Inside The Fortune Teller's Tent | Wednesday all day

[Aria]

The tent was well-lit inside, which was fortunate because there were yet more cats roaming around and visitors had to be careful not to step on one. Dominating the area was a large wooden table carved with mysterious shapes. A tall, chubby middle-aged Romani woman sat behind it in a large chair. She was dressed in a long glittering dark blue robe and her ebony hair had been put up and fastened with sparkling pins in the shape of stars and moons. On the table beside her sat a deck of cards.

 

The fortune teller greeted her guests politely and asked them to sit in the sturdy chair in front of the table. Though couples were allowed to enter together, only one fortune could be told at a time.

 

[Charles Audley]

(Contd. from here)

Well, she was polite at least, Charles thought, inclining his head to return the greeting and dodging a pair of cats before pouring himself into the indicated chair. She was striking too, tall and well-fleshed, and with those ornaments in her dark hair. A showman himself, Charles could appreciate the effort and skill with which the image of a mystic had been created and maintained.

"The cards rather than palmistry, I take it?" he asked, nodding at the deck beside the fortune-teller. "At least it's not haruspicy. Imagine the stains."

He laughed.

[Aria]

The young woman blushed when Charles smiled at her. She was accustomed to men flirting with her, but most nobles didn't speak to her at all.  This one paid for the people behind him. They all thanked him, as did she when he flicked a coin over to her.

 

Inside the tent, the fortune teller watched him walk in. Another noble. At least this one had a sense of humor. “I doubt the local farmers would be happy if I disemboweled their livestock,” she chuckled. “And the cards are much more accurate.

 

“I am Madame Soraya, my lord. Is there anything in particular you wish to know?”

 

A voice from outside shouted:  “A tiger is attacking a child in the arena!”

[Charles Audley]

"My curiosity is more general than specific," Charles said, smiling. In truth, his curiosity was for amusement rather than answers but it would be impolite to say so.

"But if you need specific questions to answer, then I suppose — "

He was interrupted by the shouting outside, and was on his feet and at the tent flaps before his conscious mind had processed what had been said.

"Excuse me, I shall be back presently," he called over his shoulder, already moving rapidly towards the arena.

(Contd. here)

Edited March 20 by Charles Audley

[Douglas FitzJames]

It was later that afternoon, later than a certain amount of excitement around the Arena, involving a large cat and a little girl, that a rangy Life Guard who'd been somewhat involved in that excitement approached the fortune seller's tent. Some might scoff at such performances as simply a way to separate people from their money, but the Highlands were still thick with old folklore and even a few who quietly practiced some of the old ways, and Douglas certainly did not discredit such abilities. One did so at one's peril. 

The cats were different though. He wondered vaguely whether owning a witch's cat would bring good or bad luck. Opinions were divided, especially on black cats. Sailors and fishermen's wives held that black cats were good luck, but in much of the Highlands, a black cat with a white spot on it's chest was suspected of being the cat-sidh, a fairy or witch which could transform into a cat and which stole the souls of the dead if they crossed the corpse before burial. But a bowl of milk left out for her on All Saints Day would bring good luck. 

"Er the cats really fer sale?"* He asked curiously. 

Subtitles
*"Are the cats really for sale?"

[Charles Whitehurst]

Langdon and the Herberts

The main event was over and it was time to visit the fortune teller.  He had visited the mystic the day before to chum the waters for a favorable fortune for Susan.  Now was the time to score his points before bidding au revoir to Susan and her mother.  The trio patiently awaited their audience.

 

OOC~  I was informed that I had posted to the wrong thread for the fortune teller after the main event on Wednesday, so corrected it to here.

[Aria]

Douglas

 

The gentleman who entered Madame Soraya’s tent wore the same kind of uniform as the one who had visited her yesterday to ask for specific predictions for his sweetheart. This man was much taller and clearly Scottish by his speech.

