misterblackbird | Entry 489; Day 858

Current Location: Turnabout Cafe

Entry 489; Day 858

The Turnabout Cafe is rather a sight to see this afternoon. I think there are twice as many people as would ordinarily be here, but only half of them actually want to be here. As often as there are two people at a table, it seems that one is there for the cafe and the other is here to be at the beck and call of the first--even going so far as to order another them another cup of tea.

I don't know that I entirely understand why the one can't make the request as well as the other. Yes, I understand it as an idea, perhaps, but, really, there's a time and a place for this sort of thing, and a way it's done. And this is hardly that way. I suppose it's sort of a novelty--at least to everyone who's found they can give orders that will be obeyed.

But, to my mind, everyone who's giving orders sound a bit like children who've realised they can demand things of the household, and everyone who's being ordered about sound a bit like overworked servants. It does one well to be a little considerate of one's household, or else one won't have it for long. Try saying 'thank you' now and then, if you dare.

Either way, given the faces of some of the people who seem obliged to obey these orders, I think either half the City is somehow in the debt of the other half of the City or there's a curse. I rather think it's the latter more than the former. And it would be like the City to set us against each other, with half commanding at their leisure and the other half forced to obey.

I think I've been quite missed by this one, since I ignored a few orders that were tossed my way earlier today. And Merry and Riff seems all right, despite all this--and, even though Riff will still do as I request, as ever, I think if he were somehow caught up in this curse, I'd still be able to tell that he was cursed. ~~I should like to think so, at least--~~ And reports of being cursed or not seem to be popping up on the Network left and right, as usual--I suppose anyone I don't hear from might be cursed and being kept away from the Network, so no news is news after all.

Rosella, I've not heard from you as yet, though. Have you be struck by this particular ordeal? Come by the cafe, if you've a minute. You might like to see all of this, and I know that I am always glad to see you.

~C.

[ooc: Beginning the inevitable spirals here, Cain's going to be giving Rosella orders today ._.v Suddenly things like the innocuous "have a nice day" become commands--! Otherwise, really, Cain would like you Citizens to know that you clearly have no idea about how to handle servants.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And how are you? Is everything well?

I'm all right--I've been missed by this curse, it would seem, so I only have to put up with the people who weren't so fortunate. It's tedious, but I think being cursed today would be worse.

Besides being quick, are you all right?

Oh, yes, I'm having a very nice day. And I'm so very glad to hear that you are, too!

And you're quite sure you're all right? Do tell me if you aren't.

[The jostling abruptly stops, as she comes to a halt and looks like she's warring with herself for a minute.]

I'm not all right. But that isn't bothering me.

[Suspicious--!!]

I think you ought to come to the cafe and explain. I rather wonder, Rosella, if you aren't cursed today.

Of course, I'll be right along.

[And indeed, along she does come, quickly enough that she probably sprinted a good three-quarters of the way in getting herself there. But she's smiling as she comes in the doors, bright and cheerful as ever because she can't be anything but.]

[It's a bit crowded, but not impossible, in the cafe. And Cain spots her right off when she comes in. Leave it to the staff to mind the tables, he'll see to her. Of course she seems cheerful, but that moment in their conversation-- He'll ask her, one way or another, and goes over to meet her and see to her.]

Rosella--there you are.

You look a bit...tired. Come and sit down.

[There's always room for the owner of the place.]

[It's half worrying and half comforting to see the hustle and bustle in the cafe. On one hand, it's even more confirmation that it's only a curse today, and she's far from the only one finding herself unable to resist even the most offhand of directions; on the other hand, the more people around means the more chance she'll catch an order by mistake, and the morning was tedious enough already, without a whole afternoon of it, too.]

I'm all right. I just wanted to come by and see you, that's all.

[And the truth is, she honestly did, both to see Cain and to get out of the Library in general, where the chance that someone might unthinkingly yell "Catch that book!" upon sighting a runaway was always unfortunately high. Not that this is turning out much better, though, as the urge to follow him and sit wherever she's told immediately begins to set in.]

[There's an unoccupied table and two chairs near the windows--Cain will take it while the taking is good and sits, hoping she'll follow.]

And I'm quite glad you did, though, as I said, you do look quite tired. Could I have some tea or something brought out for you?

[Naturally, she follows and seats herself at once. It's a little too smooth and deliberate to seem entirely natural.]

I haven't eaten much of anything all day, but if it's too much trouble...really, it's all right. I'm fine, thank you.

It's no trouble at all. We are in a cafe, after all.

[He'll stop someone on the staff when they pass by again. It's his treat, of course. Tea, and something to eat.]

So, you know I really must ask, what did you mean by what you said, that you're not all right but that wasn't what was bothering you?

I'd just hate to impose, that's all.

[She fiddles with the hem of her sleeve a moment.]

You said I ought to tell you if I wasn't all right, and I'm not, so I said so. But it isn't bothering me, not being all right. Nothing's bothering me at all.

It's hardly an imposition. I did invite you here, after all.

[He studies her carefully...]

I see.

Yes, of course. It'd just be a shame to make trouble for anyone on such a lovely day, that is.

[She pauses, glancing up with a significant look.]

Goodness knows I'm certainly having a nice day, after all.

[Click!]

Princess Rosella, you are not at all required to have a nice day if you are not actually having a nice day.

[Oh, thank goodness. The smile disappears at once, but she still manages to look relieved without it anyway.]

Thank you.

Furthermore, Princess, you are not obliged to do what you're told for the remainder of this curse. You are to do what you so please.

[He studies her closely, looking for some sign that this might have worked. Best to test it (it takes him a moment to build up to it):]

Stand up, Princess, if you would please.

Oh, that's perfect! What a marvelous--

[And then, abruptly, she's on her feet, and the enthusiasm wanes.]

...Drat it all.

[He's got his chin in his hand by now.]

Sit down, Princess. I think you looked happier like that.

I suppose we shouldn't be so surprised that we can't undo a curse--that's the one constant of the curses, I think: they can be endured, but they can't be undone.

Very well, then, we'll have to find another solution.

[Lips set in a thin line, she takes her seat again and absently rubs her eyes.]

It's been one thing after another all morning. Most people don't even realize they're doing it. A few of them do, but...

[She looks like she wants to say something else, but can't force the words out.]

No, I suspect they wouldn't, not if they're telling you that you ought to have a nice day and so on--and you are not to have a nice day if you are not actually having a nice day, Rosella.

[He thinks for a few moments...]

I suppose there might be a few other ways around it all, if you can't follow your own desires for the time being, just to keep you from getting so exhausted by it all.

One of them thought I looked upset and told me to cheer up. You can imagine how well that went, I'm sure. And then another person tried to help, I think, and told me not to--

[She fights it a minute, trying to force the words, but then shakes her head in defeat. It's no use.]

I'd thought of trying to avoid anyone who might say something, but every time I do, something else comes up.

Then I order you to feel as you please, if that can be done at all.

I suppose you could hardly avoid them in the library--not entirely, at least.

[Ideas...forming...]

The worst part is that most of it was all things I would've done anyway, or at least wouldn't have had any objection to doing, except that I'm--

[She stops again, but this time she thinks a minute, putting her next thought together carefully.]

It's rather impolite of me to keep interrupting my sentences this way, don't you think? And hardly helpful, either.

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