how will my girl dance a reel with a couple in the way?

[Camille St. James]

Cami, like the adventurous idealist she was, had spent the evening at a tavern dressed as a commoner. She made sure to pick one that was farther from where her sister's friends liked to hang out--she didn't want to get mistaken for Lillia, or worse, recognized as herself. Luckily she was able to find a spot at the bar to people watch and chat with the bartenders. It was fun, although no one really worthwhile tried to talk to her besides those same bartenders. There were a few men who tried to make some...unsavory comments, but she rebuffed them easily enough.

Well, all but one, who told her she'd regret turning him down. The bartender stepped in and warned him off, but he'd already soured Camille's good mood. With a sigh she'd finished her drink and paid, tipping the bartenders generously with the rest of what she'd brought with her.

She glanced over her shoulder as she left the cheerful lights of the tavern behind, but the man who'd given her trouble was still at the bar, talking to another man. She hurried away, hoping to get away while he was distracted.

She wound her way towards home, quietly singing to herself. "I bhi ada, u a idalan
I bhi ada, ada li da lu a.."

As she turned down a quieter street towards the housing district, away from the shops, a dark shape stepped into her path.

She didn't have to see the man's face to know he meant trouble. She turned on her heel, prepared to run the way she'd come, but another figure was already behind her. She looked desperately around for any other route, but there was none. She had to do something so she tried to dart around the side of the man she was facing, but her hesitation had left too much time for the one behind her--he grabbed her with both arms, pinning her arms at her side.

She was lucky she'd been adopted by a man who took no chances. He'd trained his adoptive daughters on how to handle themselves in this kind of circumstance. Camille might have laughed at any other time, remembering that the rule was "S.I.N.G." and she'd just been singing to herself. S- Solar plexus: she leaned forward and used the man's own weight as leverage to jam her elbow back into his gut. I- Instep! She stomped hard on the inside of his foot with her high-heeled boots. The man grunted. N- Nose. She swung her head back hard into the man's nose and grimaced when she heard it crunch. He let go of her to hold his now gushing bloody nose.

The other man tried to grab her from the front, but she wasn't running away--she was running toward him. She took him by the shoulders and slammed her knee as hard as she could into his groin. He crumpled, and she finally tried to make a run for it--just as the first man caught her by the hair. She screamed, but the sound was cut short by his nasty, bloody hand coming down over her mouth and his knife at her throat.

"Nasty little bitch, aren't you?" he growled and yanked her hair again, making her whimper. She saw his face now as he pulled her head to the side so he could leer at her--it was the man from the tavern. "Told you you'd regret it, didn' I?"

for Séamus Lee Frye

[Séamus Lee Frye]

It was a rather boring night that night from the rooftops. Seamus Lee Frye's bright blues looked over the dark cloth that hid half his face save his eyes. He was crouched on a battered roof top, high above the streets of Ethion. He was looking down at the street, noting how empty it was before his tilted his head up to look at the clouds rolling in from the east. Rain was coming in the next few hours if he had a guess, and unfortunately for him, by the time he was done here, he was sure to meet the rain on his travels home. Him and Seoras couldn't afford to put their mother off longer then they already had. It was one thing to ignore her request for dinner, but a completely other thing to let her go ignored for much longer. 

The Twins often had death sentences, but one from Catriona Lee Frye was not one they particularly wanted. With his second half already have headed home to Lasairdubh earlier that night, Seamus hoped his brother could smooth talk their mother enough to satisfy her so she wouldn't ask to many questions about what Seamus was doing. "He's helping a friend out! He'll be here by morning!" Or "He had to take care of something first!" Whatever white lie Seoras told Mummy dearest, Seamus trusted it to be a good one, and not the truth that Seamus was actually clad in black leather armor, with a cowl over his head and running along roof tops protecting the people of Ethion at night. 

She really would kill him... 

With a huff of disappointment, he rose to his feet. Mindful of where he put his feet along the shingles as he started off down the roof. Seamus had always been climber, and fearless as any dragon slayer. Even after breaking his ankle as a child from jumping off the stables, it didn't stop him. He merely learned he had to land properly. Better. He had to be better, and he'd taken everything he learned and perfected it. He could disappear in a mere moment and reappear in a different place with quick careful movements. 

