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 Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:30 am
An Unexpected Lady
A roleplay between Dr. Amory Kempe, Wickwright Finch, his Plague, Hopkin, the stunted messenger, Rene, and Miss Lettie (formerly attached to Dorian Arelgren). A professional call is interrupted by old and welcome acquaintances. The time is midday, and the place is Dr. Kempe's office in Trisica.
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:06 am
Justice and order must be upheld!
This was Rene's credence. The large lavender stunted strode through the halls, though by a rather more roundabout means than humans, in case of being stepped on. He was one of the patriarchs of Plague Parliament in the Council, and well respected in his community. At his command was an elite team of lavender stunteds of his ilk, behind him was the full support of the Counselor to Dean Kirkaldy. Never in his life had he been so important! Not two weeks hence, Dr. Amory Kempe had been just the founder of Psychology and an overworked, little-respected Philosophy professor on the side. Now that he was something, so was Rene, and Rene quite basked in his good fortune.
There was something missing, however, and as his eyes swept the halls, he let out an annoyed click. All men! Human men, stunted men, and barely a woman in sight, let alone one who could be qualified as a fair maiden. How was he supposed to be truly noble in his actions without a suitable amount of fair maidens to defend and woo? All his lessons in chivalry had defined such endeavours as the height of worldly good, but the Council was swarming with males. If there was just one true lady to assist-
Rene paused. It appeared his good fortune had prevailed yet again, for he espied nothing less than a fair lady at that very moment! Quite fair, surely noble for her elegant raiment, except for, he grimaced at the sight, a quite grubby scrap of leather, which she appeared to have draped about her like a shawl. This, however, only furthered the idea that had seized his mind that she must be in peril, and so he quickly and gracefully leapt to her aid, stopping right in front of the damsel with a deep bow.
"Good day, Miss! I do not believe we have met. My name is Rene, and I am the leader of the Counselor's Stunted League here in the Council of Sciences. Perhaps I may assist you? Are you possessed of peril for me to prevail over?" He looked up and flashed her his most charming smile. He knew it was his most charming smile. He had practiced it for many hours in a mirror.
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:50 pm
Lettie shivered to her toes. The atmosphere was partially responsible for the sudden chill--loneliness took its toll from the Hot Cocoa girl accordingly. She was a wanderer, an incognito, and often mistaken as a tree nymph when she sang in her roadside abodes. There was no particular direction the Locos was journeying towards, she was a poor adventurer and could never hope to be a sufficient one, at least, not without her Grimm companion. Depending on Dorian's whims were almost habitual, nothing contemporary nor revolutionary for a Plague of her stature. Ironically, while he made her the center of his attention, she'd always felt like she was merely an accompaniment to his society, a niche she felt was reasonable for her to belong and therefore the correct one. She, like many of her Plague companions, only knew as much as their Grimms could reveal; Dorian revealed very little, not because he was asinine, but because he was fed riddles and proverbs. It had nothing to do with his comprehension. The Plague had always had the utmost confidence in her Grimm's intelligence.
She did, however, doubt her own. Lettie never expected herself to make it far enough to Trisica on her own two feet. Without Dorian's good shoulder, her leather shoes began to show signs of wear and her dress began to stain. The declining of her quality of life was nothing Lettie ever thought would be possible, no matter how far Dorian was from her. She'd always managed to appear ladylike and lovely. She found herself hiding in the comforts of dirt and bark whenever carriages came her way. They carried the shadows of luxury, and paranoia conquered her common sense. Every female passenger was assumed to be a lady of the upper class and every male passenger shared a silhouette with Dorian Arelgren.
Like a guilty pick-pocketer, Lettie found herself ducking whenever someone called in her direction. Fortunately, she'd never been directly addressed, for despite that she was quite large for a Plague, she was still a dwarf in comparison to the giants and Grimms. She smiled often at the thought of this, it was an advantage and a blessing to be small in physique, though a curse on behalf of her lackluster courage.
However, Lettie was also civil, she seldom spoke unless spoken to and she was never spoken to, that was, until:"Good day, Miss! I do not believe we have met. My name is Rene, and I am the leader of the Counselor's Stunted League here in the Council of Sciences. Perhaps I may assist you? Are you possessed of peril for me to prevail over?"
Startled, Lettie turned a heel and almost blatantly knocked over a concerned he-Plague smiling in a princely fashion. He seemed serious; his tone revealed no signs of ill mockery. Troubled, Lettie blushed a good moment or so before she found the eloquence to answer.
She lifted the hems of her dress as gracefully as she could and granted the gentleman-Plague a curtsy of the Arelgren fashion with a good whirl and a smile of her own.
"N-no I don't believe we have met before, but it is a joy to meet you," she chimed as politely as she could, her voice less curt and more bell-like. She took some time (again) to think about his second question before answering adequately: "I do hope that peril has not declared me victim. I am not worried for it. Sh-should I be?"
The Hot Cocoa fidgeted from where she stood, suddenly realizing that she was being asked a question, the first time in weeks. She calmed herself by pinching her cheeks, a poor habit that developed only recently.
"I have never visited Trisica before. It is a great distance from my Shyregoed home and I have not met anyone of familiar acquaintance recently."
She reddened once more, this time, not from her own cheek-pinching. She forgot that she'd met Hopkin and Chayele briefly, and instantly, she felt guilty.
"O-oh but you needn't worry about me, good Plague! I'm a capable ladyplague and I have had no animal assault. There was a bee before, but I took its fancy as a compliment to my rosy cheeks and not as a sign of hostility!"
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Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:16 am
Despite the princely lavender Plague's polite profusions, he had as little experience with lady stunteds as Lettie had with Trisica- One had once visited with another faction on official business, and he had spent days mooning over her, but nothing had come of the matter at all. Now that there was a lady Plague right here in front of him and furthermore alone, and furthermore far away from home, he found his determination to somehow assist her in a gentlemanly manner turn to steel. Here was a damsel quite alone and defenceless, and still so brave in the face of her predicament! This was the moment he had been waiting for all his life, or at least all his life since the last time he had met a lady.
