Princess Rosella of Daventry

[Voice Post]

I, er...yes, hello again, everyone, it's so very nice to see you again! My, it's that time of the year again, isn't it? This must be our visit for the winter season, since the last one we had was, er, in the fall. It's, um, been quite some time since then, hasn't it?

...Yes, well, um. Yes. Er...

...Oh, honestly, this is ridiculous, I've never had such trouble with the visitors before--er, mostly, anyway, since there was that one time when--well, but that's beside the point. Um. It's just that there's someone here and I think he's been following me and I can't for the life of me puzzle out why, since every time I turn around he just up and disappears again! Honestly, I've never seen anything like it; normally the people who come to call are so eager to say hello. They don't usually sneak around in the shadows and turn up in nothing but glimpses wherever I go.

But, er, in any case, I am eager to say hello to people, and so please do stop by if you have a moment, since I'd like very much to visit with you if you have the time. And, er, I suppose if the person following me--or even if you aren't following me, but simply happening to turn up wherever I go on coincidence--can see this, too, then please do come out and say hello, yourself? I can't imagine why you wouldn't...

I'll be looking forward to it, very much so!


[OOC: As per usual, she's canonically from just after the end of Perils of Rosella, and with some very disjointed and vague knowledge of Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder. Not that that really means anything to anyone, but. If something comes up that I don't want her to know, I'll just have her forget it, so have a party--anything goes! HIT HER WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT. Troll, threadjack, have a ball!

And of course, I am totally okay with backdating. ♥]


(COMMENTS)

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

[Filtered from Known DELILAH Members | Blue's Codes | Unhackable]

This Year's Resolutions
1. I resolve to keep doing my best to be happy, no matter what new tricks the City may play.
2. I resolve to find more ways to spend money helping people, since I'm sure there are plenty of better uses for it than just sitting around with me.
3. I resolve to puzzle out how in the world that one bakery manages to get little pies inside their cakes, and make them myself when I do.
4. I resolve to throw a party that Mother would be proud of. Even if it's not quite as elaborate as one of Mr. Stark's.
5. I resolve to give my blood to the hospital again, to help someone who needs it.
6. I resolve to visit Ellington at least once a week so he doesn't get lonely.
7. I resolve to stop threatening to feed certain people to Ellington when those certain people are behaving particularly insufferably, because if I keep doing it he might take me seriously again, and that would be a terrible mess. Er, again.
8. I resolve to listen to more of Sam's music. Even the ones that don't sound like music.
9. I resolve to learn a new skill, whatever it may be.
10. I resolve to stop wondering when it'll at last be my turn to go home, and simply make the best of things here for as long as it lasts.

There, that's a fine list, isn't it? Quite a few people were making them the other day, I know, so I suppose I'm a bit behind in that respect, but I did still get them all set out before the start of the New Year, which is really the most important part of it all, I think.

And to think, another year gone already! My goodness, it seems like only yesterday that we were starting this year fresh and new, and here it is coming to an end before our eyes. A dear friend of mine once told me that it's the first year here that seems to take the longest, and then all the other ones after that go faster and faster all the time. I think she must have been right, because it certainly feels as though this one went by fast. Even with all the things that happened in it.

It's strange, really. When I first started keeping this journal of mine, it was because I'd just embarked on this new adventure here in the City, and I thought I'd better write down an account of all the things I saw and did, so that when I went home again I could tell it all to our court chronicler and my family. That's what's meant to be done after adventures, in my family; we get back and we all hug each other and then we sit right down and tell the whole tale so everyone can hear it, and so Gerwain can put it in the chronicle for everyone else to read later, too. But my goodness, after almost three and a half years here, I'm certainly going to have quite a bit to retell, aren't I? And that's not even counting my adventure in Tamir, the one I had before this one that I never did get to sit down and tell everyone about. Goodness, to think that that was three and a half years ago, too, now...

Things just keep going on and on, don't they? And they always get better. I've lost count of how many times I've said that by now, after Sam first told it to me all those years ago. But I think he was right, and it's a good thing to remember at the beginning of a new year, too.

