Regina Mills (mostresilient) wrote in incompletedata, @ 2017-11-04 18:57:00 |
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Entry tags: | once upon a time: regina mills |
Who: Esmeralda (Regina Mills)
When: Mid-Day, November 4
Where: A Street Corner near the University
What: Dance, La Esmeralda, Dance
Rating: Low-ish
For Esmeralda her morning began as it had for as long as she could remember. It was the way that her parents began each and every day. At the start of every day a silent prayer was said to God. The complete message of which varied by day but always included a plea to watch over her and her fellow outcasts. Though she often wondered whether or not her prayers were heard as nothing ever changed. Her doubts only grew when she was separated from her parents and later learned that they had left this world. Prayer was followed by a quick meal for both her and Djali. The meal usually consisted of what she had left over from the night before. Once they’d finished eating the two would set off to dance. Each day she performed the same dance on a different corner than the day before. And each day she would bring home the same amount of coin. After a less than fruitful morning, Esmeralda, decided that today would be the day that her fortune changed. Because today she would risk harassment from the guards and dance on a corner in a heavily travelled area of the city. As she and Djali slipped through alleyways in search of the perfect corner they conversed much as they always had. With Esmeralda speaking and Djali responding by nudging her or tilting his head. Occasionally when he was excited he’d even jump around her until she put an end to it. Spotting an empty corner ahead she guided the two of them in that direction. Her gaze looking to the left and right as they crossed the street. There were no guards in sight but that did not mean there weren’t any nearby. And it would quite unfortunate to be stopped before she was able to even attempt to change her fortune. She continued to scan the area for a few minutes after they’d finished crossing. It was only until she had confirmed that there were no guards in the vicinity that she began to prepare. As she placed her collection hat on the ground she asked her truest friend, “Are you ready to try something new today, Djali?” When she received nothing in response she turned to see what had captured her companion’s attention. For he almost always responded to the things that she said to him. Once she was facing him she took note that he was facing away from her. Her gaze drifted up from him and quickly scanned for any sign of trouble. With none in sight she furrowed her brow confused at his unusual behavior. Until it dawned on her why he was acting differently. She had purposefully avoided performing in this area of the city since she had lived in it. The guards often patrolled the streets where the more wealthy were bound to walk. And the last thing the very wealthy wanted was to have their outings interrupted by an outcast. With a sigh she walked until she stood in front of him and sat down. Esmeralda’s fingers began to stroked the hair on his back as she softly reassured him, “I know, my friend, I know. But this is a risk we must take. The very lives of our friends depends on it. Our lives depend on it.” After she placed a quick kiss upon the top of his head she added, “I promise you, that if this fails, I will never put either of us in harms way again.” Immediately after she spoke, Esmeralda, had a moment where she remembered saying something similar before. When and where she could not remember. But the meaning behind her words was definitely one that had been conveyed in the past. With a shake of her head she decided to push aside the feeling of deja vu. Now was not the time to consider words and their meanings that she had spoken in the past. Once she was certain that Djali would assist her she grabbed her tambourine and began her dance. It took only moments before she was lost in the trance that often overcame her when she performed. Her body moved to a tune that no one could hear. As people passed she would do small tricks. Some with Djali’s assistance and others on her own. When men and some women passed by she threw a flirtatious smile in their direction. For some who passed by she would gyrate her hips more seductively and kick her leg higher. Esmeralda had been performing for long enough that she knew what was needed to capture the hearts of the more fortunate. She knew just how to move her body to entice them into parting with a few coins. And so, as the minutes passed by, Esmeralda, danced and danced, hoping that her fortune would change. |