"Of course a bee would never sting you at Trisica, for if the bees here stung such a one as you, they would feel the cold taste of my steel!" Rene proclaimed proudly, having been given a Sword of Office by Dr. Kempe, a sword which, furthermore, looked very suspiciously like a needle from Dr. Kempe's landlady's sewing basket. "Truly, you have come all the way from Shyregoad and never been to Trisica before? I shall announce you properly at once. Ladies should enjoy the proper refinements of society when they go abroad, not force themselves to endure such miserable isolation!" He flourished his hand around the busy hallway, then realized that the volume of people was not best suited for representing said isolation, so paused, and added, "...Miserable isolation from pleasant society!" For it was true that though he lived amongst scholars and took for his dearest friend a scholar of the stuffiest sort, he found the professorial life to be dreadful dull. Rene was a learned Plague, but only learned that which amused him, and had no inclination to teach what he knew in a lecture room every day from dawn till dusk. If he was not interested, a lady certainly would not be. Everyone knew ladies loved refined parties and the like, and there were very few such things to be had in this hallway. Thus, he bowed to her once more and held out a hand. "If you will, my lady, please accompany me to the office of my master, Doctor Amory Kempe, Counselor of the Council of Sciences, and he will give you our pleasantest official welcome."
Within that office, down several sun-soaked corridors, there was a different sort of confrontation taking place, and a familiar face to fair Lettie was privy to it. Wickwright Finch paced the tiny, cluttered office, where Dr. Kempe was peering at a hand-sized bronze boy, who stared back with an eyeless face, quite impassive. "An excellent sort of Phasmas, aren't you?" Dr. Kempe exclaimed with an almost childish glee. "My word, I've never seen an excito quite so large."
Hopkin, quite overwhelmed by the whole turn of affairs, tilted his head, and offered, "Oh."
Dr. Kempe laughed and clapped his hands together, rubbing them vigorously. "Now, where to start, Mr. Finch?"
"Hopkin," Hopkin corrected.
"Hopkin," Amory amended. "Let's start with your relationship with your Grimm."
Wickwright opened his mouth at this, but found a hand suddenly waved at him in admonition. Feathers ruffled, he sank heavily onto the couch in the room, and watched the proceedings with all the anxious care of a cat on a beam. It was one thing for him to talk of Hopkin to others, it was quite another for a man to up and interfere with his Plague. He was regretting volunteering Hopkin for the task, because though it was not dangerous, the thought of someone else trying to analyze his book and figure out what made it tick was quite infuriating. Hopkin was not finished and was, Wickwright found, quite personal. A small but insistent part of him was telling him to cut and run and make Dr. Kempe mind his own damn business. Everyone knew that you couldn't trust scientists! Sure, they were Imisus boys, most of them, and good enough, but when push came to shove, they were all as crooked as corkscrews. Sure enough, this one studied how people thought. FInches had been doing that for ages, it wasn't a science, it was a survival skill, just like learning how to kick someone in the groin when they lifted you up and how to make a fire wihtout burning down a forest.Some whispered that they were even atheists. He scowled as Dr. Kempe pulled out a large notebook, and rotated his focus to Hopkin once more. Hopkin was his, not the property of this short, squat man.
"Tell me about Mr. Finch, then, Hopkin," stated Amory simply, quite oblivious to Wickwright's internal monologue..
Wickwright was particularly displeased.
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:34 pm
Lettie smiled at the lavender Plague's reassurance, charmed that he was gentlemanly at all. She had not come across a proper gentleman in some amount of time, and it was refreshing to see chivalry being practiced in proximity. The ladyplague, however, realized that she was thinking foolishly again; she scolded herself inwardly for relying and expecting on the code of chivalry when it should have become prominent to her that chivalry was not a constant friend and was something that resembled more of a trickster, a warlock. Tensing, the Hot Cocoa girl's dotted mouth thinned into a straight line and her posture became more rigid and firm. The lavender plague, while seemingly considerate, was ultimately a stranger to her. She could not be too quick to trust. Plagues were easily taken away, sometimes with the aid of other Plagues. The spectacle during the dark theater was evidence enough to her, and she shivered at the thought of Rhine's Plague subjects whom seemed cold and unkind. She didn't like thinking of them.
She didn't quite have many choices as she'd like to. The absence of her Grimm made many things inaccessible to her, transportation being only the most menial of the losses. Lettie Arelgren would gamble. She was avid it at it by this point in her journey, though not necessarily enthusiastic for it. Nevertheless, the Locos girl pressed her hands to her chest in a gesture of exasperation and gratitude.
"It's true that I have come a far way from my Shyregoad home, but I hope that you may forgive me, Sir Lavender. I am a stranger to Trisica and a follower of doubt," Lettie admitted sincerely, the blush fading away from her glowing, white face. "You do, however, speak of scholars. Plagues are easy to fool since we are treated like foreigners in our own land, if Panymium is also assumed as ours to share. You don't seem like a knavish fellow. I will follow you, Rene, knight of lavenders. I too, have scholarly friends and share a lovely liking of Hopkin--"
Lettie quickly covered her mouth as soon as the words left her mouth.
"--Scholars! Sh-share a lovely liking of scholars, I mean," she stammered without blushing. "M-my name is Lettie Arelgren; lead the way to your scholar."
She did horribly miss the Illuminated Book boy. Hopkin always knew what to say, and time and time again, Lettie Arelgren didn't.
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:21 pm
Rene narrowed his lavender eyes at the cocoa stunted, as the name she had blurted out in her haste sounded familiar to him. The purple Plague might have been gentlemanly, but he had a keen mind for gossip, and soon lighted on the owner of the name that he was thinking of. But gentlemen did not call ladies out on their mistakes, so he swept ahead of her instead, allowing her to be surprised if indeed they were thinking of the same Hopkin. Still, though, he did not see how a lady could have a lovely liking of such a plain Plague! If she was promised to the dull book he had met formally this morning, he would be most horribly irritated. There were few enough ladies to go around without such a plodding Plague hogging one so delicate! He harrumphed quietly and adjusted his foppish cravat as he cavorted through the halls to Dr. Kempe's office. He took a roundabout way, as the hallways was indeed crowded with busy feet and careless men, and Plagues had secret, small pathways within the Council, and ways into rooms that did not require human doors. However, he was conscious of proper etiquette when introducing a guest, and placed Lettie safely outside the official portal to the required room, requesting that "If it please Ms. Lettie Arelgren, I request that you stay here as I announce you." That completed, he squeezed himself through a crack in an alcove, and emerged within Amory's office, secreted away in the bookshelf as the Book Plague that might know his newfound lady stammered within. He cut through the feeble babblings, stepping out from behind a large book of Ecaran philosophy and crisply proclaiming, "From Shyregoad, a Miss Lettie Arelgren to see the esteemed Dr. Amory Kempe!"
