02 - With silver bells and cockle shells

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[Reinette appears on the plane, moving at a pace that suggests a brisk walk (she would never admit she was running), dressed for a day of driving. Her gown is a light muslin, delicate embroidery threading its way from the edge of her hem, higher, higher to detail her corset. The hoops are small and simple, allowing for ease of movement and command over her own curricle. Her face is flushed, and from beneath a wide brimmed hat wisps of her hair have broken free of the braid that still sits coiled at the base of her neck. Her eyes are scanning the horizon.

Tucked beneath one arm is the head of an errant Clockwork Man.]

Comments

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

Wow. That thing is funny-looking.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[a stray gear falls into her palm, she offers it as a gift]

They are familiar to me now.

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[She takes it in her mouth reverently, then sets it narrow-edge down on the plane and sits back. She tilts her head to one side. For a moment nothing happens, except that the gear stays sitting perfectly balanced. But then it starts to spin in place like a coin flicked across a tabletop.]

It's a long way from home, this mystery man.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she watches, fascinated. Gingers reach out towards it, but never quite tough the object in motion.]

Is that you? It? Or this place?

And is it any further from home than the rest of us here?

[cyfor.livejournal.com]

[It abruptly stops spinning and falls over. Cy purrs.] That's me! I'm magic.

This place doesn't count.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

So one of the nobility has misplaced themselves here at last. [Raised eyebrow at the head.] That looks like a mage's toy.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Not so noble as one might think. At least that is the point frequently argued.

[Meets the woman's gaze evenly]

And it is far from a toy.

[anjelsword.livejournal.com]

No? A consort! Well. [Grins a bit and shakes her head.] You'll have no scorn from me.

[Comes a bit closer, examining the head] The toys of mages are hardly what the rest of us would call safe.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Of the highest order.

[said with pride, as she curtsies. If only for the reason that this woman seems to understand her time]

Something safe for one, but dangerous for all others? I suppose, upon further thought? The idea is not as far off as all that.

[tastefulfashion.livejournal.com]

A rather odd trinket to be carrying, if I may say.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

It ceased to be odd to me some time ago, but I certainly can see how it would seem so.

[tastefulfashion.livejournal.com]

[Extending a hand to her, once again curiosity was getting the better of her.] Would you mind if I had a look at it?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[places it easily in the other woman's hands]

I have no reason to keep it. You may look at it as long as you might like.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Oh, now look at that. 51st century technology, looks like.

May I see?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I am certainly done with it. I do not see any reason why not.

[slips it into his hands without hesitation]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[pulls out his laser screwdriver and stars scanning it, then puts the screwdriver away]

Hands on is best.

[he sits, casually, and starts carefully taking it apart in sections]

How did you find this one?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[eyes flash in recognition, a memory of childhood]

Is there really any other was to learn?

[watches him work]

I ran it over with my curricle. I found its tendency to stalk my every move offensive.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

What have we been up to?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I grow wearing of them attempting to take what I have no wish to share. I ran it over.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

With a carriage?

[impressed!]

That. Is. Brilliant. Tragic way for a beautiful machine like that to go, but...good for you for being proactive!

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[laughs unexpectedly]

I hardly ran it down with my own feet. It is what seemed most effective in the moment.

[looks to him]

Are you sorry it is gone, then?

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

I thought you got rid of all of those.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Will I eventually be done with them then?

That is comforting.

[dameluckypants.livejournal.com]

You will be, yeah. [Sighs the sigh of "timelines really suck, oops"] I probably shouldn't have said that, though.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[laughs briefly]

I am hardly going to tell anyone.