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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 15, 2009 1:49:09 GMT
Gill smiled at the girl as she sat down, and listened to her reply about her horse. Whilst she was not a noble, Gill placed her in an upper-class setting, perhaps from a wealthy merchant family like the Auvrays had been a decade ago. The girl, Casalynn as she introduced herself, seemed friendly and her conversation style open. Without meaning to, Gill's thoughts breifly rested on Henry- as conversation with him had always been the opposite: strained and difficult. Gill shook him from her mind, it made her chest hurt when she thought about him. Focusing her full attention on Casalynn, the colour rushing to her checks when she realised the girl was complimenting her drawing.
"Thank you," Gill replied, but looked down at her work skeptically, "I'm a bit rusty, I used to draw all the time back home before we, well, when we had the money for a tutor!" She glanced down at the unfinished work one last time, then rolled up the drawing and stuffed it into her skirt pocket. "But practice makes perfect!" she added cheerfully, her eyes wandering back to where the horses were. They had stopped eating now and were sniffing one another inquisitively.
"I remember a friend who works at the castle mentioning about a plant, or herb, it's like a natural painkiller for horses..." Gill recalled something Lilith had told her, "She's training to be an apothecary," Gill explained, "I don't know what it's called, but I'm sure I could find it in the forest, I'd recognise it definitely. It might make your horse feel a bit better?"
They had a good hour of light left, and Gill was sure this plant couldn't be too difficult to locate.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 9, 2009 13:34:42 GMT
Gill thought back to the night before, trying to remember exactly what Dante had been like. Lilith was suspicious, and Gill wondered if there was reason to be, perhaps she had been especially naive because she was upset, or under the influence. She couldn't think of anything incriminating or unusual, the man had seemed perfectly commonplace to her. Gill listened as Lilith explained the rest of her day, it didn't sound fun being cooped up in the tower all day, but Lilith's job was an important one. The castle always needed an apothecary on hand. "...I feel like I am growing old myself!"
Laughing, Gill swung the basket over her arm. "Well, you don't look old!" she replied, with a smile. "But I know what you mean, working with the same people all day can really have an effect. I think I might take a ride out of the city this evening, take a break from everything."
It seemed Lilith hadn't heard about the feast. "Yes, it does sound exciting, although I'm not allowed to serve in the dining hall yet, I'm too new, just get to spend the day peeling onions in the kitchens!"
Gill had collected all the herbs she needed, and had loitered in the herb garden for longer than she needed to, enjoying Lilith's company. "I should probably head back..." she cast a glance in the direction of the kitchens, "Thanks for your help, with the herbs." she continued, looking down at the neat little bunches in her basket. Without Lilith's instruction she knew she would probably have the wrong ones.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 8, 2009 1:21:50 GMT
When I was younger christmas Eve was more exciting than christmas itself, but now I'd say new years eve because it's more fun ;D
Have to always wear oven mits on your hands or never be allowed to wear shoes?
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 8, 2009 1:14:18 GMT
Gill leant over her work, biting the inside of her cheek in creative contemplation as she smudged the darker shading of the castle with a knuckle, and then wisps of clouds with her fingertips. She rubbed her nose where the strands of hair were tickling, wiping yet more charcoal across her face without noticing as she tucked her flyaway hair behind her ear.
As she heard a girl's voice her eyes flicked up, twisting around where she sat to on the ground to face a stranger. On first impressions: a young, pretty girl of a similar age to Gill, or perhaps a bit younger. "Hello. Is it okay if I join you? My horse just needs a rest before I venture out into the forest. He gets tired easily." She spoke politely and Gill noticed her horse, close-by to where she had left her own, confirming her words. From her polite accent and fine dress, Gill was unsure whether this girl was a noble or not.
"Of course," she replied brightly, moving her cloak from beside her to leave a space for the girl to sit down. "I hope your horse isn't hurt?" she asked, then ventured to add: "M'lady?"
