primrosella | Entries tagged with unaffected

[Accidental Video Post]

[The video clicks on with a shake and a rattle, displaying a wobbling view of stacked books on a table and full shelves in the background; given the way the stack of books seems slightly off-kilter, it appears that something has recently jostled the table--which would also explain how the device, abandoned nearby, switched on itself.

For a while, the video shows nothing but books, but eventually Rosella wanders into the scene, hair up in braids and her head tipped back as she surveys the higher shelves, clearly looking for something and absently talking to herself--as she is wont to do, when she is deep in thought--as her gaze flickers over the titles embossed in gold on the leather spines.]

Sigils, runes, symbols...um...hieroglyphs?

[She frowns, absently biting at a hangnail as she continues to think.]

Devices, emblems, logos, pictures...

[And she wanders out of the shot again, only to return a few minutes later with a new stack of books. Setting these down near the camera--which she still hasn't noticed is recording, being so absorbed in her apparent search--she takes a seat and begins to page through the books, studying their contents intently. Eventually, she comes to the book second from the bottom, and pauses in her skimming to frown at the pages.

But no, it's not the pages she's frowning at, after all; she reaches down and plucks a torn bit of yellowed paper from where it has been tucked--perhaps as a bookmark?--into the crease between the pages, holding it up to look it over. Observers with a keen eye may be able to catch a glimpse of this bit of writing before Rosella turns it over to examine it herself; it quickly becomes clear that, while this may not be what she's been looking for, it's something she finds intriguing nonetheless.]

My, that's odd...

[But then she looks up as a new voice rings out across the room, calling something that sounds suspiciously like "Miss, would you like to hear about my fungal infection", and Rosella quickly slams the books shut, which in turn jostles the table--

--and the feed ends.]

[OOC: Research, research! Rosella's in the Library investigating symbols (having seen one elsewhere), and is fair game for assailing with your Stranger Danger tales! Also, any magically-inclined viewers, especially ones with a specialty in runes and icons, are welcome to notice that the drawing on the bit of parchment is magical in nature, though I'd prefer if they weren't able to figure out what it is or does (though speculation is certainly welcome!).

TL;DR: Action if you're in the Library, Network for everyone else. ♥]

Current Mood: busy

[Voice Post]

[The audio snaps on with a click, but there is a somewhat awkward pause before any speaking occurs; then, after some hesitant shuffling, Rosella clears her throat and begins.]

Yes, well, er. I'm sure that several people have noticed by now that there's, um...that there seems to be a unicorn on the loose in the City. And, er, that's exactly so, because it turns out that one got loose from the zoo the other day, and I'm sure that the poor thing is terribly frightened, and that's why it's been causing so much...er, trouble.

[Have another awkward pause.]

In any case, it seems that it's...well, as unicorns tend to do, it seems this one isn't exactly fond of anyone that's--

[ANOTHER PAUSE.]

That is, it hasn't been hurting the...um, maidens of the City, as it were.

[Look, her awkwardness right now is palpable, okay?]

So, um, it would be the wise and sensible thing to do, I think, for anyone that's married or not...er, chaste, to use as much caution as possible when going out and about places today.

[Here is a pause, in which Rosella fidgets a bit and then clears her throat again.]

And if there are any...virtuous maidens--or boy maidens, I suppose, though it might take better to girls, just the same--that would be willing to help in subduing the poor thing and getting him back to the zoo where he belongs, please do let me know, and I'd be so very grateful for the help.

[And with that public service announcement completed, Rosella shuts off her Network device with a relieved click.]

[OOC: Unicornanigans! Just in time for Christmas. ELITE SQUAD OF VIRGINS, this is your recruitment post! And in the spirit of the curse today, feel free to threadjack everywhere, discuss with everyone, try to make Rosella actually say the word "virgin" (if you CAN)...and just generally have fun!]

Current Mood: awkward

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

...I suppose this should likely go without saying, but it seems there's a curse today, the second of two in a row, just as we've been having for the past few weeks now. The good news is, if the pattern holds out the way it has been, then that means we shouldn't have one tomorrow--and I'm sure we'll all be glad for the respite. But at least this is an easy curse, unlike--well, some of the others.

