New Amsterdam: A New World (pt1)

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Title: Welcome to a New World (pt1)
Number: 63
Date: Jun 11, 2008 at 6:05 PM
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Divinatas – Jun 11, 2008 at 6:05 PM

[bg=#0e1938][padding=10px][so=#67708c][bg=#202d54]NEW AMSTERDAM: A NEW WORLD[/bg][/so][/padding][/bg]

[bg=#2d2623][do=#283762][imga=right]http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=1825[/imga][b][i]Cheyanne Fowler[/i][/b]

This place was absolutely amazing. Cheyanne still hadn’t figured out exactly where she was, or what was going on, but she had stopped by a wall that was showing off posters for plays and theater. Most were done in this beautiful classic Art Nouveau style. There were even fashion posters advertising designers, posters for upcoming events. Cheyanne finally found herself looking at a city map – and blinked in surprise!

“New Amsterdam? This must be a really old map…” Did they even have trains when New York was called New Amsterdam? With a finger, she started from the ‘You Are Here!’ point and tried to trace her route back to her apartment. But the streets were completely different! The names, special buildings, all different. But, she really shouldn’t have expected otherwise, it was an old map, wasn’t it?[/do][/bg]

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Azul Morag – Jun 11, 2008 at 11:42 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]: Old post!

Alphonse only had a mild interest in History beyond a couple centuries back, if any at all. He didn’t have any other particular reason to be at the Industrial Arts and Mechanics Wing of the Schreyer’s Museum other than examining the banners a friend and colleague of his had made for the exhibit. Said friend, Michael Bellwether, had also been a former student of Armand LeGant, like Alphonse himself.

“So? What do you think?” Michael anxiously asked. Alphonse looked at the detailed drawings, then back at the points in which they’d be hung.

“It’s a comprehensible design. I suggest you use color to make the lettering stand out more, though. They… sort of get lost in the background. They are signs, not tapestries.” Alphonse said.

They were speaking in English instead of Dutch. Michael was a little paranoid about his designs.

“I know, I know… but this is the Schreyer’s Museum, and the banners will remain here for a long time – and I could get more commissions! I plan on opening a new line of tapestries and wallpapers. This could be related – and a new business for me! I would like to ask you to share your providers with me, for paper and brocades…”

Alphonse tilted his head a little.

“I have a clause of confidentiality with some of my contacts, so that might be difficult…”

But his words went unheard as a piercing shriek like a band of Banshees echoed through the vast system of vaults and domes that crowned the halls. A ring of bells as he had never heard before followed the shrieking, along with a rumor of awe from the small crowd of visitors of the Trains and Railroads Exhibit.

“A train just arrived…”

“Must be a stunt of some sort,” Alphonse replied, still studying the drawings. “How much will these weigh? I can suggest some new fabrics…”

“Alphonse, I had never seen a train like that before.”

“Must be very old.”

“I don’t think so…” Michael stood on a stone rim around a fake fountain to peer over the small crown forming about Exhibit A, featuring a train platform where the ‘thing’ had just arrived. Michael gasped. “I think you’d like to see this. Wait… Those women are not wearing any skirts!”

Alphonse arched an eyebrow.

“Maybe it’s a circus.”

“They are wearing… wearing… They are WEARING PANTS!”

“Don’t be ridiculous – women don’t wear pants.”

“No? And what are those?” Michael asked, pointing. “Clothes like I had never seen before!”

THAT last phrase caught Alphonse’s interest. He climbed onto the stone rim, too. He saw a sort of contraption more alike to a tin box of Swiss cookies than a train; it had numerous windows and no wood panels. People were coming out. Yes, people wearing… strange but marvelous things. He had his reservations about the women in pants, though… and they were not wearing corsets – he could tell that from a mile away. At least, not ones that he knew of. As for the ones with… a sort of tight petticoats…

“Let’s take a closer look.”

Alphonse pulled Michael’s sleeve and stood just outside the small crowd of onlookers.

“Some of them are rather wet,” Alphonse observed, still in English. “What do you think their performance may be representing?”

“Maybe it’s avant garde theatre. I wouldn’t know…”
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[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse looked curiously at the woman in tight, short petticoats examining a posters panel near them. He couldn’t help but notice she was somewhat damp and her shirt was… somehow revealing in its creases that she was not wearing any corset – at least, not a usual one. Unlike his usual discrete manner, he stared because he was convinced these strangers were actors on some sort of stunt.

“Miss!” Michael addressed the woman in Dutch. “What is the name of your Company?”

Alphonse casted her a head to toes look.

“I wonder what sort of design is this,” he started in English but stopped, to avoid confusing the woman in case she didn’t speak English.
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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 12:00 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

It took a moment to realize the man was talking to her, considering he spoke some foreign language that sounded similar to Finnish or German. Dutch maybe? But the man next to him spoke English, so at least some one there might be able to translate!

“I… don’t really speak anything other than English.” she replied slowly. Upon realizing she was being examined, Cheyanne tugged at her shirt a bit to try and find some sort of decency! “A very wet designer knock-off.” She said to him, perfectly aware that she was probably turning twenty different shades of red.

“I just stepped off the train, and this isn’t my stop. Do you know the way to 43rd street?”

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 12:26 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse blinked. She so candidly admitted it was a designer knock-off that he found himself scandalized. Michael automatically switched to English and chatted happily, but Alphonse slowly began to realize the woman was not an actress – and her wet shirt was… too attention-grabbing even for someone used to see his clients in underwear at the atelier!

Michael grinned. “This is awesome. What’s the name of your Company? I had never seen a performance like this before. What do you call that thing? Is it even a train car?”

Alphonse eyed the “train” at the old platform.

“Why are you all in underwear?” He asked, looking perplexed but still dignified.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 12:37 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“My company?” Well, it was a strange question to ask, but she replied friendly enough! “I work for Mann Magazine. What do you mean by performance? I’m not one of the models, I’m just the front desk secretary.” She followed his gaze back towards the train, and looked startled! It looked more like a museum rather than a train station! Maybe the train wrecked and she’s in some sort of odd coma dream!

The other man’s comments snapped her attention back! “I beg your pardon?! I’m not wearing underwear!” Oh! That sounded really wrong! “I mean…! I’m wearing perfectly normal clothes. This is my best work suit!”

Jesus, she was embarrassing herself all over the place. Could today get any worse? “I’m sorry, I have to go.” Mortified she brushed past them. She’s going straight home!

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 12:48 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

As soon as she said she wasn’t wearing underwear, Alphonse himself turned as red or redder than her! Michael quite unhelpfully began laughing, but caught himself as Alphonse glared at him. Grinning, he said, “Mann Magazine? I have not heard about that one…”

“Work suit!” Michael said to Alphonse in Dutch. “What sort of work demands this sort of suit?” He was genuinely disconcerted, and Alphonse desperately wondered if he -had- to answer that question! He decided to ignore it.

“Madame!” Alphonse called after the wet lady. “It’s too cold outside to leave the Museum like that!”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 1:18 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

It [i]was[/i] a museum? Egads, she had to be in a coma! Or maybe the trained crashed through a wall somewhere and they were just on the wrong side of town? Either way, Cheyanne had stopped and turned back around, this time hugging her purse to her chest. The least they could do was stop staring.

“A little cold isn’t going to kill me. I really have to be getting home, and if you can’t give me any directions I’m going to have to call a taxi!” You know, she didn’t like the way that other guy was snickering at her either. Clearly she was a lady in distress, and he could be a little more understanding! But she kept that thought to herself!

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 1:44 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse guessed something was -really- wrong around here. The train car was still there, people peeking into it and around it, and more strangely dressed people were wandering off. Alphonse blinked as the woman hugged her purse to her chest – she was more flustered than he was and it seemed to be such a genuine feeling it was… odd.

He also and offhandedly thought she would need a French corset, as she was petite and her chest needed extra-control. It was a very professional thought but he still got red as a beet again – how embarrasing!

“Madame,” he said. “It’s too cold to…” He blocked Micheal’s view as the man was still snickering. “You’d better not go around the streets like that… you could get under arrest. If you’d kindly explain this… occurrence,” he waved a hand towards the train car, “I suppose it would be helpful. You need… clothes.”

Michael grinned.

“A client? I don’t think she can pay for your exclusive designs, dear Alphonse.”