 

A brow quirked upward at his question. “Yes, they are all for sale. Most of them join us when we’re traveling from one place to another ... thin, hungry creatures who are drawn by the smell of our cooking. I take them in and sell them when they are comfortable around people. They survived in the wild by hunting and they are very good at catching rodents. If you prefer a pampered pet, it is best to buy one of the kittens. They are better able to adjust to a different lifestyle.”

[Aria]

Langdon and the Herberts

 

Susan had never been superstitious, but the knowledge that ghosts were real had turned her doubt of the supernatural upside down. Maybe it really was possible to know the future. Whatever the case, she planned to take the fortune teller’s predictions with a grain of salt.

 

The only downside was that her mother had forbidden her to go into the tent with Charles. They would have to take turns and Lady Pembroke would accompany Susan. They didn’t have to wait in line long and when it was their turn, she asked: “Do you want to go first or shall I?”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles was unaware of Lady Pembroke's prohibition.  How could she object to him witnessing the fortune telling?

"I do not plan to ask her anything," he replied.  "Life should be a mystery."  He did not quite believe that, but it sounded good.  "Though maybe you could find out something about the golden dagger or the Swan and Lion and use it as a test to see if the woman is a fake," he suggested.  Of course, he had already suggested that the Mystic exaggerate a wonderful life and marriage for Susan.  He expected she would deliver, and that would even strengthen further his chances to marry Susan.

[Douglas FitzJames]

Douglas took Madame Soraya's information regarding the cats with a thoughtful air. "I've nae need fer a pet, but I do hae a barn on my lands in Scotland that cuid do wi' a rat catcher er twa; if ye hae ony that er large an' thick o' coat, and ken thair trade."* He said, thinking of the large barn they put the cattle into through the snows. Highland cattle were tough against cold weather, with their own shaggy coats, but they still fared best when brought inside during the worst weather. And Scotland specialised in bad weather. How much protection might a witch's cat give, if given a good home?

Not that the woman before him was likely focused on the cats, and Douglas regarded Madame Soraya with interest. The travelling folk were often viewed as vagabonds at best and itinerants at worst, but the big Scotsman knew well what it was to be judged by one's origins and approached the encounter with a rather more open mind. This woman was making a living with the circus, perhaps one of the few ways that she could. He wondered whether the girl collecting the fees was her daughter. 

Subtitles
* "I've no need for a pet, but I do have a barn on my lands in Scotland that could do with a rat catcher or two; if you have any that are large and thick of coat, and know their trade."

[Aria]

Douglas

 

Madame Soraya smiled. “I think I know exactly what you need. Some of my cats are larger than the others and have very thick fur. They aren’t very friendly. Not even the lion and tiger trainers have had any luck in taming them. They tolerate me because I am kind to them and take care of their needs, of which they have few. Like my people, they are wild and free and self-sufficient. I think they would do well in Scotland. I would not be surprised if they were descended from the wild cats that roam there.

 

“When we stop to perform, they are content to sleep in their cages during the day and hunt at night.  I think they see their cages as a refuge from the rain.  The three I have are kept in the back.  I can have them brought out if you’re interested in them.”

[Douglas FitzJames]

Douglas liked the sound of the cats that Madame Soraya described. Independent souls who did what they had to. He could relate to that. "Friendly I dinnae need, sae lang as they weel nae run off an' nae return." He said honestly. "The barn is warm an' dry, thairs plenty o' mice in the hay loft, an' they weel hae food an' water."* Surely that would be enough to keep a cat who had faced dire straits hanging around?

Scottish wildcats were a breed of their own, different from house cats and nigh impossible to tame. The MacBain arms featured one. "I wuid verra much like tae see thaim, if tis nae interruption o' yer main business."** Which was telling fortunes, not selling cats. 

Subtitles
* "Friendly I don't need, so long as they will not run off and not return. The barn is warm and dry, there's plenty of mice in the hay loft, and they will have food and water."
** "I would very much like to see them, if it's no interruption of your main business."