The way that Hopkin fell immediately silent and stared at the door, suggested that he did indeed know the lady Plague, and was more than middling fond of her, and quietly, Rene cursed unfriendly gods. All he asked for was one unspoken for lady! His morals were too rigid to woo a lady already claimed from even this plain dullard, though he was sure he could do so quite easily. Misfortune aside, Rene was above all a Plague possessed of a short attention span for the unpleasant, and he forgot his grief as soon as Amory opened the door, looking left and right before glancing back at his stunted suspiciously. Rene wondered what was amiss until he realized, and amended, "Miss Lettie Arelgren, Plague," earning him an exasperated eye roll from his master, who looked downward now for his guest.
He had no more been able to spot her than Hopkin leapt from where he was, fumbling very precariously to get to the floor and exclaiming, "Lettie!" with great urgency and sincerity. At the commotion, and secretly glad for the distraction, Wickwright craned to see as well, but was discomfited by the memory of Arelgren asking him to take care of this very Plague- one that he did not think he would run into and thus have to bother with. How the deuce did she get all the way to Gadu with no Grimm?? It was as if Hopkin had a magnet for attracting the damn girl stowed about his person. If he did, he certainly acted surprised to see her regardless, and though it was better than him spilling his heart to a scientist, he chattered away to the cocoa Plague like he had never heard of moderation in his life. "I was terribly afraid that after the meeting we would be parted for a cruel long time, and thus I could not hear what had become of you! Dorian Arelgren told us many things which deeply unsettled me, and when I saw you at the meeting, I was glad at first, but then most viciously alarmed when that false, lying excito showed herself and led Chayele astray. I was grateful that you stayed by me, but that I could not pull you to me in the resulting chaos was upsetting, as we have been tasked by Dorian Arelgren to keep you safe, and put your feet on the right path, whatever that may be. I know not what paths women may put their feet on- I only know of the path of bone, and that is strictly for men and male Plagues like myself."
Amory Kempe listened to this whole outburst with pique, and intervened at length, bending down and stretching one finger to the Servos girl in greeting. "I'm sure that Rene has already made you more than welcome," he began, "But allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm Dr. Amory Kempe, Counselor of Sciences, and psychologist. How do you do, Miss Arelgren?"
"Lettie is just Lettie," insisted Hopkin, "Or at least I think she is. I am terribly confused as to who Lettie is at present, only sure that she is my friend."
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 5:22 pm
"If it please Ms. Lettie Arelgren, I request that you stay here as I announce you."
Lettie hugged her sides which usually helped with calming her spirits. It wasn't that she disliked having company, she was relieved to have it on the contrary, she was just unsure of how to proceed in answering even the simplest question after living in isolation for weeks. She felt alien to the social situation that was forced upon her (as well as all social circumstances, frankly), and followed the male stunted through the alcove crack, eyes widening once she saw what was on the other side. She yelped when the shadow of a large book fell upon her, though shut her mouth abruptly when Rene made their arrival clear. He had a very nice voice, a blossoming voice that grew on someone as they were exposed to it more and more, and Lettie figured he probably thought so himself. She smiled at that.
"From Shyregoad, a Miss Lettie Arelgren to see the esteemed Dr. Amory Kempe!" he proclaimed loudly, and Lettie was thankful that she did not blush. Instead, she gave a very Arelgren curtsy that consisted of several elaborate whirls and dips; one would expect a fanfare at the curtsy's finale, but Dorian was not present to give one to her. She huffed after her curtsy had ended, feeling proud of herself for remembering the footing in addition to the Arelgren house motto. There were many things about Dorian that she'd begun to forget at a surprising rate, but it was important things like those that made her feel as if she'd never truly forgotten anything at all. Looking up, her smile thinned into a line of dots.
Hopkin's expression was identical to her own. But it was Hopkin. Hopkin whom Lettie had escaped the macabre theater while being hand-in-hand with Chayele. Her following gesture indicated that she indeed knew the Book boy, as she instinctively touched the leather piece that Hopkin had given to her as a gift. It had been used as a blanket in her travels, and often a sack for collecting nuts and other bits of food to feed the birds that kept her company (sometimes, or they stole from her). Her attention span was more loyal than Hopkin's, but it was not of the matter. She wanted to rush forwards and hug him in the familiar way that a sister would a brother, but her feet became rooted to the ground and her limbs inanimate. Neither of them moved towards each other, but it seemed to Lettie, at least, that both of them wanted to. Hopkin was her only friend sans Chayele. Dorian had said so.
"Miss Lettie Arelgren, Plague," Rene said in exasperation, yet who could blame any of them?
When Hopkin cried her name, Lettie took a step back, as if proceeding forwards would create literal cracks in the path that led from her to he. She had already shattered her bridge to Dorian, and the paranoia that she could disappoint Hopkin was something that suddenly dawned her and never occurred to her before. She saw that Wickwright was also present, and she felt ashamed that she never kept her end of the promise to the Finches, that Dorian was in her care and her in his. The Ladyplague searched Wickwright's knowledgeable features for an answer, for anything, for it was hard to look at Hopkin despite that his bandaged head was something that used to be so familiar and comforting. Hopkin, however, was the first to finally speak--something that Lettie was also gladly used to. She was never one to speak first. Dorian hated that. She hated that too.
"I was terribly afraid that after the meeting we would be parted for a cruel long time, and thus I could not hear what had become of you! Dorian Arelgren told us many things which deeply unsettled me, and when I saw you at the meeting, I was glad at first, but then most viciously alarmed when that false, lying excito showed herself and led Chayele astray. I was grateful that you stayed by me, but that I could not pull you to me in the resulting chaos was upsetting, as we have been tasked by Dorian Arelgren to keep you safe, and put your feet on the right path, whatever that may be. I know not what paths women may put their feet on- I only know of the path of bone, and that is strictly for men and male Plagues like myself."