Tempting though it might be, I do think it'd be wise to avoid eating any unusual mushrooms today. It's hardly wise to eat unusual food in general, but mushrooms do tend to be rather the worst of the lot, as unusual things go, and they often lend themselves to all sorts of trouble. My father ate one once that ended up turning him very small for a period of time, and while it turned out to be fortunate at the time that he did try it, it's still a rather dangerous thing to eat a mushroom without knowing exactly what it does or whether or not it's poisonous.

Though it is worth admitting that we've had a nice mushroom around before, too, but there was only one of those--since it was a rather special sort of mushroom--and it went to a very good use besides.

And it's Christmas in a week! That's certainly exciting, isn't it? So I think I'll be spending my day thinking of holidays instead of curses; it's much more cheerful that way.

[OOC: Badger badger badger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM. No, Rosella is not eating any of your mushrooms today; she's had a rather unusual week and is taking time out to recover, instead. Mostly by shopping, since it's some important guy's birthday tomorrow. >>

Also, unicorn shenanigans are on the horizon! Swing by that post if you'd like to be, er, mauled? :D]

Current Mood: busy

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

Thank you again to everyone that offered help with trying to catch Snowdrop the other day. We did manage to coax her out, in the end, and she and Prince are both safely back at the Warehouse now. Prince is settling in well--which I suppose is only natural, since we brought his whole bowl and everything with him, so the only thing that's really changed for him is the view outside his glass--and seems content enough. Snowdrop has taken to avoiding me, I think, but I know she's been eating the food I've been setting out for her, and I've seen flashes of white fur every so often, so I think she's still just getting used to being in a new place. There are certainly plenty of places for her to hide around here, and if she'd rather not be found, then that's all right, too.

...I think there's a curse out today, if all the, er, odd things outside are any indication. So it seems we're back to our usual variety of curses. I remember having the last one once before, when we all went to school and took tests and then had a ball to celebrate; this time was a bit different, but it was still just as busy and silly as before. But I suppose it's harmless, really, and I hope that today's curse is just as harmless, even if it is a bit...strange.

~~I shouldn't ask, bu~~
~~Please, I know there's a curse, but could som~~
~~I don't want to be alone right no~~

Do you suppose it's too ridiculous outside to go for a walk today, or would it be better to just stay in, instead?

Current Mood: quiet

( Private || Hackable by Friends )

One of the first lessons I ever learned in this City was about the importance of understanding. In a place like this, with so many people from so many different places, it's easy to find ourselves caught in the middle of misunderstandings simply because we see things in different ways, and because we've all had different experiences that have shaped the way we approach things now. A word from one place might be the same word in another, but the two words might have completely different meanings. A reality in one place might be nothing more than a story in another. A monster in one world might not be a monster in the next.

The curses bring about a lot of misunderstandings, too. That's the whole point of them, really, to make us do things we normally wouldn't, and to try to make us miserable because of it. And oftentimes, they succeed--especially so with curses like this. The ones that make us act differently are the ones that are hardest to be understanding about, both during and afterward, because they turn us into people we're not, make us do things we wouldn't, make us hurt people we ordinarily love. These sorts of curses are some of the worst to endure, and the hardest to forgive.

And yet, these are the ones when forgiveness is needed the most.

I'm still not certain yet if yesterday's curse really ended at midnight, or if it's decided to persist through today as well. Last year this sort of thing ended at the stroke of midnight, and in a rather humiliating way for everyone concerned. This year, it's much harder to tell.

However, when it finally does come to an end, I hope that we can all find it within ourselves to be understanding about the circumstances, and to be open to the people we've hurt, and to forgive the things we said and did when we couldn't help ourselves. And it's a duty that both people need to engage in--the people that were hurt need to find the strength to forgive, and to not hold those actions against the person that hurt them, and the person that was cursed needs to do the responsible thing and ask forgiveness for the things they did, and apologize for hurting their friend, even if they couldn't help it at the time.

I'd hate to see more friendships needlessly ruined over something as silly as a curse.

I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be coming in to the Library to help today. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, and so I think I'll be staying in and getting some rest until I start feeling a bit more like myself.

