gets under Abigail's skin. When the other guard guffaws, she snaps, "He's family to the Lioness, that's who."

Raph turns and raises an eyebrow towards Abigail. It's one thing to for her to know the truth, it's another for her to perpetuate the lie.

"Aye, that I am. One of her shorter cousins. What with her being ten feet tall and all."

He turns, once again, to face the guards. "If you gotta have a name though, Shang call me Gamara, but your master will know me as Raphael."

Go on now, scoot.

Abigail steadfastly ignores Raph's look, keeping her glare trained on the guards.

The guards, however, are studying Raph. There's a subtle shift in attitude, but neither falls into apologetic deference. Instead they simply grow serious. Eventually the larger man says, "Aye, they fit the description," and sends the other guard to announce their arrival.

He smiles, jovial now. "We were expectin' you days ago."

"Hmph," says Abigail.

Raph's eyes narrow. What description, exactly?
Then they narrow further at the mention of their tardiness.

"We got detained." Frosty doesn't even begin to cover the chill in his voice.

Considering the way they'd been staring at his bald head...

An accurate description.

Abigail looks to her left, idly watching a seagull float through the air.

"We got lost," she puts in, sounding bored.

The guard's smile widens.

Raph keeps his eyes on the guards as his jaw sets, almost if daring them to laugh.

"We weren't lost. Just runnin' behind schedule.

Abigail gives first him, then the other man a flat look but doesn't have time to reply -- the second guard returns and waves them through.

"Go on, then," he says. "The stables're on the left, inner yard. Someone'll be there to take yer animals."

"Welcome to the Swoop, m'lord. Lady," the first guard says, still grinning.

Swallowing hard, she nods her thanks.

He grunts his acceptance of the welcome, and urges Colin onwards through the gates. The dark cloud that has overtaken his mood keeps him from looking up to marvel at the battlements from the inside. Instead he merely makes his way towards the stables.

With a sigh, Abigail clucks at Cloud and follows. They pass through the gates, then another wall a few minutes later.

The heart of the castle is busy; that's the first thing she notices. The next is that there are an awful lot of tents pitched in the courtyard, opposite the stables.

"They've that many guests?" she wonders aloud.

It takes a few moments for Abigail's question to sink in and disturbing Raph's grumbling mind. It wasn't even registering to Raph that this might be an overabundance of people within the castle walls.

"Not last I heard," he says giving the tent city a wary look. With so many within the walls, Abigail and Raph might have to forgo their own camp out plans and might have to stay in the castle proper.

Oh Abigail's going to love that....

"Uncle Raph! Uncle Raph! Uncle RAPH!"

Two boys, one redheaded and one blonde, race out of the barn and across the courtyard. A quiet dark-haired girl follows and stops in the arch over the main entrance, watching with a smile.

"UNCLE RAPH!" Jamie yells, grinning from ear to ear. "Hullo, Abigail!"

"Jamie," Abigail answers, smiling back.

Thom isn't far behind; he adds one brief squeal to Jamie's and then looks appalled by it.

"Uncle Raph!" he says with less volume. "Abigail! We've been waiting."

And last of all comes a tall, beautiful, regal woman with a young black-haired boy on her hip. She's dressed in plain trousers, a white shirt and a tunic, but looks as if she's used to finer materials.

Laughing to herself, she bounces the sleepy prince and hangs back, letting the boys have their moment.

Daine marvels at the way the boys swarm around the uncle they have told her all about, though she winces slightly as they crowd the horse. The pony is gentle enough and smells both barn and its supper, but the horse isn't used to such goings on.

She breathes a little easier when Thom and Jamie scoot back from those big hooves.

This country's fair strange, she thinks, staring.

"You ain't the only one," Says Raph to Thom with a glance in Abigail's direction. With the boys a step or two away from Colin, Raph dismounts and is on his way over to lend Abigail a hand when something hits him.

A voice. In his head. That isn't Splinter's.
He stops, head cocking to one side as he tries to pinpoint the direction of the voice.

Expecting his assistance -- not needing, but expecting -- Abigail is confused when Raph turns away. He appears to be searching for something, or someone.

She looks in the same direction and it's then she catches sight of the tall, dark-haired woman watching them.

Abigail slides off Cloud, having a need to feel solid ground under her feet.

Jamie's there, affectionately patting Cloud on the neck.

"Did you ride Cloud the whole way? Thom'n me have been helping Daine, Abigail. She's really nice. We've got so much to tell you!"

Thom nods seriously. "Lots."

He looks up at Raph, frowning.

As quickly as it had arrived, the voice was now gone. Sadly it didn't take the overwhelming feeling of unease with it when it left. Raph moves towards Abigail, mumbling his apologies. "thought I heard somethin'. ain't important."

"Boys. It's good to see you too, but can we dial it down a bit? Be plenty of time to catch up once we get squared."

Raph happens to catch sight of both Daine and Thayet. He nods a greeting to both of them, and then rolls his eyes at the over exuberance of Adam and Alanna's brood.

"They missed you," Thayet calls out in her clear, pleasant voice.

She steps out of the shadows and walks toward them.