"thanks for the meal!" (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pinupbody) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
gocirclegogo2013-12-22 11:00 pm
pinupbody) wrote in gocirclegogo2013-12-22 11:00 pm
"this is a sham," cries free! cast
[As usual, in the wake of the old turf war-church explosion, life continues. The relic that caused the problem is likely lost forever or otherwise nowhere to be found, but on the bright side, it's definitely cold enough this week to cool its molten remains, and it might still have some juice left. The interesting thing about modern London and modern Londoners is that they produce so much heat, snow usually doesn't accumulate. And then you have situations like the Thames freezing in the 60s, or the snow earlier this year. Three inches is enough to shut down the trains.
Today is a day not unlike any of those. There's a light blanket descending upon the city today. In its frozen form, it feels a lot less inherently disgusting than the water in the Thames, and smells a lot less -- not at all, even. Almost like it's perfectly normal water, but we wouldn't recommend trying to catch it in your mouth. Or ears. Or eyes. It's maybe better if you try not to absorb too much of it in general. Don't say we didn't warn you.
After all, freezing water removes some impurities. Not all. And there's no such thing as a rain of boiling water, maybe fortunately. If you wouldn't drink water out of the river or a local lake, why would you eat the snow?
Anyway. Trains can't run in weather like this. The city is in the panic you'd expect, but that doesn't mean you have to be -- if you've got somewhere to go, I'd recommend hoofing it immediately. If you were on the run from some religion bent on sacrificing you to resurrect their god, or a scientist trying to fill you with brain parasites? Walk faster.
But, well. That's up to you. Some local cults are out and about today offering safety from the weather and faster transportation (but it's probably in your best interests not to ask the details if you're not a member), for various prices. What do you do?]
Today is a day not unlike any of those. There's a light blanket descending upon the city today. In its frozen form, it feels a lot less inherently disgusting than the water in the Thames, and smells a lot less -- not at all, even. Almost like it's perfectly normal water, but we wouldn't recommend trying to catch it in your mouth. Or ears. Or eyes. It's maybe better if you try not to absorb too much of it in general. Don't say we didn't warn you.
After all, freezing water removes some impurities. Not all. And there's no such thing as a rain of boiling water, maybe fortunately. If you wouldn't drink water out of the river or a local lake, why would you eat the snow?
Anyway. Trains can't run in weather like this. The city is in the panic you'd expect, but that doesn't mean you have to be -- if you've got somewhere to go, I'd recommend hoofing it immediately. If you were on the run from some religion bent on sacrificing you to resurrect their god, or a scientist trying to fill you with brain parasites? Walk faster.
But, well. That's up to you. Some local cults are out and about today offering safety from the weather and faster transportation (but it's probably in your best interests not to ask the details if you're not a member), for various prices. What do you do?]
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[She knows by now she's not really in any danger, but that doesn't change the fact that being dragged around like this hurts, and is, again, like this entire experience, familiar in ways she really wishes it wasn't.
Really.
But the cold and Sakuya's quick realization mean she doesn't get much of a chance to cry out. Instead, it takes her a moment to even understand that her hand's extended. It's so stiff. Mary wonders for a bit, what sort of life did this girl live to extend her hand so stiffly?
But she takes it anyway.]
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It's a very minute relaxation, still standing tall and proper, only holding Mary's hand back as much as it takes to keep her attached. But at least it's not stiff robotic handshakes? It's only stiff awkward silences as they walk until she looks away pointedly and speaks again.]
I apologize for frightening you. I have not had much contact with normal beings in many years.
[There may or may not be a dusting of embarrassment here. She's not good at feels, oops.]
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She still has her doubts, of course. That nagging feeling in the very back of her mind like that Voice (but not that voice, it's her own voice if it's a voice at all. It's just a feeling, honestly), telling her this woman can't be trusted. She shouldn't go with her if she wants to see her friends again. Doesn't she remember what happened last time she went off with a stranger without permission?
But her hand is warm. Looking up at her, the expression on her face reminds her of Kido's, just slightly. The words, on the other hand, remind her of herself.]
I... It's okay...! Um --
... me too...
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...Why? [Not judging, not hateful, not anything Mary's used to hearing. Just an idle curiosity while walking with a little kid you just met.]
You seem acceptable to human values to me.
