Siobhan Aitken (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
growsowngoats) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-11-04 10:14 pm
growsowngoats) wrote in undergrounds2015-11-04 10:14 pm
Entry tags:
[open] The lion, the witch and the sketchpad
It is a mild day, something to be grateful for when you have to spend most of it sitting outside. Siobhan has found herself a nice little perch between the paws of a lion statue, her little paper cup standing next to her. There are a few coins in there but it's a slow day. She doesn't mind, things aren't too dire. She has fastened some of her drawings on the lion, he's a helpful sort so he doesn't mind. If people stop for long enough to throw her a glance she will give them a smile and offer to draw their portrait if they can part with some change.
It would probably seem like a more attractive offer if her sketchpad wasn't so beaten up and she herself wasn't swaddled in ratty clothing that seems about to swallow her up, but you have to work with what you have, eh?
Her mother would think it a shameful thing, of course, begging. Especially since Sio does have some money coming in from other places. Then again her mother doesn't have to eat like a horse just to keep herself from wasting away. No, Mother's slender grace is the result of very careful planning indeed. Appearances are very important after all. You have to play the game.
Siobhan isn't interested in any of that. She just wants to meet some new people and scrounge up enough money for a snack.
It would probably seem like a more attractive offer if her sketchpad wasn't so beaten up and she herself wasn't swaddled in ratty clothing that seems about to swallow her up, but you have to work with what you have, eh?
Her mother would think it a shameful thing, of course, begging. Especially since Sio does have some money coming in from other places. Then again her mother doesn't have to eat like a horse just to keep herself from wasting away. No, Mother's slender grace is the result of very careful planning indeed. Appearances are very important after all. You have to play the game.
Siobhan isn't interested in any of that. She just wants to meet some new people and scrounge up enough money for a snack.
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Lancelot shrugs a little, ruffling at Lily's mane to try and distract her from licking. She tips her head back to encourage it, tail swishing enthusiastically, and stands up.
"Lily, sit, come on now," he chides, and she sits again. Why so much sitting? Why are they staying here? She will sit if he wishes, but why?
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Her eyes flick constantly between paper, dog and man, pen moving with the surety that comes from hours upon hours of practice.
"I know it's boring to stay in the same spot for too long, I don't like that either."
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She fusses at him a moment longer, tail swishing excitedly, then Lancelot relents and lets her stand -- grins at her as she bounces on the spot and shakes her head -- fur ruffling and making her look like a lion with a huge mane.
"You did good!" he assures her, and holds out a hand palm up. She bounces and lifts one paw to rest in his and shake. Yes! Yes she is good at these games. She doesn't know why he likes them but she is good at them now! Does this mean she gets a treat?
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Which really isn't meant to be a flirty remark so much as it is a statement of fact, said as she adds some more stubble on her rendition of his very appealing jaw line.
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"I'm not so sure that is true, but you are kind to say so."
Even if Lancelot assumes it must simply be her teasing.
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She ads a few final touches and hands the quick, but still very good, sketch to Lancelot.
"Face it, handsome, you've the sort of face that makes people stop and take notice, not to mention that you're a sweetheart."
Siobhan thinks everyone is beautiful, but she can still tell when someone is likely to make a lot of other people go "hot damn".
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"This is incredible! You're really very kind. Here --"
And he hands it back to her a moment so he can dig for his wallet, tugs out a twenty pound note to hold out to her with a smile.
"Here, and thank you again. Are you self taught, or...?"
Or did she learn from someone, attend art school? He wouldn't have pegged her as the type for art school, but sometimes appearances can be deceiving.
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She's not even that embarrassed or flustered, really, her body just seems to have an aversion to any kind of subtlety.
"I'm glad you like it. I just taught myself, it was always easier than trying to get the hang of words."
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He quirks an eyebrow, holds it back out to her questioningly with a smile. Well?
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She takes the paper back and jots down her name, obviously not used to writing even if her artistic talent at least gives the letters a shape that is pleasing to the eye.
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He pads closer with Lily, who sticks close to his heels -- shifts to take a seat on the statue's pedestal near where Siobhan had been sitting.
"Or does that depend on how many pictures you sell?"
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"Aye, I'm staying. I've found a cheap room and a jeweler willing to sort of have me as an apprentice which is good since I needed a workshop. Besides, I like it here."
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He supposes they're both creative forms of expression, he shouldn't be surprised, but Lancelot is always impressed when people can do these sort of things.
"What sort do you make? Forgive me if that is bold, it is only -- well, I have no such talent myself. I suppose it is interesting to learn from those who do."
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Which in all honesty isn't nearly as often as she'd like but that's how things are sometimes.
Most times, really, but she's learned to make the most of what she does have because what use is there to be sad about things when there are so many reasons to smile?
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His lips quirk in idle amusement -- he doesn't really wear much in the way of jewellery, in truth, but who knows. He might start. He already has a little charm on Lily's collar, after all, that he bought at the harvest festival. Lily shoves her face into Lancelot's lap as he talks, and he ruffles at her ears fondly -- quietly shushing her every so often to try and calm her enthusiasm. Which is, of course, trick. Dogs have a lot of enthusiasm, and no desire to calm it.
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She has discovered that there really is no need to be particularly secretive about what she is and what she does, most people don't believe her anyway.
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Gently shoving Lily he turns her to face Siobhan a little, turning her collar so the small amulet hanging off it is visible. It's only a small one, a protection amulet to try and keep Lily from injuring herself or stumbling into doggy trouble, but it's real enough.
"I bought it during a harvest festival," he says, and flicks a small smile. He hopes it's enough to let Siobhan know that if her amulets carry real witch magic, well, it's safe enough to talk to him -- and if not? It's just an amulet he bought at a festival.
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"I always seem to manage."
Sometimes only barely, but managing is managing as far as she's concerned.
"I could make a better one for her."
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Lily thrashes her tail in agreement, even if she isn't sure what she's agreeing with, and noses at Siobhan playfully. Such a serious face! Yet why? She should be playing! Playing is always the best thing to do! Perhaps she isn't sure how? Lily could help with that! She's very good at playing.
"She has a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm, anything that keeps her out of trouble is worthwhile I think."