001 [Video]

[lostherstrings]

[The video option on the phone seems to have been activated while someone was examining their phone, leading to a rather unsettling view that keeps moving without focusing on anything. A soft, somewhat sing-song female voice can be heard from off the screen.]

What a curious piece of machinery.

[The view finally settles on the woman's face as she finishes her examination. From what can be seen in the background, she appears to be sitting on a bench in the shopping district, and is far calmer than most new arrivals tend to be. Her clothes seem decidedly odd, though.]

Prospero, is it? Though I came here through a fire and not a tempest. A character who's place in the story had ended, a player who's role had come to an end, I had thought to be put aside to be used no longer. Yet here I find myself in another story. But then, a story's start is a happy accident, the end the fate for which it's meant. I wonder what sort of story this will become?

[She lifts the hand that's not holding the phone up to show it to the camera. The back is scratched up a bit, though not bleeding seriously.] I haven't experienced pain before now. It's sharp and jagged, just like the jewel that represents it. What must I do to make this feeling go away? I don't like it.

Comments

[Video]

[ridertothemoon]

It will go away sooner if you cover it with something to keep it from being infected, miss.

[ video ]

[stagecontroller]

A piece can fulfill a propose, but the role surely can go on a bit more. This stage is quite fond of its actors, as you can say. The way you speak, it is correct to assume you were not human before arriving here?

[ This tone is surely familiar for her..... A TONE OF SOMEONE WHO LIKES TO CONTROL THE STAGES. ]

[forgivethemtheirpain]

You hurt yourself?

[lostherstrings]

Ah, yes, accidentally. I didn't expect skin to be quite this fragile. I don't think it's a serious injury, though.

[ video ]

[lostherstrings]

[Yes, the tone is quite familiar to her, and leads her to make certain assumptions about him.]

I don't mind the opportunity to continue on a bit longer. And yes, I was an animated puppet, with a will of my own but lacking a heart and the emotions that come with it, before I awoke here.

May I ask for your name, Storyspinner?

[Video]

[lostherstrings]

I see. Thank you for the advice, kind sir. My name is Edel.

[And she makes a brief curtsy towards him.]

[forgivethemtheirpain]

Get some antiseptic and a bandage or something! Everybody gets hurt here. You were something else before, weren't you?

[lostherstrings]

[She nods.]

One of the shops around here should have that sort of thing, correct? And you're right, I was an animated puppet, able to act of my own accord but lacking a heart or emotions before I came here.

[forgivethemtheirpain]

You didn't have a heart...? Was it taken or broken? *She means this literally.*

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

[Shopping district, you say? Well, there is one (1) knight in a suit and glasses happening by while doing some shopping, because human bodies need to eat and stuff or something.]

...Are you alright?

[ video ]

[selene]

A story..? [ This woman is almost.. a little curious.. so Usagi just blinks a little before she continues. ]

Oh, I don't think this is a story, you know! It's all pretty real as far as I know, just try pinching your cheek!

[lostherstrings]

[That's fine, Edel takes it literally as she shakes her head.]

My creator didn't make one for me when I was built. He didn't want me to care about the fates of those caught up in his stories, you see.

[ video ]

[lostherstrings]

[Usagi should be glad that her mentor as a magical girl didn't speak mostly in riddles and metaphor. ;^)]

Who can say that reality is not also a story, or that a story could not be real?

But even if there is no teller influencing this place, people create the stories of their own lives with their actions day by day, do they not?

[action]

[lostherstrings]

[Edel looks up from the device when she is spoken to. He is certainly handsome, and the marking beneath his eye is rather curious. She lifts her hand to show him her small injury.]

I'm afraid I managed to scratch myself by accident. I don't think it's serious, but others have suggested I put antiseptic on it and cover it with a bandage. Do you know which of these shops would carry such things?

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

Yes, there's one right over th--oh, actually I think I might have some with me.

[Since, y'know. He goes through bandages like they're going out of style. Diarmuid paused, looking through the bag he was carrying before coming up with a first aid kit.]

[action]

[lostherstrings]

[Probably a good thing, since Edel was overlooking the fact that she doesn't have any money. Seeing that he found what he was looking for, she extends her injured hand to him for him to treat.]

Thank you for your kindness, sir. I am Edel. May I ask for your name?

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Edel.

[He didn't hesitate or say a word about having to treat her hand, setting his things down and starting to do so immediately.]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Have you only recently arrived here?

[ video ]

[stagecontroller]

A puppet with a will but not a heart, how interesting.

[ He chuckles politely. ]

Of course, I am William Shakespeare, the playwright. May I ask for yours, lady?

[Video]

[ridertothemoon]

Astolfo. I'm glad to be of service.

[He bows.]

[ video ]

[lostherstrings]

I am Edel.

[She curtsies to him, and her tone of voice is a bit reverent as she speaks next.]

It is a honor to meet you, England's great playwright.

[Video]

[lostherstrings]

Astolfo is a storied name. Given those I have met so far, I wouldn't be surprised if you were Orlando's cousin.

[Video]

[ridertothemoon]

Indeed I am! I'm surprised that someone knows me now.

[action]

[lostherstrings]

[She patiently lets him tend to the scrape, wincing slightly when the antiseptic makes the pain flare momentarily.]

Yes, I've been here a few hours at most.

[She cocks her head to one side as she regards him a little more closely. The name he gave is quite well known to her, after all.]

You are Diarmuid of the love spot, then? Lover of Gráinne, Fion mac Cumhail's intended bride?

[action]

[croibhristeoir]

Ah...yes, that's correct.

[It was obvious he wasn't completely unknown in this age, but Diarmuid had learned his legend was obscure enough for the name not to draw very many second looks. Hardly any compared to Cu Chulainn or Arturia, really. So it was usually a slight surprise when someone recognized it here.]

[But he only paused for a moment, returning to what he was doing once the initial surprise had passed.]

Please, you can just call me Diarmuid.

[Video]

[lostherstrings]

I know all the legends and stories, even those that have passed into obscurity by this time.