Hopkin's gratitude towards the Hot Cocoa maid was appreciated as it was taken with pride. Lettie gave hesitant nods, her voice numbed and mute. She missed him too; she was certain that Chayele felt the same way. The three of them used to play together, though she doubted that Hopkin would call any of their activity "playing"--Hopkin was much too clever for that. If Hopkin and Wickwright weren't clever, Dorian wouldn't have entrusted them to care for her in his stead, and the knowledge of that very truth made the Ladyplague feel ashamed and undeserving of his long-distance concern. She'd thought that he abandoned her left for dead, for his stone was as firm as it was malignant. She tried imagining him asking Hopkin and Wickwright; she imagined him to have his palms pressed together and his head dipped in a humble bow. She wondered how he phrased the favor, how he found the eloquence to ask something so difficult and burdensome.
Lettie did what a Ladyplague would never do or seen doing. Lettie began to cry, her hiccups harmonizing with Hopkin's chatter, her hands scrambling to cover the wet marks on her face. Darn Hopkin's talk about paths and genders, for none of it was as relevant as seeing him again, though she did not cry because he was present, but because of what he said regarding her Grimm. Lettie Arelgren was not renowned for being overtly dramatic, for such recognition was reserved for her Grimm. Yet, she felt very much like herself when she dried her face with a ribboned sleeve before rushing forwards to giving Hopkin the well-deserved hug a good friend would give another. She quickly retreated once the stranger, the man she did not know, announced himself.
"I'm sure that Rene has already made you more than welcome," he began, "But allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm Dr. Amory Kempe, Counselor of Sciences, and psychologist. How do you do, Miss Arelgren?"
"Lettie is just Lettie," Hopkin insisted, "Or at least I think she is. I am terribly confused as to who Lettie is at present, only sure that she is my friend."
Lettie found the courage to smile and to speak. Her bell-ish voice tolled once more.
"Yes. I am Hopkin's friend at the present as I have always been. Hello Mr. Finch and Mr. Finch, and I am doing wonderfully, Mr.Kempe. I did not expect to meet any of you in this circumstance, but I do not wish to be a burden! I-I am an Arelgren Ladyplague, for Dorian Arelgren still seems to care for me, despite that I was very cruel to him." she studied Amory Kempe and decided that she very much liked his face in the same way that she liked Wickwright's and Ezekiel North's. "But I have never met a Counselor of the Sciences before, but Mr.Arelgren did once introduce himself to a psychologist, who was a very ugly lady. B-but you are not an ugly lady, Mr. Kempe, you are a striking man! A...a handsome man! You have very wonderful cheekbones!" Lettie exclaimed, hoping that she was convincing her new acquaintance. She sounded like Dorian when he mocked the women that courted him (which was comical to both of them in terms of social commentary). She screamed at herself internally for having mentioned the ugly Mrs. Levingston and was truly quite surprised at herself for even remembering the hag. "I...I'm Lettie!"
It sounded better in her head.
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Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 9:39 pm
"Oh no," Hopkin exclaimed with alarm, breaking off in his diatribe as Lettie began to cry. "I've broken you!"
He looked over at Wickwright helplessly as Dr. Kempe repressed the strong urge to laugh.Scrunching up his face into something more serious, he leaned down and remarked, "Why, I have created the field of psychology, Miss Lettie, and I believe I must know every practicing psychologist in Panymium, so if one of my rowdy students or competitors has been horrid to you, just tell me- I'll have you a handwritten apology by morning." He flashed her a wide smile, and added, "But flattery works too, for Panyma's sake! A handsome man! More often than not, people compare me to a potato." Indeed, the short, squat Dr. Kempe was overwhelmingly brown and overwhelmingly plain. Wickwright's uncomfortable cough in the background suggested that he had made the potato connection long before Dr. Kempe had told Lettie.
"Please though, call me Amory. I was just talking to your friend Hopkin about his life for my research, and you've interrupted but-" A sudden realization dawned on him as Hopkin's chatter caught up with his brain. "You were at the meeting?" he asked carefully. He had originally assumed that Lettie was a stunted, as she had come unaccompanied. "Lettie, where is your Grimm?" With this, he shot a sharp look at Rene, who drew himself up to his full not-impressive height, affronted that his employer would think that he would spirit a Plague away from their rightful owner.
"I found Miss Lettie Arelgren quite alone in the Council hallways," Rene pronounced, waving aside Hopkin, who had corrected him with a 'Just Lettie'. "Had she a Grimm present, they, too, would have been directed to your office at once, if that was their will."
Wickwright interjected at this point. "Lettie is currently separated from her Grimm, Dorian Arelgren, although both were present at the meeting earlier this week." He nodded at Lettie, adding, "I was told that, were I to find her, I should look after her, and," he continued a tad reluctantly, "Bone be blessed, our paths have crossed yet again."
If anything, Amory Kempe looked uncharacteristically excited by the tidings that could only be foul news for a creature so small and delicate as Lettie. "But this is amazing! Quite unheard of! And you are from Shyregoad? How on Earth did you find your way to the Council when you're accustomed to life with a Grimm? How do you feel about the separation? Is there," He paused, trying to find the words, "A special bond you feel between the two of you, perhaps?" Wickwright relaxed as he spoke. Perhaps meeting Lettie was fortuitous after all. Dr. Kempe appreared to have quite forgotten Hopkin in light of Lettie's unusual predicament, and with any luck, Wickwright could worm out of his agreement to let Hopkin be analyzed at all. It made him damnably uncomfortable, and Kempe asked far too many questions for his liking.
With Amory's barrage of questions came a genteel cough from Rene, and the polite reminder that ladies were to be treated more delicately. Amory coughed with some considerable embarrassment. "Please forgive me," he stated to Lettie. "Sometimes I get carried away by the sheer spirit of inquiry. I haven't even asked if you'd like to be questioned!" He laughed nervously, and Hopkin looked up at him with some perplexity, having been unable to discern any joke. "Perhaps you should sit somewhere more comfortable," Amory offered graciously. "May I lift you onto the arm of my sofa?"
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 11:28 pm
"Oh no," Hopkin exclaimed with alarm, breaking off in his diatribe as Lettie began to cry. "I've broken you!"