He jumped off the roof onto a near by balcony, and gripped the railing before he lowered himself down to the next one, before he jumped off, bending his legs slightly as he impacted, he rolled into a somersault and then rose to his feet. He was starting to dust himself off when there was movement at the front of the alley. He froze, prepared to slip into a hiding spot, when he saw a form turn out of it. It was a large man, and the next moment he was moving forward, grabbing someone. 

Not knowing what was going on, Seamus quietly started to creep forward. He could only see the figure of the man, and realized that he had a hold of a small woman. Instantly Seamus was picking his pace up, but he stopped in his tracks at the next moment. He watched the woman start to defend herself, and for a moment he thought against assisting. If she could already handle herself... Did he really need to intervene? A small smirk was beginning to form behind the cloth around his face, and he crossed his arms across his chest as he leaned a shoulder against a wall. Watching as the woman practically handed the man his ass to him. 

He knew he couldn't reveal himself, but he silently cheered her on, that is until it looked like the man had a friend. The knife at her throat instantly had Seamus pushing off the wall as he hurried forward. Drawing his own blade he used the shadows to help hide him as he snuck up behind the man. The woman would be able to see movement behind the man, as Seamus's hooded figure appeared behind them. 

There was a flash of silver and Seamus's knife was at the mans throat. "So much as twitch that knife, and I'll make you regret it." The usual cheer and tell tale laugh that Seamus always had when he talked was gone. It was replaced by something deeper, more serious, and threatening. "That is no way to treat a lady.." He tsked. 

[Camille St. James]

Camille saw movement behind her captor, but she didn't realize that the newcomer was on her side until his blade appeared at her captor's throat to mirror the one he held on her. She wanted to be relieved, but she felt as if she couldn't even breathe too deeply the way that blade was pressed against her throat.

The man who held her gritted his teeth and tried to look over his shoulder without turning too much, but he didn't get far. His partner, a bearded man a few paces away, edged closer, glaring at the masked man.

"Who in de hell're you tryin' to be, all dressed up in a mask?" the first man demanded, looking more annoyed than frightened. "This is between us and the whore."

Camille's fear nearly vanished as she was swept with outrage. "I am not a--" she started to protest until her captor growled and yanked her head back further, causing the knife to scrape against her skin. "Shut up."

She could feel blood trickling down her neck and onto her chest, and that was what made tears well up in her eyes, not the pain, but the realization that she may actually die, right here. She'd been so stupid to come out here alone, without anyone knowing where she was. Would anyone recognize her body? Would her family get to claim her? She bit her lip to hold back any more protests, and the tears that were beginning to threaten.

[Séamus Lee Frye]

This was certainly a tricky situation. If Seamus moved wrong, the dolt could hurt the woman more. He needed to get him to release her, and he nearly forgot about the first idiot she'd put on the ground. He clenched his jaw as the situation got a bit worse, and he suddenly wished this had been a night that Seoras had been with him. The two of them could easily handle this, but...Well time to improvise Lee Fyre...

"Aaaaaah, haven't heard of me? Well well, it's you're lucky night boys." He Grinned behind his mask, though his eyes had a bit more malicious intent. His smile quickly faded and he glared. Yup. They were certainly going to find themselves in a bunch of regrets. Seamus didn't like anyone talking badly about a lady. What said lady did with her extracurricular activities was her business. Didn't mean she still didn't deserve to be treated properly.

The man he held yanked the woman back more, and Seamus's upper lip curled up. He'd done what he told him not to do... Seamus audibly sighed then in annoyance. "I told you not to even twitch..." It was his only warning before his other hand came up from his side with another knife, placing it against the man's next before his other shifted down, suddenly stabbing the man in the arm that held the knife. "Drop!" He barked at the woman, hoping the moment she felt the man's arm go slack she'd drop to the ground out of range as Seamus suddenly threw a knife at the other man. His cry of pain sounded as his knife found a home in his shoulder.