[OOC: My, Rosella's certainly putting on a brave face for someone who found a human heart on her doorstep yesterday. Sob. She'll just be over here hating this curse and hiding inside her magically-warded Warehouse until the world stops being crazy, thanks. ♥]

Current Mood: determined

( Private Thoughts || Off-Network )

Thank you again to everyone that came to visit me while I was in the hospital! I really do appreciate it, and it made things much more cheerful, having friendly faces around to keep me company. I'm back home in the Warehouse now, and getting plenty of rest, and seeing to things as best I can in the meantime. Oh, and baking up a storm to keep myself busy ~~while I think things over~~, too, so if anyone would like a plate of cookies or a part of a pie or some quite chocolatey brownies, please do let me know and I'll be happy to share them. I'll make myself sick if I keep eating them all myself, I'm sure.

...It's just five days now, until I've been here two years. I remember Rue telling me last year that the first year of staying here always seems like the longest, and then every other year after it goes by faster and faster. I suppose that's true enough; it certainly doesn't seem like it's been two whole years away from home, now. It's strange, how so many things can change in a year. If I'd been told, on that day last year, of all the things that would happen to me in the twelve months to come...I don't know what I would've thought, honestly. And I imagine it'd be quite the same if someone were to tell me today about what all is in store for the next twelve months, as well.

~~It's August next month. August is always a bad month, just like October...~~

Mm, perhaps I'll have to go out and save someone from falling into the Fountain that day. It'd certainly be a better way of celebrating than to go throw myself into it, like I was thinking of doing last year!

( Private to Edmund Pevensie || Unhackable )

[OOC: Holy crimeny that turned out to be a lot of tl;dr. Thank goodness for LJ cuts! Long story short, Rosella's beginning to add up the pieces and come to her senses about how exactly her daring escape from the catacombs went, and she's not liking the implications of it at all. She'll also be staying well clear of the beach/mountain area because, well, she doesn't need any more battle trauma in her life at the moment, sob.]

Well, all this business has made for quite a spectacle on the Network today, hasn't it?

I'm not entirely certain I approve of the idea of people selling themselves--or each other, my goodness--to the highest bidder, but I must admit, it's not the first time I've heard of such a thing. I recall Blair doing much of the same thing last year for a charity event, and so despite the silliness of the...er, donation process, I suppose one might call it, all the money still went to a good cause. I do hope that's what it's all going toward today. Or, at least, that it's due to something more than just simple greed.

And I haven't seen myself featured in any such proclamations today, so that's something to be thankful for, at least. Or rather, I haven't seen myself featured in any of them so far. I do hope it stays that way; I really do think it's all a bit ridiculous, and I shouldn't like to give anyone the wrong impression because of all this silliness.

I will, however, point out that for anyone looking for a nice place to go to spend time with a friend--however that time might have, er, been acquired--the Turnabout Cafe and the Blue Light are both very fine and respectable establishments, and I'd recommend them both to anyone.

My, the City has just been full of commotion recently, hasn't it? All the bidding on the Network today, and yesterday night there was all that--whatever that was in the middle of the night, when the lights went out and all the noise started. I wonder if the City chose to repair itself from that, or if it's still all a mess? Regardless, I do hope that we'll manage to find out what happened and get things all resolved soon.

And Neil, thank you for the lovely walk yesterday. It was nice to see you in such a good mood, and I had a marvelous time. And I haven't forgotten about that story for you; with any luck, I'll have it ready soon.

[OOC: Sneaky princess is on ur Network, watchin' ur biddings! And she's not particularly interested in buying anyone for her own sake, but she's certainly not against dropping into bidding wars for her friends and ratcheting them up a little so they get a more worthy price, or buying someone to save them from a bidder they don't want. Bwahahaha. She's also not up for bid herself, but feel free to make offers anyway, if you want to see her sputter a little.]

Current Mood: curious

( Private//Hackable by Friends )

Let's see, now. We're just a bit over halfway through the month, and thus far we've seen the City change...three times now, is it? Once in the beginning, with all the boats and whatnot. Once for the curse where we all thought we were visitors to a foreign city, and I was so terribly concerned with being able to speak French, when I really don't know much more than one phrase at all in it. And one just this past weekend, where the whole City went dark for a day, and there were those, er...fireworks, I think? The explosions that lit up the sky all day. They're marvelous things, those fireworks, how they manage to make such pretty shapes out of bits of light, all the way up in the sky. A little unsettling, perhaps, when they explode, but pretty nonetheless.