"I'm Gill." she offered her hand, then noticing its blackened state, withdrew it quickly with an apologetic smile. She was actually glad for some company outside of the Castle, having spent quite enough time sitting solitary with her mind empty of anything but the scene infront of her, and the smoky interpretation on the parchment.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 5, 2009 23:19:03 GMT
Def the Kings! Although when I saw them this summer they got very grumpy with the crowd- sounded amazing though XD
Writing: Blue or black biro?
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 5, 2009 23:14:58 GMT
Gill rode from the Castle to the outskirts of the city just as soon as her shift had ended. She had missed riding, that last time she had been on horseback was the ride to the city. After her flight through the streets, out into the countryside, she positioned herself on the banks of long grass looking down at the city before her, a line of dark trees marking the border to the forest at her back. Her horse nickered close-by, the reins looped around a small shrub, where he was happily ripping up tufts of grass to munch on.
Gill sat on the soft grassy ground, still in her maid's outfit- she hadn't even bothered to remove her apron- her dark hair swept over one shoulder and look of deep concentration on her face. A large white piece of parchment rested across her propped knees- a drawing of Camelot castle half-sketched to life. Gill had bought the parchment from one of the market stalls on the way, and the charcoal she had simply pocketed from the charred remains in the kitchen fireplace. Gill had a good eye for artistry, and had been itching to do something creative ever since starting to live in Camelot.
She bit her lip, looking up at the castle turret, then back down at the paper, her hand sketching light lines. The wind picked up a little, a loose strand of hair falling infront of her eyes and flapping the corners of the parchment.
Gill didn't notice, she was in her own little world.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 5, 2009 22:58:03 GMT
Oooh, an egg ;D Oki, so we'll make it that the men who abduct us think we're a lady and her maid, and they send a ransom to the castle which they obviously don't answer- because we're not. Then you and Dante can overhear about that I'll start a thread in the forest so me and casalynn can meet and get things started!
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 5, 2009 19:00:28 GMT
"Oh no, he wasn't the assassin!" Gill corrected, laughing. "I think whoever that was would be far away from Camelot by now, or at least not drinking in public! Arthur's knights must be on the lookout... He was foreign though, he had an accent. I forget where he said he was from..."
She stood up and dusted down her apron as Lilith explained about Arthur and Gaius. "Oh, well I'm glad he's better now. He seemed perfectly healthy when he hauled Henry away to the dungeons last night..." Gill realised she sounded a bit put out- it wasn't really Arthur's fault. He was just doing his job, and Henry had been trespassing.
"What have you got set for the rest of the day?" Gill asked, looking down into the basket and double checking all of the herbs to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. She couldn't have the kitchens angry at her today. "I'm helping prepare food for a feast, a knighthood or something..." she chattered. It was amazing how much went on at the castle, the servants always had different tasks each day.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Dec 5, 2009 18:39:20 GMT
Sorry I haven't been about recently! As soon as Casalynn gives me the ok I'll start a thread in the forest. Henry you said you and Dante are going to hear about us being abducted in the brotherhood tavern, but i'm not sure how you'd find out? Maybe a brotherhood member could have seen it happen and you hear him talking about it??
X
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 29, 2009 19:59:27 GMT
Gill smiled as Lilith suddenly began talking intently about rosemary, but decided not to say anything. It was a little surprising when Lilith went on to mention him bullying Merlin, Gill didn't think that she would have a bad word to say about Arthur- perhaps she had it the wrong way around? She opened her mouth to ask, but Lilith spoke first.
"So, did you get drunk last night?" Lilith's distracting question worked, because at the mention of drink Gill groaned and dramatically pulled a face. "Yes... I shouldn't have really," she replied, "I barely slept at all last night, getting up this morning was a bit of a struggle to say the least. I met a very nice man though, Dante. We chatted for a while, he told me that it was an assassin who escaped from the dungeons the other week, apparently he wounded Prince Arthur..." Gill paused, realising she had unintentionally bought the subject back round to Arthur, although it probably wasn't news to Lilith, perhaps she had even treated Arthur's wounds.
"Did you see him? Was he badly hurt?"