[Accidental Voice Post | Open Action]

[There are footsteps, the light crunching of snow, the rustle of a long woolen cloak--and the huffing of one incredibly exasperated princess as she makes the long and perilous trek from the massive complex that was formerly the residence of the four Pevensies (and now is home to only one, plus guest) into the City proper and across the way, aiming for the Warehouse with a very specific purpose in mind.]

Oh, drat it all, I knew I ought to have packed that helmet when I had the chance--

[But alas, it is indeed a very long way to the Warehouse, and with that much ground to cover, it's only a matter of time before someone stops her, isn't it?]


[OOC: Let's have some mistletoe madness~ Action is open to everyone (though people she knows to be evil, I can't promise she won't make a speedy getaway before you can get close to her, sorry) and you're welcome to encounter her pretty much anywhere in the City! Also, it's exam season and I've got one tomorrow at 8:30 AM, so my tags may be slow and sporadic for a bit, but I will backdate like the wind. Bear with me!]

Oh, everyone's here again! My goodness, it's been a while, hasn't it? I think it was summer, really, the last time you all came, and now it's just getting to be properly fall--so I suppose in a way you're right on time, since you do all seem to arrive around once every season. And come to think of it, this is rather the month for it, too, isn't it? Since I recall having visitors one year for Halloween, and we all had a marvelous party, and it was a lovely way of saying goodbye to another October once and for all.

...Because it is October now, isn't it? I've been trying not to think too much of it, but...well. It's only a month, and I've beaten it before. And I think I've seen enough Octobers by now to be ready to weather whatever it is that might come from this one.

But in any case, there's no sense dwelling on all that, not with everyone here for the weekend! Oh, I do hope it's for the whole weekend, too, it's always so nice to see all of you. Er, please do be careful around the cars, though--they're quite important to Miss Saya, and it'd be for the best if you left them alone as best you could, thank you.

Well! I think I've enough cookies and milk to last a little while, at least, and I'd be more than happy to entertain any visitors who might come to call, so please do stop by and say hello! Especially, er...any familiar faces that might be passing through.


[OOC: As always, she's canonically from just after the end of Perils of Rosella, and with some very disjointed and vague knowledge of Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder. If something comes up that I don't want her to know, I'll just have her forget it, so have a party--anything goes! HIT HER WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT. Troll, threadjack, have a ball!

And of course, I am totally okay with backdating. ♥]

[Accidental Video Post]

[The video opens to a jostling and bouncing view of the Square, as viewed from roughly thigh-high; evidently, the device has been stuck into someone's pocket for the transit, and got switched on by motion or by mistake. Supporting this conclusion is the fact that one small corner of the view seems to be covered by a bit of red fabric, obscuring the view that minor bit.

However, that small obstruction doesn't matter much in the next few seconds, as someone in black jumps in front of the camera and fairly bellows: ]

Halt, fair maid!

[A brief pause, and then, a familiar voice: ]

I beg your pardon?

Halt, I say! You shall not pass this way until you have delivered me my due!

[Another pause.]

Oh, all right, I suppose I can manage that. What is it you'd like?

[And proudly, the bellowing voice announces: ]

I demand of thee an eye, an ear, and a full set of teeth! Surrender them to me, or step no further!

[There is another short pause, followed by a soft sigh, and then the camera begins to jostle again, accompanied now by the rustle of fabric as the speaker begins to pull things from her pockets without hesitation.]

Yes, of course. There's a needle for your eye, a bit of corn for your ear, and the blade from a saw for your teeth. And I'll just be on my way now, thank you.

...Hey, w-wait, that isn't what I--

[But the camera is already bouncing again as she smoothly walks around him, and after another few steps, the video switches off.]


[OOC: Oh, was this curse made for Rosella or what. Feel free to action her up and demand things of her in exchange; it's a perfect excuse to use all the ridiculous things she carries in her pockets! Otherwise, Network is just fine. :D]

Memories...are odd things, aren't they?

