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Post by puck on Mar 24, 2011 0:51:09 GMT -5
The day was warm, and the sun was out.
So was Puck.
It was a good day to be performing out in the park. She had found a small grassy rise that had a path winding around its base, and it was at its peak that she set up shop. Granted, there wasn't much shop to set up, since this little series of acts only had a few small props. It wasn't long before the petite woman in the bronze bodysuit went to work, rolling a clear acrylic ball up and down her arms and around her fingers with such dexterity that it seemed to almost be floating in the air.
The ball gleamed like crystal in the sun, catching its light and bouncing it around in its depths, the bright flashes catching the eyes of passersby. What people the sparkling ball didn't draw in, Puck's song did.
Monday mornin' standin' on the corner,
pardon me if we're getting in your way
We'll tip our hats, be you native here or foreigner,
drop a coin if you're likin' what we play
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill
Ward the cold from your fingers with your clappin' hands,
keep the rhythm with the tappin' of your feet
Fiddle music mingling with the rappin' bands,
blind men dance as they're walking down the street
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill
We'll sing our songs of places that are far away,
kings and castles, heroes brave and bold
Never travel farther than a bar away,
whiskey keeps our spirits from the cold
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill
Tomorrow we'll be just where we were yesterday,
now we find that the night is getting long
We'll disappear into the dusty alleyway,
all you hear is the echo of our song
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill
Singin' hey diddle dee
answer me this riddle,
Hey diddle do
tell me what you will,
Dance all day with the Cat and the Fiddle,
come and lay with the heather on the hill...
The tune was a playful one, well-suited for the dance of performer and prop. Puck's eyes danced as she played and sang, making sure to make eye contact with every person who came to watch. She didn't just play with the ball either- at times she would toss it into the air, making it come down as a baton, or a length of bright ribbon that she wove into colorful patterns in the air. Once she made the baton become a trio of little knives that she then juggled a few times before turning them into painted wooden balls. Puck then tossed the three balls into the air, and caught her original transparent one to the delight of her audience.
They applauded loudly as she came to the end of her song, holding her acrylic ball out at her side as she took her bow. She grinned broadly to them all, pretending not to notice how quite a few of them wandered to the front of the crowd to toss a few bills into the metal tin she'd set up for just that purpose. It was always nice to have her work appreciated. A girl had to eat, after all.
Some of her watchers wandered on as she prepared her next act, a simple ploy of 'I know what card you've drawn from my deck'. Simple, classic, and it afforded a bit of a breather after her song. Not that she needed it, but they needed something a bit less eye-catching for a minute so they could catch their collective breath. She smiled and chattered and winked at each person she spoke with, green eyes filled with an ancient laughter.
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Mar 28, 2011 10:50:39 GMT -5
Lady Catherine de Bourgh hadn't been to Central Park in some time and as such was quite enjoying her leisurely stroll around its grounds. She wasn't ordinarilly someone to appreciate nature, being a rather materialistic individual more concerned with the beauty jewels afforded, but today seemed just the day for her to be out and about enjoying it.
After all, it was a warm, pleasant day and, much as Her Ladyship enjoyed staying at her estate, there was only so much enjoyment one could get from hosting continual garden parties when the weather was fine. A stroll elsewhere was just what she needed.
It was as she was reflecting on this that Her Ladyship heard the sound of singing, but very different to that of Roger Davis whom she'd met in the Park before (not that she wanted to continue to dwell on that meeting). Intruiged, Lady Catherine headed towards where she heard the voice, only to see a young woman, on a grassy rise, not only singing but performing as well. Her Ladyship made her way to the front of the crowd to observe the performer more closely, and she found herself entranced. It wasn't only the words of the song but the amazing tricks which the woman performed with such dexterity.
Lady Catherine applauded along with the others as the woman took her bow then moved forward to place some money in the woman's tin. It was a rather substaintial amount, but then it was a pleasant day and Her Ladyship was in an unusually good mood.
ooc: Sorry I didn't give you much to work with; hope this works for you. (: I love how you write Puck, by the way. ^^
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Post by puck on Mar 28, 2011 12:23:24 GMT -5
Puck would be a lousy performer if she couldn't spot a generous benefactor. She grinned slyly at the older woman who had just left a fair bit of money in the tin. There was a good mark to keep in mind. Always flatter the generous ones.
After making the deck of cards vanish, she sauntered over to the older lady and swept her most impressive bow. Her brown hair tumbled around the false pointed ears she wore in her guise as the Hobgoblin, Mistress of Shadows. "My lady," she said, "Thou art most kind to this humble trickster. But surely a lady so fair and generous ought not to leave without some token of my appreciation?" The slender woman straightened, making a complicated gesture with her hands to draw her benefactress's eye. A moment later, the Puck was holding a little spray of lavender flowers out to her. "For thine generosity," she said, half-purring.
