Cassandras Palace 23

[19:41]	<Cassandra>	Last time, on Seinfeld
[19:42]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	bip, ba dowm bowm bowm boom bomp
[19:41]	<[GM]Mary>	*Last time, on Cassandra's Palace!
[19:43]	<[GM]Mary>	meteors, fairies, etc.
[19:52]	<[GM]Mary>	Same old, same old. Minors drinking and playing with each others' chests. LATER THAT DAY... or night, or whatever.
[19:53]	* Tabitha	had trouble finding that silver polish after Victoria left with the ketchup and vinegar, but she finally came across some.
[19:54]	* Tabitha	then got distracted by...oh, probably self-musings or something.
[19:57]	* Tabitha	eventually decided to check back up on the drunkards. Young girls drinking so much...she really ought to care for her sister's health more.
[19:57]	* Tabitha	returns to the gameroom and knocks on the door softly.
[19:58]	<Tabitha>	"This is the Reality Police. Is there any depravity going on in there?"
[19:59]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Slight amounts, which have dealt with themselves. Do you bring more?
[20:00]	* Tabitha	opens the door without a response. She surveys the scene.
[20:02]	<Tabitha>	"Mmm..."
[20:02]	<[GM]Mary>	Nothing has happened. Cassie is still on the sofa, playing with a mini-Izzy. Victoria is absent from the room.
[20:02]	* Tabitha	pulls a small grey bottle from her apron pocket.
[20:03]	<Tabitha>	"I've found your silver polish, if you're in any condition to drink it."
[20:04]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	's eyes come close to lighting up.
[20:04]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Aha.
[20:05]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	You did bring more depravity.
[20:05]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Wonderful.
[20:05]	* Tabitha	shrugs.
[20:06]	<Tabitha>	"Far be it for me to understand the physiology of fey intoxication, I suppose..."
[20:06]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	downsizes to about 6 inches high, and flits over to Tabitha, taking the offered bottle.
[20:08]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	looks it over. 'Sixteen Moonf Brande SILVER POLISH -~- Guarantyd or your monie back.' The expiration date is 12 years ago.
[20:09]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Oh, yes... This is a fortunate find, comrade. You have done well.
[20:09]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Thank you with great muchness.
[20:09]	<Tabitha>	"It was the best I could do, I'm afraid. Perhaps the age ferments it, though. I'm glad you like it."
[20:09]	* Tabitha	tips her head.
[20:10]	<Tabitha>	"I'd rather you not kill yourself from imbibing too much, if it's as strong as you make it out to be."
[20:11]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	upsizes to a full foot high, and settles back down on the arm of the couch. She unscrews the cap, pours it about half-full, and drinks it slowly down.
[20:12]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Mmmm~
[20:12]	* Tabitha	watches from a "safe" distance.
[20:12]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	...
[20:12]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	shakes her head as if clearing something away, shivers, and nods firmly.
[20:12]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Very good.
[20:13]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	puts the cap back on, but pauses.
[20:13]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Would you like so-- oh, right. Toxic.
[20:13]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Many apologizings.
[20:13]	* Tabitha	smirks.
[20:14]	<Tabitha>	"No worries. With my health, though, I do wonder if it'd actually be safe for me through some strange luck-laced fate."
[20:15]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	looks at Tabitha, the bottle, and Tabitha again.
[20:15]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	...No. Fairly sure you get killed.
[20:16]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	Or wish you got killed.
[20:16]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	looks at the bottle.
[20:16]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	...Mostly sure.
[20:16]	* Tabitha	sighs as she leans on the counter behind the bar.
[20:17]	<Tabitha>	"Mnn, I think any life these days would be preferable to death. Strange how I once thought the opposite so frequently."
[20:19]	<Tabitha>	"Do you have any opinion on something such as that, I wonder...?"
[20:19]	* [Atai]Krupskaya	thinks.
[20:20]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	...Death is not fun.