About a month ago, I mentioned the idea of taking down stories from people's experiences in the City and collecting them into a sort of book or account of all the people that spent time here, for the ones who stay and the new ones who come after we're gone. It's something that a friend of mine did with music, and I thought it might be nice to try it with stories and tales, too.

It'd seemed as though the curses would be easiest to write about, since they're often the things that prove most...er, noteworthy. And it's strange, because after nearly three years in a place like this, one would think one would begin to forget curses here and there as the time goes by. But then, on the occasions when they come up again, it isn't difficult at all to look at the curse and remember that we've had it before. I suppose that's only to be expected, though; after living through an ordeal once, it shouldn't be at all difficult to recall it when it comes around again.

But that's the strangest thing, really. That curse the other day, the one with the tables and parties and everyone moving down...has that one happened before? I feel as though it must've, but I just can't seem to--that is, I remember the commotion, and the cups, and Blue was so very upset for some reason. And it was so rare to see him like that, but I can't think of what could've made him feel that way in a curse about nothing more than bustle and tea.

So I suppose, er...well, it's just, does anyone remember if we've had that curse before? The one we had the other day? If you could, I'd very much appreciate it if you'd tell me about it.

And speaking of curses, I think we'd all best be on our guard today, and in the days to come. I think there's meant to be trouble on the horizon.


[OOC: So yeah, Rosella's usually pretty good about remembering past curses. The reason why she can't get this one? She was kind of missing her heart at the time. Awkward. She'll be in the Library for any punching-related incidents, but she'll be dodging most of them because if she gets hurt, her friends might kill people. >>]

Back home in Daventry, we have...something of a tradition of telling stories, you might say. I suppose it's only to be expected of a family with a habit of getting into adventures, but it's something we all do and something my father's court chronicler insists upon, besides. When an adventure is through and the journey home is finally at an end, the first thing--or one of the first, really, since the very first is usually to embrace the whole family--one does is to sit down with Gerwain and tell him the whole story so that he might write it down for the royal archives.

It's a bit strange, you know; I had an adventure of my own just before I fell into this City, and never had the chance to tell it to Gerwain myself. It's rather why I started keeping a journal here in the first place. And a good thing I did, really, since that adventure is coming up on three years ago now, and I'll still have to tell it all back as soon as I'm finally home again. To say nothing of all the adventures I've had here, besides!

I suppose one could say that the point of a story is to help keep a memory alive and fresh--which is part of the reason we always have Gerwain write it, since he has the most marvelous knack for taking a spoken tale and making it come alive on paper, almost as real as it was when we were living it ourselves. My friend Blue once did something similar, here in the City: he liked music very much, and so he convinced as many of the City's musicians as he could to play for him, and recorded their music, and kept it all as a memory of the people that have come and gone from here before. I was one of the ones who played for him, myself, so I suppose that means my music will still be here, too, even after I've gone. Blue's still is. It's the only way I have left to hear him play anymore, and though it may not be much, I'm glad for it.

It's...easier to hold onto memories when there's something to hold on to, isn't there? My best friend Sam left me a movie of one of his adventures, and Blue left me his music, and Penny left the Welcome Center, which isn't mine but still makes me smile every time I pass it by in the Square. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all do the same, somehow?

I've been thinking of stories and memories lately. Everyone has at least one, no matter how long or briefly they've been here. I rather wonder what they'd sound like, if we were all to put them together. And what a collection they'd make for the people who might follow us after we ourselves were gone.


[OOC: And thus begins the preliminary stages of the City Chronicle project; Alms, I left it a little vague so we could expand or refine the idea ICly if you wanted? Regardless, Rosella wants to chronicle your stories, City. Good memories, bad memories, hilarious curse retellings, anything goes! Interested parties, please inquire within. ♥]

( Written Correspondence: Sir Mal Heymer )

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( Written Correspondence: Sir Zuko Flamel )

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( Written Correspondence: The Most Honble. The Marquis of Cloverfeld, Nigel Colbie )

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[Video | Open Action]

[It's far more pleasant to spend time in the garden at Versailles; the palace itself is cramped and stifling, and such enclosed spaces have never sat well with Rosella, who much prefers open spaces and clear air. So at the moment she can be found lingering near the marvel that is the fountains, admiring the sculptures and the scenes they depict, and carefully calculating her plans for the evening.

