Play@YSDC

Ines's relief at these responses is certainly not feigned.

Lila makes room for the traveler in the carriage. "I bid you welcome."

Elizabeth regards the stranger in detail, noting her Mediterranean beauty and the attraction that so often accompanies her kind. She smiles and moves over, patting the leather seat of the coach, "Welcome dear Ines, we travel to Stratford where Dr North assures us an entertaining rest"

The coaches, now just slightly overburdened with passengers, proceed to the village of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a quiet place, somewhat off the beaten path. The homes of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway remain in private hands and are somewhat fallen into disrepair, although they may be visited, as may the poet's funerary monument and grave within Holy Trinity Church. The village was a popular destination for worshipers at the shrine of Thespis some score of years ago, when the late David Garrick organised the famous Shakespeare Jubilee. Since that time its popularity as a holiday destination has fallen off somewhat. The primary industry is the malting of barley. It it thus no surprise that a local tavern, with a quaint thatched roof, is one of the centers of activity. It is late afternoon. The light of the setting sun on the gentle river brings to mind the famous lyrics (reputed to have been penned by Garrick himself) of Thomas Augustine Arne's musical tribute.

Thou soft flowing Avon, by the silver stream
Of things more than mortal thy Shakespeare would dream.
The fairies by moonlight dance round the green bed
For hallow'd the turf is which pillow'd his head.

The love-stricken maiden, the sighing young swain,
They rove without danger, and sigh without pain.
The fairies by moonlight dance round the green bed
For hallow'd the turf is which pillow'd his head.

The travelers may attempt to seek lodgings at whatever likely prospects they encounter.

"I thank you for allowing me to accompany you," Ines says to the company, this time with most of her focus directed at Miss Carrow and Miss Davenport. "It is good that you too were bound here, and I have not drawn you away from your path. Later, I will be performing entertainments at the tavern across the way. If that would be a pleasing diversion for you after your travels, it would be small repayment for aiding me in mine."

"That sounds delightful," says Henry. "Shall we all go to the tavern? They should have rooms, in addition to food, drink, and entertainment. It is getting near to suppertime."

Elizabeth smiles broadly at the dashing doctor, "Splendid idea dear Henry, a chance to freshen up a little before supper would be most welcome"

Lila nods in agreement.

The tavern, the White Swan by name, is a busy place at this time of day. The smell of malt is heavy in the air. A barmaid, her mousy locks drenched with sweat and hanging across her bright pink face, carries ale and comestibles back and forth to the many customers, the vast majority of them burly laborers. It will require some effort to catch the attention of the keeper, a short, balding man shouting orders to several boys, either sons or apprentices. There is not much room in the place, although a seat or two could be obtained if one did not mind rough company. At the moment no one seems to be paying much attention to the newly arrived party.

Ines makes her pitch to the barman offering Gitani dances that his patrons have not seen before, even from England's other Gypsy folk. Does she have enough in her coin purse to purchase a bottle of cider to share with the company?

The tavern keeper eyes the new arrival with seeming approval and a crooked smile. "'Spose could use a pretty face 'round here. Find a corner for self and t'others." With that he returns to commanding the helpers. A woman of middle years, most likely the tavern keeper's wife, snorts and turns away from Ines. She is a formidable woman, nearly as powerful in arm as many of the laborers.

A jug of cider of mediocre quality is found and mugs of the sharply scented brew are served to those who wish to partake. One may remain standing or seek out an empty seat or take some other action until there is enough calm to begin the arranged performance.

Having secured her employment for the evening Ines will try to get some rest before her performance, seeking out a table to sit at. Should the rest of the company seem amenable to her continued company, she will share the cider with any who wish to partake.

"Thank you, Miss," says Henry, joining Ines and accepting her offer of cider if Elizabeth is also willing.

Lila looks around for an empty seat in the crowded tavern.

Wruter wrote:
Lila looks around for an empty seat in the crowded tavern.

The locals appear to be reluctant to yield room to the newcomers. There are murmurings about "outsiders" and a few remarks concerning David Garrick's Shakespeare Jubilee, which brought the attention, not entirely desired, of the upper class. Some even blame the Jubilee for the heavy rain and the flooding of the Avon that occurred during that occasion.

It seems possible that securing rooms for the evening may also be a challenge.

When the time comes for Ines's performance, she begins in the middle of the tavern, but moves among the tables as she dances, giving each a few moments' illusion that she is dancing for that company alone. She sings in English, with a few words of Spanish mixed in. A latter part of the act includes a few of Mr Shakespeare's lustier sonnets that Ines has memorised - most of the company will be familiar with the almost musical rhythm of his writing, and Ines has taken advantage of this to sing them in time to her dancing.

OOC:   Charisma 9, + 1 Entertaining, +3 Dancing Ability, +3 Beautiful = 16. SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 15 A success only because of Beautiful - incorporating Social Discrimination would make it a failure.

So perhaps, Ines's continuing fatigue shows in the quality of her movements, but thanks to her looks, the patrons like the performance well enough. The attentive may notice that she has to dodge a few careless hands, which movements she incorporates into her dancing - the attentive may also detect some perhaps hypocritical grumbling that she is disrespecting the Bard by involving his words with such a lascivious Gypsy display.

Victoria: How many hours does this last, for the purpose of collecting pennies?

(Sorry that was cross-posted with Victoria - should I deep-six it?)

Having captured the attention of the room, and earned enough coins to keep body and soul together, Ines is approached in a friendly manner by the tavern keeper. Before he can say more than a few words, however, his wife interrupts him.

"You've had your fun, girl, now off with you. Respectable 'stablishment this is, and I mean to keep it that way. No rooms for your kind here."

The tavern keeper, obviously cowed by this outburst, retreats from the line of fire, leaving the two women facing each other, with the other members of the party standing about as witnesses to the display. The rest of the customers also watch with interest to see how this will play out.

"Mayhap the extra custom I brought you will rent your rooms instead," Ines replies. [She has no illusions that this will go any way but her being kicked out, but she's not going to be meek about it]

"Perhaps we should all seek alternative accommodation," Lila suggests meekly, conscious of her upper class appearance in these surroundings.

If there are no further attempts to secure accommodation at the White Swan, the travelers will find themselves outdoors for the night (along with the patient coachmen.) This is not an impossibility, the weather promising to be fair. There is an unoccupied stretch of grass along the Avon, if needs be. No other lodging is to be obtained for love or money. The party must decide either to attempt to persuade the tavern keeper and his wife, or withdraw.