primrosella | Quest 234

[Accidental Video Post]

[It's just a bit past noon when the video flickers on--then off--then on again, wobbling in and out of darkness before finally bringing into focus the sight of a train compartment, and a slightly rumpled-looking girl sitting on the soft blue cushions, gazing intently out the window. Her own silence makes the noises of the train around her more pronounced--the rattling, the clanking, the whispering rush of air--and careful observers may notice that this girl's face is a shade paler than it normally would be, that her fingers are twisting in the fabric of her skirt in rhythm with the noise.

She hates this, the roar of the engines, the hum of machinery. There's a reason she never goes down to use the subway system beneath the City, even if it means a much longer walk above ground to get to the same place. There's a reason she has avoided this at all costs. She hates it here, buried underground in these tunnels, surrounded by the sound of the machines she loathes so much.

Her fingers twist again, the knuckles turning white, and the video dissolves into static.

But then, a few seconds later, it flickers back in again, and now Rosella's hand is pressed against the glass of the window as she leans toward it, as if that extra few inches will somehow give her a clearer look at--whatever it is she sees. Her voice, when she speaks, is quiet--and a little anxious.]

It's...it's a trick. It can't-- [A crackle of static; the video flickers.] --al. Can it? No, it can't, it's not...

[She slides closer, both hands cupped against the window now, her face pressed close with her fingers curled to reduce the glare off of the glass.]

They did this last ye-- [Static. But a bit of audio filters through, even if the video is still obscured.] --re we going?

[And then, after another few seconds, the video clicks on again--just in time to see a faint shape, deathly white, SLAM against the window from the outside of the train, and to witness Rosella jumping a mile at the sight, recoiling with a shriek that is half from surprise and half from horror.

Another flicker of the video, and now she is curled on the bench with her knees pulled to her chest, her hands over her ears, and she is mumbling frantically under her breath.]

It has to stop sometime. It has to stop. It always stops, don't look, don't-- [Static.] --ere, it's fine, it's fine, there's nothing there, it's nothing, it's--

[The train rattles, the door creaks, and the video flickers once--twice--and then finally cuts out.]

[OOC: So, to review: Rosella hates machinery. Rosella is currently trapped on the Death Train™. Rosella...is not a happy camper. :(

Please assume this post takes place shortly after noon in Compartment #3; word hasn't reached her about the deaths yet, but please feel free to carry word to her! Action is welcomed from anyone on the train; if you'd prefer not to find her in her compartment, feel free to assume she's wandering the train a short time after this post and run into her wherever you like.]

[And mods, if I've gotten any of this wrong, please let me know and I'll fix it. o/]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And she's glancing up at the familiar voice.]

Tamaki? Tamaki, is that you?

[blink... blink... oh!]

Princes... Rosella?

[tips an invisible hat]

I see, I see. Terribly sorry, but I never received the invitation to ride on your pretty royal express! But now, I understand.

Oh, hello, Tamaki, do come in, won't you?

[It's a bit hard to tell if that's merely a polite request, or a plea.]

Oh, dear, you've ended up here too, then, haven't you.

[waaaaaltzes in, taking his seat entirely too gracefully for someone this naturally neon-prone.]

Where beautiful ladies go, so do their earnest defenders! Although to tell the truth, I think I left my castle and court in the seventh cart. The pony couldn't make it.

[And whether she notices it or not, she gravitates slightly in his general direction.]

I don't think a castle and court would fit in here, and I'm sure your pony wouldn't be very happy, besides. But it's nice to see you, Tamaki.

Well, a loyal steed follows you anywhere - I bet it's riding right behind, along with the cavalry, leading them to their master's rescue and - ah!

[face suddenly in wonder, holds his hand out by her ear --- ]

What's... this...?

[and "pulls out" a tiny origami flower, because not only is this magic trick cheesy, it's also, train circumstances given, cheap. He holds it out to her.]

I think it's for you!

[Well, cheesy or not, it does get a faint smile out of her. She's never quite been able to keep from smiling at his antics--he just has that knack for drawing them out of her, it seems--and even in these dire circumstances, this is no exception.]

It's lovely, thank you. [And she takes it with a pleased, almost relieved look.] How long have you been here? Er, on the train, that is.

[nods, then rests back]

That's difficult to say, really! This beautiful face woke early in the morning, at 7 on the clock, as usual - but I think, sitting around, my legs just fell asleep. It's unfortunate to wake them for a walk, but... it's indecent to be sleeping through the midday, isn't it?

Oh, then you had it the same as I did. I woke up here, too, but I know there have been some other people that came on by mistake.

[She's trying hard to stay under control, and the talking is helping, but there's still something about her stance that gives the impression she'd really just like to curl up in a ball again.]

It seems it's not getting on that's the problem, but getting back off again.

[tilts his head; edgy, edgy, edgy - oh. Clau... stro... phobia?]

Princess Rosella, you know, it just occurs to me, we haven't bonded in forever and one whole day! We should remedy that and take the next hour for extravagant manipedis and society gossip! Here - give me your right hand!

[holds out his own]

Edited 2010-11-20 02:48 (UTC)

[Alas, it's always been her experience that bad things tend to happen in dark, enclosed places.]

Oh, well--all right, if you'd like, yes, of course...

[Slightly baffled--which admittedly isn't unusual, in dealing with Tamaki--she places her hand in his, letting her curiosity get the better of her.]

[fishes through his pockets with the left hand... not in the pants, not in the outer ones...a~ha! Inner pocket, go go go! Congratulations, a tiny, but sadly expensive nail set secured. Just the file and a small pair of scissors, but, well, the polish could wait. Starts dutifully fussing over Rosella's right hand.]

Mademoiselle, a gentleman never leaves home without freshly polished shoes, an ironed shirt and handkerchief, a nail kit, and a flower.

[pouts his lips, in the FIRM DEBUT of his ~ manipedi artist ~ persona]

Now, we're between girlfriends here, Miss Rosella: you can tell me anything!

[A terribly odd experience, this. Not bad, by any means, just...odd.]

Of course, Tamaki. I, um...

[And then before she quite realizes it, she just sort of blurts out: ]

Doesn't all this racket bother you?

[his voice turns significantly louder]

What racket, Miss Rosella? You can't possibly mean your lovely fellow passengers, can you? You're happy with your seating, aren't you?

No, it's the...

[Drat it all, this is always so hard to explain. How does one put into words such an ingrained, deep-seated loathing?]

The train itself. The machinery. I can't stand it.

Quest 234

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NOW WITH LESS HTML FAIL...........

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