Alphonse was fully aware Michael was amused. Maybe the woman was a very good actress. Maybe this was… not a performance at all – but what could it be, then? He wished his ears would stop burning.

“I could buy those things you are wearing,” he said, slowly. “They look interesting, and I could give you other things to wear.”[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 1:44 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse guessed something was -really- wrong around here. The train car was still there, people peeking into it and around it, and more strangely dressed people were wandering off. Alphonse blinked as the woman hugged her purse to her chest – she was more flustered than he was and it seemed to be such a genuine feeling it was… odd.

He also and offhandedly thought she would need a French corset, as she was petite and her chest needed extra-control. It was a very professional thought but he still got red as a beet again – how embarrasing!

“Madame,” he said. “It’s too cold to…” He blocked Micheal’s view as the man was still snickering. “You’d better not go around the streets like that… you could get under arrest. If you’d kindly explain this… occurrence,” he waved a hand towards the train car, “I suppose it would be helpful. You need… clothes.”

Michael grinned.

“A client? I don’t think she can pay for your exclusive designs, dear Alphonse.”

Alphonse was fully aware Michael was amused. Maybe the woman was a very good actress. Maybe this was… not a performance at all – but what could it be, then? He wished his ears would stop burning.

“I could buy those things you are wearing,” he said, slowly. “They look interesting, and I could give you other things to wear.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 2:01 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne looked completely scandalized! What kind of man offers to buy a woman’s dirty clothes off her? Even if he was offering fresh ones! That’s a little bit creepy in her opinion!

Trying to look as perfectly in control and unamused, (which was nearly impossible being sopping wet, hugging her purse and looking totally alarmed) Cheyanne shook her head in refusal of the offer. “I was taking the subway on my way to work. There was some technical problems on board, lightning or something. And then we stopped here. I figured the rails must be damaged, so everyone had to stop here.” It made perfect sense.

“In anycase, I wouldn’t get arrested for wearing normal clothes, even if they are wet! If- If you’re done being completely insane, I really should go!”
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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 2:15 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

“It’s just a performance, you shouldn’t take it seriously,” Michael assured Alphonse. “You need to relax. Leave her alone.”

Alphonse was not very convinced, but the woman seemed offended. Offended even, wearing damp undergarments!

“As you wish, Madame,” he slowly said. “But…” He sighed. He was being paranoid and Michael was right; it was just a performance. “Well… as you wish.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 3:24 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Gratefully, Cheyanne turned on a heel and headed towards the exit doors. She really had no desire to spend time with strange eye-balling men. Missing work like this, and possibly being in a coma or something was really putting the all time Bad Luck award on her already dreary life!

As she stepped outside she was… stunned to see how different everything looked! It was very antique Victorian style, but it was fresh and brand new! And it [i]was[/i] admittedly cold, but that was nothing compared to really taking a look at the people around her. Most were so over dressed, like the costumes for a masquerade. Cheyanne wondered if maybe it was a bad idea to have walked out like this.

Well, she wasn’t about to go back inside. It had to be an event this side of town. All she had to do was find a payphone and call taxi to pick her up. Except she really couldn’t find any phones, and she was getting quite a few stares! This had to be the worst nightmare she had ever had!

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 3:46 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse worried, and he worried the most when not even Michael could make sense out of the strange “performance” at the Museum. Despite, they finished their business and like an hour later, Alphonse left the museum and headed back to the Atelier. He was in sore need of sleep, some lunch and… more sleep! He had been pulling too many overnighters lately.

Alphonse feared he would fall asleep in a cab, so he walked instead, pulling the collar of his obviously expensive coat around his ears, a carefully brushed hat on his white hair. The cut of the coat was impeccable and the lines were elegant and stark, almost spartan; however, the final effect was a touch of genius. He had made it himself, after all. Alphonse wondered about the strangely dressed people at the museum; could it have been a fashion stunt? Whose fashion stunt anyway? He walked in silence, mussing on his thoughts. The sky was grey and indistinct, making it impossible to tell if it was going to rain or snow.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 12, 2008 at 7:16 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne had walked home. Only… her home wasn’t her home, her home was a park gazebo. With the layout of the city, this was surely where it was supposed to be…! Cheyanne did the only thing she [i]could[/i] do at the moment, and had a seat. [i]’Looks like we’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,'[/i] she thought to herself. The thought was extraordinary and all too interesting! But as she sat there shivering and being all to aware that she stood out all too much, the amazement of it wore out fast.

It didn’t matter whether or not she was dreaming or if it were reality- the truth of the matter was that she were in trouble! What were the other people from the train doing now? Maybe she shouldn’t have just left on her own like that. She was really starting to curse that sudden sense of adventure she had. Somehow she was going to have to figure what to do. Dry clothes and a place to spend the night would be important… and finding out where New York went!

Cheyanne sneezed! Fishing a tissue out of her purse, she had the sudden thought that she might very well be doomed!

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Azul Morag – Jun 12, 2008 at 11:09 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse blinked out of his slight daze as he bumped onto someone… A scantily dressed someone he had met before! Alphonse rubbed two fingers between his eyebrows… A headache was coming, mostly due to the lack of sleep but also because he didn’t understand what was really going on, and the uncertainty annoyed him.

“Madame,” he said. “I beg your pardon… Incredible as it may seem, I had not seen you coming.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 13, 2008 at 10:16 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Not again! Cheyanne looked startled, and rightfully so! What are the chances of bumping in to the same person twice in one day, especially in a big city? But then she thought… maybe it was fate? She was just thinking she really needed to do something about her clothes and everything else. He [i]did[/i] offer before, even if at the time she thought he was some kind of creep.

Well, he might still be a creep, but at the moment she wasn’t feeling to choosy about where to ask for help. “That’s… alright.” she started. “I have thought about what you said before, about buying my clothes. It’s a little strange, but at the moment I’m a desperate. As long as you aren’t planning on trying anything pervie with me.” she added quickly.

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Azul Morag – Jun 13, 2008 at 10:27 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

[I]”Pervie?”[/I] Alphonse repeated. “What does that mean?” He did suspect it was not something decorous since she casted him a wary look, but he decided to overlook it… this once. He slightly turned up his nose, however; it was almost instinctive.

“Were you following me? I must say I still don’t understand what all that stunt at the museum was about… but yes, I still can buy your clothes. Purely professional interest, I must say…”

He eyed her. She was shivering and now that her shirt was almost dry, it didn’t look as indecent – considering it had to be underwear, because it couldn’t be anything else. Alphonse removed his coat with a casual flourish and dropped it neatly on her shoulders to avoid any recoil or protest. His headache went slightly more pronounced, but he managed to ignore it.

“My Atelier is nearby…” He looked around to confirm his own words. “Yes, over there. My name is Alphonse Daupre; you may call me Daupre. I am a tailor. Please follow me, miss…?”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Why on earth would I follow you?” Cheyanne said defensively. She stiffed when he moved suddenly and dropped his coat over her shoulders. Pulling it more tightly around her, she muttered a soft thank you.

“I’m Cheyanne Fowler.” When he mentioned he was a tailor, her wary expression vanished and was replaced with a relieved look of understanding. “Oh, a tailor! That’s really a relief, you know. I thought you might be a pimp or think I was a whore. – Which, I’m not, by the way!” she reaffirmed quickly again. “I’m not sure what’s with this place, but everyone here dresses so conservatively and I think everyone keeps assuming I’m a hooker.” Cheyanne was admittedly rambling, but she didn’t want to follow him like a lost puppy, and she really wanted to at least explain to [i]some[/i]one who she was. Or what she was. She could be on another planet! How’s that for strange!

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Azul Morag – Jun 13, 2008 at 11:09 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse’s frown from his headache smoothed out and his eyebrows raised a millimeter with each of her remarks. He did think convenient she wore the coat not only because it was cold but also, because it concealed her clothes quite effectively – but to be fair, he only realized the second part now. As he had assumed she was an actress of some sort…

Not like actresses and whores were too different, these days. At least she wasn’t wearing tons of rouge or fake moles like CanCan dancers.

Even though the headache was dimming his awareness a little, he did notice she had not heard his name… but again, maybe it was something to be expected IF she really had no fashion sense.

