misterblackbird | 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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Isn't that about the same as requesting nothing at all, and letting me just make up my mind for myself?

Ask me to dance with you, if it's a suggestion you're after. It's already crossed your mind, so we might as well get it out of your head sooner or later.

Perhaps it rather is.

[He brightens a little.]

Very well then--I only wonder if this is the place for it.

As though I weren't cursed at all.

[She says that part under her breath, partly because she's not forbidden from murmuring to herself anymore, but mostly because this really is as close as she's going to get to normalcy today...and it's such a relief that she almost has to say it to believe it.]

No, I don't suppose a dance in the middle of your cafe would be the most fitting of places, though I doubt any of your patrons would be surprised by it if you did decide to show off that way.

I suppose they wouldn't be all that surprised. I don't think I'd mind especially much either.

But I wonder if the young lady with whom I would be dancing would object.

I wonder if she's quite so young as you make her out to be.

[She gives him a soft look.]

Have you ordered her to hold her tongue if she does?

I think she seems quite young, myself.

Either way, no, I certainly have not made such a demand on her.

Then I'm sure she wouldn't hesitate to tell you so, if she did object to it.

[He dips his head a little, not quite a bow, but more at a way to charm her, and pulls gently on her hand.]

Princess Rosella, please, come and dance with me.

[Again, the movement is compelled but not forced; it's an unusual sensation after the morning she's had, and one she's still halfway getting used to. Her morning had been spent being ordered into things she likely would've done anyway, but this time--no, this time it's a command wrapped in a request, and for something she wanted to do anyway. It's different, unusual. It's...almost pleasant, if she could ever dare to call it so.]

I'd be glad to, as you wish.

Entry 489; Day 858

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