From: tyger@netcom.com (Kristen Kohlbecker)
Subject: Re: CASTLE:  The stranger tries his luck elsewhere..
Organization:  I said WHAT!?!
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 04:19:26 GMT

ugabarra@mcl.ucsb.edu (Il Viaggiatore) writes:
>After standing before the castle awaiting a response that doesn't come,
>Marcello decides that the inhabitants of the castle are too busy to deal
>with a stranger wandering through their land.  Slowly, methodically, Marcello
>spins around to face the forest.  As he turns, his cloak rises and forms the
>most perfect of natural forms, the circle.  Seeing this himself, his mind
>thinks back upon his past.  "How ironic."  He begins to think aloud as he
>starts moving toward the trees.  "Just like much of my past, both relationships
>and life in general.  To a quick glance of others, it may seem perfect or with
>out many faults, but under closer examination all the tears and holes show
>themselves."  With this last thought, he takes a hold of his cloak and 
>runs the faded and tattered material through his fingers.
>
>Releasing the corner of his cloak, Marcello snaps back to his surroundings
>as if not a single thought passed his mind.  About halfway between the castle
>gates and the first trees, Marcello stops and looks back at the architecture
>making personal notes about its form and strength.  "Maybe I'll run into 
>someone within the trees that could answwer a few of my questions."  One
>more breath's time to glance at the structure before Marcello disappears
>into the familiarity of the trees.  Only the thought of how comfortable it was
>to be surrounded by trees again interupted his hopes of meeting someone....


Meanwhile, heading toward the Castle at a rather brisk pace on the grown-over 
forest trail are Tyger and Danita, hurrying to get there before nightfall.

As they rounded a corner on the trail Tyger, walking quickly with her head down
and Danita's hand firmly in one hand, crashed right into the stranger. 
Startled, Tyger leaped back, pulling Danita behind her. Equally startled, the
stranger ducked behind a tree, and peeked back around it after drawing a 
small ornamental sword. His furtive glance around the tree was met with 
laughter on the part of the child and stony silence by the older woman, as 
Tyger and her daughter realized that the stranger was just as startled by 
them as they were by him.

For his part, Marcello was surprised by his cursory assessment of the pair. 
Here in the middle of a gloomy, weed choked forest were these two seemingly
gentle-born females (judging by their attire). "I did not mean to startle 
you. I was merely seeking some sort of shelter and welcome in this Land. As
the people in the Castle ignored my request for sanctuary, I thought to find
some sort of shelter here among the trees." Tyger drew back her hood, 
eliciting a gasp of surprise from the stranger. She chuckled. "My markings
alarm you, do they?" she smiled, but there was a slight edge to her voice, a
subtle warning that he had best pick his words with utmost care. 

Marcello's mind raced, and he responded slowly. "Surprised, yes. Alarmed, no."
He paused to gauge Tyger's reaction. Sensing no ill, he continued. " Clearly
you have survived a meeting with one of the great cats, and come away none
the worse, save for your...em..." "Scars?" Tyger supplied waspishly. "Yes, 
lady," said Marcello nervously. Tyger took some pleasure in the stranger's ill 
ease. "I do not often have occasion to welcome people to my home, but in any 
event," Tyger curtsied, "Welcome to Tygerwood, home of the witch, Tyger, and 
the Devil's Spawn, my daughter Danita." The note of challenge was clear in her 
voice.

At that point the verbal fencing was interrupted by a sharp cry as Danita
kicked Tyger in the shin. She stomped her foot, raising a cloud of dust in
the trail, and said, "Be NICE, mommie!" Tyger relented somewhat at that point.
After glaring peevishly at Danita, who was smiling shyly at the stranger, she 
said, " Whomever *you* may be, you are welcome to accompany us to the Castle. 
I'd rather not have you poking around when I am not here." Marcello swallowed 
hard and answered, "My name is Marcello, and I would be happy to accompany 
you."

Tyger smirked and swept around, her cloak billowing behind her as she 
continued on down the path. Over her shoulder came the words, "Charmed, I'm 
sure..." Marcello knelt down in front of Danita and whispered conspiratorily, 
"Your mother is a prickly one, isn't she, Miss Danita?" "PRICKwy", Danita 
echoed, and then giggled uproariously. From down the trail was heard, "I'm not 
sure what is so funny, but you had *both* better join me...*hastily*." With a 
sigh, Marcello got to his feet, and offered his hand to Danita, who made a 
play of thinking about it, resting her elbow in her hand and putting a finger 
to her lips. Marcello tried gamely to keep from laughing, but the chuckles 
burst forth as Danita began to giggle again and took Marcello's still extended
hand. The pair then quickly followed after the Witch of Tygerwood.

>Il Viaggiatore

Tyger
-- 
      Kristen Kohlbecker    And I would choose to be with you
      tyger@netcom.com      That's if the choice were mine to make   
                            But you can make decisions too
      A Tyger and a Lady    And you can have this heart to break 
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