"Yes! You've broken me!" Lettie giggled, though she knew she probably shouldn't have. Hopkin would most likely take her seriously instead of understanding that she was teasing,
Lettie grinned foolishly in response to Hopkin's cry of alarm, hoping that her expression alone would be reassuring to her good friend. She casually wrapped an arm around the Illuminated Book plague in an Arelgren-like manner. Dr.Kempe's face indicated that he was repressing laughter, and Lettie, encouraged by this, giggled aloud. Poor Hopkin must have thought she was mad, but he could think what he wanted. Frankly, Lettie wouldn't mind being broken in as many pieces possible so long as Hopkin was still in one piece to mend her. She was glad for his company, even if he was in a confused state. Like Dorian, she was terrible at confiding her troubles to strangers, but the Finches were always different from the rest. Hopkin was a Finch, and Hopkin was Lettie's favorite Finch (albeit she only knew two Finches). Dr.Kempe reminded her of his presence. She gazed up at him from where she and Hopkin stood and discovered that it was easier for her to smile.
"Why, I have created the field of psychology, Miss Lettie, and I believe I must know every practicing psychologist in Panymium, so if one of my rowdy students or competitors has been horrid to you, just tell me- I'll have you a handwritten apology by morning." (Here, Kempe smiled, and Lettie thought it was the most wonderful smile). "But flattery works too, for Panyma's sake! A handsome man! More often than not, people compare me to a potato."
The Hot Cocoa girl's grip on Hopkin softened at the knowledge that Kempe was a prominent psychologist and she wondered how much of her he was analyzing, and if he was, what kind of analysis he was applying to her. Dorian had always compared pscyhologists to fortune-tellers; both made the Arelgren nervous because Arelgrens were full of secrets. She was glad to know that Kempe was a "good" psychologist, at least, he claimed to be. While she would have been anxious around people Dorian would normally feel anxious with, she felt at ease listening to Dr.Kempe. Lettie nodded and giggled in agreement, and appreciated Kempe's good spirit and amicable humor. He is like Dorian in such a way, Lettie thought while the man continued speaking. While she was still a stranger to the man, she decided that Dorian would like him very much too, but she didn't wish he were here, at least, not yet. Besides, he would probably be jittery knowing that a psychologist was in the same room as he. Her musings didn't last for long, for Kempe quickly became conscious that Lettie lacked a Grimm, though Wickwright was nimble in explaining the situation, and Lettie was glad for it. She would not have liked to verse her story. It wasn't a good story, and "good" psychologists did not need to hear them from her.
Wickwright interjected at one point in the discussion. "Lettie is currently separated from her Grimm, Dorian Arelgren, although both were present at the meeting earlier this week." He nodded at Lettie, adding, "I was told that, were I to find her, I should look after her, and," he continued, and Lettie took careful notice of his words' change of pace, "Bone be blessed, our paths have crossed yet again."
Before Lettie could plead to Wickwright to think little of her, to not accept her as his burden, Kempe's enthusiam struck once more: "But this is amazing! Quite unheard of! And you are from Shyregoad? How on Earth did you find your way to the Council when you're accustomed to life with a Grimm? How do you feel about the separation? Is there...a special bond you feel between the two of you, perhaps?"
Oh D'arelgrens.
Lettie reddened at the question, and immediately became flustered in her rebuttal, unsure if she should be defending herself or clarifying her relationship with her Grimm--it was not that sort--definitely not--Dorian always treated her like a younger sister and Lettie could hardly call that sort of bond inappropriate. She casually wrapped another arm around Hopkin to feign a cool persona, but realized halfway through the gesture that she was practically hugging the Book plague for she'd forgotten that she already had and arm wrapped around him. Lettie Arelgren was being very difficult with herself and Lettie Arelgren needed to explain to the "good" Kempe.
"N-no! Dorian Arelgren is a brother to Lettie!" Lettie cried to Dr.Amory Kempe, her dotted mouth enlarging with her shouting. "He is just very dumb sometimes for an Arelgren, mind you, Arelgrens are known to be witty, so my Grimm says. The mighty do fall sometimes--er--trip! Dorian and I are not in funny relations. Dorian Arelgren is a bad man to women anyways," she added darkly, remembering the poor Linda Reese.
Kempe apologized instantaneously, and Lettie, too, dropped the affair, though her cheeks were still rose-tinted.
"Please forgive me, sometimes I get carried away by the sheer spirit of inquiry. I haven't even asked if you'd like to be questioned! Perhaps you should sit somewhere more comfortable," he offered graciously. "May I lift you onto the arm of my sofa?"
Oh? The man decides to play his role as a misshapen gentleman! Lettie thought, her brown eyes flashing black. She was an independent ladyplague. She did not need such couches.
"No, thank you. I am very comfortable here on the floor with Hopkin. If I felt any less comfortable, I would simply ask Mr.Finch (Hopkin not Wickwright, for I am not an advocate of strange relations) for a lovely dance," she huffed, still feeling offended and justifiably so. "I am knowledgeable in many dances, Mr. Kempe, I assure you I will be quite all right and comfortable here on the floor than on the...the...the hooligan couch!"
I do what I want, Lettie thought in a very Dorian-like way.
Lettie actually didn't know what 'hooligan' meant. Dorian used it often when he disproved of people, and Lettie prayed that it was applicable to couches as well, otherwise, she'd have made yet another mistake.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 1:09 am
As Lettie began to laugh, Hopkin frowned, wondering if she was better or even more broken now, but emotions had never been his strong point, and even Lettie's emotions were as enigmatical to him as the dark side of a distant moon. He did not understand why she would say she was broken and laugh, as there was no comedy in the matter, and marked it down to her author. Lettie was lovely and kind, but there was some of the Dorian Arelgren in her which baffled him. She was, he thought, too human sometimes. There was that same defect which bothered him when he was a flesh boy in March, that she could not stop her eyes from leaking or blinking. He was mightily glad he had been born a phasmas. "I do not see the humour in such a claim," he told her gravely seriously, the glowing crack of his mouth turned tight, "Truly, you must still be Lettie Arelgren after all, for there is that Arelgren nonsense in your nature. I do not understand half the things that your kind say sometimes, but I am sorry to have broken you, for you are a very beautiful friend, after all, Lettie Arelgren!" He flinched as she put her arm around him, but did not resist, though he was alert to dodge if she tried to kiss him. Even if Lettie was acting strange, they had made an oath to Dorian Arelgren that they would care for her, and already he had broken her! He felt a flutter of panic at this realization and glanced back at Lettie, hoping that the laughter meant she really was fixed after all. It was difficult to tell with Arelgrens, they were mostly nonsense.