“I had not thought such things about you,” he said, and it sounded sincere because he meant it and his headache was killing him. “Please, follow me…”

Alphonse led her to a beautiful house embedded in a long facade of row houses; three stories and a mansard with beautiful windows. The front door had pretty stairs on a bridge over a well with plants and the service doors. Alphonse fumbled with the keys and was interrupted by a severe-looking old lady in a uniform who opened the door just as he was about to insert the key in the keyhole.

“Master Daupre, we were worried!”

“I don’t see why should you worry,” Alphonse replied with an air of dignified suffering. “You may express your concern getting me some tea for Miss Fowler here. Take it to the Blue Cabinet.”

“Miss Fowler?” The lady blinked and just then spotted Cheyenne behind Alphonse wearing -his- coat and looking as lost as he looked somehow mysteriously hurt. Alphonse ushered Cheyenne in and closed the door.

“She’s… just arrived,” he said for all explanation. “Tea. Now, miss Fowler… follow me.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 13, 2008 at 11:38 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

What awful luck, she’s been rescued by a rich guy with a very mothering staff! Cheyanne followed closely, taking notice of the state of his home. It was perfectly neat, and very antique. Maybe.. maybe she went back in time! That was starting to sound like a more reasonable idea than being on an alien planet. Not that she didn’t still believe she were likely a coma patient.

“You’ve a very attractive house, Mr. Daupre.” she hesitated a moment before continuing. “I was sort of wondering if you’d tell me what year it is, or what city this is. I’m starting to think maybe I had an accident and I lost a little time.”

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Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 12:12 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

“House…?” Alphonse distractedly asked. “This is not a house; this is my atelier…” He led her up a pretty flight of curve stairs with mosaics and a deep blue rug. “There’s the different work rooms and rooms to tend to clients, and some boudoirs…” He pushed open a dark oak door, leading her into a cozy cabinet with thick plush-y rug, a small fireplace and bay windows, with a large work table, stools and some nice couches. There was a large Japanese screen playing the role of dressing space, with a tiny sink and a stool behind it. There were several full-body mirrors in a niche-like space for clients to see themselves from different angles. The furniture was very [I]chic,[/I] with art nouveau glass and iron details.

“We are in New Amsterdam. How come you wouldn’t know that? This is a famous city… Almost as remarkable as Paris. This the 167th Year of the Peahen, of course… Don’t ask me for the date; I forgot that… but we are in the month of the Rose. My goodness, it’s almost payday. I can feel it.”

Alphonse blinked.

“Please wait here.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 12:32 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Yep. Coma patient. Cheyanne did her best not to look shocked and confused. Why should she anymore, it couldn’t possibly get any more weird, or strange, or impossible. She might as well just run with it and see what happens. Eventually she’ll wake up or die, and it would be better to have an adventure dream than a nightmare.

Cheyanne knew what New Amsterdam was at least. New York was once New Amsterdam, but she really really recall when in history. History wasn’t her best subject. Everything else he told her sounded a lot like nonsense. Peahen? Month of the Rose?

Doing as she was told, Cheyanne stood there and waited. Admiring the new room. His work and not his home. Or did he live with his work? She examined the screen while she waited. Very chic!

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Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 5:43 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

A few minutes later, the old and uptight keyskeeper appeared with a cup of tea and some cookies for the “guest.” She eyed Cheyenne, still in the Master’s coat.

“Miss Fowler, may I take the Master’s coat?”

“No, you may not,” Alphonse replied, holding the door open for the keyskeeper. “You will send Miss Lawrence here with the peach dress she’s sewing, and the blue one with lilies. Thank you.”

“But Master, the coat will…”

“I have a headache Mrs. Keane, please do not argue with me. I hate quarrelling with people, most specially when my head hurts.”

The woman huffed and looked again at the young woman he had plucked out the streets somewhere. No skirt was visible under the coat, her hair was too short and unkempt, and she looked almost guilty – she must have a reason to look that way.

“As you wish, sir,” Mrs. Keane conceded, leaving them alone – for the moment. Alphonse sighed.

“I forgot the corset.”

He poked his head out of the door.

“Tell Miss Lawrence to get me a French Straight Front.”

“Yes sir.”

Alphonse closed the door and casted Cheyanne a slightly guilty look.

“She was still outside,” he said, almost defensively.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 7:11 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“She reminds me of my grandmother.” Cheyanne admitted. Not just because she was seemingly so protective over Mr. Daupre, but because she was giving Cheyanne that disapproving older woman look suggesting she didn’t approve of her clothing at all. Her grandmother was always complaining about the way she dressed.

Cheyanne didn’t want to sit down being still damp, but she did gratefully pick up the cup of tea and took a sip. It was warm, slightly bitter and perfectly pleasant. Hopefully with a few more sips she’d be able to settle her nerves and her twisty stomach. Cheyanne glanced around the room again as she spoke simply for the sake of avoiding awkward silences.

“Where I’m from, my clothes are perfectly normal.” she started. Considering he was a tailor, which was just another name for a Fashion Designer, she was pretty sure by now his interest in her clothing would want plenty of explanations. And it didn’t help she was tired of people looking at her suspiciously! “I really do love designer clothing, and I especially need to look nice for my job, but, well, it’s always so expensive for the designer labels, so sometimes I buy the cheaper brands. They look just as good most of the time.”

“Of course, I’m not exactly a fashion model, and clothes never see to fit right.” she kept on talking. “I’m just a secretary after all, no one usually cares what the secretary is wearing so long as she answers the phones and fetches the coffee. I mean, I didn’t even go to school to be a secretary, I wanted to be one of the editors, but I’m never really considering for a promotion and-” still talking! She was very obviously out of her league!

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Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 7:55 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse watched the woman talk – mostly, because due to his headache it was becoming increasingly harder to listen. Slowly, her words sank in.

He took her words as a veiled critique. Indeed, Ms. Keane sometimes was too overbearing, but he was not in the mood to pull her ear today – not with a headache.

Okay, she comes from another “place” of sorts, where her clothing is -normal-. Alphonse just nodded thoughtfully and wondered again if she was an actress. Where did these people come from? He had not yet examined her garments’ make and materials, but he was certain they looked almost industrial.

What cheaper brands, Alphonse wondered. Perhaps she meant worse off designers… because seamstresses don’t make brands. Maybe she was referring to industrial make. Industry and automatics were replacing hand labor at alarming rates, it was starting to be creepy. And look as good? Gods know where did she find such things.

Schools for secretaries – how did she pay for those? Oh wait, she did not. Alphonse found himself somewhat dizzy.

“I -make- things fit, I am a tailor,” he interrupted, worried that she would dissolve into her own flurry of words. “I…” He rubbed his temple slightly. “Answer the -phones? How many phone cabins does your company have? I have one and that is already too… much.”

Too expensive he was about to say, but he caught himself on time. Now that he had jumped into the rope, he had to keep talking to avoid being overrun.

“Did you really arrive on that train, from where? There are no tracks in the Museum – it’s not even a train station anymore. The old train station was converted to a Museum more than… Well. Years ago. I think it was already a museum when I came here… to this city, I mean. As a child. I think.”[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Oh, well, yes, I did. On the train. So it was really a Museum?” Ack, better not to think too hard on it again, go with the flow, Cheyanne! “I live in New York. You know, it used to be called New Amsterdam, so this place is a little strange to me. It’s kind of like time travel or a different dimension, maybe? Not that I believe in those sorts of things. I’m still pretty sure I’m dreaming.”

Cheyanne sipped the tea slowly again as she thought about it. “Everything here is really odd to me. Old looking and antique, but obviously it’s not. Kind of like the Victorian era, but it’s different too. I’m not all that great with history, but I can tell it’s not so much the same.”

She finally glanced at him, realizing she was probably a real pain in the ass. She imagined it must of been a lot like picking some person off the street and realizing they’re totally bonkers. “You know… I think I better switch clothes and get out of your hair. I don’t really want to be an inconvenience. With some better clothes, I should be able to work things out just fine.”

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 8:21 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse took a few seconds to react to that. So New Amsterdam was going to be obliterated and a new city called New York would be built on New Amsterdam’s charred remains? The old people would usually say big cities are caves of doom, but… Maybe it was best his mother remains living in the countryside.

“Time travel…? Oh well… I wouldn’t really know,” he said, forcing a smile. “I read The Time Machine, by H.G. Wellington; I suppose it’d be something similar.”

