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 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.

That's kind of you. Though it wouldn't have been the first time I'd been your dancing princess, would it?

Far from it. I daresay I may soon forget how many times we've danced together.

Well, if it helps to alleviate your worries, I promise I'm really not so tired as I look. A bit harried, perhaps, but I'm all right. And I say so because that's really the way I feel about it, now that I'm not...at everyone's beck and call anymore.

It does, rather, and I am glad to know so. I think the burden is on me now, since I have to mind very carefully what I say to you for the remainder of the day.

Don't you mind very carefully what you say to me anyway?

[It's an attempt at a joke. She really must be perking up a bit.]

I wouldn't hold any of it against you. Even if you did slip.

I mind what I say in a different sort of way, perhaps.

[Right back at you~]

Thank you, Rosella.

Then it seems you'll have two ways to mind it today, rather than just the one. But I trust you--that you'll manage it, that is.

I rather wonder if I'm not the one who's really cursed in all this.

[Have a look.]

No, I really don't think you are, actually.

Yes, but now I've the burden. I'm the one who'll have to make sure he doesn't say something untowards.

For example: Rosella, place your hand on the table so that I can hold it in mine.

That may well be, but I'm still the one at your beck and call.

[She remarks, as her hand slides across the table within reach. Still, while there's no doubt she's still under command, the motion is noticeably less mechanical than many of the other orders she's carried out.]

Yes, but you aren't at fault in the least, since I'm the one giving you these orders--or requests, perhaps, but they don't seem very much like them.

[Hello, hand. Nothing scandalous here. Just a little Victorian fervent pressing of the hand and so on.]

Entry 489; Day 858

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