[20:20]	<[Atai]Krupskaya>	There is much waiting and the hours are long.
[20:21]	* Tabitha	feels ominous vibes from that response.
[20:21]	<Tabitha>	"You...sound as if you've been there before. Forgive me for thinking out loud."
[20:37]	* Tabitha	hushes up. A sensitive subject, perhaps.
[20:38]	* Tabitha	plods over to the door.
[20:38]	<Tabitha>	"Forgive me...I'll be back shortly."
[20:39]	* Tabitha	leaves the room to avoid possible awkwardness, and strolls down the empty halls, thinking...
[20:41]	<[GM]Mary>	Amidst your thoughts, you almost miss the tiger approaching.
[20:41]	* Tabitha	...(Life...I can't believe that I have so much to live for after--ehhm?!)
[20:43]	* Tabitha	is startled by the regal creature and stumbles backwards, flopping onto the carpet.
[20:44]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger approaches Tabitha faster, concerned if she hurt herself.
[20:46]	<Tabitha>	"Nnggh..."
[20:46]	* Tabitha	rubs her bony posterior. That could have been worse...could have been better, too.
[20:48]	<Tabitha>	"I, nmm, think I'm fine. Didn't expect you to be here. As usual, I suppose."
[20:49]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger stands beside her, expecting to be used as support for Tabitha to get up.
[20:51]	* Tabitha	loops an arm tenderly around the beast's back and gets to her feet. Her bottom is sore, but it looks like it'll heal. Slowly, of course.
[20:54]	<Tabitha>	"My thanks, as always."
[20:56]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger rubs its head softly against Tabitha.
[21:00]	* Tabitha	pets the tiger's head with that weird sense of friendship/companionship/peer bonding/whatever she always feels around this tiger.
[21:01]	<Tabitha>	"It's so strange, friend...that I can call you friend, for one..."
[21:03]	<Tabitha>	"That my life has changed like this for another. And to think it came about by me failing in my quest rather than succeeding..."
[21:06]	* Tabitha	starts walking slowly. It's always helped her think.
[21:11]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger plods along beside Tabitha.
[21:13]	<Tabitha>	"I suppose...maybe it just shows how young I really am. One may say she grew up too fast, but without true experience, what is growth?"
[21:14]	* Tabitha	looks to the tiger longingly.
[21:14]	<Tabitha>	"You...I bet you know your place in the world. Where you belong...you must have it all figured out. If only, for it to be so easy..."
[21:16]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger looks to Tabitha and shakes its head.
[21:18]	<[GM]Mary>	As best as a tiger can, anyway.
[21:19]	* Tabitha	tilts her head.
[21:19]	<Tabitha>	"No? Mmm...Even for a tiger, I suppose life is hard."
[21:22]	* Tabitha	cuddles a little against the tiger's warm body.
[21:23]	<Tabitha>	"The lost need to stay together, then. Because then even if we're lost...at least we'll have company."
[21:23]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger lets out a little purr in response.
[21:26]	* Tabitha	stops her wanderings in front of the door to her room. She contemplates something, then enters.
[21:27]	<Tabitha>	"One last problem, then..."
[21:29]	* Tabitha	stops on front of her bedside dresser and pulls out her mother's ring, and that insignificant smudged glass. She plops down on the bed, studying them.
[21:31]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger waits by the door, it appears reluctant to step inside uninvited.
[21:31]	* Tabitha	beckons him in. She could use some help right about now.
[21:32]	<Tabitha>	"You're welcome to come in, please. I have to talk this over with SOMEone, at least."
[21:32]	<Tabitha>	"And I just can't ask any of the girls..."
[21:33]	* Tabitha	fingers the ring, twirling it around her fingers.
[21:33]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger steps inside as asked, moving toward the side of the bed where Tabitha is.
[21:34]	<Tabitha>	"This ring...this, this was...it was Mother's, and yet...it wasn't."