Marie Lawrence arrived just then, thankfully. She knocked on the door and came in.

“Master Daupre, good evening! Good evening, miss… Fowl.” Marie was too astonished by Cheyenne’s appearance and forgot Cheyenne’s name. It seemed almost funny because the Patron Deity of her master was well… a bird. She curtsied.

“Here’s the French Straight Front, and the dresses…”

“Help her change her clothes,” Alphonse suggested, almost desperately. “Miss Fowler, this is miss Lawrence, one of our seamstresses.”

Marie smiled.

“Good evening, miss[I] Fowler[/I].” She eyed Alphonse. “You have a cold.”

“No, I don’t. Help miss Fowler change her clothes.”

Marie approached Cheyanne to help her and instantly noticed the lack of skirts, petticoats and maybe some more things. She went to the door and called someone, requested a pack of full underwear and returned with a pleasant smile plastered allover her face.

“The rain does terrible things, really,” she offered. Alphonse casted Marie a killer look, but said nothing.
[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 8:35 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Yep, that was a perfectly familiar book name, so a different time or play, and not a different planet! Cheyanne was nodding slowly when the new lady entered with fresh clothing, called her miss [i]Fowl[/i] and accused Mr. Daupre of having a cold. This woman reminded her of her sister. If everyone here was going to remind her of something, who did Mr. Daupre remind her of? She couldn’t think of anyone at the moment.

Cheyanne set down her cup of tea, removed Mr. Daupre’s coat and draped it carefully over a chair. By then Cheyanne had got a good look at that corset. “How am I supposed to fit in to that!” she exclaimed with surprise! “I have… very large breasts-” she motioned her hands “..and wide hips!” She measured the width! “You start squishing and all of that has to go somewhere.” At the moment she hadn’t really considered how outlandish her comments might have been.

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 8:46 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse was a tailor and as such he was used to hear all kinds of remarks from ladies concerning their own bodies, but for some reason, his ears turned pink.

“A French Straight Front is quite well suited for your figure,” he replied, trying to stay on the professional side. “It’s engineered for petite torso and curvy behind. It won’t make your stomach uncomfortable and it has plenty of room for your bosom. This one has authentic whale barbs, so it is flexible and comfortable enough – or so I am told.”

“You have a cold, Master Daupre; call for tea and herb pills before it gets worse,” Marie said, ushering Cheyenne behind the Japanese folding screen. There she helped Cheyenne remove all her clothes and get into a pair of bloomers, then a camisole and the corset itself, which she began tightening. Cheyenne’s underwear was extraordinary, to say the least – at least, to Marie.

“I guess we’ll need to tighten the corset and wait half an hour to tighten it again!” She said. “It looks almost as if you were not corset-trained!”

“I don’t have a cold,” came Alphonse’s voice from the other side of the room.

“This will take sometime, please go and have your herbal tea, master Daupre,” said Marie, tightening the laces of the corset![/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 8:55 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne was ushered behind the screen and took the undressing and redressing graciously. Until it came time for that corset, where she found herself ‘oofing’ and ‘eeking’ every time another lace was tightened. She was getting fresh clothes, designer clothes, and should be very appreciative. …But it was hard to be appreciative when you were getting squeezed to death!

“I don’t what was wrong with those woman- eep! But this is not comfortable! It’s like a wild torture device!” Corsets were popular in that crazy day and age where women did all sorts of crazy things to be attractive for men. She had a feeling it was an evil man that designed the blasted things! “Maybe if we don’t tie it tight. My waist is just fine as it is!”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 9:02 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

“But miss Fowl-err, you are fine yes once this is properly tightened! Let’s go for a twelve inches hipspring. It’s the most moderate… but I say you could wear it up to 18 inches of hipspring!” Marie pulled the laces like a professional. “See how your back goes straight; you will walk like a queen!”

Alphonse stared at the Japanese screen and for one he was almost grateful he was not the one in the Straight Front… however he began to wonder how well would men corsets do; full corsets rather than the usual waist cinches some men wore with suits.[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 9:13 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“I think you delight in being wicked.” Cheyanne said, having not much choice but to allow the woman to tie her up like rolled roast. She was standing straight all right, but that was because it was the only way she could get any air in to her lungs! She started to wonder if her grandmother had cursed her before she died, hoping to give her granddaughter some old fashioned fashion sense.

“Mr. Daupre, in my city women wear bras, and they’re more than suitable for keeping things under control. And when we do need a corset, they aren’t pull so tight that you can touch your fingers around a woman’s waist!” This said with surprise, as at the moment she was trying it out on herself! “Good grief, I’m going to snap in half if I bend over.”

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 9:29 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse sighed to himself. He had no idea what a “bra” was in any case. He could hardly imagine something more capable of keeping a woman’s body in shape like a corset did.

“I suppose this[I] bra[/I] you say is some sort of wiring device,” he offered, almost desperately. “I… suppose you were wearing one; I will examine it later.”

Marie tied the laces in place with a chuckle.

“IF I would tighten the laces every half and hour three times, you would have a lovely 18 inches hipspring… but we can do with 12 inches, it’s a good one, too.”

Alphonse took a seat. His head was a bit airy at the moment.

“Don’t pull beyond 12 inches today; she’s not corset trained.”

“… Alright, Master Daupre.” Marie was astonished someone could not be corset trained, but she didn’t question Alphonse’s choice of acquaintances. She measured the ratio difference between Cheyenne’s waist and hip as it was now. “13 inches.”

“That will do. Try the blue dress with the lilies on her.”

“Yes, sir.”

Marie slipped a dress on the fussing woman. It was a very modern dress, with no hoopskirts but a long, slightly clingy skirt with whooshing flare from the knees and a fitted torso, with a scoop neckline which was at once discrete and [I]chic[/I]. The 3/4 raglan puffed sleeves were adorned with tiny versions of the embroidered lilies that graced one side and the hem of the long skirt.

“It does fit, Master Daupre,” she announced. A slight snort came from the other side of the screen.

“Of course it does. I knew it would.”
[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 14, 2008 at 10:33 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne examined herself in the dress. It was absolutely gorgeous! She supposed she looked like an English princess. Well, at least the dress did. Her hair was still a flattened mess but maybe she could do something about that too?

Stepping out from behind the Japanese screen, she modeled for Mr. Daupre. “It’s beautiful! Are you sure you’re going to put me in this? I think it’s too fine to be worn out for whatever nonsense I’m going to be up to when I leave. Of course, I can hardly breathe, but if the ladies here can do it, I suppose I can too.” she took in a deep breath, realizing if she wants to get any oxygen she might have to stop talking so much as well.

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 14, 2008 at 10:50 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie stayed behind the screen for an instant, gathering the wet clothes and putting them in hangers to dry. She wondered what sort of underwear was this! The slight thing Miss Fowler had been wearing under the petticoat (?) was more of a loincloth… but without the cloth!

Alphonse eyed Cheyanne – professionally, of course. If they could do something about her hair, she’d have strong photogenic potential; he was sure about it. He had no comments about the dress itself; he designed it after all!

“The colors and the style favor you, as I predicted,” he said. Alphonse was usually his most immodest when he was ill (yet he was far from admitting to such things). “You will need… a wig; maybe a simple filler would do. Your hair is extraordinarily short, but it has an agreeable color. You look beautiful.”

Alphonse smiled a smile of transparent suffering, acquiring the strange air of a religious image. “As I stated, you may keep the dress in exchange for your garments, but I would like you to consider a position to model my designs.”

He made a pause and brushed a hand past his forehead.

“You would require some training, but that… is not so difficult.”[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 15, 2008 at 9:30 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne took the compliment with grace, as even though she hardly believed him, she’d never shoot down a compliment! Of course that was up until he offered her a position as his model. That had her blinking in surprise. The dubious expression on her face told all, as she slowly gave him an examining once over glance.

“Are you kidding?” she asked slowly. He did look sort of ill, just like his staff said, so maybe he was just a little mad from fever, or whatever people here called it. “It’s a rally fine offer, but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea or that you’re thinking straight. I’m not much of a model, and at the moment I think I’m going to be involved in a whole lot of drama adventure you’ll probably not appreciate.”

But she did grin. “Maybe when I straighten everything out.”

