Sweet Tooth {Bragi&Leif}

[Zaabu]

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[atrb=background,http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4456/middley.png] "…When night is upon us, And the long day is through, We visit our dreamlands, ‘Til morning dawns anew…”

[/i]

It was a cloudy, overcast day in the Kingdom of Gweillan. A chilly, autumn breeze swept through the market place, making Bragi shiver slightly. He pulled his sash up his neck slightly, wishing that he'd brought some warmer clothing. Still, he had made a decent amount of money so far. Bragi was busking in the market, and had been since that morning. He'd gone through his regular setlist 2 or 3 times, occasionally throwing in some improv. No one seemed to mind, since Bragi was the only cat who'd been there all day.

He'd just finished performing the song he'd written when he first met Aisling. It had turned out to be quite popular, not so much as a dancing song, but one to simply sit back and enjoy. Now he was sitting back, sipping from a waterskin to refresh his parched throat. While he rested, Bragi was watching the crowd, murmuring 'thank yous' here and there when cats approached him with coin in paw.

Bragi leaned back, paw resting on his knee as he looked up at the sky, attempting to gauge the weather. The clouds overhead had darkened, indicating that rain was on the way. Bragi sighed and stood up, grabbing his lute from its resting place beside him. A few more songs before the rain set in; he could use the money. Gripping his lute lightly in paw, Bragi strummed a few test notes, tuning the strings slightly before starting his next song.


Fair Grimalkin lay by the river one day
Tired and thin and wasting away
When a sleek handsome trout
Came a swimmin’ about
And said “Milady, what troubles thee…?"[/i]

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[FeliKal]

More than ever now, Leif was grateful of the scarf he wore. Though it was becoming dirtier by the day, and more ragged with each washing, it did wonders to keep the chilly wind at bay. And with winter fast approaching, heralded by cool days and colder nights, he often thought it might be a bit of a life saver. Of course, it would be of little help when true winter gripped the land, for even sheltered Gweillan got snow, and sleeping outside became quite a bit more dangerous after the frosts hit. Really, what he needed was a house. Maybe not a permanent one, but at the very least somewhere to stay through to spring.

So preoccupied in his thoughts, Leif barely noticed the small crowd gathered at the edge of the street. He nearly walked straight past it, and he would have kept going if he hadn't heard the distinctive notes of one of his favorite songs.

'Now Grimalkin, a clever kitty was she
She looked to the fish and cried
“Oh, woe is me!'

Feeling a grin spread across his face and lift his spirit, he changed course and shuffled through the crowd. Almost unconsciously, he began to sing along, his voice clear and amused, if not noticeably harmonious. " 'My belly is empty, my limbs, they grow weak.
Brave fishy, I believe my future is bleak'! " As the song progressed, he began the silly little mime his aunty had taught them, clasping his paws and moving them like a wriggling trout, and then switching to an exaggerated expression of surprise for the next few lines. If a few of his fellow audience-members started staring, he didn't notice. And he wouldn't have minded anyway.

[Zaabu]

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[atrb=background,http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4456/middley.png] Now Grimalkin, a clever kitty was she She looked to the fish and cried “Oh, woe is me! My belly is empty, my limbs, they grow weak. Brave fishy, I believe my future is bleak.” Bragi kicked up his feet, dancing around his coin purse as he continued to sing. His paws were a blur as he strummed out the bouncy melody, and his tail swished back and forth with the beat. A small crowd had gathered around his performance spot, which Bragi thought was a little surprising, considering the weather. Still, any business was good business, and Bragi was very grateful. He began to play faster, projecting farther and farther out, a joyful grin on his face as he sang. Bragi was so engrossed in the song now that he almost didn't notice the other voice singing along. He opened his eyes, still strumming, and found the source of the melody that had joined in. A brown tom-cat had pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and was now dancing and singing along with Bragi's tune. With a start, Bragi realized that he knew this cat; they'd met a couple weeks earlier at the matchmaking stall. Their interaction had been brief, but the other tom had clearly expressed interest in seeing Bragi again. Bragi's smile grew, and he began to dance his way towards the other cat, stepping into the familar dance moves that the tom was using. “Come with me!” cried the fish “I can help grant your wish, for you see, my family is small. We’ll feed you, poor kitty Have no fear, sweet pretty We have food enough for all.” Bragi bounced around the other tom, a playful grin on his face. He was careful not to give him too much attention, since he still had an audience to entertain, but from time to time, he would turn to look at the other cat, sending a wink and smirk his way when he could. As the song drew to a close, Bragi jumped into the air and twirled, landing on his toes and strumming out the last chord. He bowed low as the crowd applauded, straightening up and beaming. "Thank you, everyone!" he meowed, brandishing his lute. "That was my last performance for the day, so let's all move along before we get rained on!" He bent over to pick up his coin purse, meowing 'thank yous' to those who tossed a few schillings in. When most of the crowd had dispersed, Bragi turned to the brown tom, eyes bright with interest. "I can see someone enjoyed the performance more than others."