"It was a joke, Hopkin," Wickwright explained wearily, like he had uttered that phrase one too many times before. Hopkin looked up, shocked and confused, and replied:
"I do not see the humour in such a remark! I made a sincere inquiry."
"The correct word for crying is 'upset.' You know that, Hopkin."
"But I am a book, and cry only as a human," Hopkin remarked in return. "When Plagues cry, are they not broken?"
"Crying is the most sincere token of empathy a gentleman can perform," interrupted Rene rather indignantly. "How else would one show a lady the depths of their affections, passion, or sorrow?"
Hopkin stared back in incomprehension. "Yet you are no gentleman, but rather, a messenger!"
"Oh-ho, so it's a duel you want, then?" Rene shot back, appalled. "You'll taste my st-"
"Enough." spoke Dr. Kempe quietly, but it caused the lavender Plague to be silenced, and regained the attention of the room. Even Wickwright paid heed. Dr. Kempe continued, "I would believe a phasmas to be broken if they cried, as they have no eyes to cry from, Hopkin. But I assure you, all other Plagues can cry." At Lettie's heated defense of her relationship with Dorian though, he raised his hands in front of him, quite taken aback. "Panyma, no, Miss Lettie! Forgive this old bachelor, he forgets that his words have double entendres. I merely spoke of your bond as Grimm and Plague- do you still feel a connection to this man?" It was interesting to him that she had interpreted it that way, though. He made a gesture to Rene, who scribbled on the notepad discreetly. "No, strange relations are not something I would recommend." He remembered Rockland. He could still hear the screaming, and Panyma alone knew how the old Counselor's memory played on the mind of the Dean.
"Careful Lettie, don't want to give away too much," Wickwright drawled from his perch, joining in the fun for a brief rejoinder whilst the iron was hot to strike. Dr. Kempe shot him a rather baleful frown, which Wickwright responded to with a grin. He might not trust Dr. Kempe to speak with Hopkin, but the man was still a hopeless idealist, and seemed completely unaware or unwilling to accept the fact that those who he spoke to might try to censor themselves. In a way, Wickwright quite liked Dr. Kempe's job- it seemed like something quite similar to collecting stories, and he thought he'd be rather good at it, for he was of a much more devious turn of mind than Kempe. But Kempe was cooped up and saddled with responsibilities, which he tried to do well while still being kind and optimistic and eager, which was more burden than Wickwright cared to shoulder. Hopkin was heavy enough.
"I am afraid I do not know how to dance, Lettie Arelgren," Hopkin corrected anxiously, worried that perhaps with his breaking her and not knowing how to dance, he had failed her too much and she would grow tired of him. "Nor am I a Mr. Finch. I'm just Hopkin. Not a Finch at all!" He was growing weary of people calling him Finch, because it made him sad and envious that he was not one after all, just as it made Wickwright distant and irritable. His anxiety was diverted into befuddlement though, as Lettie threw out a remark so Arelgrenish as to defy deciphering. "How can furniture be a hooligan?"
"Oh, my couch is a terrible hooligan," Amory swooped in, seeking gallantly to save Hopkin from confusion and Lettie from embarrassment. "Always creaking and groaning and threads coming loose. You just can't find good upholstery these days." He patted the thing, and Wickwright stared at his hand bemusedly.
"Oh, I don't know," replied the mendicant, beginning to enjoy himself now that things had gotten to be properly ridiculous, "I creak and groan, and they tell me I'm not bad, after all."
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 5:37 pm
Lettie heated at Hopkin's comment. The Book Plague, as usual, was as serious as he'd always been. Hopkin would only tell her a frank analysis, he was never one to jokingly jeer at her, thus, she imbibed the nature of his words as truth. She herself noticed that she was less careful about her words and actions lately. Surely, it was partially associated with the absence of her Grimm. When Dorian was her partner, she usually spoke to accommodate what he said and to apologize for his common, snide remarks. Despite that Hopkin flinched to her touch, Lettie's grip on his bandaged hand only strengthened. She had nothing else to hold on to, and it was beyond a matter of practicality. The sage Grimm tried to ease the tension but seemed to only worsen the atmosphere as Hopkin retaliated with hard inquiries of his own. Before long, the questioning evolved into a near-argument as Rene joined the debate, offended. Lettie was glad for Kempe's interjection; if he had not interrupted, she would have done so in his stead. Neither of them showed expressions of comfort, Lettie showing the greatest expression of discontent that a Locos girl could display.
"Panyma, no, Miss Lettie! Forgive this old bachelor, he forgets that his words have double entendres. I merely spoke of your bond as Grimm and Plague- do you still feel a connection to this man?" Kempe hurriedly said, and Lettie relaxed at this. Her doubts were cleared. "No, strange relations are not something I would recommend."
"Careful Lettie, don't want to give away too much," Wickwright advised, and Lettie gave a small nod in agreement. She didn't want to appear foolish in his presence, and it surprised her that Wickwright's opinion of her mattered to her as much as Hopkin's did. She was growing weary that she was appearing less and less so like an Arelgren--caring about how others perceived her and feeling dejected at her own inability to ignore circumstances as, well, circumstances. Dorian confronted circumstances differently. He weighed them with blame. Lettie wondered about that while Hopkin mused aloud about his inability to dance, causing the Locos girl to smile.
She'd been quiet during this time, and she suddenly realized that she could, in fact, be coming off as rude.
She was listening to the entirety of the intercourse, though.
"I'm very happy that nobody is going to have a serious row," Lettie giggled softly, gesturing towards Hopkin and Rene, though her smile quickly vanished as quickly as it came. The Hot Chocolate girl tapped her feet, embarrassed.
"Please pardon my silly nonsense," Lettie began. "I am not skilled in facing taboo...my Grimm, as Mr.Finch knows, makes himself a poor example at facing it."
Lettie released Hopkin, reveling in the sentiment behind such gesture.
"I've always come upon the two of you by chance, Mr.Finch. While Mr.Arelgren may have made a request to you to care for me, I wish to nullify it. I understand that this may be something that Mr.Amory does not understand, for he does not know Mr.Arelgren and we have not been acquainted for very long, but this is a separate matter, and I mean no rudeness to him by leaving him out of this conversation."
The Hot Cocoa girl gave a polite nod in Amory's direction.
