Fantasy Lost in Words

[The One Eyed Bandit]

You are a Doll. Ageless, your life has always been spent and will always be spent within the endless halls of the Library. Grey light and dry, dusty wood is the only world you've ever know, monotony only ever broken by the odd life-risking adventure or bout or merry-making, but really, nothing ever changes. There isn't a sun to watch rise and fall, or even grass to watch growing. Every now and again, something does happen, but the slow crawl of time leaves all but the most involved of lives falling prey to the clutches of monotony. But, regardless of if your routine is one of constant debauchery, dangerous adventure or sluggish normalcy, there comes a day when something unexpected arrives on your doorstep.

A letter, marked with the ever-distinct emblem of the Scholars, bearing an invitation, a proposition, and an advance payment.

 

[simj26]

MinaShe didn't think she’d be the first to arrive. When it did dawn on her that she was indeed the only person under the Great Chute, Mina was suddenly overwhelmed with a suspicion that she was just being duped. But why would anyone lie to her, specifically? This would be an almost hilariously elaborate prank if it was. The steps to even get her the letter were exceedingly difficult, if there were even any steps at all, given her nomadic behaviour, and the Great Chute was one of her more common haunts anyway, so it did not trouble her much to present herself here. Furthermore, if anyone did their homework to have even pinpointed where she would be to give her the letter, they would also know that Signatures did not buy her services. She had an inkling of an idea that this Professor James was aware of this, if he indeed existed, and as such appealed to her curious nature.

Barrier City was a while away from Alexandria, that much she was certain, and though she yearned to expand her ‘business’, as it were, to Barrier City, the Mites gave her plenty of trouble, and she was already once bitten, and was now twice shy. Exhaling sharply, a sound resembling a sigh of annoyance, she dropped her bag down, sat down beside it, and lay her head down. A newborn doll sat up, looked around puzzledly next to her, and thought to ask her a question, but wisened up quickly when it saw her mouth, or lack thereof, and started down to Alexandria.

There was nothing to it then. She just had to wait, and hope.

 

[_Line 213]

Wilford Winds
The Great Chute
Interacting with: simj26
​

The wooden walkways creaked with a pensive, nearly irritating slowness as it heralded the sudden arrival of two more guests. Yet, the voice that struck outward from the edge of the great circle of light above was not the voice of the letter's recipient, but that of their companion, tightly-bunched red hair dangling down from just above a wooden face. "Oh my, Wilford, we're early," she whispered, not quite keen on breaking the nearly sacred-seeming silence that surrounded the nearly-empty yet hallowed space.

Yet, as soon as her soft speech echoed spread across the meeting place, a second head slipped into the light, just above her's, as it took its own view of the circle. A single, spindly hand flicked upward, briefly adjusting the well-worn hat atop the fellow's head. "So it seems," he replied, sounding far more nervous about the matter than the doll just below him did. And, in line with such, his companion took the initiative, stepping all the way into the light so as to invite her fellow into the open area. As he crossed the threshold, Wilford took in a deep breath, once more adjusting the hat upon his head with fresh nervousness.

"Oh, you look fine," fussed the other doll, reaching upward to set his hat properly upon his head herself. She did not stop there, moving to fiddle the rest of his garments into perfection, shifting his necktie and flattening the lapels on his fraying coat. Then, she clasped her hands behind her back dotingly, twisting back and forth a few times as she watched in silence. Wilford, the taller doll between the two, cleared his throat and offered something of a nervous smile. It was not quite a reaction enough for the woman, who reached her lightly-clinking hands for Wilford's own, taking them in her hand lightly. "It's okay to be a little frightened."

"I'm not frightened, Maddie," he insisted, leaning forward a little bit.