[21:34]	<Tabitha>	"It meant something, except...now that something means nothing to anyone...except her."
[21:36]	<Tabitha>	"Why do I want to keep it...? Why do I want to throw it away...?"
[21:37]	* Tabitha	is distraught. She dangles the ring limply against the side of the bed.
[21:38]	<Tabitha>	"I don't know, I don't know...Mother, what would you have me do?"
[21:39]	* Tabitha	looks to the tiger, eyes starting to tear up.
[21:40]	<Tabitha>	"If I had a wish, right now...I don't even know if I'd wish you could talk or not. Would I really want to know what you have to say...?"
[21:41]	<Tabitha>	"Do I just want someone to talk to, or someone to talk back to me? Would it really help me if you could?"
[21:41]	* Tabitha	sighs and slumps her shoulders.
[21:42]	<Tabitha>	"You can't talk...can you?"
[21:42]	* Tabitha	says plainly, as if stating a fact she already knows.
[21:43]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger rests its head on the side of the bed. It seems to be giving Tabitha's request some thought.
[21:49]	<[GM]Mary>	The tiger looks at Tabitha intently before trying to mime covering its eyes as best as it can with its paws.
[21:51]	* Tabitha	looks back, trying to interpret the "request" as it were.
[21:53]	* Tabitha	gives it a shot. Setting the glass and ring down next to her, she bows her head and covers her eyes with her hands. Even if it's not what the tiger meant, maybe just closing her eyes will help her think.
[21:58]	* Tabitha	whispers very quietly, almost not even audible... "...peekaboo..."
[22:01]	<[GM]Mary>	A strangely familiar voice speaks to you, "So, you wanted to talk, right?"
[22:03]	* Tabitha	nearly takes her hands away to look around, but thinks better of it. This can't be a dream, but what...?
[22:05]	* Tabitha	whispers softly at first, subconsciously thinking she might break some sort of spell, as silly as that sounds.
[22:05]	<Tabitha>	"I...suppose I do, yes. But then again, there's a difference between wanting and...expecting..."
[22:07]	<Tabitha>	"I'd ask if this were a dream, but that's child's thinking. Then again...I am still a child."
[22:09]	<Tabitha>	"Who...are, you? I know that voice, but...I don't know it..."
[22:10]	<[GM]Mary>	It was your wish, this was the best way I could grant it." she says.
[22:16]	* Tabitha	racks her brain for memory of the voice, but it slips away every time. Who...?
[22:17]	<Tabitha>	"I...thank you, with what small heart I have."
[22:19]	* Tabitha	tries to think of what to say. This is real, it has to be. A woman, or something sounding like it. It's not just in her head, she can hear this. But she can't possibly comprehend...
[22:20]	<Tabitha>	"You...you heard what I was saying before, y-yes...?"
[22:22]	<[GM]Mary>	"Yes, I did."
[22:23]	<Tabitha>	"Do you under...stand, what it means? The ring?"
[22:24]	* Tabitha	shivers. The voice...it can't have been from her time in the mansion, could it?
[22:27]	<[GM]Mary>	"It's a keepsake, yes? Like your knife?"
[22:27]	* Tabitha	keeps her eyes squeezed shut, and fingers the hilt of her knife, just to make sure it's still there.
[22:29]	<Tabitha>	"It's...like it. But it's...not. That's the problem. My knife, that was Mother's, all hers. She had it even before she met...that man..."
[22:29]	<[GM]Mary>	"And the ring?"
[22:30]	<Tabitha>	"The ring...that man gave it to her. Hers, but it wasn't hers. It was supposed to mean something. But it...it didn't mean anything. None of the rings mattered."
[22:30]	<Tabitha>	"He'd...give them to whoever he wanted to..."
[22:30]	* Tabitha	raises her head, eyes still covered.
[22:31]	<Tabitha>	"What is true love when it's split between five women? Is that love?"