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Mar 28, 2011 14:52:39 GMT -5
Lady Catherine noticed the grin on the performer's face and she smiled back. As the younger woman approached her, however, her smile faded a little. Despite her love of being in the limelight, now was a rare occurance when this was not the case. To be singled out now was not what Her Ladyship had in mind. As the woman bowed to her, however, Lady Catherine found her unease waning a little.
"My lady, thou art most kind to this humble trickster. But surely a lady so fair and generous ought not to leave without some token of my appreciation?"
Ordinarilly Lady Catherine would have accepted this praise without even batting an eyelid. But recent experiences; her meeting with Roger Davis, finding Faustus in the church and donating money to the hospital and her recent meeting with Medea at the charity art gallery opening...all these had taken her usually overinflating ego down a notch. That wasn't to say her entire personality had changed, but another side of her was clearly making itself known.
"I really don't think that's necessary-" she began. It was then that the magician handed her a small posy of lavender flowers - strangely enough they were a similar shade to Her Ladyship's suit.
"For thine generosity,"
Lady Catherine accepted the flowers with good graces, smile widening again at the performer's kindness.
"Why thank you," she replied. "If you don't mind my asking...how did you learn to do...all this? It's truly astounding."
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Post by puck on Mar 29, 2011 18:00:39 GMT -5
Puck flashed another quick grin and turned to toss a handful of sparkling confetti that hadn't seemed to be in her hand a moment ago at a cluster of watching children. They gasped with delight, grasping at the glittering metallic flakes.
"A magician learns her trade wherever she can, fair lady," she replied, turning back to her benefactor. "From professionals and amateurs alike. Mostly though, I teach myself. There's plenty to learn and I do consider myself a clever lass."
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Mar 30, 2011 10:03:54 GMT -5
"A magician learns her trade wherever she can, fair lady. From professionals and amateurs alike. Mostly though, I teach myself. There's plenty to learn and I do consider myself a clever lass."
Lady Catherine nodded at the magician's words. There was something about her manner of speech and her persistent flattery that kept Her Ladyship enthralled by her. Not only this but the whole concept of magic - oridinarilly Her Ladyship would have no patience for such flight of fancy but it was clear now that she was interested.
"I see," she replied. "You certainly must be clever to do all this with such finesse. Might I inquire your name?"
Of course Her Ladyship wanted to know more about thsi extraordinary woman; it would do good to know her, she thought, for she was far beyond her usual circle of acquaintances.
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Post by puck on Mar 30, 2011 16:17:20 GMT -5
That made her ears prick up- both figuratively and literally. An inquiry for a name at one of these little demonstrations might mean a new paying customer at one of her big shows. An inquiry from a well-to-do lady might mean a special booking at a private event.
She bowed again. When she straightened, she recited the introduction she used at her performances, pitching her voice to carry to the other people still watching.
"Either you mistake my shape and making quite,
For I am that shrewd and knavish sprite
Call'd Robin Goodfellow: oh am I she
That frights the maidens of the villagery;
Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern
And bootless make the breathless housewife churn;
And sometime make the drink to bear no barm;
Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?
Those that Hobgoblin call me and sweet Puck,
I sing my song, and they shall have good luck.
Thou speak'st aright;
I am that merry wanderer of the night!"
Her eyes danced merrily as she recited her rhyme. Normally she sang this part from off-stage, right before she came in from the wings to begin her show. The altered Shakespearean quote served nicely as an introduction for the pretty magician. A little touch of grandstanding never hurt a performer.
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Apr 18, 2011 11:00:32 GMT -5
As Robin Goodfellow finished her rhyme, Her Ladyship applauded once more, a wide grin on her face. She really enjoyed poetry and the magical words of Miss Goodfellow were just the sort of poetry Her Ladyship enjoyed.
"Well," she said, her applause done. "That's certainly a way of introducing yourself."
She paused, mulling over her words, before speaking again.
"Miss Goodfellow, was that, by any chance, Shakespearian?"
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Post by puck on Apr 20, 2011 23:09:11 GMT -5
Puck chuckled. "Yes, I admit it is," she said. "The Bard did have such a way with words." Even if he occasionally got a few things dead wrong, but that was another matter entirely. "Still, if the words are true, then why should we not use them? I am indeed that merry wanderer of the night, after all. Few have described the Puck of old legend better than Shakespeare."
She paused for a moment's consideration. "Well, there was that one fellow who created that show... Greg Weismen, I think his name was. He had a delightful interpretation of the old troublemaker. But that's neither here nor there, is it? 'Tis the Bard I pay homage to in my rhymes."
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Apr 21, 2011 10:11:29 GMT -5
"Yes, I admit it is. The Bard did have such a way with words."
"That he did," Her Ladyship replied, with a nod.
