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 Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 3:43 pm
With the mask's movement came a chilled gust of air drifting across her back. She felt it through her dress, shivering uncontrollably for a moment.
Clearing her throat and keeping her eyes on those of the mask (or at least the one she could see), she found the courage to speak.
"... Hello...?"
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Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:44 pm
There was no verbal response, and there seemed to be a long moment of nothing. Then, a pressure on Lor's shoulder like that of a hand, both commanding and reassuring. Nothing else happened, but the pressure remained.
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Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:47 pm
Lorelei gasped at first, glancing quickly at her shoulder. Nothing... but the slight imprint of fingers on her shoulder. The sight was fairly disturbing - it was as if a hand was there, but she couldn't see it.
In fact, that's probably exactly what it was.
"Ah. Er..." Lor grabbed for words, not sure what she had been planning on doing. "D-did... did I wake you up?" Stupid question, stupid question!
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Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:51 pm
The hand on Lor's shoulder shook, and there seemed to be laughter carried on the wind from far away. In a more normal response, the hand squeezed once-- the universal sign for yes.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 3:48 am
"Oh... um... I'm sorry...?" Yes, talking to a ghost who couldn't respond wasn't a very good thing.
Instead, she returned to watching the mask in her mirror, actually looking this time instead of staring, unseeing, in horror. In the dim light, the mask's visible eye glowed only barely, unlike the other night in the pitch blackness.
"Ah... is... is there any chance that you could... leave? For good?"
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 5:33 am
Two firm squeezes on Lor's shoulder-- a definite no. Seeming upset by the question, the presence let go of Lor so it could drift wearily to another part of the wagon.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:01 pm
"It's just... that... you've been scaring us. A lot."
She bit her lip, turning the mirror this way and that, searching for his mask.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:14 pm
In the corner of the wagon, a letter opener glittered, catching the light just so. It wobbled on its surface for a moment, then slowly lifted into the air, spinning lazily around. Then, with a deadly accuracy, it fell from its space in the air about 2 feet above the table, straight down, sticking firmly in the table.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:18 pm
Lor jumped, dropping the mirror. Luckily, it didn't break, but it did make a very distinct "thudding" sound. Backing up onto her bed proper, shivering, she said in a rush, "Okay, okay, I get it! You won't leave. And you won't leave us alone, either."
She felt tears pricking her eyes a little - tears of frustration. Here she'd thought that maybe, just maybe, she could get the thing to go away, but...
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 7:12 pm
The presence seemed to stay in its corner, fiddling with various things on the table. Some were still a little dusty, and this seemed to bother the presence. With a light breath, a few dust particles scattered, floating downward in the afternoon light.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:25 am
The combination of tears and terror leant the swirling dust an almost human appearance. Those drifting specks over there looked as if they were hovering about an arm, and those a leg. But when she wiped her eyes, the illusion was gone.
Lorelei got up, shakily, putting the mirror carefully under the bed. Then she moved towards the door. Guess she'd be talking to Val after all. That is, if it lets me leave.
She almost could have laughed at the thought, if it wasn't so frightening.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 2:40 pm
The presence stayed in its corner, eminating a sullen feeling. It was still playing with the objects on the table, but with growing disinterest. It knew these objects well; after all, it had been the one to place them there. It was out of sheer boredom it even remained in that corner now.
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Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 6:56 pm
Entry the Ninth
Vanna is a child! At the wagon ordering ceremony tonight, Valleldia called me forward and asked that I play her mother's ocarina. I tried as best I could, and Vanna sang along with me. Then suddenly, there was a burst of sound and light, and Vanna appeared as a child, a real, human child! Well, not quite human. She looks very... very fey. Her skin is purple, as is her hair, and she possesses a third eye, right in the middle of her forehead! It was unnerving at first, but I love her so dearly, it's become as beautiful as the rest of her. I'll have to ask Voltaire if I can borrow some of Annjette's clothing until I can get the cloth to make new dresses for Vanna... Right now, Vanna's safe and sound with Voltaire and Annjette. I couldn't bring her back to the wagon, not until I know for a fact that it's safe. I haven't yet mentioned what happened when I found that mirror... so perhaps now is a good time to say: I hate that mirror. I hate that mirror! I hate everything it's brought upon me, and Vanna, and... and....! The other day, I tried to tell whatever that ghost is to go away. At first it listened to me, but when I begged it to leave, it threatened me with my letter opener. This is getting so much more serious... Still, it's been rather quiet since then. Maybe it listened. I have to be sure, though. Tonight, after the wagon ordering ceremony, I went to see Oqaia. I asked for help, for an exorcism of sorts. In turn, she gave me a spell to summon help. I'll try that tomorrow morning, when I can keep my eyes open for more than five minutes at a time... Vanna will come home as soon as it's safe. If nothing can be done, however... I may need to somehow find a new wagon. I just don't know...
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Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 7:07 pm
The next morning, Lor woke bright and early after a night of unbroken sleep. She hadn't been disturbed once, save for maybe a fleeting dream or two of a pale, fading man that were quickly forgotten in the morning sun. Stretching, she clambered out of bed. She stood for a moment in the center of the wagon, then glanced at the space under her bed. The mirror was there, she knew, face down. No chance of seeing that mask to unnerve her.
Taking a deep breath, she took the paper Oqaia had given her the night before from her skirt pocket and unfolded it. Simple words, just to summon a helper in a time of need. That was all. Her mind, she supposed, would supply the reason.
"It must be done," she whispered to herself, then cleared her throat and read the words aloud.
They seemed to hang in the air for a moment after she closed her mouth, and then they were gone. She opened the shudders and looked out. Nothing had changed, it seemed. Yet, anyway. "Now, to wait..."
But a gypsy has things to do, and so to did Lorelei. After another minute of tense waiting, she shrugged, shook her head, and began to change her clothing and wash up with the water in her pitcher. They were continuing down the mountain once more today, and she had her place in the caravan line now.
She'd check in with Vanna later, she supposed, at the very least. Lorelei couldn't wait to see that smiling face.
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Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:35 am
We're heading for Tempranillo.
I'm unsure of my own emotions about this... when I heard them talking about it, I was panicked... but Silver suggested I see Val about some sort of cloaking spell. That should do well enough for most of the people who might recognize me, but I wonder... if I run into Shamira's old family...
No, I shouldn't worry myself crazy over that just yet.
Did you know, this is the tenth entry! Ten entries in over half a year - I'm not all that diligent, am I? But most of my life now is simple caring for animals - things not worthy of entries. Hm. Ten entries gone, though...
My 'help' should arrive shortly, with any luck. Then, once the wagon is safe, I can pick up Vanna and bring her home. Voltaire wasn't at the circle today. Maybe Vanna is giving him trouble?
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