Princess Ama blushed, but didn't falter. She was used to being complimented, yes, but never by a- a what? No sooner had the thought crossed Princess Amasantia's mind, when she felt sudden tinge of annoyance at her automatic bias. Blushing, she curtsied again lightly in response to the Gypsy's deep bow, as he pulled up from his gesture.
Kragum pushed through to the front of the crowd, gaping at the two. The small crowd of gypsies had grown silent, and all watched with heavy anticipation.
Don' fuck 'er up, Don' fuck 'er up, Kragum thought to himself, fiddling with his bandanna with crossed fingers. The Princess, however, paid the crowd no heed, and continued to concentrate all of her attention on the Gypsy before her. He seemed to have noticed that all the attention was on them.
"If it would please milady to share a drink with me in my tent? get away from these crowds?"
The Gypsy said in a loud whisper. Princess Ama blinked , was he serious? Kragum winced at the Princess's reaction, for he was watching them both intently, hanging on their every exchange. He really hoped that Tobias didn't blow it for the Gypsies. This was, after all, the very first time The Princess was seen on this side of town. Normally the Nobility and Royalty of Thalon stuck to the Town Square, or the Town Centre. Never, ever, in all of Kragum's years camping in Thalon, had anyone of higher status stepped toe in the Gypsy Campgrounds. At least, not that Kragum knew of.
"I would love to," The Princess replied, projecting her voice again so all could hear. She, Princess Amasantia, was going to drink with a Gypsy. Her heart fluttered with excitement.
Kragum's heart was fluttering too, but for a different reason. He was nearly floored at her response, she was actually going to go with him? With a scratch at his head, he shot Tobias a curious look. What could the guy be up to, this time?
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Gus flicked his eyes from the female behind the large, weathered man, and then back to the man himself. They were intimidating, and it made Gus Yelper nervous. Why, he had no idea, but there was something about these two that unsettled him. Especially the dude, what with his ... bigness.
"I'm Jack,"
the guy said, without taking Gus's extended hand for a shake. Gus felt his face redden a bit as he dropped his arm to his side.
Gus Yelper was not used to being denied a handshake.
He swept his gaze over to the female, who was apparently the helmsman and apparently named Swift. With a small grunt, Gus waggled his fingers in her direction, still attempting to maintain a "welcoming" smile.
"Are you the dock master here in Thalon?"
Gus froze for a moment, was he the dock master here in Thalon? He flitted his gaze back to Swift, who had her hand situated on her pistol. A bead of sweat formed on Gus's brow, as he opened and closed his mouth for a moment, much like a fish. No, he was not the dock master, but he might as well be! In truth, the real Dock Master was usually never to be found. Not because he didn't do his job, but because it was in his firm belief that he could do his job better free of a public persona.
Most of the time, the dock master stayed hidden until a problem arose.
"Well..." Gus Hesitated. He scrambled to find the right words to explain his job and place here in Thalon.
"Hello old friend,"
a voice rang out over the docks. Gus scowled. He had just formulated exactly what he was going to say to Jake to convince the man that he, Gus Yelper, was a very important guy, and then this interruption. Who the hell was that?
"I'm in charge of many things, here in Thalon," Gus began with a rush, trying to capture the two in conversation.
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A third guard rushed around the streets of Thalon, looking high and low for Princess Ama. She was not on any of the main streets, so perhaps in some shops? He darted through Thalon, wondering where she could have gone, and cursing The Queen for sending him on a wild goose chase. Everyone knew how headstrong Princess Amasantia was, and it was foolish of The Queen to ever even try to suppress the child.