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 15, 2008 at 9:51 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse blinked at her. He was mightily surprised – and it kind of showed on his face. It wasn’t even likely a lady would turn down an offer from Alphonse Daupre to be a model of his brand! He only had a few, and the prestige his name gave them in the fashion world was a much coveted prize.

“Are you turning me down?” He asked.

Maybe that didn’t sound exactly as he meant it to sound. Alphonse felt dizzier and closed his eyes for an instant. The room was beginning to spin slowly. He opened his eyes and casted her a sideways look. His gray eyes were darker than usual and almost transparent, like glass.

“I have quite good judgment, mind you,” he said. “And I don’t write plays, not even if you wear the blue dress. Because I said I appreciate it. And there is nothing to be straightened in it…” He closed his eyes again.

“Master Daupre,” Marie said, firmly. “You DO HAVE a cold. You need tea and those herbal pills…” She turned to Cheyanne and smiled apologetically. “Please don’t mind him much miss Fowl. He gets colds too easily nowadays…”

“Don’t you dare to censor me,” muttered Alphonse.

“I am not, but you need some tea, sir.” Marie pulled a velvet cord hanging near the wall, to summon staff.[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

The man started talking jibberish, Cheyanne almost thought she insulted him so bad that he lost he marbles! But his staff lady mentioned his cold again.

“Oh!” Cheyanne suddenly said, moving to the chair where she left her purse. It wasn’t easy leaning over with that dratted corset on, feeling like a robot and all, but she dug around in her purse until she found what she was looking for. “I [i]hate[/i] catching colds or the flu, so even with the slightest sniffle I always take one of these and my vitamins.”

Cheyanne popped a few little pills out of the packet, and brought them over to him. She held out her hand with them in her palm. “Perfectly safe, mind you. Over the counter medications, I’m not so paranoid that I get prescriptions for everything. These are cold pills, but I also have aspirin, antihistamines and some sleep tablets.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:09 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie promptly came to their side and inspected the pills and things Cheyanne was holding. Alphonse just blinked in a dignified yet dizzy way.

“I don’t have a cold…”

Marie examined the pills. They were so neat and pretty in a strange way! The packets seemed almost like glass but she wasn’t too sure about what those were. Alphonse closed his eyes and began to slide down in his couch.

“What are histamines and their antidote?” Marie asked with a blink, too disconcerted to notice her master was on his way to the rug.[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:15 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“I think he’s passing out.” Cheyanne tried to fan him with her free hand! “Antihistamines are for those sniffles or itchy watery eyes or sneezes you get in spring or fall, or when you’re allergic to pets or too much dust. It’s the most brilliant invention.”

Poor Mr. Daupre he looked ready to die. It was exactly how she felt when she was stick, so she didn’t blame him at all! “Really, Mr. Daupre, why don’t you go ahead and take things along with some tea? You’ll feel a lot better, even if you don’t think you’re sick! I’m sure it would help a lot!”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:26 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie nodded, then gave an alarmed blink when she saw her master looking about to faint!

“I will get some tea!” She said, dashing out with a ruffling sound of skirts and petticoats. Alphonse blinked, warily.

“But I am not…” He held back a sneeze and marveled at how low and steep the couch was (or seemed to be right now, at least!). “That neckline could go a little lower,” he suddenly announced. “For Spring…”[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:48 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne tried to help Mr. Daupre back on the sofa in a nice seated position so he wouldn’t fall on the floor. She had that wicked thought that he should try wearing a corset sometime to see how women felt while trying to do things like this, but quickly brushed it away!

“You’re just a big baby when you’re sick, aren’t you! There’s not any reason to be stubborn about it, the sooner you take some medicine and have a break the sooner you can go back to working. I’m assuming you must be a workaholic to be so contrary about it.” Cheyanne checked his forehead. “Yep, you’re sick. No denying it.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 12:58 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse felt his ears burning again, but he reckoned his body was burning in general so it wouldn’t make much of a difference, he guessed.

“I am not sick,” he replied in French. He blinked at how odd his English sounded, but that didn’t deter him from explaining in exact detail why it was impossible for him to be sick, all in French. He rubbed his eyes and felt around his pockets for his spectacles, but found some pills on her hand instead.

How did her hand get where his pockets should be, was a profound mystery that mystified him for a few seconds. He blinked at her.

“You didn’t drink your tea,” he said and somehow miraculously he said it in English.[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

He was speaking French, wasn’t he? Yeah, it sounded like French. She was giving him a peculiar look while he spoke fumbling around until he found the pills in her hand. Then he reminded her about her tea.

“That’s right, I didn’t finish it did I?” she moved over to the small table and fetched the cup. Tea cup in hand, she sat down on the sofa next to him and offered him both cup and pills. “Here, take these now before you get even more silly, and your staff starts to think I poisoned you. I’m not sure what prisons are like here, but I suppose they’d have beaten me to death before I ended up in one anyway.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:12 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse blinked at her as if she were crazy. He wasn’t too sure why, but he was given some tiny pills and tea. He guessed it was only polite to take the pills and drink the tea, which he did. He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her face now that she was close to him, and blinked.

“You are not my mother,” Alphonse said. He sounded somewhat surprised by such a startling discovery. He leaned against the backrest of the couch and closed his eyes.

“I have to examine your tight petticoats and… this “bra” thing you mentioned… but I am… somewhat tired at the moment…”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:26 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“I’m not trying to be your mother,” Cheyanne said defensively, not really understanding where such a comment would come from. At least he took the medicine and would be feeling better, if a little tired.

She folded her hands in her lap tilting her head to watch him with just a small hint of amusement. “You’ve got plenty of time to do that, considering they’re yours now. My sister is going to think it a hoot that some stranger offered to trade for all my clothes. Especially a fashion designer.” She was silent for a moment, thinking. “You know, I think I’d like to be a model for you. I’ve had the same job for years and always wanted to do something really amazing. It’d make my sister proud.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:34 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse opened his eyes the most he could manage (which wasn’t much, really) to see her. No, definitely she was not his mother.

“…” He tried to explain about modeling, but whatever he said didn’t quite make much sense. Marie came back with tea, the keyskeeper and a little boy covered in cookie crumbs.

“Master Daupre! Here’s the… tea… Oh my goodness, he’s gone again.”

“Miss Lawrence!” Mrs. Keane was indignant. “That is not a respectful manner to refer to the master!”

“Stop yelling…” Alphonse muttered, but maybe they didn’t hear him. Mrs. Keane looked at the empty teacup.

“Did you give him… did he drink something?” Mrs. Keane asked Cheyanne with raised eyebrows.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:40 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“He was getting ridiculous, so I gave him my cup and had him take some medicine. He’s really stubborn isn’t he?” They were all looking her sort of shocked, and she wondered if maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. “It’s not the wrong kind of tea was it? I mean, I don’t know if has any sort of special teas he has to drink or is fussy about that he takes. I just didn’t want him to end up passed out on the floor!”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 1:48 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse closed his eyes. He said something in French and Miss Lawrence giggled, but immediately silenced following a censoring glare from Mrs. Keane.

“What sort of medicine?” Coolly asked Mrs. Keane, looking rather dangerous. Alphonse managed to open his eyes again.

“She’s hired,” he said. Then he seemingly dozed off. Mrs. Keane was astonished, but she was too well trained to say anything adverse… yet he casted Cheyanne an icy look of the ‘if he dies you are mincemeat’ sort.

“We need to take him upstairs,” Marie said. “But all the men are out today!”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 16, 2008 at 11:25 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“It was just cold medicine.” Cheyanne said defensively. Mr. Daupre suddenly announced that she was ‘hired’ from which Cheyanne was sure her face was turning a bright red. These women were suspicious of her, he could wait to talk about business sort of things until he wasn’t stark raving sick!

“I could help move him upstairs. I’m pretty strong, I think. Maybe less so in a corset, but with three of us, I’m sure we could move him.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 16, 2008 at 11:57 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse did hear something about being moved, but he was already more dead asleep than alive. He muttered something in French about the rent and the gas bill, then fell into a deeper sleep.

Mrs. Keane was dubious. “The Master is tall,” she said. “How are we supposed to move him? If he could walk it’d be easier; we may need the salts!”