[Aria]

Langdon and the Herberts

 

Lady Pembroke relented and agreed that they could all visit the fortune teller together. Susan wasn’t sure why she changed her mind. Maybe it had something to do with Charles killing the frenzied tiger. If he and the other men had failed, it might have launched itself straight at them and mauled them to death.

 

She thanked her mother and, after their fees were paid, they stepped into the tent. The fortune teller wasn’t a wizened old woman like Susan had imagined, but middle-aged, tall, and plump. There were cats inside too.  One of them rubbed its furry head against her skirts.

 

Madame Soraya recognized Charles from their encounter the previous day. So this young lady was the one he wanted to impress. She introduced herself and indicated that one of them should sit down.

 

"You should have your fortune told too," Susan whispered to Charles.  "Just for fun."

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles welcomed Lady Pembroke's indulgence and he gave her a deferential nod.  After the event with the tiger, Charles preferred the calm company of Susan and her mother.

"Ladies first," he replied to the mystic.  As Susan whispered to him, he whispered back "but what if she were to tell me that my future was with a dark-hared lady stranger," he teased.  That might get her to rethink having him sit for a read.  Perhaps he would change his mind when he heard how Susan's fortune went.

[Aria]

Douglas

 

“When you leave, ell my assistant that you would like to see them and she will send somebody to bring their cage to the back of the tent. Snarling, hissing felines might run off some of my clients.”

 

She waved to the chair in front of the table and began shuffling her cards. “Would you like to have your fortune told too?”

[Aria]

Langdon and the Herberts

 

“Then I’ll change my name and dye my hair,” Susan jested.

 

She sat down in the chair and watched as the fortune teller shuffled her cards, drew several from her deck, and studied them. Though she didn’t really believe in divination (did she?), the suspense  sent a shiver down her spine. What if she was told that her future husband was somebody she had not yet met? Or that she would be a spinster for the rest of her life? Whether the predictions were true or not, they would linger in her mind for years to come.

 

Madam Soraya smiled at her. “A fulfilling marriage awaits you with a gentleman in scarlet whose heart already beats in harmony with yours. You are on the right path and if you do not deviate from it, your life with him will be blessed with abundance and joy. There will be challenges along the way, but you will be able to overcome them together. Your family will benefit greatly from this union. Do not be afraid to shine and your words will wield great power. A tapestry of mystery woven with threads from the past lies in store for you.”

 

The Romani woman placed the cards back in the deck. “Thank you,” Susan said, beaming from ear to ear. The gentleman in her future could be nobody but Charles. Even her mother must realize that. And the tapestry must refer to the Lion and the Swan. Would she also become a famous writer? She wanted to believe that everything Madame Soraya had told her was true, but her practical side remained doubtful.

 

Standing up, she glanced at Charles. “Your turn.”

 

[Charles Whitehurst]

The Herberts and Langdon

The mystic laid it on a bit heavy about how wonderful their marriage would be; but, truth be told, Charles enjoyed every moment of it.  It was just as he ordered. His eyes wandered from Susan to Lady Pembroke, with the latter being more important to judge reaction.  He knew that Susan would glow with that fortune.

As he slid into the chair, he touched the cards to be drawn.  "I shall assume that my marriage will be equally good," he offered light-hearted, wondering if the mystic would play a prank on him and say he was going to marry a stranger.

"I have many mystical things happening in my life," he began, thinking that the seer would want direction as to what truths he sought.  "I am interested in what clues and warnings you might see."  He supposed Susan might be interested as well, since there might be a clue about the golden dagger, or some other ghost.  The seer had mentioned a tapestry to Susan.  As of yet, Charles was unsure what that might mean.  The same was true about Susan's words of power.  What might that mean?

