Quest 115

[primrosella]

[Accidental Voice Post]

[The device switches on amidst a shuffle of cloth, presumably by accident--as though, perhaps, it is being kept in a pocket, out of sight, and its owner has jostled it by mistake.]

Don't look don't look don't look don't look--

[The whispered words keep time with the faint clicking of footsteps.]

There's nothing there, it's fine, it's fine, don't look, don't look, there's nothing there, just keep going one step at a time, don't look, don't look, oh, drat these boots! Don't look, there's nothing there, don't look--

[Somewhere nearby, gears grind and electricity crackles. A strangled sort of cry escapes before she can restrain it, and when she begins to speak again, it's with renewed, frantic vigor.]

No, no, no, there's nothing, it's fine, it's fine, there's nothing there, don't look, one step at a time, one and one and one and one, it's fine, it's all right, just get home, it's fine, it's fine--!

[The sound of machinery returns, louder now, clanking and rattling and grinding. Too close--this time, her fear wins out, and her scream is filled with revulsion.]

Get away!

[And now there is scuffling, shuffling, and the distinctive gasping of someone running, stumbling, and running again, as though her life depends on it.]


[OOC: It's mentioned a couple times in the King's Quest Companion that people from Daventry have a deep, universal loathing for technology. Of course, seeing as how the Daventry definition of "technology" means gears and cogs and clockwork stuff...yeah, Rosella's not having a good day. She's been fighting to keep her freaking out under control all day, but between the steampunk atmosphere and her wardrobe modification, it finally got the better of her.

All responses are assumed to be voice, and action for not_so_smooth and bombylious.]

Comments

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

They're unnatural, all the gears and--and things.

[OOC: D'aww. I like steampunk!Cain, though! ♥]

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Yes, but the things of which they're capable. The things one can do with this technology. The gears are made of metal, and that's dug out of the earth. It's natural enough.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

What's the use of such horrible things when magic works just as well?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Perhaps because some of us don't have magic. We only have technology that imitates magic.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

That doesn't mean I have to like them. Disgusting things, rattling and--and clanking and--

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I suppose you don't have to like them. There are those who'd rather live in the country and not deal with the complexities of city life.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

I--pardon, what?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I suppose you don't have to like them. I know of some people who'd rather live in the country than in the cities, keeping farther away from the cogs and gears you don't like.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

Of course I'd rather--you know we don't have things like this in Daventry, city or not. You've been there.

Sob. So cursed ;_;

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Have I? I don't think I've been to Daventry before. I think I've heard the name of the place before, though.

Awkward.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

You went there in my-- What's my name?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I've no idea, though I'm sorry that I don't. It's a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it had been under better circumstances.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

Oh. So that's it, then.

The pleasure is mine, I'm sure. I'm sorry if I startled you with my...outburst.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Not at all. You sounded so distressed I couldn't help but ask after you. Will you be all right?

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

...I'll manage. I'm very good at that.

But I don't believe you've mentioned your name?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

If you're certain that you will.

No, I haven't. And I apologise for my utter lack of manners. Cain Hargreaves, Earl of Hargreaves.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

I will be, one way or another. But it'd be nice if all that awful racket would stop.

It's...no, it's all right, I always forget to introduce myself, anyway. I'm...Princess Rosella of Daventry.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, perhaps you can escape that racket. That's as good as making it stop. I'm not sure there's any other way to stop it.

Your Highness. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

It's quiet enough in this cave, anyway. Though if I get rid of the device, I won't be able to speak with anyone, so I'm rather stuck in that respect.

As I said, the pleasure is mine. ...But please, it's just Rosella.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

But you're in a cave. Are you sure that's safe?

Rosella, then. As you prefer.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

It's a place I've been to before. I caused a lot of people a great deal of trouble when I did, actually. But it's safe enough now...safer than being out there with all that.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

So long as you'll be all right, despite being in a cave.

[primrosella.livejournal.com]

It's kind of you to be so concerned for my safety. I appreciate it, very much so.