“But he took some medicine and coffee, and he’s still falling asleep!” Marie objected. The boy covered in cookie crumbs pointed out, they could put him in a blanket and drag him around by one end of the blanket![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 17, 2008 at 7:16 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“The blanket is a good idea, but once we get to the stairs we’d lose him for sure!” Cheyanne could imagine it now! Puling Mr. Daupre across the house on a blanket, with him clonking his head on the floor and table legs. Pulling him up the stairs and him going rolling back down them. They’d kill the man!

“…Maybe it’s better off if we just leave him in here. Give him some pillows and a few blankets? A night on a sofa won’t hurt. At least not as much as dropping him on the way upstairs would hurt.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 17, 2008 at 1:58 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

“We have to put him to bed!” Mrs. Keane said, hands on hips. “He can’t stay here! Even with pillows, he’d get cramps allover and there’s a lot of work for him to do this week, he’d kill himself trying to get everything done!”

Marie nodded meaningfully and the boy shrugged. Marie leaned over Alphonse.

“Master Daupre?”

There was no answer. Mrs. Keane frowned.

“We will put him in a blanket; Marie and I will carry the front with his head and shoulders, and miss Fowler and Peter can carry his legs! We can take small breaks along the way, but we’ll take him upstairs that way!”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 18, 2008 at 10:33 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne thought this idea was surely going to end in disaster, but she followed orders like a champ! Waiting until a blanket was fetched, she helped moved Mr. Daupre on the blanket and took up her end along with the cookie covered little boy.

Moving around and lifting things with this darn corset was a nightmare! When Mr. Daupre was awake and well again, she was going to explain exactly what was wrong with it, and it had to make women’s life these days a lot more difficult than it had to be! Sure she was strong enough to lift a man with the help of two ladies and a little boy, but catching her breath was an entirely different matter! It was no wonder Victorian women fainted all the time!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 12:23 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

After much struggling (and bumping the master into things like corners, steps and railings) the group finally managed to get upstairs – two stories upstairs. Turns out Alphonse does have a set chambers above the Atelier and he lives there. The apartment was elegant and classy, yet small and strictly functional. The bedroom was big, with a big bed under a canopy with curtains… like an Arabian tent. Once they got Alphonse on the bed, Mrs. Keane shooed everyone out of the bedroom in order to undress Alphonse and tuck him into bed.

The apartment had no halls or corridors; the few doors which were mainly the bedroom, bathroom and a study were set around a large multipurpose room with sofas, a table, closets and cupboards, lamps and a large chimney; Persian rugs graced the simple, polished wooden floor. There were small balconies and slanted walls, as they were directly under the mansard of the building. There was a strange system of decorative bronze rods forming a series of levels and holding the lamps. Some hung just above their heads. Perched just above Cheyanne’s head and unnoticed in its silent watch, a large white bird stared at her, fixedly. It was a snowy owl.

The owl eyed her and leaned over to tug her hair a bit.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 12:34 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Being shooed out of Mr. Daupre’s room in to the hall, Cheyanne took the opportunity to view the extravagance of his home. Of course, to them it might not look so fancy, but for her and living with very minimalistic modern furniture, everything here looked so grand!

She was looking at one of the tables and the little trinkets decorating it, when something tugged at her hair. Assuming it was one of the ladies (and wondering why on earth they would tug at her hair. Granted it was shoulder length, but she hardly thought that was short at all.) she turned around to ask what they planned on doing with her until Mr. Daupre was awake. Instead of seeing a person she found herself glancing up at the biggest bird she had ever seen in person! Did owls really get that big?

Cheyanne opened her mouth to scream, but clamped it shut when she realized that would be pretty stupid. Instead she pointed and spoke softly, “There’s an [i]owl[/i] in here!”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 12:43 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie made all sorts of gestures to discretely make Cheyanne move away from the bird. The little boy put his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers.

“That’s the master’s owl; she might be hungry,” little Peter said.

The owl casted Cheyanne a look of dignified curiosity that made it look just like Alphonse – well, as much as an owl could resemble a man. It caught a better hold of her hair and showed every intention of climbing down from its perch and onto her head![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 12:50 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne [i]was[/i] trying to follow Marie’s instructions and ease away from the bird, but it had caught her hair up in it’s beak and didn’t seem to want to let go! Wary that she might very well get eaten alive (mother always said she was a mousy girl, owls ate mice, didn’t they?), Cheyanne stood frozen still, hoping the bird would satisfy it’s curiosity and deem her an unworthy meal.

“Who keeps owls in houses free like this? Oh..! Oh.. it’s climbing on me!” she squeeked softly, still hoping not to alarm the owl!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 1:03 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie made some quite ineffective hand-flapping to scare away the owl from a prudent distance!

“Don’t let her get to your shoulder; her claws will make holes in the dress!”

“I’ll find her food,” little Peter said, looking into the cupboards. Meanwhile the owl expressed her disapproval of Cheyanne’s hairspray (probably something she had not encountered before) by giving her skull a gentle but meaningful peck![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 1:27 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Eeeep! She’s eating me already! Hurry!” Cheyanne raised her hand to protect her head from any more pecking, and hopefully to guide the bird out on to her arm to spare the poor dress Mr. Daupre gave her. Or perhaps so she could hold the bird at an arm length’s distance and save herself! Cheyanne wasn’t really afraid of birds, but owls were large normally wild animals and this one already displayed like for chewing!

“Please don’t chew on me, Mr. Daupre’s owl. I am far from delicious and my hair has many hair care products that couldn’t possibly be edible for birds. Why don’t you take a step on to my hand and not mess up Mr. Daupre’s beautiful dress, okay?” She was trying to reason with an owl. That was bound to be a sign of insanity.

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 1:32 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Marie hissed at Peter to hurry! Meanwhile, the owl grabbed Cheyanne’s wrist in a well-intentioned attempt to climb onto it, but it deemed her wrist too frail and flapped to keep balance as it had a hold of both her wrist and the bronze bar! The owl shrieked and flapped vigorously![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 1:38 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Don’t panic! I’m not going to let you drop!” Cheyanne said, possibly a bit more stern than she really intended to. She took a hold of the bronze bar with her fingers, so her wrist and arm would be steady and well braced, and the owl wouldn’t have it’s legs spread apart all willy-nilly. “Crazy thing. You shouldn’t climb on people if you don’t think they can hold you. And for the record I can carry a three year old kid on each arm, so a big fluffy owl would hardly be a workout.”

Unless she was grossly under estimating the size of the owl. She thought it might all be mostly features, but it did feel like it had some weight to it. Cheyanne reached out her other hand to stroke it’s feathered chest and stopped. “I don’t supposed you like being stroked, do you? Cause I won’t touch you if you’re going to bite me.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 1:56 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Little Peter was back with a sort of cookie, but he was fascinated to see Cheyanne stroke the owl’s chest and didn’t offer the cookie yet.

“She doesn’t let people touch her, unless it’s the Master,” he said with big eyes in wonder. “Awesome!”

“She’s like the Master; they bite when crowded,” Marie said with a wink. Just then the door to the bedroom opened and Mrs. Keane appeared.

“Good Heavens! What are you doing to the owl?!”

But before she could finish saying that, the bird took flight; like a large sweeping white shadow it passed over Mrs. Keane’s head, somehow squeezing herself in flight through the door (her wing span was much wider than the door frame) and darted into the bedroom. Amazingly, her flight was completely silent, as he flapping was barely audible.

Mrs. Keane gasped but kept her cool demeanor – with some visible effort – and turned in alarm, leaving the door open as she moved back into the bedroom. The owl zoomed about and finally landed on Alphonse’s shoulder, who slumped face down with the weight.

“Mphf…”

The owl narrowed her eyes at the group in the threshold. Alphonse was still asleep, maybe comfortable enough under the blankets with his long, white hair loose. It was as white as the owl. The owl nested on him, spreading her chest feathers like a skirt and her wings like a blanket. Her back’s feathers fluffed, making her look even larger as she sat on him like she’d sit on her own eggs. The owl made a strange cooing sound… or maybe choked on something. It was hard to tell.

Then it shrieked.

Alphonse growled but he couldn’t move, so he simply snoozed. Peter snickered and Marie pulled his ear. Mrs. Keane was dismayed.

“We can’t leave her there! She’ll roll on his face and choke him!”[/dotted]

====

Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 2:08 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne moved to peek through the doorway, but didn’t enter the room. After all, she wasn’t invited! The owl was amazingly impressively, but she wasn’t too keen on the idea of trying to shoo her away either. She was all fluffed up like a mother nesting her baby chicks!