[Douglas FitzJames]

"I'll speak tae her aboot the cats thain."* Douglas promised. He supposed it made sense that the fiercer, less friendly animals were kept away from the general public. Hopefully there would be at least one there that would serve him well. Both he and the cat would benefit/

Did he want his fortune told? "I was hoping ye micht be able tae use yer poowers tae help me wi' a rather serious matter."** He revealed as the two of them got down to business. It wasn't his own fortune that Douglas was particularly interested in - he had a feeling it wouldn't be all that bright, if she was any good at what she did - but rather the curtailing of another man's fortunes. A man who, ha, owned a fortune, though that wasn't why Douglas was refusing to let the matter lie. Who might be the next target?

"A man was kilt last Saturday." He spoke quietly, so that only Madame Soraya might hear him. "Murdered, thou' t'was made tae luik like suicide. I want tae ken wha hilt him an' why?"*** Douglas mused that, if he could see the future, he would know exactly what uses to put that ability. 

Subtitles
* "I'll speak to her about the cats then."
** "I was hoping you might be able to use your powers to help me with a rather more serious matter."
*** "A man was killed last Saturday. Murdered, though it was made to look like suicide. I want to know who killed him and why?"

[Aria]

Langdon and the Herberts

 

Madame Soraya didn’t appreciate others touching her cards. She even slept with them under her pillow. Though tempted to slap the young lord’s hand away, it did no harm. She slid the cards she had drawn for the lady back into the deck and began her mysterious shuffling ritual.

 

“I will tell you what the cards reveal to me. It does often help when one tells me specific things one wants to know.” Drawing cards from random places in the deck, she lay them on the table. She frowned as she studied them.

 

“A problem will be solved, though not in the way you expect. A clue will be revealed by somebody close to you. I see a baby with a silver spoon in its mouth, crying inconsolably, as well as a dog that keeps barking. I also see a new acquaintance who could be either a blessing or a curse.

 

The fortune teller leaned across the table and lowered her voice so that only he could hear it. “I sense danger from a beautiful angry widow with a tooth in her hand, and from a man separated from his family by bars who counts money and consults a lawyer.”

 

Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I sense those mystical influences you spoke of too. The Romani are closer to the spiritual world than most. Be careful how you deal with the supernatural.  It is often not what it seems. An unexpected source could help or hinder your efforts.”

 

Madame Soraya settled back into her chair and smiled “That is all the cards tell me.”

[Aria]

Douglas

 

“If I could solve crimes with my gift, I would not be telling fortunes at a carnival. But I can tell you what the cards show me.” Madame Soraya slid several cards out of the deck and lay them on the table.

 

“Hmmmm ….” she mused as she studied them.  "I see a rope that hides not one murder, but two. Perhaps this knowledge will assist you in finding the answers you seek.

 

“Would you like to know what else my cards say about your future?”  Some people had specific questions while others wanted to learn everything that the cards revealed.

[Charles Whitehurst]

Charles and the Herberts

He had imagined that the cards needed touching so that they had some connection with the person whose fortune was to be read. The mystic appeared bothered by that.

The clues were cryptic, as was expected.  A crying baby with a silver spoon.  That signified a royal or noble baby, but why was it crying?  A dog barking was equally curious.  He had no dog at his residence, though he was planning to add one for security.  Perhaps the dog was warning about danger to the baby.  Could it mean a danger to the Prince of Wales?  That would come to him as a Life Guard, but hardly presented a case for taking greater action.  Perhaps there was danger to his son with Catherine, but was his bastard born with a silver spoon? Hardly.

The whispered part was more specific.  He knew who the beautiful widow was.  It was Darlene certainly.  She was a danger to him in that her anger and unpredictability could result in something scandalous about him.  She might ruin his chances with Susan Herbert.  "What do you mean a tooth in her hand?" he asked.  He had never heard that phrase before and it was unlikely meant literally.  The man separated by bars might mean Abby's brother returned from the sea, who threatened his guardianship over her and Frances.  More likely, it was the surprise release of Silas Moorehead from prison.  He counted money and would look to harm Charles in retribution for his fall from grace.  His daughter had threatened revenge.  He would be ready, protected by his status and royal favor hopefully.  A new acquaintance could be a blessing or curse.  That could be true of anyone, so it was unlikely to change his behavior. 