"I would like to accompany the two of you--I would feel less lonely that way--but I don't want you to be responsible for me, Mr.Finch, and Hopkin too. I...I don't want to cause the two of you any trouble. I have been a great burden to great people," she admitted. "I am an Arelgren, after all. It's almost tradition to be a nuisance."
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:07 am
Wickwright was relieved when Lettie began to speak of not wishing to burden them, thinking for a moment that he had managed to wriggle his wasy out of his fool promise to Arelgren, and then things would be well, Lettie having completely derailed Kempe's thoughts from Hopkin. But when she said that she desired to travel with them, he mentally cursed, knowing that Hopkin, who rarely took a stand for things, would not have it any other way. He had already made the mistake of leading Hopkin to believe that it would be little trouble to allow Lettie to accompany them. It would take some considerable talking to make him believe otherwise. Indeed, he was already advocating that Lettie accompany them as vehemently as possible.
"If you wish to come with us, Miss Lettie, it would be our duty to allow you to! We have promised to ensure your safety, not for your sake, but the sake of Dorian Arelgren. We cannot unmake promises, or we will have lied to him!"
"But," interrupted Wickwright silkily, figuring that Lettie might yet be dissuaded where Hopkin could not be, "The journey we intend to make is both long and hard, and full of nothing but the dull politics of old men. If you wish to accompany us, know that it would surely be more comfortable here in Gadu." It was not even that he disliked Lettie, he thought to himself as he cajoled, but rather, that she was an unnecessary hindrance on a journey that he was eager to resume. He had had a damn sight too many unnecessary hindrances, and while Lettie was witty and charming enough for a slip of a girl, she distracted Hopkin immensely and at the end of the day she was just another Plague to look after. Wickwright had quite enough of those! He cursed Arelgren for not being able to mind his own damned diseases.
"Indeed!" Here Amory chipped in, unsolicited. "We would be more than willing to give you lodgings within Trisica, Miss Lettie, and I'm sure that Rene would be delighted to give you the full tour." Here Rene perked up, smoothing out his doublet with no small dramatic flair.
"It would be my pleasure to ensure that, should you choose to stay in Gadu, you are as comfortable and well-provided for as any fine lady in the city, Miss Arelgren," he announced smoothly, sweeping her a bow.
Hopkin's mouth twisted in consternation, and he blurted, "But we swore to make sure that Lettie would be safe! How can we be sure if we simply lose her again? I do not want to be less than thorough, Lettie is most dear to me, and is the only Plague who sees liars for what they are besides me, so I think that the dangers we face will be ones she is more than adequately prepared for."
"Yes, I believe you mentioned a lying excito earlier, Hopkin," Amory mused, kneeling down to examine him at a level that was nearer a face-to-face inquiry. "What did you mean by that? What did the pair of you see at the meeting not so long ago?"
Wickwright had also been interested in this, but what with his lodgings with Yawley, and Hopkin's own reticence after the meeting, the opportunity to fully address the matter had not arisen. He steepled his fingers and leaned in as well, nodding to Hopkin when he glanced at his Grimm for confirmation that the meeting was a safe topic to speak about. The Council had gotten them in to that particular mess, but it had also fished them out. Wickwright was of the opinion that they were most likely speaking the truth when they said they had been equally unaware of the meeting's intentions.
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:15 pm
Whilst Wickwright had said quite the opposite, Lettie couldn't help but feel that the Grimm's worries were not for her sake and for another reason altogether. It might have been a Locos's intuition, or it might simply be Hopkin's inability to argue "well" with his Grimm suddenly. She did not truthfully believe that she'd be safer off in Gadu, mostly because she knew firsthand that she was not native to the region and coincidentally took all the wilderness paths that even Gadu Panymians shied away from. Gadu was not Shyregoed, and Lettie was not Hopkin. The Book Plague was receiving resistance from his Grimm, but it made a warmth blossom in Lettie's heart that he was making the effort to, even if she was also fond of Wickwright. She did, however, start worrying that Hopkin's vehemence could cause an inconvenience for the elder Finch.
Amory and Rene's enthusiasm for a stay in Gadu would be tempting to anyone who wasn't Lettie Arelgren, but in the context of the situation as it was now, Lettie could not help but to agree with her friend's reasoning: "But we swore to make sure that Lettie would be safe! How can we be sure if we simply lose her again? I do not want to be less than thorough, Lettie is most dear to me, and is the only Plague who sees liars for what they are besides me, so I think that the dangers we face will be ones she is more than adequately prepared for."
"I-it's true! Though small, I am more than prepared--" Lettie insisted, puffing out her chest to show the humans that she meant business, ladyplague business. She took Amory's inquiry at her own advantage and she tiptoed to become closer the humans, balling her hands into fists as she summoned the memory and courage to join in. "--because...because Hopkin and I survived! The Emperor tried to off us, but we escaped him!"
Her voice faltered when she realized that she was explaining this partially to Wickwright. "...You don't remember...Mr.Finch?"
She'd sworn he was there among the Grimms. He was one of the few faces she recognized, and she even remembered that Coyotl Coyotl was sitting beside her Arelgren heir.
"There was a lying ladyplague, right, Hopkin? I'm certain of it! We told her she is not a good plague! We told her together!" Lettie chimed, beginning to feel unsure of herself. Perhaps Wickwright remembered that he was there, but wasn't informed on the plague scruple. Lettie wanted to trust that such was the issue and such was a worthy explanation, but she also wanted to expand more on what she already knew. She couldn't remember if there was a fire or not but it could have just been Clurie's face. "Her name is Armaud...she claimed that she could help us escape during our would-be plight. U-um the Emperor thought that offing us would be good but that...really isn't the case!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:54 pm
"I remember precisely what happened, Lettie," assured Wickwright, soothing the hot cocoa Plague. "However, what I do not, and indeed, none of the Grimms present at the time know, is what happened precisely on that stage between you Plagues before the chaos that ensued. But with the assistance of a book that cannot lie and a second plague to give additional testimony, I believe we might be able to sort it out, more or less."
"Hopkin can't lie?" interrupted Doctor Kempe, looking interested. Wickwright paused.
"He can sort of," hesitated the Grimm,
"I won't lie," Hopkin declared indignantly, crossing his arms. "To lie is not suitable for a book of bone."
"I do the lying," Wickwright offered idly, "When necessary."