"Still, if the words are true, then why should we not use them? I am indeed that merry wanderer of the night, after all. Few have described the Puck of old legend better than Shakespeare."
Her Ladyship nodded again, not quite sure what to say to that. She was only as familiar with the Bard's work as need be to seem as intelligent and well read as she so often professed she was.
"Well, there was that one fellow who created that show... Greg Weismen, I think his name was. He had a delightful interpretation of the old troublemaker. But that's neither here nor there, is it? 'Tis the Bard I pay homage to in my rhymes."
Lady Catherine nodded again, trying to look understanding, though in truth this Greg Weismen was utterly unknown to her. After a pause she spoke again,
"Miss Goodfellow, do you, by any chance, perform at events...for charities and the like?"
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Post by puck on Apr 26, 2011 16:02:04 GMT -5
"Do I perform for charity events?" The pretty magician grinned broadly. "My fine lady, I perform for anyone who cares to watch. My tricks are to be shared with all."
She had to wonder, though, what sort of charities this lady was associated with. It was necessary information- Puck did, after all, need to know her audience in order to tailor her performances to suit them. She would not perform certain tricks for an audience of children, for example, and adult audiences needed a different flavor of wonder and mystery to achieve the greatest effect.
"Charities, parties, if you have an event, fair lady, I have a show."
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on Apr 27, 2011 9:44:52 GMT -5
"Do I perform for charity events? My fine lady, I perform for anyone who cares to watch. My tricks are to be shared with all."
Her Ladyship had to admit she liked the names the magician was giving her and this ingratiated herself all the more to her. As it so happened she had another gala coming up in a couple of week's time (well, more of a garden party really, but then Her Ladyship was one to splash out when she believed the occassion called for it). Although she was generally something of a traditionalist when it came to these things, she thought this young magician would be just the ticket her her recieving more compliments and admiration than usual.
"Charities, parties, if you have an event, fair lady, I have a show."
"As a matter of fact, I have a garden party coming up in a couple of weeks time. I understand this is not a typical venue for such a talent as you but I trust you would not mind performing?"
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Post by puck on May 9, 2011 0:24:41 GMT -5
A garden party? The lady was right, that really wasn't her usual cup of tea, as it were. Puck smiled a little at her mental joke. Still, a gig was a gig, and she really couldn't afford to turn down such a request. A lady like this looked like she could afford to pay, and Puck briefly toyed with the notion of raising her asking price a bit to wheedle a little more money out of her. It would be nice to have a little extra in savings- traveling the way she did, her savings were not as abundant as she would really like.
The pretty magician broadened her smile, and with a flick of one wrist, conjured a business card of heavy, emerald-green cardstock printed with gold and black ink with her logo and contact information. This she handed to the lady. "We shall have words on this, you and I," Puck said with an impish smile. "Or, I suppose more accurately, your social secretary or event organizer and I will have words. I will, of course, need to know the theme of your party so I can tailor an act to fit."
The impish smile suddenly turned a little darker, becoming something ancient, mysterious, and not a little predatory. For a moment, Robin wore the smile of a great trickster, a daughter of Pan, Hermes, and Loki themselves. For a moment, she was the mythological Puck she was named for.
Then the moment passed, and she was just an ordinary, pretty young woman wearing a slightly outlandish costume and a broad grin.
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Post by LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH on May 9, 2011 10:03:18 GMT -5
As Puck conjured the business card from thin air Her Ladyship's eyes widened; true, the woman was a magician but she hadn't been expecting that at all. She scrutinized the card for a moment or two, impressed with the detailing and the colour scheme. Very apt.
"We shall have words on this, you and I," Puck said with an impish smile. "Or, I suppose more accurately, your social secretary or event organizer and I will have words. I will, of course, need to know the theme of your party so I can tailor an act to fit."
Lady Catherine opened her mouth to reply but her words left her as Miss Goodfellow's expression changed. It was quite fearful to behold...yet seconds later she was her usual self again.
"Um...there's no real theme as such, I'm afraid," Her Ladyship replied. "But I'd appreciate if there was nothing too extreme...it'll mostly be members of my bridge club and their families."
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Post by puck on May 9, 2011 17:34:40 GMT -5
So, obviously she wasn't looking for the real magic, but something lighter. A bridge club wouldn't want to experience the full thrills she could give. Well, the Puck was happy to serve. Fluffy magic tricks it was, then. Something to entertain the kiddies and the over-insulated upper crust.
Bridge clubs. Please. Next thing you knew, she was going to be pandering to a bunch of little children and being asked to make balloon animals like a clown.
Not that she had anything against children. But really, she had more dignity than balloon animals.
Puck smiled and swept a graceful bow. "As my lady wishes," she said. "Something to entertain, not to frighten. A good magician knows how to play to her audience. I will arrange a performance to suit your needs, my Lady."
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