The warning about spirits was probably wise, but he had dealings only with the Lion's spirit and it seemed benevolent.  He would need to be careful about trusting the words of spirits in the future.   "Do you suggest that I stop communicating with spirits then?" he asked, though doubting she would ban it.

"Thank you for your reading," he replied courteously, now ready to withdraw and make room for the next supplicant.  

[Douglas FitzJames]

Douglas wasn't really certain what he expected, but figured it was worth the chance, and the coin. Madame Soraya made a good point, and he he gave a half-smile and understanding nod as she pointed out that if she could solve crimes she wouldn't be telling fortunes. But she didn't refuse him outright, reviewing her cards which were simply pretty bits of paste board to Douglas, before telling him that a rope hid not one murder but two. He hadn't mentioned the rope - she might have heard, or deduced, but perhaps she could see beyond the every day. 

"Thank ye, haps that will be a help."* He acknowledged. It couldn't hurt to see whether there had been another murder recently. Perhaps it would prove the clue he needed, and if so she would have his gratitude. 

Did he want to know what else the cards said? "Aye, I wuid hear whit they say, if ye weel tell."** He said simply, not really having specific questions, or rather having far too many of them. 

Subtitles
* "Thank you, perhaps that will be a help."
** "Yes, I would hear that they say, if you will tell."

[Aria]

Charles and the Herberts

 

“The tooth could be interpreted in countless ways. The cards don't reveal details.”

 

Madame Soraya shook her head. “If spirits wish to communicate with you, they will find a way, even if you ignore them. Some of them are restless and wish to find peace. They may believe you can help them in their quest. If they were close to you in life, sometimes they wish to warn you of peril. I can tell you nothing more.”

 

She nodded when Charles thanked her. “You’re welcome.”

 

Susan knew that her mother would not want her fortune told. “Come,” she said. “Let’s visit the other attractions.” She had not heard everything the fortune teller said to Charles, but her predictions seemed more serious than those she had given her. Then again, he had asked for warnings. If he had been given any clues about the Lion and the Swan, then she was certain he would tell her, though she might have to wait until the ball when they would be able to converse more freely.

[Aria]

Douglas

 

“Very well.” Madame Soraya looked back down at her cards. “Your journey through life will take you in unexpected directions. Success and esteemed can be earned through hard work, diligence, and seizing opportunities, despite the obstacles in your path. There is marriage in your future. Choose your wife wisely. There will be trouble in your family that could tear it apart. I see lies, betrayal, and an unforeseen death. Keep in mind that what seems right can be wrong and that what seems wrong can be right.”

 

She looked up at Douglas. “That is all I see.”

 

[Douglas FitzJames]

Douglas listened as the fortune teller read her cards for him, and the advice they gave. Some of it seemed pretty obvious - the first part had already come true, to his thinking - but sometimes one needed the obvious to be shoved under one's nose. The last part however caused the big man to become thoughtful. Trouble in the family? Did she mean Fiona's stalker? But that wouldn't tear it apart. Lies, betrayal... and a death. That made Douglas's blood run cold. Would he loose one of his sisters? They were all strong willed and did not always get along, but they were still family, still Clan, and dearer to him than he could say. What seems right can be wrong, and what seems wrong can be right... that was... interesting. Seems to whom? He'd had to think on that one. 

"Thank ye Madame." He said when the Travelling lady looked up at him and declared her reading finished. Then he fished in his pocket and produced a coin, one of larger denomination than what he'd handed to the girl outside. "Here, fer the start o' yer crime-solvin' career."* He said with a wink. 

As he rose to his feet, stooping to avoid the fabric of the tent, he added, "I weel speak wi' yer lassie aboot the cats."** 

(OOC: Did you want to play the cat purchase out, or shall we just assume that Douglas has acquired some half-feral fluffball to take to Scotland? I'm happy to do either.)

