Dream a Dream

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie sat on a stool behind the bar, about ready to fall asleep. Unfortunately, it was still early, so she had a long night ahead of her. At the moment, everyone had their drinks, and they were talking loudly and laughing merrily. She kept her senses alert in case that merrily became an unhappily. She hated fights in her bar. Well, it wasn't really her bar, but she had say. She hated them, not because she hated fighting, on the contrary, she loved it, but because everytime she had to kick someone out, it was one more person not coming back. And that meant less money.

With her eyes half-closed, she kept a constant watch on everyone there. One person came up, she gave them their drink, and they took their seat farther along the bar. She sighed, ready to do something. Anything.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer walked into the tavern, all smiles, he was having a wonderful night already. His day had been spectacular, aside from the lack of sleep, he was running on happiness and then some. First he had awoken to a beautiful day in front on his books, he had spent all of the previous night studying his letters. Then, when he looked down at his books and the words in them, he understood.

He understood!

It was remarkable, he had not realized how much he had progressed from his lack of education months earlier. Now he was steadily making it threw books that his peers, other mages although much older, had already read and had lent to him. It was marvelous news to him, and his expression and demeanor showed it as he approached the stage.

With a permanent smile upon his face, Dreamer removed his violin from its case. He closed his eyes, and without warning, began to play a lively tune. There would be no slow progressing melodies tonight, his bow danced across the strings in a rowdy jig. Somehow, it had an effect on his crowd, and the noise increased as everyone woke up and began to go about their business in a more lively fashion.

Weather it be watching Dreamer play, Drinking their ale, or placing their bets. All were exposed to Dreamers good feelings, and all were effected by it.

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie listened to the conversations around her. It was surprising how much you could pick up on when people thought you weren't listening. She learned that Gale was cheating on Henry with Charles, though she had no idea who they were. Of course, there were always the rumors of a revolt against King Uther, but she could never trust those. There was always some person who wanted to go against them. Personally, she thought King Uther was a fairly good king. Of course all kings had their flaws, but she thought he was good all in all.

From the corner of her she saw a new boy come in. He had a shock of blonde hair and was carrying a case. Though he didn't seem like a bad guy, she was immediately suspcious of the case. She sat up more and became more alert. When he opened the case, she had her hand on her sword, ready to use it if needed. But all he pulled out was a violin. Nellie watched, intrigued. Then he began to play. She was schocked. The music was beautiful. In her kingdom there had been many musicians and things of that sort, but there had never been any as glorious as this. She gasped quietly, watching the boy. The sound was upbeat and happy, but there was still that somber beauty found in its notes that could always be found in a violin. Nellie leaned against the bar, resting her head on her arms and strained to hear the music above the cheer. Amazing. She said a little louder than was necessary. The boy was fairly close to her, and she thought she saw something odd about his eye, but she couldn't be sure because his hair was in the way. When he finished, she clapped vigoursly along with the uproar with the rest of the bar. She waved over to him, telling him to come closer. That was fantastic! Where did you learn to play like that?

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

The song lasted a little longer than intended, his fingers playing the music that he heard in his mind. Which, becouse of his positive attitude, kept coming to until he had to force himself to take a break. Dreamer breathed in and out deeply for a moment before packing up his violin in its bag and departing from the stage.

As he approached the bar, he made a move to sit down, but was called over by the barmaid. For some odd reason, each time he played his music, woman always called for him. They never ended as anything, not so much as a kiss, although that was more becouse of Dreamer's shy nature towards anything that could be deemed romantic.

Giving into the woman's call, Dreamer ventured over and sat down across from her. Dreamer shrugged when she asked him how he learned the play, he had already answered that questions four hundred and thirty one times.

He had been counting

"A mix of self taught and lessons from other traveling musicians with my caravan" Dreamer said. He looked across the bar, aware that the regular barman was not there. "Did Smith take a break?" he asked.

*Note: Smith is the name of the man ive been using as the Barman*

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie was consumed, almost enchanted, by the song. So much so, she was tempted to start weaving her on words to it, but she decided she wouldn't ruin it's beauty, and just listen to it instead. She leaned back a little bit when he came over to her. She wastn't looking for a romantic relationship. No, no, nothing of that sort. She wouldn't be able to trust him that way. She was just so intrigued by his playing that she couldn't supress the urge to ask him. Wow. Really? That's really beautiful playing for just self-teaching. She waved to the bar behing her. Is there anything I can get you? On the house. When he asked about Smith, she answered with a smile, but didn't really want to. Oh, he was just temping for me. I had some.. things to do. She smiled warmly, not wanting him to see through so she didn't have to explain her story.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer felt a ping of sadness as he heard Smith had only been there temporarily. Dreamer had come to like the man, he had pointed Dreamer in the right direction to get his job, and had always been extra kind to him. Now though, now the man was gone, probably looking for another job in the market district or huddled in the Slums.

Poor poor Smith

Dreamer waited for the woman to explain what she had meant by things to do. He was particularly clueless when it came to women, including the majority of their hidden phrases. Sure, Dreamer could probably hide meanings in words if he tried, but woman would always be the soul deities of confusing language.