Any passerby who stop for a word and a moment of her time will be received with her most charming smile and her full attentions; she's not about to waste any opportunity to gain advantage that may arise, no matter how slight, and the more she impresses, the better.]


[OOC: See HERE for the details! TL;DR, Rosella de Brus, Princesse Royale of Daventry, is large and in charge in your Versailles! Muns of her entourage, I hope the names and titles I've randomly bestowed here are cool with you; if there's a problem with any of it, let me know and I'll fix it right away! Let's have some shenanigans. o/]

( All animals understand love and affection, but only man shows the propensity to place himself into the shoes of another lifeform... )

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

[Accidental Video Post]

[The video opens on the Warehouse kitchen as viewed from the countertop, slightly obscured by the edge of a cookbook; a short distance away, busily assembling ingredients near a yellow mixing bowl, is Rosella. She's got her hair braided back as usual, keeping her hair off her face, and there's a bit of flour smudged along her cheek and dusted on her dress.]

Let's see...butter, sugar, eggs, flour, milk, vanilla--oh, and the lemon, of course, mustn't forget that--

[Any baking-inclined viewers in the audience might note the ingredients in question are all for baking something distinctly lemon-flavored. A cake, perhaps?

Any baking-inclined viewers that were around two Mays ago might have a very good idea why she's chosen to bake a lemon cake on this particular occasion.]

That's half a cup of butter, one and a quarter of white sugar...

[But then she stops, rolling her shoulders uncomfortably for a minute. She shrugs it off, resumes stirring, but then stops again and reaches behind her, frowning as she presses her hand against the apparently offending place on her back.]

Sugar...yes, that's right, and five minutes mixing them together.

[She begins to put the ingredients together, finding a spoon and stirring them a bit, before stopping and rolling her shoulders again--as the video ends.]


[OOC: With May comes lemon cakes! Because really, it's just a standard precaution by now, for a month when Adrastus is most likely to come to call. The game is afoot! Preparations are being made! And Rosella's old wound from the Ides of March last year is beginning to twinge up. The first part is a solo log for reference purposes; the rest is open to Network. ♥]

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

Well, it's been a week since the harpies were dealt with, and the barrier is back up again--or, well, a barrier is back up, at least, though I think it's not quite the same as the one we had before, somehow? Which is rather something to ponder over, really. We'd fixed the other barrier before, when it started to come down in pieces and we were all made to put it back up again, but that's a bit different than having the whole thing disappear completely and leaving us without one at all, and having to put a new one up in its place. It certainly was pretty when it all came together, though, wasn't it? All the lovely shifting lights in the night sky.

In any case, it's up now, and keeping the harpies out again, and yet there still isn't any ticking to speak of. I suppose that rules out the idea that the two of them were connected, the clock and the barrier, and that ruining one disrupted the other somehow. Still, even if they aren't connected, it's still curious that the ticking's gone silent, isn't it? If it wasn't the barrier falling that caused it to stop, then I wonder what it could be.

Yes, Cain, I know, I think too much about that clock. Though I suppose it's only fitting that it's driving me mad whether it ticks or not, isn't it?

Still, I'll try not to let it bother me for the moment. I have a few things to get done yet today, and some errands to run, and something to see to this evening, besides. And that's quite enough for right now, I should think.

[Filtered AWAY from Godchild Cast (Yes, Jez, That Means You Too) | Unhackable]

Though I do wonder--if it's not too much trouble, please, I'd like very much to speak with someone who's visited London, if you have a moment to spare. Edmund, Peter, you've been, haven't you?

[/Filter]

( Filtered to Iacho | Attempted Unhackable )


[OOC: TL;DR forever! She's not cursed today, but she's getting things done: getting stuff off her mind, going to Claire's birthday party, dropping off a box containing shiny pebbles, a shoe, and a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers for Iacho at the Deity Office, conducting a little super sekrit stealth research...good times!]