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 29, 2009 19:44:52 GMT
"Do you never give up?" Gill allowed herself a small smile at Henry's first words, but this soon disappeared when he continued to speak. She didn't respond, just continued to mop his face with increased vigor, not gently as she had been before. When his face was clear, she dipped the cloth back into the bucket and rung it over his head to wash the seeds and pips from his hair. Next she unfolded a cloak from her bag, and walking round to the back of the stocks, fastened it roughly around Henry's neck. He was so skinny he would catch his death staying out here overnight, especially now she had covered him in cold water.
Lastly, Gill removed a hunk of bread from her bag, which she pushed into Henry's hand. He would just about be able to reach it into his mouth if he stretched his neck enough. Gill wasn't in the mood to stand there feeding him, not after how he had spoken to her.
"Goodnight Henry." she replied tartly, picking up the empty bucket and leaving silently.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 26, 2009 21:14:45 GMT
Call, I can never fit everything i want to say into a text, it turns into an essay!
If you had to do one: Bungee jump or skydive?
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 26, 2009 21:10:46 GMT
Gill moved to one side to allow Lilith access to the thyme.
"Well... I met a boy." she began, "The same one who saved my life before. We went to the orchard last night and I fell out of a tree and then tried to kiss him and Arthur arrested him for trespassing; he called Henry a Low. I went to see him in the dungeons but he shouted and got angry- so then I went to town and drank a lot. I'm surprised I don't have a headache this morning actually!" the words tumbled from her mouth, it was a relief to actually tell someone. She laughed lightly and ran a hand through her hair getting up and moving around to the mint as Lilith explained where it was and what it looked like, then began cutting chunks for her basket, enjoying the fresh smell that lingered on her fingers.
"It was the first time I'd seen the prince in person..." she said, attempting to be casual, "He really is very handsome..." On the past occasions they had chatted, Lilith had spoken highly of the Prince, and Gill was just testing the water, to see if her friend was harboring a crush for him.
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 25, 2009 15:15:06 GMT
* * * I definitely did mess up. Prince Arthur Pendragon himself stumbled across us in the Orchard, and he arrested the boy for trespassing, although initially he accused him of much worse! I felt terrible at first- it was my fault that we were there in the first place. I followed them to the dungeons, it was pretty easy to get past the guard by pretending to deliver food. When I spoke to him, the boy was almost unrecognisable, he yelled and shouted, and accused me of having set him up, which of course I didn't. All of my guilt seemed to dissolve then and was replaced by anger. Before I left, I found out his name was Henry, and as it turns out- Henry seems to be a jerk. After the visit to the dungeons, I left quickly and headed into town, just wanting to forget about the day and drown my sorrows in the Ram. Not being a regular drinker the alcohol had quite an effect, and not the desired one, seeing as I couldn't stop thinking about Henry and the day's events. Luckily I got chatting to a man called Dante, he seemed very nice and understanding considering the state I was in. He told me about the escaped assassin from the dungeons, the Pendragons had kept that pretty quiet- I must remember to ask Lilith if she's heard about it. I enjoy my chats with Lilith, we often meet at the herb garden in the mornings and bump into each other around the castle. She is about my age, and I love having a female friend in Camelot to talk to. Henry went into the stocks the next day. Seeing him made me so angry I couldn't help but throw an entire cabbage at him... (what a waste of food) but I returned in the night with food and water. Well...I couldn't let him starve could I?
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Post by Lady Gillianne Auvray on Nov 25, 2009 14:56:55 GMT
"Lilith!" Gill looked up from where she was kneeling on the ground with a smile, "Oh, thanks!" she replied appreciatively, looking back to the plant and cutting copious amounts of thyme, making a small mound beside her. Chatting to Lilith would make this errand a lot less boring, and a whole lot easier- she really knew her stuff about plants and herbs.
"I'm fine." Gill replied automatically to Lilith's question, then sighing, stood up. "Actually, not that fine! I had a very odd day yesterday..." she stifled a yawn, "And a late night, it's a long story though! How're you this morning? Gaius working you hard already?" She paused, one hand on her hip, "Hmm, where's the mint?"
She bent over, sniffing several of the small plants, hoping she could smell it out. Gill would have difficult remembering which was which even after she'd picked them and taken them back to the kitchens, why did they all look the same?
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