"What things?" Dreamer finally asked

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie noted the look of sadness that crossed his face. She was slightly curious as to what he might be sad about. It could have been to do with Smith. He was a very nice guy. A little rough around the edges, but kind all the same. She wasn't sure, but she though he was working in a bar across town. At least that's where he said he had gotten a job before he left. For all she knew, he could have been lying, or gone by that time. She sighed quietly when he asked what kind of things. This had been exactly what she had wanted to avoid. Umm.. I was at the library. Reading up on some things (back then, people didn't usually read, right?). " She smiled at him, hoping he would just drop it. She tried to think of a story to tell him instead of her own. Some type of lie. Sure, she wasn't a runaway or outlaw, but she hated telling her story just the same.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer looked at the woman curiously, cocking his head to the side a little. She was a barmaid at a tavern, and she said she had been reading in the library. Dreamer wondered how she could afford a library, unless she had visited another's library. Dreamer smiled, he knew the mages had a library, probably because that was where he had spent last night studying.

"Who's Library?" he asked simply, he wanted to know whom she visited and why. He couldn't help it, the woman had struck his curiosity with her odd situation. He was like a dog on a scent now, he wouldn't stop until he found what he was looking for.

Which would be the truth.

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie realized that she had said too much. Now it seemed she would never get this guy off her trail. She ran her hand threw her bushy hair and tousled it. She sighed and looked at him in the eye, except his one that seemed to be constantly covered by his hair. Umm.. she was very hesitant to answer. It would only lead to more questions, and then her telling her story to someone she didn't even know. Which she desperately didn't want, or like. Well, the Royal Library. She hated it. Telling him this went against every grain of everything she felt. She shook her head, upset at herself. Can we please drop it now? She busied herself for a moment walking around with a huge pitcher of ale, refilling people's drinks. She reluctantly went back to the bar and stood in front of the boy again. Would you like to tell me your name before you keep up the inquisition?

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer's eyes twinkled for a moment as the spark of curiosity turned into a current of ever expanding wonderment. Before him was what looked to be a simple barmaid, yet she had received permission to look through the library in the palace. Not any old nobles library, or a guild library, but the library in which the king himself used.

Oh he was intrigued

Dreamer was going to ask another question when the woman moved to fill mugs with ale. She soon reappeared, although her face shown it had been a reluctant task. Dreamer was going to ask another question, but she beat him to it, and asked for his name.

"Oh" Dreamer said, not even realizing he had lost his manners and failed to even introduce himself. He smiled broadly as he said, "Dreamer Milady, my name is Dreamer". Dreamer waited, holding his question off for a moment to see how the woman reacted to his name.

[Nellie Bell]

When she returned, Nellie saw that, unfortunately, still intensely curious. She was extremely pleased to see that her question had momentarily phased him. A few seconds of peace from his questions that bugged her. Dreamer? That's an interesting name. To her surprise, his name had made her interested. Huh. I've never met anyone with that name before. Well, I'm Nellie Bell. Even though his questions got under her skin, at least he wasn't trying to hit on her. She hated it when guys did that. It made her think that they were desperate, especially when they were drunk. Though she wasn't sure she wouldn't take that. At least she didn't have to explain her life to them. She just had to kick their ass and then kick em out. She couldn't do that to this guy. Well, she could, but not without a great amount of guilt

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Dreamer saw a sort of satisfied, no, interested look on her face. It wasn't one of amusement, which he so often received, which was a relief in itself.Dreamer himself felt satisfied over the woman's acceptance of his name without question.

Yet

"Well I'm pleased to meet you Nellie Bell" Dreamer said, letting his smile drop a little, yet still remained. Dreamer didn't realized he had it so high, it had started to hurt his cheeks. Dreamer waited a moment, for Nellie to prepare herself with an answer, before he gave his question.

"So what were you Researching...umm....Miss Bell?"

Dreamers true colors with a woman had not shown, where he often froze up or grew rosy cheeked. Instead he had merely fumbled with a thought, not knowing how to address the lady.

[Nellie Bell]

Though she wasn't under her preferred circumstances, Nellie smiled when he said he was pleased to meet her. "And the same to you, Dreamer." She was hoping that maybe this topic change could maybe segway them into another conversation. She should have known that hope was in vain when, after a few seconds wait, he asked her another question. The one she had been hoping he wouldn't ask the most. She leaned against the bar, her eyes studying the grain in the wood. Well, I was looking for my, uh family. She said quietly, barely loud enough for him to hear. Please, please, please don't let him ask who they are. She thought, again, probably in vain.

[Jasen "Dreamer" Masters]

Bingo!

If you were looking for family records, the palace library was the perfect place. What was odd though, it was perfect for only noble and royal family records. Records were not commonly kept of any below Noble status, which meant that there was much more to this barmaid than he had though.

"Really.." he said quietly, intending it to himself. He could tell she wanted to keep this information to herself, but he just couldn't help himself. She had baited him with her personal information, and he had caught on and wouldn't let go. "Why would you be looking there?" he asked.

[Nellie Bell]

Nellie could see in his eyes that he had made a connection, and that worried her. What could she had said to make him realize that she was hiding something from him? Well, it was obvious she was hiding something, but could he know what it was? From the look in his eyes, that seemed to be a yes. She hated to answer the question. Maybe if she answered in a way that gave away little every time, he would just eventually give up. Something told her that was not going to happen.

"It... doesn't matter. I didn't find anything anyway." It wasn't totally true. She had found her family name, and how long they reigned. But what she had been really been trying to find was if it were possible that any of her family was still alive. She figured it wasn't really reliable though because next to Finella Bell it said "deceased." Which meant, even if any one of her family had gotten away, they would think they were dead, like herself.