[22:31]	<Tabitha>	"She loved him. Whether he loved her or not doesn't matter...because he didn't love her..."
[22:32]	<Tabitha>	"This ring...this ring is all of that. Those lies. Those falsities. But...but..."
[22:33]	<[GM]Mary>	"But what?"
[22:33]	<Tabitha>	"...She, still...loved him..."
[22:33]	* Tabitha	starts crying. Her emotion for doing so remains undetermined.
[22:34]	<Tabitha>	"She...She loved him, she believed in it...But, but he made her love him...he had power...H-He, even made ME love him...!"
[22:36]	<Tabitha>	"What did it mean...? What d-did it mean?!"
[22:37]	<[GM]Mary>	Someone comes closer and wraps their arms around you from behind.
[22:39]	<[GM]Mary>	"Don't blame yourself. It's only natural that a daughter love her father, even if you're not sure he loved you back."
[22:44]	<[GM]Mary>	"Whether you still love him or loathe him now, those feeling can't reach him anymore."
[22:44]	* Tabitha	shakes her head, not sure what to believe, or if anything can be.
[22:46]	<Tabitha>	"But it's, i-it's not about him...it's about her...Mother, I...don't want to throw it away if she cared...really, actually cared..."
[22:48]	<Tabitha>	"I don't know...I don't know...I can't leave it if I don't know...if I don't decide..."
[22:56]	<[GM]Mary>	"If you had thrown it away, what would happen?"
[22:57]	* Tabitha	thinks, and stutters back.
[22:59]	<Tabitha>	"N-n-noth...thing. Mother's, gone...he's gone...Cassie...would she...no, i-it doesn't matter. We're sisters bec-cause of...more than rings..."
[22:59]	<Tabitha>	"I'm...the only one who cares now..."
[22:59]	<Tabitha>	"But honor...honor means things...doesn't it...?"
[23:00]	* Tabitha	turns her head a little, as if trying to talk to the person behind her.
[23:07]	<[GM]Mary>	"Would your mother want you to be so torn like this over something she can no longer hold?"
[23:09]	<Tabitha>	"...I..."
[23:09]	* Tabitha	is hit hard. Would she? What was really important to her...? What is now...?
[23:10]	<Tabitha>	"I-I...don't..."
[23:12]	* Tabitha	knows. She knows her mother wouldn't have cared about the ring. She never fawned over it, never made a big deal over it. It was just a ring, a memento of a man.
[23:12]	* Tabitha	knows the only person who REALLY ever cared about the ring, in the past or present...was her.
[23:13]	<Tabitha>	"M...M...Mommy...Mommy, I-I'm s-sorry...I just w-wanted you t-to..."
[23:14]	* Tabitha	slumps down, losing the strength in her torso. She cries in earnest now.
[23:16]	<[GM]Mary>	She holds Tabitha close and lets her cry it out.
[23:18]	<Tabitha>	"Mommy...Mom, I m-miss you, s-s-so much...Why'd you h-havvve to leave m-me, me here with al-luh-luhof thisss..."
[23:21]	* Tabitha	rests against this woman...whoever she is. She doesn't much care right now, either.
[23:22]	<Tabitha>	"I'll never f-furget...you...never-ever-ever..."
[23:24]	<[GM]Mary>	She strokes Tabitha's head consolingly with a single hand.
[23:28]	* Tabitha	fumbles around for that ring and, eyes still closed obviously, flings it in some random direction. It doesn't need some ceremonial burial or toss of a cliff, it just...gets thrown away. Let someone else wonder about what it means.
[23:30]	* Tabitha	rocks in the arms of this woman, allowing herself to calm down. It's okay...it's over...let your new life be NEW...
[23:31]	<Tabitha>	"Do...I, know you...?"
[23:32]	<[GM]Mary>	"Of course you do. I came in here with you, didn't I?"