“You know, if she’s anything like a cat, he’s probably well used to being sat on while he’s sleeping. Surely she wouldn’t smother him?” she said, not being too sure of that herself. The owl [i]was[/i] a great deal bigger than a cat. And maybe he was too soft to swat her away?

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 2:21 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Little Peter still had the sort of cookie in his hand; it smelled like dry meat and… something like barley. Rubbing his ear, he said, “I don’t think she would smother the Master…”

“One never knows,” Marie said, eying the bird back. “She’s too heavy for him to breathe comfortably, I guess.”

Mrs. Keane sighed.

“She will make holes in the blankets…”

The owl was just watching them, and it was obvious it was not going to willingly move. Alphonse curled up. The owl didn’t like it, but it didn’t move. Alphonse pulled the blankets and the owl was forced to get off him. It still sat on the bed next to him, though.

Mrs. Keane worried. “It would be best to get her out of the bedroom…!” She said in a low voice.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 7:59 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Maybe he likes having her in bed too?” Cheyanne suggested. The looks she received must have meant everyone believed otherwise. It was kind of silly the way they were all going on about that bird. They had to have been living with it for some time now and used to this sort of thing! She was sure Mr. Daupre had been sick before. It was comical to think about this happening on a regular basis, and everyone in an uproar to shoo away a giant owl.

“Why don’t you just ask her to leave? Or bribe her! Give her a cookie!” Cheyanne was filled with good suggestions!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 8:15 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Little Peter promptly handed over to Cheyanne the “cookie” he had fetched from the cupboard. “This is a snack,” he explained, rubbing his nose. “It’s soft inside and she can tear it open like a mouse! She likes to gobble them, too. Try giving it to her!”

The owl eyed them, bobbed her head and hit the blankets with the “elbows” of her wings with short shrieks, like demanding food from her mate while sitting on their brood. The Master frowned slightly but didn’t wake up yet, apparently. Marie was quite the amused sight and Mrs. Keane watched like a hawk; obviously the old lady deemed this a proper “test” for the new girl![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 8:27 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

“Why do I have to…” she started softly, but it seemed there wasn’t any choice in the matter. Well… okay then! She wasn’t afraid of owls, and the owl was nice enough to her even if it did chew on her hair and tried to sit on her!

Cookie in hand, Cheyanne marched in to the room head held high! Until she reached the bed, where she looked a lot more doubtful of the idea even working. She offered the cookie to the owl. “The women are afraid you’re poking holes in the sheets. How about you come with me and have a snack so Mr. Daupre can sleep off his cold. He’ll do it fine without you babysitting.” Cheyanne offered her arm again. “And I promise I won’t drop you.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 8:41 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

As everyone watched expectingly, the owl seemed to agree. She was at first reluctant to move and kept on hitting the sheets with her “elbows” and giving short shrieks, but when she realized she was going to have to move, the owl moved her head to the sides as to calculate the distance to snatch the cookie from Cheyanne’s hand. Suddenly, she leapt forward, landing on the Master and getting a good grab of his butt with her claws!

That DID wake up Alphonse. He screamed something in French that must have been some sort of obscenity and fussed to get the owl off; the owl leapt lazily flapping over him and landed on Cheyanne’s arm with all her 11 pounds of birdieness and gave a triumphant shriek, demanding her cookie![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 8:56 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne laughed loudly! But in realizing Mr. Daupre probably wouldn’t appreciate the scene as much as she did, she quickly shut her mouth and backed away from the bed with his snowy white owl. The owl was a little heavy, but it wasn’t too much for her to carry on her arm. She offered her it’s cookie reward, and stayed far out of the way of Mr. Daupre’s bed in case he was going to get up and start shouting at the lot of them.

“That’s a good girl. You didn’t have to pounce him like that, though.”

[/dotted]

====

Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 9:28 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse managed to sit on his hip, pulled the sheets off his head and glared at the group – specially the woman with his owl. He still looked kind of disoriented and sleepy from the cold and the pills, he was wearing a nightshirt the keyskeeper had managed to make him wear after undressing him, and despite he was a disheveled man with long white hair falling on his shoulders and on his handsome face, he still managed to stun them to silence.

At least, his staff. Cheyanne was the last one to stop giggling.

Alphonse ran his fingers through his hair to move it away from his face, feeling quite crowded.

“What are you all doing in my…?” He then slowly realized he wasn’t in the Atelier anymore; he was in his room, in bed, not very dressed and his butt itched with the scratches. Alphonse almost scratched it, but he stopped himself on time to keep the shreds of his dignity. “What have you done?!”

“Master Daupre,” Mrs. Keane said, trying to be conciliative and remain cool at the same time, “You fainted from your cold and we brought you upstairs. Sir, you need to re…”

[I]”I am [B]not[/B] sick![/I] It’s unconceivable someone could be in bed at this hour! You better get back to wo…” He tried to get himself out of the bed, but just fussing with the heavy comforters and blankets that spared him a worse hurt to his butt made him dizzy. Mrs. Keane gave a nervous step to him.

“Master Daupre, please do stay in bed. I will bring some medicine for your scratches, if you’d let me check…”

Alphonse stared at her in alarm and frowned again.

“No!” He said. “I am fine.” Fine maybe, but he still didn’t sit on his butt, but on his hip! “Why is she… What have you done to Alba?” He turned his face to Cheyanne and the owl so all his indignation was focused on them for the moment![/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Pausing in mid stroke of the owl’s snowy feathers, Cheyanne looked offended as Mr. Daupre practically shouted in her direction. It’s not like she captured the owl, the pretty thing hopped on her arm of her own accord!

Instead of speaking directly to him, Cheyanne stroked the owl again and spoke to her instead. “So Alba is your name. That’s very beautiful. I told you, you didn’t have to worry. He’s already awake and in a foul mood at that.” Cheyanne couldn’t help herself, she blinked to return Mr. Daupre’s indignant glaring. “You know, all of your ladies, even your owl are worried and fussing over you, and all you can do is complain that you’re good and healthy. If you’d cut it out and just take a rest maybe you could get back to work a lot quicker.” It was completely unlike Cheyanne to chastise someone, she couldn’t even remember a time when she yelled at anyone! And someone that had offered her a job too! But the man was being a total pain in the rear, and if he’d just shut up and behave he wouldn’t be having such a problem!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 9:58 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse was more indignant than ever. No one ever dared to talk to him like that! Her English was a bit confusing and the owl was shamelessly cooperating with the woman!

“I am not a lady,” Little Peter cautiously pointed out.

“How dare you talk to me that way!” Alphonse narrowed his eyes. “I am…” He gave a dignified blink as the dizziness forced him to shift on the bed to prevent -falling- somewhere. “I am fine enough and I do not need to be in bed! I was just… resting my eyes, that is all. AND I DON’T NEED TO JUSTIFY MY BEHAVIOR TO YOU!”

Okay, that was a bit silly. Alphonse brushed a hand past his forehead.

“I am… I just need to rest my eyes a little.”[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 10:15 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne winced when he really started bellowing. He really was kind of ferocious when he started screaming! She curled her arm so the owl was closer to her, almost using her as a shield.

“Then shut up and go to sleep, and be happy you have a bed and someone to take care of you!” Cheyanne said, then quickly added, “Alba and I are going to finish our snack, aren’t we?” Taking the bird with her, Cheyanne quickly moved for the door to escape! Mr. Daupre was liable to start throwing things at them with the way he was so moody!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse opened his eyes wide.

“You are mean and rude, and you are kidnapping my owl!” He said. He sounded very surprised. “Stop her!”

The group was too stunned to say anything, but little Peter finally managed to wag a finger at Cheyanne.

“Don’t kidnap the owl; she’s holy!” He explained, since Cheyanne seemed kinda lost. Marie put her hands on her hips.

“Master Daupre,” she said; her face was a bit red and flustered. “She has tried to help you, and M… -we- asked her to move the owl off your back! Please just have some rest. You need it!”

Alphonse frowned. He was sleepier by the minute but he still was quite indignant.

