WC: 764. You have died of DYSENTERY. Also, pp for Skye has been allowed.
The bumpy journey felt like it took ages, as the members of Cercatori piled up into the caravan and made off to the Court. Bangle himself was excited, even as he felt crowded sitting shoulder to shoulder with another and trying to keep his pups from getting into everything. A part of the craftsman hoped that Ezra would be there, the friendly fellow who had shared a drink and memories of the former life they both once had. However, he was also excited on behalf of the pack, to find allies in their neighboring packs.
When they did arrive, Bangle nearly scrambled over others to get out and get some fresh air. He had Erzulie, the most rambunctious next to Nathaniel, in hand, dangling her by her feet. She struggled and tried to wriggle free, but it was of no use. Robert was at his feet as he stood before the caravan, listening to Skye's howl for those of the Court. One by one they appeared, but Ezra was not among them. Still, the strangers were a welcome sight. "Greetings, friends!" He barked to each in turn, as another male with a son and a tall woman ambled up to the group. "Would yeh like t' buy a pup? She's a live one!" The grin across his face, and his tone, could have told anyone he was joking, but a fleeting glance from Skye had made him put down his white-furred daughter and smiled apologetically towards her.
His minions were more behaved, however, as the group started to walk towards the Hotel, inside the Court's boundaries. At least his children learned from Skye to behave (somewhat) properly around strangers and guests. The building they walked towards was immense, and the only taller structures Bangle remembered seeing where the ones in Halifax. In the interior, it was lavishly decorated, with space big enough to house all the individual things each member brought. Ears flicked at the sound of chatter, and singing, as Bangle found a spot to unravel his marvels along the floor.
Heaving his satchel around, Bangle began to unpack things and unhitch things from his belt. With a frequent eye on his two pups, he went back and forth to the caravan from outside to bring the heavier and bulkier things in towards his green-woven mat. The things he himself brought for trade were not unusual to those who were familiar with his wares: Stone pestles to glittering rocks, household objects made of wood or bone, leathers and skins of all sizes piled up. Animal heads and painted skulls, sold by themselves or strung along jars and clothing.
When all was said and done, he sat back and pulled the painted lute from the straps at his back, and began to play. "Come one, come all! It's all fer traaaade, o/`" He began to sing, as Robert sat next to his father and looked around with bright, violet eyes. His tail thumped along to the tune his father made. "Yeh lookin' fer a hide, a tool, or a blaaade? Maybe you, wit' a curious eye, or you, with th' astonished glare? o/`" His strumming got louder, grinning as he watched many pass to and fro in curiosity. "From th' mountains in th' sky to th' underground.. it's 'ere! Look no further, than Bangle's waaaresss! o/`" Bangle finished high, and Robert chimed in with a puppy-like howl. Leaning forward, Bangle mussed the top of his head, and watched curiously as Erzulie poked her nose at all the various things her father had laid out, her rump shaking happily as she studied them with her haunting eyes.
The craftsman took a moment to survey the others, watching how they moved and looked at the different things each member brought with them. His eyes moved to the exceptionally tall woman, who was as silent as her steps, walking towards the entrance of the Hotel and bartering her tools for the chicks Skye offered from the back of the caravan. He grinned, watching the pair, as Skye handed over a little yellow chick in exchange for one of the woman's various tools she had in her elegant hands. It seemed to Bangle in that moment that he had traveled to a pack that was not far at all from home. His wandering days were somewhat over, that much was true, but the pack had evolved into something the former gypsy could put his heart into. While the outside world still beckoned him at times, the tempting call was coming in less frequently to the male's large ears.
Image courtesy of Phil and Pam@Flickr; table by the Mentors!
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