[23:35]	* Tabitha	wishes she knew if she's supposed to take that literally, or figuratively. Literal would be easy and fanciful. Every girl's dream come true. But if it's figurative...?
[23:38]	<Tabitha>	"I...yes..."
[23:44]	<[GM]Mary>	You feel the arms release their hold around you and the person inching away just a little bit.
[23:47]	* Tabitha	wants to keep holding on, but...well, what's done is done. She got her wish, after all.
[23:47]	<Tabitha>	"Th-thank you, s-so much...for helping me remember..."
[23:49]	<Tabitha>	"Is it...I mean, do I...get to see you, before you...go...? Or does it not work that way?"
[23:50]	<[GM]Mary>	"Is that your wish?"
[23:52]	* Tabitha	truly considers her words.
[23:53]	<Tabitha>	"N-No...not, really..."
[23:53]	<Tabitha>	"I just...want to know...who you are, is all..."
[23:54]	<[GM]Mary>	"You said it earlier..."
[23:55]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"I am your friend."
[00:00]	* Tabitha	thinks she hears a slight change in the tone of voice, and something almost clicks in her head. Is it...?
[00:01]	* Tabitha	can't bring herself to turn around, for whatever reason.
[00:02]	<Tabitha>	"It...you...?"
[00:03]	* Tabitha	forgets about believing anything, she doesn't even know what to ASSUME now.
[00:04]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"I know...Not what you would be expecting, right?"
[00:06]	* Tabitha	doesn't want to open her eyes...can't open her eyes...can't open her eyes...not possible...she's wrong, she's wrong, that's not right...
[00:07]	* Tabitha	whimpers pitifully. This...can't...be...happening...?
[00:08]	<Tabitha>	"...Nnnnngghhh...eeehhh...neeeyyhhh..."
[00:08]	* Tabitha	curls into a ball on the bed, shivering.
[00:09]	<Tabitha>	"Not...can't...not...this...I...this can't..."
[00:09]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"M-Miss Tabitha?"
[00:11]	* Tabitha	refuses to open her eyes. If she can't see the truth, maybe...
[00:11]	* [Pyg]Victoria	stays still. Maybe this...wasn't a good idea after all. It's just like before then.
[00:12]	* Tabitha	tries desperately to calm down. This is...incomprehensible...All this time...
[00:14]	<Tabitha>	"I...can't...don't...knowwhattosay..."
[00:15]	<Tabitha>	"Not a dream...not a dream..."
[00:16]	* Tabitha	crawls blindly across the bed, searching for her friend.
[00:18]	* [Pyg]Victoria	, against her better judgement, holds her hand out.
[00:21]	* Tabitha	feels a hand next to her, and grasps it for dear life. She pulls herself into Victoria's lap and wraps herself around her torso, crying into her friend's chest.
[00:21]	<Tabitha>	"Don't...letmego...please...dontletmego..."
[00:22]	<Tabitha>	"...Please..."
[00:22]	* [Pyg]Victoria	, despite her surprise, smiles a little to herself as she returns Tabitha's hug.
[00:24]	<Tabitha>	"Don't...wanna, belost...solost...solong...found, people...foundfriends...got, found..."
[00:25]	<Tabitha>	"Please, don't...lose, me...Don't...let me...lose, myself..."
[00:27]	<Tabitha>	"M'just...a little girl..."
[00:27]	* [Pyg]Victoria	begins softly rocking back and forth hoping it will help calm Tabitha down even a little.
[00:28]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Maybe, Miss Tabitha, but you've been brave. Very brave."
[00:29]	* Tabitha	wipes her eyes on Victoria's blouse.
[00:29]	<Tabitha>	"Th-th-thank, y-y-you..."
[00:30]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"Don't worry, you won't be alone anymore. Everyone in this house will make sure of that."
[00:34]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	"You should sleep."
[00:35]	<[GM]Mary>	And so she does. Probably. Until next time...