“Alba shouldn’t go downstairs…” He brushed his hand past his forehead again.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 10:45 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Stopping suddenly at the door, Cheyanne whirled around at the accusation! “I wasn’t.. I wasn’t trying to kidnap your owl!” Of all the rotten things to say! Calling her mean and rude, and topping it off by calling her a thief! All she wanted to do was be useful and go home, but this entire place was all backwards and chaotic!

Something seemed to have finally snapped, as the realization that she were so far out of her reality that she didn’t even know what she was doing in this one room let alone the city finally hit her. Cheyanne gave a choked sob as she held the bird away from her, as to not get her wet and tried to brush away the sudden tears! “I’m sorry! I’m sorry…” was all she could seem to say as she cried, and she couldn’t seem to make herself stop!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 10:56 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Everyone was glaring at him. Alphonse was not too sure why, though. He looked again and saw Cheyanne was crying and saying she was sorry.

“…” He had not expected her to apologize, but he could at least take it graciously and hold back the urge to scratch the scratches on his butt. Alphonse sighed.

“I am sorry, too,” he said. Indeed, he was sorry about his butt, his headache and the terrible state of his health. Maybe he was a little sorry about her too despite she was prolly responsible for his hurt butt, and then she laughed at him. “Alright, I will… sleep. Mrs. Keane, take care of Miss Fowler’s needs; get her a bed and some…” He looked at the window and saw it was black. “… dinner. Don’t let Alba loose downstairs and yes, you all may leave.” Alphonse pulled his blankets looking -slightly- defeated and quite exhausted.[/dotted]

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Divinatas – Jun 19, 2008 at 11:31 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne allowed herself to be led away, still trying to get back her composure and not stand around crying like a big baby! She still had the snowy white owl, for well, the owl wasn’t moving and she didn’t want to be mean and shake her off if she were comfortable!

“I don’t know why everything has to be so complicated.” Cheyanne uttered between sniffles. “I missed work today. I’m probably going to get fired, and when I finally go back home, I won’t have a job and can’t pay my bills and I’ll.. I’ll have to move in with my sister and her family!” The thought of that had her sniffling all over again!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 19, 2008 at 11:52 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=123][B]Alphonse[/B]

Alphonse rubbed his butt once they left his room, but he could still hear them talk as they left, and Cheyanne was crying and complaining. Alphonse for one, didn’t blame her. For some reason, he was convinced she was sincere (yet he still wondered if she was an actress). Alphonse rubbed his butt, feeling terribly sore. He curled up with a pillow and soon was asleep like a rock.[/dotted]

[dash]Mrs. Keane was not fond of women of easy tears, but she decided to give the strange stranger some credit; after all, Miss Fowler seemed to have had a most disturbing day. Mrs. Keane counted her very lucky to have met the Master and not some pimp or anything worse. She reckoned Miss Fowler was a peasant girl or in the very least, a girl from the countryside who had lost her way (and her belongings) in the city. Marie prudently kept Cheyanne’s original undies hidden from Mrs. Keane; those were so… [I]extraordinary[/I] that surely the old woman would change her opinions for the worse if she saw them. Marie prepared a bed for Cheyanne in a common bedroom for female employees, where about six beds lined, three against each opposing wall.

“It’s only the two of us in this room tonight,” she explained. “You’ll have some rest after dinner… but she can’t stay here,” she said, pointing to the owl. “You have to take it back to the Master’s room! I’ll go with you after you eat, he’ll be asleep and really, he isn’t a bad man, he was just sick and startled…”[/dash]

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Divinatas – Jun 20, 2008 at 12:06 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne sat down slowly, and with one last sniffle realized she still had Alba perched on her arm. It was amazing she balance the owl without a second thought while she was so busy feeling utterly sorry for herself. And she shouldn’t! Because she wasn’t [i]really[/i] lost, right? Someone had helped her and she wasn’t out wandering the streets cold and miserable. Having Mr. Daupre screaming at her while he’s sick with a fever and not thinking right was a lot better than that.

“You’re right… Even though it was sort of odd to buy a strange woman’s clothes.” she admitted softly, having stilled all her crying. Cheyanne was stroking Alba again. The fluffy white owl was a lot of comfort. She never expected something like that from a bird!

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 20, 2008 at 12:36 AM

[dashed=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=151][b]Marie[/b]

Marie smiled. “Are you feeling better? I’ll have dinner with you, but we have to go downstairs…” She blinked at the owl. “We’ll have to take her back first. The Master should be asleep; it won’t be a problem. How odd she seems to like you! Don’t get me wrong; it’s just she -never- allows people other than the Master to touch her. I think it’s a good sign,” Marie said, fluffing a pillow. “Since the avatar of his house goddess likes you, the Master won’t be too mad at you in the morning!”[/dashed]

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Divinatas – Jun 20, 2008 at 5:17 AM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne nodded slowly in reply, taking another skeptical look at the owl. Avatar of the house goddess? That wasn’t as strange as the bird taking to her so easily. Cheyanne loved animals, but she never really thought she was all that great with them.

Standing again, Cheyanne was careful not jostle Alba. “I guess it’s best to take her back then. But Mrs. Keane didn’t want her in Mr. Daupre’s room? I think I’ve had enough of being yelled at tonight.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 20, 2008 at 4:04 PM

[dashed=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=155][b]Marie[/b]

Marie laughed.

“Mrs. Keane doesn’t like Alba, that is all! Alba always is with the Master. She was in his room because the Museum doesn’t admit animals, even if they are avatars. Granted, I wouldn’t know if he keeps her in his bedroom… but she does fine in the rest of his apartments. All those perches and rod decorations you saw are for her. Besides, she must be hungry and he has food for her upstairs.”

Marie eyed the dress.

“Mind you, that is a very expensive dress… You are lucky she hasn’t dropped on you. Then we’ll check your arm for scratches and you’ll have to wash your arms right away if she’s scratched you. The Master always wears a leather cuff and a shoulderpiece to carry her because her claws are sharp. Her wings are not trimmed either, and if she finds the door downstairs only the Master can call her back!”

Alba shook herself, making Cheyanne stagger a bit. Alba then fluffed up and shrieked.

Marie blinked.

“She has a way to call him, too.”[/dashed]

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Divinatas – Jun 20, 2008 at 9:08 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne blinked at the owl again. “I think every is underestimating how smart she is. I suppose if she could talk she’d say all sorts of interesting things!” If dogs and cats could save people’s lives and act like people, there’s no reason why a snowy white owl couldn’t do the same. Especially if she were an avatar of a god?

She started walking with Alba on her arm, letting Marie lead the way back to Mr. Daupre’s rooms. “What do you mean by avatar of the god? Are your gods animals?” she questioned, finding herself curious about the whole thing. She knew the Native Americans had a religious culture depicting animals as spirit guides or gods, maybe it was the same thing?

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 20, 2008 at 9:45 PM

[dashed=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=155][b]Marie[/b]

Marie blinked. Where was this woman from? She was not corset-trained and she didn’t know about the gods, either?

“Well, yes and no. Each household has a family god, which takes the form of an animal; but household avatars are not the gods themselves, just representatives. Anyone can have a pet; but an avatar requires a special license because some of them are wild animals that require special care, training and expert handlers. The Master is the head of his household, so he keeps Alba here with him.”

They reached the stairs and went back two stories up to the Mansard; Alphonse’s apartments occupied all the space there. Marie opened the door cautiously.

“The bedroom door is still closed; he must be asleep…”[/dashed]

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Divinatas – Jun 20, 2008 at 11:21 PM

[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=16][b]Cheyanne[/b]

Cheyanne stepped inside, Alba sitting carefully on her arm. She wouldn’t want to disturb Mr. Daupre, so she took Alba to one of her perches and tried to ease her carefully on to bar without giving her a jostle or any prodding. “Here we go, Alba. You stay here in your rooms close to Mr. Daupre. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

[/dotted]

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Azul Morag – Jun 20, 2008 at 11:49 PM

[dashed=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=155][b]Marie[/b]

Alba hopped onto one of the bars and climbed a bit higher, then made that strange cooing sound again, bobbing her head and staring at Alphonse’s bedroom door. Marie sighed.

“I hope she’ll be quiet and he will sleep. She sleeps during the night and is awake through the day… Snowy owls are diurnal. Let us go… You need rest, too.”

After leaving some food for the owl on a dish, Marie led Cheyanne out and downstairs to the kitchen.[/dashed]

====