Hopkin seemed uncomfortable by the admission, but nodded. "Men of Bone must sometimes tell falsehoods to homines leves in the Wide World, but books of bone mustn't lie. And I will not! This is what happened at the meeting;" Remembering was upsetting, and Hopkin began to pace back and forth, but he had taken the pains to memorize these events, so they were fresh and pure in his mind, as easily retrieved as a Latin lesson after an evening of fitful repetition. "Lettie speaks true that there was a woman Plague who spoke false promises to us. She asked us to come with her and help us escape, and revealed that she was the Plague of the powerful mage who revealed himself in the crowd, that Waldgrave." He shifted anxiously but continued, "She told us- She told us she was a trickster, then requested we trust her without providing evidence that she should be trusted, a great folly. She did not even reveal to us what item she emerged from, but she looked to be in quite male garb, with an Ardenian flair." Here came the worst part, and he gulped, finishing with, "At first the other Plagues were resistant to her cajoling, but when the Emperor gave his ultimatum, almost all capitulated to either himself or Armaud, save for myself and Lettie." He deflated slightly. "At the end, Armaud offered a pebble to save us, one that would tell the bearer of the plans of her master, Waldgrave, but she gave it to Chayele Meschke, who is mute. Her words were thus when she parted:" Here Hopkin's mouth drew into a flat white line and he paced more furiously as he tried to remember exactly, but presently and slowly he did speak again:
"'Believe my words when I say that this rock you see here, marked by a Mage itself, was given to me by none other than the brother of Lady Waldgrave himself. It corresponds with the words of my Grimm and I can hear all he says, even his whispers, through this, and through this he has told me through my ventures to this unfortunate, unfortunate place that all of you are doomed to disappear. Does he know I say this now? Of course. And when the cue is right, he would give us a method of escape... but this is my job no longer! This Plague, shall she be willing, will tell you my master's plans and how the rest of you and your Grimm can escape this imprisoned life.'"
He paused, opening his eyes. "She then left with a blonde guard who spake: 'If you've any intention of remaining alive, be still. The collection of the noble Hayat bin Saleh, and all others, are halted until further notice.' As he spoke so, his eyes turned to that of a locos Anhelo's."
Thus finished, he nodded at the audience. "Lettie spoke true, the Emperor was fool to try to kill the Plagues. Wickwright says that many Grimms are too politically valuable to threaten." Pausing, he added, "And-- such insight on Lettie's behalf is precisely why she must travel with us!"
Rene, Wickwright, and Amory all seemed too preoccupied to much notice Hopkin's shoehorned defense of Lettie's wish to travel with them. Indeed, Rene had begun to take notes rapidly in a scrawling shorthand. Amory was the first one to speak, remarking, "Waldgrave surprised many with his appearance, I'm sure, but this news is a further shock. I'll have to inform Dean Kirkaldy and see what he makes of it. I don't know much about Waldgrave, but he and Sir Erasmus may be able to get further with this information than I."
"It makes sense that he would have an agent among the Plagues if he intended to disrupt the meeting- and an agent among the Emperor's guards." Whether Waldgrave was a force for or against him, Wickwright did not know. Surely, he couldn't blame the brother for the actions of the sister, and he had given it great consideration after the meeting. The Council was innocent of the Emperor's words, of that much he was certain, but the escape they provided came only through sheer, panicked chance. If Waldgrave had offered the Plagues and their Grimms an escape, perhaps he wasn't someone to be feared, as Hopkin seemed to think. Technically, even Finch could be a trickster, insofar as a disciple of truth was allowed.
He stood up. "Well, it's of no concern to an old mendicant. You have your politics to attend to, and I have mine." It pained him to leave now that they had finally reached an interesting point of conversation, and his natural nosiness was beginning to be roused, but he was growing weary of attending on the Council and becoming too deeply involved in their business now seemed like it might close as many doors as it might open. Being a man of bone had always tangentially meant being an impartial third party. He was beginning to feel the benefits of staying that way. "Lettie, if you must come, let's be off and leave the good Doctor to his thoughts."
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knife effect Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:12 pm
"He can sort of lie, but he chooses not to because he's a very good plague," Lettie added proudly, agreeing with the Book Plague's Grimm and feeling better that the human did remember the play of the dark theater. Lettie had always written Hopkin as a lawyer character in her stories for some reason and Chayele as a very colorful judge. Perhaps it was Hopkin's redeeming qualities and frankness that made him a good imaginary lawyer, and she giggled at Wickwright's confession at lying only when necessary. She did that too, which made Lettie a bad fit for a lawyer role. She wrote herself as the defendant or victim. Whether Hopkin knew it or not, Lettie relied on the male Plague on more occasions than she could count on both hands. She couldn't help it, he was very reliable, moreso than Dorian Arelgren (or as much as she knew, more than all the previous Arelgrens combined as well) and she was hoping that she could match him in her own competence.
Hopkin's recital impressed the Hot Cocoa girl, for she could envision the scene herself perfectly in her mind's eye also, and she shivered at the mention of the Emperor. He was a boy king, but nothing like the boy king that Dorian Arelgren painted in her head. He did not smile when he saw her, and he was shorter than what she'd imagined, making his stolid features all the more frightening and all the more poisonous after he made his order. The fact that Hopkin acknowledged the fact with such vigor only made Lettie feel more unsure if she should be afraid or showing strength in her demeanor. She didn't know which human emotion would be more useful in context to show to the Grimm, to convince her that she was capable of them for these reasons.
Hopkin's addition of why Lettie should travel with the Finches was not a subtle thing, much to the Locos' pleasure, but it was nonetheless ignored under the story of calamity and the madness of the Emperor. Lettie hid her chagrin, but shook her head nonetheless in context, that is, until something Wickwright said earned him the biggest smile anyone ever did see from the Hot Chocolate girl in a very, very long time. Lettie suppressed jumping into a little gay dance to accompany her radiant grin, but any human could see that she was, indeed, happy.
"Lettie, if you must come, let's be off and leave the good Doctor to his thoughts."
With an enthusiastic nod, the belle chimed, "Yes! Yes of course, Mr.Finch!"
She gave a small squeak of zeal before clasping Hopkin's hands like a maid who'd been given permission to marry into a household of much higher esteem than her own, "Hopkin! Hopkin! I can come too! Lettie can come too!"
FIN
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