[Camille St. James]

Camille yelped and did as she was told, dropping out of the man's loosened hold as he hissed and tried to grab at the knife sticking out of his bicep. Once she was loose she scrambled forward a few steps on her hands and knees before she was able to make it back onto her feet. She whirled back around just in time to see the other man yanking a knife out of his arm as well.

Where is he keeping all these knives? was her silly fleeting thought before she saw that the man who'd been holding her was about to drive the knife he'd pulled from his arm into the masked man's thigh.

"Look out!" she shouted without thinking, already having decided that whoever this was, he was on her side, and that meant that she would have his back.

She looked around for something to hold her own with and wound up with a rather pathetic-looking broom someone had apparently abandoned. Still, it was better than nothing, and she put herself in between the bearded man and the other two, holding the broom ready to hit him in the head as hard as she could if he took so much as a step.

[Séamus Lee Frye]

The woman's cry of alarm came to late, and Seamus was a bit slow on his reflexes. The man had swung down wards, managing to graze Seamus' side, but the adrenaline made him not feel it as he twisted out of the way. Grabbing his fist with his other hand, he made an upward motion with his arms before slamming his elbow down onto the mans outstretched arm. As he was bent over, Seamus then brought a knee up swiftly to nail him in the face, before his elbow slammed into the back of his skull.

He then pushed the over and crumbled to the ground in a daze with a busted nose.

He glanced at the woman then, seeing her there with that broom, and found himself grinning. "Brave, I like it!" He told her as he came up beside her. Eyeing the other man who was looking at Seamus with murder in his eye. "Can I have my knife back?" He asked, pointing a finger. The man was not amused with him. "I'll give you yer fuckin knife back," He all but snarled rushing forward. Seamus gasped and made a scowling noise behind his mask. "Language! There is a lady present." Seamus reprimanded him. "Can I borrow this?!" He said quickly, reaching for the broom handle. One of his arms snaked around her waist and he yanked her to the side, pulling her out of the way, while using his hand to guide her's in a backward swing, clipping their opponent in the face.

[Camille St. James]

Brave? Stupid and a bit pissed off, more like! Still, the masked man's pleased grin gave her a bit of a boost. She thought it a bit silly to be asking for his knife back--obviously, they weren't going to play nicely--but he seemed to just be toying with them. When the enemy snarled and lunged at them she was preparing herself to swing at his head when the man in the mask interrupted.

"Can I borrow this?!" He said quickly, reaching for the broom handle.

"Wha--"

She didn't have time to react as he tugged her out of the way of the knife with one arm and guided both her arm and the broom to hit the enemy in the face with the other. It was a bit like a dance, though it was leaving her a touch more breathless.

"Apparently you can," she muttered, a late response to his question.

The thug stumbled backward, both hands over his face. "Bloody hell," he grumbled. "Fine, take your fuckin' knife, but don't you think we'll be forgettin' this. You just made yourself a whole army of enemies, boy." He spit blood and a tooth at their feet and ran off, leaving his unconscious friend in the dirt.

It wasn't until he rounded the corner that Cami realized she was still standing with her back pressed against her new friend, with his arm wrapped around her waist. Blushing heavily she released the broom and used both hands to gently pull his arm up and away so she could duck under it. She turned to face him with a tentative smile and a low curtsy.

"Thank you," she told him earnestly, meaning it with her whole heart. "I don't even want to think about what might have happened if you hadn't shown up."

[Séamus Lee Frye]

Seamus was fully prepared to continue his assault on the enemy, but it seemed like the man had wisened up and wouldn't be staying for his second beating. Probably a good thing...

Bright eyes watched the thug stumble and then give his threat. Something that had Seamus actually laughing. If only the thug knew who he was dealing with. He'd have to tell Seoras about this of course and be careful the next time he went out. But Seamus was wearing a mask, the most the thug could be able to tell was he would looking for a blue-eyed boy. Idiot...

Seamus watched him leave, leaving his friend behind. The smile behind his mask faded before he remembered the girl. She moved from his side, and he'd forgotten he'd had an arm wrapped around her. He let her go, letting his eyes look her over to make sure she was alright. Her thanks had him waving a hand at her as he moved towards their unconscious buddy.