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[Her expression turns slightly serious -- her voice is quiet and, for some reason or another, totally devoid of that soft, shy stutter or even the chattering of teeth. She couldn't help the latter, so it's a little strange, or, as usual, it would be to any normal bystander, which Sakuya is definitely not.
Our only explanation for her, though, is that it just is. Apologies! But as one of D'endrrah's chosen, it probably isn't difficult for her to glean that something is odd about the girl.
But it isn't this. The line between "descendant of god" and "avatar of god" is fuzzy and tenuous and we won't be exploring it today. Anyway. She doesn't want to talk about it with a person she just met, understandably, and her own memory of events isn't really the best. She woke up and her mother was gone. It was red. So she drops the subject where it is, and hopes Sakuya won't pick it up.]
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Mary might also feel the exact moment where an Old One is spiritually smacked upside the head by one of her daughters, and Sakuya gives her the faintest of smiles.]
Then for the short time you are under my care, I will guarantee you are not alone.
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[Ouch, intones the Snake, that voice in the background of her mind curled up comfortably, speaking in a voice and tone and feeling so familiar it may as well be her own. But she knows better and knows the distinction but It's always been there in recent memory. So she treats It like something distinct. Whispering:]
... Are you okay...?
[But It's fine, only remarking on a situation only It can sense. On a conscious level, anyway. It's not necessary for Mary to know that part, not yet. So It doesn't tell her. Still whispering to something Sakuya can't see (but can probably sense), she nods.
But her inner mind theatre aside, it is faint which makes seeing it difficult, but Sakuya smiles at her and makes her a promise she hasn't heard (heard the sentiment of) in a few years. It was never necessary to say it again, not with words, and that was why, but Sakuya is a new person making the same promise he did, the same promises they did, with her voice. With words.
Even if it's only for a day or two at the most (she won't let herself stay longer), it's nice.]
T-Thank you...
Um -- I'm Mary...
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Who promptly says 'yo sup dudes' and leaves to go continue being a NEET or whatever it is flighty eldritch goddesses do.
This also is ignored hard and elegantly.]
I am Sakuya Izayoi, head maid for the Scarlet Manor. You will be staying in one of our guest rooms until you desire to leave.
[And as a London resident, Mary will immediately recognize the name and all the rumors of vampires and how they housed Jack the Ripper and den of sins and tyranny, etc. Usual Victorian dramatics.]
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U-Um -- is it true...
Sakuya, are there really vampires in your house...?
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As Mary will soon learn, everyone in that mansion really is weird.]
Yes. Two of them.
[Deadpanned. There's an amount of time here spent silent for a perfect measure. Just long enough to formulate mental images of tall handsome men and miserable piles of secrets, and then promptly scare the shit out of yourself.
But not long enough to be so scared you flee, because she laughs at the exact perfect time.]
The Mistresses of our home are the vampires. Miss Remilia only drinks three cups a day, and only from those who give her permission. Miss Flandre does not drink from the living. Both of them have the bodies of ten-years old children and have the attention span as such, so you will not be bothered.
[The bright smile here is somewhere between the balance of Perfect And Elegant Servant and Perfect And Elegant Sadist.] What other rumors have you heard?
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Kano likes telling Kido stories to scare her... Do you remember the rumors...?
[She thinks on it for a good few seconds, then enlists Its help. Her memory isn't bad by any means, but It seemed to be awake even when she wasn't, so it's very helpful.]
Mm, I see. Thank you... ... One of the vampires was an older man. He would kidnap women and drink all of their blood... and Jack the Ripper lived there too...? And all of you had lots of sex.
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Ah, it's probably just a coincidence. And Mary resumes speaking, so the thought is filed for looking into later, but not important now.]
There are no older men living in our manor. However, the mistresses are descended from Vladimir Tepes, which may have influenced the stories. Jack the Ripper residing there is actually an insult to myself, though I have no idea how it began. And...
[Uh. Wait. How did that end up a rumor? Mary, have proof the maid has actual feelings, because there's a pointed blush on ivory once the question registers.]
I-I. Um... It would be erroneous to state that no intercourse happened within our building. --As the maids are all adolescent to adult women and have their own lodgings and relationships. ...That is not to say that we are all involved with each-- They. They are all involved with each other. That's preposterous. Such scandals never leave our household. --Because they never happened. To begin with, I mean. Oh dear.
[By the end she's bright red and has a gloved hand over her face to hide it. This is terrible she's making her mistresses look stupid today needs to be over with ten minutes ago.]