The woman pursed her lips playfully. "Yes you are. You get this same bit of stiffness and little look on your face just about every time they decide to put on one of your numbers. See? I know you better than you know yourself, truly." Maddie--Madeline, in truth--pulled a hand away, reaching up to give the taller doll a light tap on the nose. "But--you'll be okay, just so long as you're careful. Stay away from the Mites, keep clean--" she gave the man a pointed look, as if that referred to a little more than the words themselves let on, "--and don't be afraid to seek help." A pause. "...Or come home, if you would rather." And, indeed, in that moment, it became quite clear that she was just as afraid as he, if not moreso. Yet, all things considered, what spouse wouldn't be?

"No-no-no! No!" he replied, leaning forward further as he clasped her hands a little more firmly in his own, "I already promised you, I'm going to come home with that tale, something finally, finally worthy of your dancing, remember?" he forced a smile, briefly flicking his eyes up to the other doll within the circle, as if offering her a light apology over this brief, somewhat rude scene between himself and his companion. Madeline turned lightly, following his gaze before pulling herself away for a moment, briefly pulling at her dress and fixing her hair.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry--"

"--We're both sorry."

"You must be one of Wilford's, erm, new companions, then?"

 

[Spottedmask]

Name:
Eli
Location:
Underneath the Great Chute
Mood:
Grouchy/Annoyed
Mentions:
simj26 _Line 213

Before anything more could be said a sound of porcelain sticking into wood repeatedly drawing closer. From around a corner of an alleyway close to the chute a figure steps out using a porcelain walking stick that looks used and sharp walks towards the slowly forming group. "27, 28, 29" The Doll say's each number as he takes a step not looking at anything in particular just starring ahead of him. "It's to bloody loud here to know where I am going. I already regret coming into the city." The almost 8 inch doll, small as he is, slightly hunched over making it seem closer to 7 inches says coming to a stand still and looking in the middle of the group. "About three already here? I can't tell very easily... How many will come on this journey and more importantly when can we leave this obnoxiously loud place?" The ruff voice say's not very loud but loud enough while still looking at no one as if the question wasn't directed at anyone in particular.​

 

[Life.]

Delaphine
Ever since the day that Delphi received the letter with the emblem of the Scholars and a personal note from the renowned Professor James himself she couldn't help but vibrate in excitement. She currently clutched onto the familiar grooves of her bamboo crochet hook to calm herself as she made her way over to the Great Chute. Professor James' offer and flattery were powerful enough to convince Delaphine to accept the offer considering her work has been slow lately. Her eyes wandered down the area of the Great Chute. It was a dull place to say the least. The porcelain doll was never a fan of the place, but she did not fear the area for mites were nuisances to her. She actually had a secret hope to run into one on the way to her designated destination in hopes for some action or a rush of thrill before meeting up with others. That was another part that slightly bothered Delaphine about the travels, she was not given much information on whom she was travelling with. From the title Professor James tried to describe of her position she was somewhat close to an escort. She didn't mind being an escort, although depending on the individuals she will test to see what value they are to her.

The more she thought about the journey, the closer she came upon the Great Chute and soon enough she spotted a small group of dolls conglomerating together under the hollow space. Delaphine placed away her hook behind her and slowly approached the small group. Upon first looks she noticed a colorful looking doll dressed as a nurse, a tallish doll standing intimately close to a doll shorter than him, and a doll without eyes. They were an odd group at first glance, but Delaphine attempted to see how they could be of use for the journey. Certainly the nurse would be of great help, as for the other dolls Delphi couldn't say for sure at the moment.

Curious and somewhat excited Delaphine stepped forward to bring herself into the small circle to introduce herself, "Hello I assume you all received letters from Professor James as well?" Hopefully her assumption was correct since it's not of normal pattern for dolls to simply hang around the Great Chute.

Interacting with: simj26 _Line 213 Spottedmask

 

[simj26]

MinaShe could say, for sure, that she was an expert at waiting.After all, she had waited for nearly a century for one particular doll. Her skills weren't given much time to shine however. The couple were making a lot of noise. It was hard not to have noticed them. Them noticing her, on the other hand, was a different story, and it wasn't until a sense of self-awareness came over them that they pried each other apart. It was…humorous, to say the least. But surely, they weren't going to set off to Alexandria together? She believed in her ability to mend dolls, but she did not believe in love being anything but a liability on the field. It often led to many difficult situations. She didn't like those.