"]

[FeliKal]

At first, Leif was oblivious to the other cat's notice. But a glance back to the singer, totally by chance as he was quite wrapped up in his own little charade, and he caught the male's eye. With a mischievous grin, he timed in a formal little bow to the performer and began to match up their steps into the more complicated version of the dance that was being demonstrated.

Now, any normal cat would be humiliated to be caught singing aloud in public, much less dancing along as well. Leif was not a 'normal' cat though, and he was happy to tread the path farthest from ordinary. He mirrored the motions of the other cat, throwing in his own embellishments, and did his best not to steal the floor out from beneath the singer. After all, this cat was the one getting paid, and Leif was not even a professional dancer. So when he remembered, (if he wasn't enjoying himself too much at the moment,) he'd slip in a nod and a wink, step back and skirt the sidelines of the makeshift stage, or try a little harmonizing instead. The latter of which he wasn't terribbly good at, and gaveup on quickly lest he scare away the customers.

"The trick, it had worked!
Grimal’s plan had succeeded
And that night she had all the food that she needed."

For the final stanza of the song, he let the street cat step in and do his thing, to try and get the most out of his audience. And the tom did not disappoint. With a leap and a spin that Leif found quite admirable, the song came to a close. Though he couldn't resist singing along with the final lines, quietly. "For we all know well, when a fish sees a cat, it knows better than to stay and have a nice little chat!" And then he found himself laughing, purely out of joy at what he'd just participated in. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had that much fun! Which, he supposed, was a little bit sad, but he really had enjoyed singing along.

He puttered around while the male wrapped up his show, pitching in a bit to help collect the few coins that were tossed his way in appreciation, and passing them on the real performer. He was getting the feeling that he'd met this cat somewhere before, so he wasn't terribly surprised when he was addressed. "Ah, well, it is one a' my favorite songs," he confessed, a little bit sheepishly. "Brings back memories from the good 'ol days, ya know how it is."

Turning his expression coy now, he added, "But you certainly got yerself some fans there, if that janglin' purse is anythin' to go by. What're you plannin' to do with your newfound fortune?" Under normal circumstances, he'd have offered to take the male out for a drink himself, (or a snack, since he didn't generally partake of the booze,) but he figured that when the opportunity to mooch presented itself, he wasn't going to stop flirting just to be a gentleman. He could always pay for himself, if it came to that. Always good to have a plan B.

[Zaabu]

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[atrb=background,http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4456/middley.png] Accepting the last few schillings he'd earned during his performance from the other tom, Bragi secured his money pouch to the belt around his waist. He patted it lightly as an afterthought, smiling happily when the jangle of coins reached his ears. He then returned his attention to the brown cat standing before him. "Aye," he agreed, smiling. "T'was one of my favourite songs as a kit. I thought it might cheer the hearts of my listeners on this dreary day." Bragi looked up at the sky, frowning slightly. "We are in for some weather, I think," He remarked, shouldering his lute and gripping the strap. "But you certainly got yerself some fans there, if that janglin' purse is anythin' to go by. What're you plannin' to do with your newfound fortune?"

[/b]

Turning from the ominous clouds overhead, Bragi looked back over at the brown tom, a slight smirk appearing on his face when coquettish glances started being thrown his way. "Well, it is a bit chilly out, and my hard work has been rewarded with much coin,"As he spoke, he patted his purse again, smiling. "I think I might head over to the Main Street Tavern for some hot apple mead,"he leaned forward a bit, raising a brow."Would you care to join me? I seem to recall you wanting to spend some 'strictly non professional time' with me. My treat, of course."

Bragi stepped past the other cat, eyeing him appreciatively and grinning knowingly. Whether or not this tom recalled their previous conversation back at the matchmaking booth mattered not to Bragi. He would have been interested had this been their first, or tenth meeting. The fact that they'd already shown interest in eachother just made this even better. He was looking forward to learning about the other tom.

Realizing with a start that he didn't know this cat's name, Bragi hastened to make an introduction. "Pardon my manners," he meowed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "I never introduced myself to you properly." He held out a paw, eyes bright with interest. "My name is Bragi."
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ooc/ Finally OTL Sorry for the wait