misterblackbird: (Blue Roses Bone Knife)
Cain Hargreaves ([personal profile] misterblackbird) wrote2008-08-20 11:28 am

Entry 201; Day 473

[Filtered from DELILAH || Unhackable]
So that's two curses I've seen before that have missed me again, first the handcuffs and then this one for the duration of the weekend. I'm still trying to piece out what happened over the weekend, since it seemed a combination of amnesia and uncharacteristic action. Somewhere on the Network, I read an idea that it was a sort of variation on a theme, that it was what might have been or could have been traced out to its ultimate end.

And that end was more than a few peculiar posts on the Network, that's for certain.

Still, for certain people I knew, it was both unsettling and interesting to see how things might have been for them. I sometimes wonder if I'd like some of them as much as I do if they'd ended up differently. Even after that curse, I'm still not sure.

After having to endure that stupid curse with the bizarre pictures and misspelled words, I should be glad I've been missed by these last two.

And now this one today, because there's undoubtedly a curse today if the Network is anything to go by. I remember this one too, and it's another one that can swing from good to bad. The last time it struck, I recall that there were some who were more than happy to seem older than they were, and equally many--perhaps even more--who weren't happy.

That's nothing new with curses, though, really.

Riff, I hope you're not aged beyond recognition or use today. But, then, you're not so old, not even by comparison. Still, I had to put up with this once before, and it's neither comfortable nor enjoyable.

[Private || Unhackable]
In my case, it was far worse than simply finding myself aged, and with no false memories of having aged, either.

All those times Uncle Neil had said I looked like my father came to pass. To look in the mirror and see his face looking back--I can't explain the horror of it. It was like a bad dream, to suddenly find oneself looking like one's worst enemy. The only parts of me that seemed myself were my eyes, and despite how much I hate them, that was an odd comfort. I was not him, though I might look like him. My eyes proved I was myself. Even if my eyes are, in part, his doing.

If that's the inevitable, then I'll promise myself again that I'll undo him, and then undo the horror of seeing his face for my face. If I can claim it for myself, then I can grow old easily.

I'd always thought I more resembled my mother--so I'd been told the other half of the time. I suppose it's little surprise I might resemble them both.

I'm more than glad it's missed me this time around again.
[//end filter]

[Private to Crehador || Viewable to Riff || Unhackable]
I must speak to you, and soon. If it isn't yet safe, then don't respond, but know that I must speak to you. With luck you're not turned into a old man, or worse, a pile of bones.

There are more than a few people following after the evidence you gave me. I don't doubt that the police will follow the letter of the law, and how unsatisfying that would be.

I must know some clue as to where he is, Crehador. I must get to him first.
[//end filter]

I wonder if the carousel isn't representative of the curses too, since certain ones seem to come around again in cycles. Or perhaps the ticking is the sound of the clockwork mechanism that brings the curses around again and again. Imagine if there were sets of hands, more than on a clock, and certain alignments brought about certain curses--imagine if that were the source of the ticking.

Although, we've been told what the ticking is. Whether that's true or not is, as always, up for debate.

Miss Himawari, I'm glad you enjoyed the ghost story last night, though I don't think I told it as well as I could. Still, it does show that ghosts in my world aren't often ghosts, but they can be something far stranger.

I hate to walk about like youth and beauty incarnate today, but I'm sure I can't help it. Just remember that it will end by midnight, and then, hopefully, you'll not have to endure it again for many years.

~C.

[ooc: Someone has to be young so the old people can scare him, right??? I hit him with this one last time to great effect, but...wasn't feeling the shooped!Alexis icons this time. Crai, I know. That DELILAH filter can only keep out known members, so, White Owl? Since Cain doesn't know who or what he is, only barely that he's here at all after that violin post, Cain doesn't know to screen him out. Usual exceptions apply: Crehador and Megumi Yamamura.]

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I have not witnessed a curse of madness; is it common? I must admit that I do not like the sound of that.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I call it madness, though it isn't truly madness, not the way you might really think of madness. But I've found that during a curse I've forgotten who I am, or where I'm from, or I think I'm someone else entirely--like the sultan of Turkey, for example, which I've thought twice.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
So then, Lord Hargreaves, you are not a sultan?

And here I thought you could beseech my brother for my hand in marriage!

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not, I'm afraid, despite what curses might have made me seem. I'm an earl, and English rather than Turkish.

Although I'm greatly flattered and honoured, I doubt you'd like to be married to me. I've a reputation as an eccentric at home.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Well very good then, but you should not be so hard on yourself. You with the reputation of an eccentric and I with the reputation of a hoyden. It would be a match to turn heads.

I'm also a horrible tease, so please do not mind me.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah, yes, and no one would believe us if we were to appear together as husband and wife. We'd have to carry our marriage license about with us at all time.

Believe me, I don't mind in the slightest.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, Lord Hargreaves, I am quite certain that you would grow to be accustomed and fond of me! But I'm sure you break many hearts, as often as you may.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm afraid that being called a cruel heartbreaker is also very much a part of my reputation.

You, I think, already admitted to what you might be called: a tease.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Would you break my heart?

Oh, the horror! To call a Queen of Narnia a tease!

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I would not do it with intent, but I cannot vouch for everything I'd do or say. I've broken hearts I did not mean to break.

But, Your Majesty, you admitted to it first, don't forget. I am merely in agreement with Your Majesty.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Then my heart shall remain safely in my own keeping.

Oh, Lord Hargreaves, don't you know you should always flatter? You're not being very good at attempting to steal my heart.

Although I am quite a horrible tease. My brother would have me apologize again for acting in such an unscrupulous manner.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I do know it, but I thought I should warn you of the things I've done before, as your heart seems, to me, especially precious.

However, your brother is not here to have you apologise, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, as I keep saying.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, there it is! The flattery! Would you go for a ride with me, Lord Hargreaves?

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Did you doubt it would appear?

I would be honoured, but I confess I'm a poor rider, and I haven't a horse here either.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, for a mere moment.

I love to ride, and there's a stable with horses for hire; please join me, will you?

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad I did not disappoint you, then.

If you're willing to bear with my imperfections at riding, I would be delighted.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll coach you through your imperfections, Lord Hargreaves.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh no, I'm quite selfish, I hate riding by myself.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, hah, now I begin to understand!

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, you see? It's not so difficult to understand what I am thinking!

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
The mind of a woman will always be something of a mystery, but you're making it simpler for me.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Hardly. I'm thanking you for enduring my simpleness and confusion in the labyrinth of female thought.

[identity profile] lionesscouchant.livejournal.com 2008-08-20 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Then again, I will have to guide you through it, Lord Hargreaves, and it will be more than my pleasure to do so.