Before she could return the pleasantries, another couple of dolls joined their posse, one a blind plush, and the other a pretty porcelain doll. What a strange gathering, especially since they were gathered at their collective birthplace. Another newborn doll fell behind her, but she did not bother to look. Instead, she kept her attention on the gathered dolls, and bowed, sweeping one arm in front of her, then straightened up. She directed them to her bag, upon which her name was stitched on. That usually sufficed as greetings. Formalities over, she turned and nodded in affirmation of the porcelain doll's assumption.

_Line 213
Spottedmask
Life.

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Ah, my my my. How time flew when one was having fun. Striding casually through the streets of Alexandria, Professor James was well aware of his tardiness, but it was unbecoming of a gentleman to run. His intent had been to be present to greet his new comrades one-by-one, but a couple pints too many of bug brew, and an hour or so too long of a pre-voyage celebration had... Set him back, so to say.

He wasn't feeling guilty about it, though. It wasn't exactly like they were hard up for time, and needless worrying was, well, needless.

In contrast with the general scruffiness of his companions, Professor James' lavishness could be both seen and heard as he approached. A dusty, golden metal embroidered his clothing, shining nobly against the blue of his clothing, and with each step he took, the distinct sound of metal clacking against wood could be heard. A waste of good material, to be sure, but he had never been the sort of man who concerned himself too strongly with matters of practicality.

"Hello, hello! It's good to see you all!" Greeting the lot, his voice was low and hearty. Nothing like the sort of tone one would expect of a man of his sort. "I apologize for my not arriving earlier, though I'm sure being paid to wait is nothing to complain about! Professor James, for those of you who are unaware of me." To those gifted with the sense of sight, he gave a curt bow. "Tis a bit sad to see not all who I'd invited deigned to join us, but alas, that is just the way of things. Now then! You are expecting your payments, I assume?"

"Even you, Miss Mina. Please think of this is a payment for your time, rather than your services, if you must." Flicking open a bag that hung at his side, he began to count and dole out Signatures as appropriate. "Now, I am aware that my message stated that we'd set off tomorrow, but some... Hm. Complications, have arisen in my schedule, so if it is of no detriment to the lot of you, I would like to set off post-haste." He gave a brief nod to Madeline. "Sorry to steal away your lover a little earlier than expected."

"I've my eye on a certain Scholarly haunt for our first stop. I believe it's usually referred to as 'Section Round', by its regulars. You may be familiar, Miss Delaphine? A colleague of mine should have left us something good there, if luck permits."

simj26
_Line 213
Life.
Spottedmask

 

[_Line 213]

Wilford Winds
The Great Chute
Interacting with: simj26 , Life. , Spottedmask , The One Eyed Bandit
​

The two waited for quite some time, yet the other doll did not reply. Wilford opened his mouth to speak, seemingly a little concerned, though before he could ask if everything was alright, a variety of other travelers showed up, seemingly there for the same meeting as they.

"...Oh, well I suppose there's no worry about being all alone at this point," he said, though before he--and indeed, most of the others--could offer any sort of introduction whatsoever, their host, as it were, stepped into the bright spot of light situated beneath the chute.

Given the way that the letter itself read, Wilford had expected something of an odd fellow, but Professor James as he appeared before them was not quite what he had in mind. Briefly, the musician glanced to his wife, as if looking for her wordless opinion on the matter. She, on the other hand, didn't seem particularly bothered, and upon further inspection, Wilford found that he could actually see why; something about the professor's presentation reminded him of some of the showier employees of the music hall; their barker especially, a small yet loud fellow named Mister Marks, came to mind in particular.

Despite his slight distraction, the professor's change of plans managed to pull Wilford right out of his thoughts. "Post haste? Right now?" Wilford's eyes went a little wide, and he looked behind him for a moment, as if expecting something that he knew wouldn't be there anyway. "My baggage!" he exclaimed quietly, his brief spike of stress causing him to circle in place slightly as his wife hushed him a little.