"Don't worry about it, the important thing is I did, yeah?" He asked. Glancing over at her before he crouched down to the unconcious man and stared to bind his hands. Seams sized him up and down then, wondering how hard he'd be to carry to the jailhouse. He stood up, placing his hands on his hips in an assessing manner before he waved his hands, making his decision. Grabbing the bound hands with one hand, he pulled the man up, and then crouched slightly before he lifted him in a fireman carry across his shoulders. The man was heavier then he expected, and his legs were a little wobbly for a moment, but he managed to get his footing.

"You okay though? Not hurt?" He asked, turning slowly back around to face her, unfazed by the fact he had a grown man on his back.

[Camille St. James]

Yes, he definitely did. But how could he be so nonchalant about it? Wait...was that why he was wearing a mask like that? So he could run around stopping criminals? That was… She couldn't decide. Was it brave, or crazy? Both? It's just… wasn't the guard supposed to handle things like this? Did he not think they would?

Where were the guard tonight, Camille? A part of her asked, slow and cold. "They're back in the bar, drinking away. They wouldn't have noticed a thing."

She shifted uncomfortably at the thought but was soon distracted by the young man hauling his prisoner up from the ground. Was he planning to carry him? Where? And by himself? The prisoner was bigger than him, at least bigger around.

"Do you wa--" she began, planning to offer to get someone, or to carry the man's feet herself. But her new friend already had the prisoner slung over his shoulders like it was completely normal. Camille stammered for a moment.

"You okay though? Not hurt?" he asked,

"Oh, u-um, yes, just fine. A few bruises maybe, but nothing to worry about." She hesitated. "Um. I'm Cami, by the way. I know you're masked for a reason, but is there something I can call you?"

[Séamus Lee Frye]

Seamus didn’t even stop to think that this might be….strange. As it was just something normal for him to do. Tying ruffians up, dropping them off at a jailhouse with a note about their crime, and being on his way. All in a nights work if you asked him.

He adjusted his hold on the man and watched the girl expectantly. Listening to her describe her injuries. He gave a small nod, and he smiled even though he knew she wouldn’t be able to see it. She introduced herself then, something he wasn’t expecting. Cami. He stored the information away. As her question, his eyes turned to a more mischievous glint. “How well is your Shakespeare?” He asked before he suddenly realized she probably had no idea. Not everyone had an extensive education as he had. But he was too tempted by the little game. He wanted to possibly see if she could be just as clever as Seamas and Seoras Lee-Frye.

“If you can guess…,” He drifted, trying to think of some little reward when the idea struck him. Oh that’ll be fun...surely Auntie Em wouldn’t mind? “I’ll give you a present by means of an invitation.” He told her. Adjusting his hold once more, his muscles were telling him he needed to get a move on. He turned in the direction of the nearest jailhouse and started walking, glancing back to see if she would follow.

[Camille St. James]

Cami's face crumpled again in her confusion. Her Shakespeare? What did that have to do with his name?

If you can guess [...] I’ll give you a present by means of an invitation.”

Cami stood still for a moment longer as he turned and started to walk, just staring at him. A masked stranger rescuing her from what was certain to be the worst night of her life was already strange. Perhaps it shouldn't have surprised her that he was also making a riddle of his name. And what did he mean 'by means of an invitation'? Surely he didn't mean it suggestively, seeing as he'd just seen fairly graphically that she wasn't a lady of the night. This was getting curiouser and curiouser.

Knowing Shakespeare would certainly give away her disguise as a commoner...wouldn't it? Well, he wouldn't have asked if he didn't think she'd answer, and she didn't mind a bit of a challenge, especially not a playful one.

With a somewhat exasperated laugh, Camille shook the indecision off her shoulders and hurried to catch up with him. It felt a little strange to be walking along at the side of a man who was carrying a trussed-up criminal over his shoulder, but she was too curious not to.

"My Shakespeare is better than most, I'd guess. But that's still not much to go on! Can you tell me if it's a tragedy or a comedy, at least?"