But more exciting than the fireworks, of course, were the visitors. I always do like it when the visitors come, just for the fun of talking with all of them and hearing their stories. Sometimes they turn out to be people we're very much longing to see, and other times they're entirely unexpected visitors, but they're always interesting in one way or another. ~~And some are dangerous, I think, but--~~

I wonder how it is, though, that those people that are important to us seem to have such a knack for finding us here, those few days out of the year. Do they tumble in by accident, the same way that the residents here seem to? Or do they somehow know that we're here and waiting for them when those days come, and the opportunity arises for them to come and visit? I suppose we'll never know, really, but it's an interesting conundrum, nonetheless.

Of course, some of the visitors are kind enough, but just downright silly. Or puzzling. Or frogs claiming to be princes that need a kiss from a princess to change them back to normal again. Honestly, this is the third time now...

But as nice as it was while it lasted, the visit has come and gone, and things are getting back to normal, it seems. Or, well, as normal as things ever get around the City, anyway.

Which reminds me. Er...congratulations, of course, to everyone who has discovered that they're with child today. ~~Even if I'm almost certain it's only due to a curse.~~ It's wonderful news, and I think it's just...lovely to hear. Of course.

[OOC: ~~BRB, dinnertime! Back soon. ♥~~ AND BACK!]

Current Mood: thoughtful

Well, let's see. The good news is, I managed to make it as far as the Library, unscathed, before realizing what the curse was all about today. The, er, bad news is...well. Here I am, and there's a curse. And it's monsters again.

Is that what it's going to be for the rest of October, then? One ridiculous curse and then one of monsters? It rather has been going every-other, hasn't it--first the fire-starting, then that ridiculous bear, then the eating other people, then everyone growing beards, and now this. Monsters. Turning people into monsters and setting them on each other.

That's two monster curses now, I think, isn't it? The last one and now this one. Which means there ought to be one more coming, still; bad things in threes and all that. Or at least, that's how it would work if the City were Daventry, which it's not, but some things are the same no matter where you go, I suppose.

It's eerie how it all seems to fit with that theory Cain mentioned yesterday. If the monsters in the forest and the underground were once citizens here, and somehow they were turned into monsters, and the only remaining bit of who they were are names on the stones in the graveyard--it's a story befitting October, I think. But I still hope it isn't true. Perhaps it's scariest because it might very well be true.

Mm. And speaking of City legends, it's about time for Peg-Fist Jack and the ghostly crew of the Wandering Hangman to start roaming the City again, isn't it? It's coming up on Halloween, after all--only eleven more days, now. It's not so very long at all. ~~And I haven't lost my bet yet, either.~~

Still, I'll be all right for the rest of the day, I think. There are worse places to wait out a curse than a Library, anyway. And I do have my bow with me, just in case trouble should decide to find me in here. Perhaps in a little while I'll see if things haven't settled down enough for me to make my way to the Blue Light...and if they haven't, then I'll stay here until midnight, and that's quite all right, too.

[OOC: So right about this time last year, Rosella and ~~Rabi~~ Lavi invented a Halloween legend about a pirate named Peg-Fist Jack, his first mate Leonard the Barnacle, and the ghostly crew of the Wandering Hangman--which is what she's referencing here. It's entirely made-up and has no factual basis to it whatsoever, but hey, every Halloween needs a ghostly pirate legend or two, right? She certainly thinks so.

Also, yes, she's stranded in the Library today, if anyone wants to visit her.]

Current Mood: cautious

( Attempted Private//Somewhat Hackable )

So that's what Valentine's Day is like, is it? I suppose it's a rather nice holiday when there aren't all the curses affecting it. And Blue, thank you again for being my escort to the ball; I really did have a lovely time, and I hope you did as well.

Blair, it was a great pleasure to make your acquaintance. You did a simply wonderful job with the ball, and I do hope we'll have the opportunity to speak again in the future. ~~And if I should ever have occasion to plan a ball myself, I expect I'll find myself seeking out your advice.~~ And it was an honor to make your acquaintance as well, Sir Reepicheep; I do appreciate you taking the time and effort to find me and say hello.

Today seems to be another curse. I wonder why we're having so many of them lately? At least this one is...reasonably harmless. Silly, yes, but harmless. Though I do have to ask:

Are there really worlds out there where lines like this work at wooing others?

Current Mood: confused

I've met Cupid before, actually.