"Dear, dear, hold on, hold on," she advised, looking toward the expedition's odd leader. "If I may," Madeline said, her wifely intuition serving where Wilford's nerves-impaired husband-thoughts could not, "exactly where is this place that you speak of, this 'Section Round,' of sorts?" Momentarily, she glanced up to her husband, tugging on his arm lightly as if to both get his attention as well as try and ground him in reality, "is it in town? Could Wilford pick up his things on the way? Indeed, that seems to be the sort of thing that everyone would have to do, unless everyone else is already prepared...Oh, that would be a little embarrassing, wouldn't it." Despite her attempts to hold her husband together, touches of disappointment laced her voice; despite her attempts to be cheery and supportive, it would be a lie to say that she didn't have the greatest hopes for the journey as a whole. The very thought of leaving Alexandria was enough to cause a great many dolls to lose their stuffing, and the idea of doing such a thing as a mere musician was a difficult one to stomach.

"We, ah, we live near Everscrawl Square, if that helps," Wilford eventually chimed in, finally having arranged his wits well enough to offer a bit of his own input. His earlier panic had been reduced to something of a light fidget, his hands squirming as he continued to work away his mounting apprehension.

 

[Life.]

Delaphine
At first it appeared as though Delaphine was going to have to pull some threads to get some answers when there was silence meeting her question, but then her eyes looked over to the motion of the nurse plushie. Her head tilted to the side a bit as she watched her showcasing her bag to Delaphine and the other dolls. She wasn't quite sure why she was doing that until she noticed the stitching on the outside to show a name which the porcelain doll concluded was the name for the nurse plush. Delaphine knew that the nurse named Mina must have a reason on why she gestured to her bag rather than verbalize her answer, but before she could ask her question a regal voice sounded close by.

On the turn of her shoes Delaphine spotted the shine and heard the clink of metal, a source so scarce that it was not too difficult to realize who was approaching them. "Professor James." Delaphine was shaking in her shoes and her eyes were shining brighter than ever. Even though Professor James was not a Scholar and/ or Translator at the top of her idols list he was still a Translator to meet. She took a few steps back to allow herself a proper view of the doll as he approached. He was lavish and emitted a confident, perhaps almost arrogant, air around him. The manner in which he held himself certainly showed his status and pride. Delaphine felt a mixture of admiration and jealousy. She wanted to stand like him yet at the same time not so since she was mostly content with what she has accomplished.

Her thoughts drifted away once she heard her name spoken from Professor James. Fortunately her ears captured the previous words he spoke concerning about the earlier approach to the beginning of their journey. "Section Round? Yes! I am quite familiar with the vintage outpost." It was one of the bigger outposts that she had ever been to so she was excited to go back to it once again. Truly she was ready to begin the journey although it sounded as though one of the other dolls chosen to partake in the trek was not. Delaphine looked over to the pair of dolls and raised an eyebrow as she heard his significant other speak for him. This was a clear sign that he was not one who has traveled far or on a quest of sorts since he was not prepared. Even though the invitation may have set the date for tomorrow, as an adventurer Delaphine was well aware of its tentativeness on change.

"Fortunately Section Round is not too far off from Everscrawl Square," Delaphine answered.

The One Eyed Bandit
simj26
_Line 213
Spottedmask

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

"Oh, no worry." A lucky man Wilford was, it seemed. He'd never understood himself the appeal of this marriage trend that Dolls were engaging in nowadays, but he had to admit, seeing Madeline worry about him so did warm his heart a little. If only has workmates could be as compassionate as she.

But, ah, it wasn't time for such pining.