Subtitles
* "Thank you Madame. Here, for the start of your crime solving career."
** "I will speak to your girl about the cats."

[Aria]

“You’re welcome,” Madame Soraya responded with a gracious nod. She was sorry that some of her predictions were unfortunate, but she saw what she saw and felt obligated to reveal what the cards told her.

 

She had not expected a tip.  Chuckling at his words, she accepted the coin he offered her.  "Thank you. Zina will have the cats brought out and take care of the purchase. The fact that you know I have them will be proof that I agree.”

 

(OOC: No need to play out buying a cat. You can assume that Douglas gets the feline of his choice, along with the cage it sleeps in, and that the cat doesn’t run off unless you want it to. If he takes it to Cat’s house, Fiona and Shona will be wary of it, but Aileen will be curious.)

[Douglas FitzJames]

Douglas felt he'd come away with information, with possible insights into what the future might hold. Even if those insights weren't all positive, forewarned was forearmed. 

He also came away with a large and shaggy ginger and white tomcat, the sort with fluffy if ragged ears and a great mane of fur when the cold weather set in. It had hissed at him, wrinkling it's nose, then having established it's position it had cautiously sniffed his hand and suffered a gentle tickle behind the ears. Douglas could respect that. The tom looked like it could take down anything short of a bull - the ultimate weapon in the war against the rodents - and reminded Douglas of the Mons Meg, the giant canon atop the walls at Dun Eidin, which had defended Edinburgh castle against all comers. So he called the cat the Ginger Meg. "Ye win the prize laddie." He'd told it quietly on the way back to the Hen's Toes. "Ye git yer ain kingdom whin we ride north."

[Charles Audley]

Having departed from Langdon and Dundarg and recovered his scabbard, Charles had slipped away from the crowd to a relatively quiet corner. Not to compose himself, for his composure had never visibly slipped, but to master the fierce, thrumming energy of combat that suffused his limbs and coiled in his belly even after the dispatch of the tiger. It was almost a hunger, that energy, demanding blood or sex or both. It left him a little... unmoored from his reason and higher faculties, at risk of manic instinct driving his limbs rather than his mind and it took a genuine effort of will to keep himself civilised.

(Dundarg really should have known better than to be so belligerent under the circumstances, but given that the Scot was manifestly as incompetent as he was insubordinate, Charles could not say that he was surprised.)

It had taken a little time, and a little nurse at his hip flask, but Charles had mastered himself to the point that he was a gentleman again. Only then did he remember the fortune teller and the fact that he had never actually had his fortune read. For want of anything better to do, and feeling some genuine curiosity, he made his way back to the fortune teller's tent, whistling softly to himself.

[Aria]

The wild animal show was over, and considering the way it had ended, there was a long line of people waiting to see the fortune teller, presumably to make sure that disaster wouldn’t befall them too. As Charles approached, one man, who looked like a farmer, pointed at him. “It’s him!” he said loudly, “one of the gentleman who slew the tiger.” The news passed down the line and the two women who were next told him that he could take their place.

 

A couple of cats rubbed up against his legs, begging for attention. When the tent flap raised and the current customer came out, the young girl sitting at the table smiled at him. “You have already paid, so go on in, my lord,” she said.

[Charles Audley]

Charles bent to scratch the ears of the cats, grinning faintly. It was gratifying to be recognised for the deed, a soothing balm for the irritation that still spiked whenever he thought of Dundarg.

He straightened and nodded his head to the two women who offered him their place. 

"Thank you," he said with a quick smile.

He gave the young girl at the entrance another precisely calibrated smile, and then fished out another few coins.

"For the two who yielded up their place," he explained, and entered the tent.

"My apologies for running out like that, Madam. I thought I might practice some haruspicy of my own on the tiger, and compare what I learned to what the cards told you," he joked as he stepped inside.