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.]

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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.

It's rather distinctly troubling, I'll say that much.

[A brief pause: this is getting rather fascinating.]

You are to stop it at once.

[These next words come tentatively, as though she's uncertain whether or not she'll manage to get them out at all.]

Except that I'm...cursed.

[And at that, she lets out a breath.]

Someone thought they were trying to help by telling me not to mention it.

Honestly, I don't think that was any help at all. What else needs undoing? Is there anything else? Since I'm here, I might as well do it.

I think they thought it'd make it harder for people to tell that I was, but it's not exactly difficult to figure out whether I say so or not.

Well, I imagine I won't be able to get out of this chair without some assistance, for one thing. But trying to undo them all one by one might take a while, and we might very well miss some along the way.

Very well, then: Princess Rosella, you are to obey my orders and my orders only for the remainder of this curse.

That ought to catch most all of them all at once.

[She's silent a minute as the order sinks in, as the implications turn over in her head. Hesitant again, she tests the limits of this new command, muttering softly under her her breath a minute--in defiance of "Don't talk to yourself, dear, you sound ridiculous"--and gradually begins to smile when it becomes apparent that yes, this one took where the other blanket command had failed.]

That's all well and good, you know, but it still doesn't settle the problem of the chair.

Yes, but it worked to some degree. And I suppose I am the one who asked you to sit down.

Very well then again: Princess Rosella, you are to sit there until such time as you feel you should like to stand up again and be on your way.

I'm sorry. I really ought to have thanked you first, but I'm a bit afraid that once I start, I'll never be able to make myself stop again.

[She ducks her head a little.]

Even if it means... [Finish your sentence--] ...letting you have free reign over me until midnight, I still can't thank you enough. It seems it's got to be someone, at least, and I'd much, much rather it be you than anyone else.

I suppose that could be a concern with a curse like this.

Either way, it's hardly 'free reign', Rosella. At most, it's more like my fetching a carriage for you so that you won't have to walk in the rain. But I'd tell you the same thing in such a situation as that as I will here: you're welcome, of course.

If it isn't free reign, that's only because you've chosen to be a gentleman about it. Which is all the more reason why I'm glad it's you and not someone else, since yours are the only orders I'll be forced to follow now. It'd...be a dangerous position to find myself in, if I were bound to someone more inclined to take advantage of it.

If you're going to consider it in that light, I suppose you were far worse off when you were at the mercy of everyone else's orders and demands.

I will admit, though, while I am a gentleman, a few things have crossed my mind, all the same.

[Well, that got her attention. She's watching him carefully now--not quite nervous and not quite curious, but some tentative mixture of both.]

Have they? I...suppose that's only natural, yes.

Things like having you dance with me, and so on. But you do seem rather tired. Perhaps I ought not to say anything.

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