"It sounds as if we'll be passing through the area regardless. I assume you'll be accompanying us? Maybe you could tell us a few stories about your... Spouse? Is that the term? Before we go. Regardless!" A loud clinking of metal rang out to punctuate his voice, and his movements, as he clapped his hands together and set off towards Everscrawl Square. "We'd best be off! Times a'wasting! Would you care to take the lead, Miss Delaphine? I've never had the best sense of direction." He still got embarrassed when he thought of how often he'd gotten himself lost in his youth. Even now, the streets of Alexandria did his head in every now and again, let alone the world outside of it. Amongst other things, it was one of the reasons why he'd taken up as a Translator rather than a Scholar.

Not that he was complaining. Adventuring was all well and good, but nowadays, he was comfortable enough from his contributions to society from the safety of his office. Still! Every now and again his youthful spirit burned! And he'd no choice but to set out from his safety net.

Life.
simj26
_Line 213
Spottedmask

 

[_Line 213]

Wilford Winds
The Great Chute
Interacting with: simj26 , Life. , Spottedmask , The One Eyed Bandit
​

Madeline beamed lightly at the reassurance of the others, looking brightly to Wilford as he let out a long, relieved sigh. There was still, of course, the issues of the others--assuming that they were indeed in need of anything--but the musician's case, at the very least, had been rather easily handled. Lightly adjusting his hat, the man glanced down at the doll by his side, offering her a smile equal parts thankful and apologetic. His easily-triggered lapses into slight panic was something she was used to (and, seemingly, used to solving as well). Even so, the question of whether or not he would be able to handle such things on his own, or at least with the assistance of the strange dolls around him, had yet to be answered.

"Well...well I suppose that's all well and good then, isn't it," Wilford offered, following a quiet nod of encouragement from his wife. Indeed, it was something of an odd working dynamic, what with their attachment to a custom many would consider unnecessary, yet for one reason or another, the momentary relief that each offered to the other seemed like more than enough to keep the two dolls going. "Well Maddie, I suppose you're going to be stuck with me for a few moments more," the music man teased, shuffling into her slightly to offer something of a playful nudge.

"Oh, the utter horror," the dancer returned, pulling herself back only to push in retaliation into her suited husband. The red-headed doll seemed far more excited for the journey ahead, in one odd way or another, than did the side of their pairing actually scheduled to undergo the expedition. "If we're all more or less ready, then, why not head away to this Section Round, and get everyone properly prepared?"

 

[Life.]

Delaphine
Delaphine would have added more to her answer, like perhaps some scolding, but Professor James spoke up which forced the doll to hold her tongue from spitting fire. While her spoke to the pair of dolls, Delaphine's eyes wandered over to the other two dolls close by. The porcelain doll was still curious as to why the nurse plush remained silent and the identity of the doll with no eyes. Her attention was once again stolen by Professor James as she heard her name called out by the Translator. "Me lead? Why yes, it will be my pleasure," it was obvious from her quick shifts in attitude on who she favored at the moment. But the reality of the situation settled into her mind in that she was going to be travelling with these other dolls so at some point she was going to have to get along, or at most tolerate them.

She glanced over to the pair of dolls and listened to the doll named Wilford as he talked dearly to the smaller doll, who she overheard her name as Madeline. A small ounce of respect filled Delaphine's soul as she heard the smaller doll speak. "Hm Madeline was it? You sound like more of a traveler than your significant other here. Maybe you should join us on this journey?" It was an acidic statement for Delaphine to say, but the patience she had for others had dwindled over the years and journeys she had taken.

"Before we start off to Section Rounds I would like to properly introduce myself so that if you have any questions or find yourself lost, you can call out for me. As you may have heard Professor James address me, my name is Delaphine. For all of you at the moment it will be Miss Delaphine," the porcelain doll's eyes looked over each doll as she said this, "I would like to hear your introductions as well, but let us continue this conversation as we make our way to Section Rounds." In one clean motion Delaphine pulled out the crochet hook she had put away to now serve her as a walking stick and to be in her hand's reach if trouble came onto them. "Come this way." Without looking back the porcelain doll took her position as the head of the group.

The One Eyed Bandit
simj26
_Line 213
Spottedmask