If I didn't know better, I'd say this was his handiwork--the state of the City today, that is. He can be rather mischievous when he cares to be, after all. It's not that there's anything wrong with falling in love at first sight, of course, but...well, there can be wrong reasons behind it, I suppose. Or poor circumstances. Particularly if it's a one-sided sort of love, and the other person isn't...well, if it happens that they don't feel the same. And that's a terrible situation to be in, but it happens sometimes, and--well, it's troublesome. So I suppose it's really better to avoid that sort of thing whenever possible, isn't it?

In any case, I think I'm glad that I don't seem to be cursed today. While it might've been ~~welcomed~~ ~~nice~~ interesting, to say the very least, I have a feeling that all this is going to lead to a great deal of sadness tomorrow, and I believe I've had my fill of sadness already for a good long time.

And it's doubly good, since there were still some errands I'd wanted to run before tomorrow evening, and I've managed to get them all taken care of. I suppose I didn't really need a new dress very much, but...well, why not? It's been a while since I had one. I don't know if it's exactly...right for me, I suppose, but the ladies I spoke with assured me it's quite fashionable and appropriate for the occasion. And it looks nice enough, so.

Still, when tomorrow does come around, I think we'll all do well to remember that "love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove"--and that as difficult as it may be to forgive, we really shouldn't be blamed for silly actions we take when cursed.

Current Mood: okay

[Accidental Voice Post]

--eally, that’s quite kind of you to offer, but--pardon?

...No, I assure you, I’m truly not in need of saving, thank you very much. I’m not in any danger, for one thing, and for another, I'm managing quite fine on my own.

...No, really, I think you must be mistaken. I haven't been cast out by any wicked uncle of mine. I don't even have a uncle, much less a wicked one.

...No, I'm certainly not a sheltered landowner's daughter seeking to run away with a debonair man of the world, either. What in the world gave you that idea?

Really, that's quite all--no, no, I really must be going, I'm very busy and certainly not in any trouble at all so there's really no need to keep insisting on--

--I beg your pardon! You let go this instant or you'll be sorry you didn't!

[OOC: Ahahahaha. Rosella's not cursed today, but all day she's been getting hassled by NPCs who are; they keep trying to carry her off or forcibly "rescue" her. XD]

Current Mood: annoyed

( Attempted Private//Somewhat Hackable )

( Private to Sam )

Goodness, today must be a curse day--or else everyone has suddenly decided to begin spring cleaning a few months early. Some of the things people are trying to get rid of seem rather valuable and sentimental and I'm not going to begin to address this trend of offering up people, though, so I suppose it is a curse. And a silly one, at that.

Would anyone...er, like to go somewhere this evening? Just for something to do, and to get out of the house.

[OOC: Someone heard the news and checked the hall herself. Sad princess is sad now.]

Current Mood: sad

( Attempted Private//Somewhat Hackable )

So the competition of the week is dancing, is it? I think this is my favorite form of competing yet! It's not nearly so ~~brutal~~ ~~bloody~~ crude as fighting with weapons (which, by the way, was nothing at all what a real tournament ought to be like), and it's not so loud as the one with the cars. The dancing is superb--so many different kinds I've never seen before!--and the music is...well, different, but not bad. Some songs are better than others.

I especially commend everyone who performed one of those...well, I can't even begin to describe it, but it managed to look jerky and smooth all at once, and it was quite a sight to behold. Mm, what did they call it? Some funny name...hop-hop? Well, whatever it was, I thought it was very ~~what was that word Ryuichi used again?~~ badassed.

Oh, and speaking of dancing--Armand, I had a simply wonderful time last night. And thank you for being so patient with me while I learned the steps of the swing; it's a little harder than I'd expected it to be!

I wonder if there are any other dances that aren't too difficult to learn?

Current Mood: pleased

( Attempted Private//Woefully Hackable )

Goodness, what's the matter with everyone today? So much fighting! Honestly, I didn't realize that stopping someone to ask directions was such a problem. And really, that remark about my dress was completely uncalled for! It's a perfectly good dress!

~~I don't know what a "Renaissance Fair reject" is, but the way she said it, it certainly wasn't anything nice. ...Hmph.~~

I think I'm going to start trying to play my flute more often ~~before I have to put it back where I found it~~. It's been a while since I had lessons, and I'd like to get back into practice. Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, after all.

[OOC: First strike is visible if you look hard, second strike is not!]