Quest 306

[primrosella]

[Accidental Voice Post]

--addy, it's not a tavern, it's a perfectly nice place with music and dancing and really, it's more than respectable enough for me to manage it. You remember how much you liked Blue, and he was the one who founded it, and since then everyone who's owned it has been a king anyway, so there can't possibly be--

[A pause.]

Oh. No, he's...they're not here anymore. None of them are.

[Another pause.]

That's just how it goes, isn't it? When you think of how long I've spent here. I'm sure plenty would change at home, too, in that much time.

[A longer, more drawn-out pause.]

No, no, some are, still! And plenty of new friends, too, but--oh, speaking of which, we really ought to hurry and be on our way, because of course if you're here then that means everyone else's father might be, too, and--oh, drat it all, this must've switched on when I bum--

[Click.]


[Private to Neil | Unhackable]

Neil, where are you? Are you cursed all right?

[/Private]

Comments

voice;

[flensing]

It is a nice restaurant, you do well with it.

voice;

[primrosella]

Oh, thank you, Anna, I'm really so very glad you think so. It's just that we don't have anything much like it back home, you see, and so Daddy's a bit--well, of course it's not a tavern, but that's rather the closest thing to compare to, you know.

voice;

[flensing]

I suppose to call it a bar would not improve the image...

voice;

[primrosella]

I don't think so, no. But it can't be helped, really.

And how are you today? I hope things are well for you?

voice;

[flensing]

They are.

[Except for that vampire stalker she's still scared of, but she's not mentioning that.]

It's a quiet day for me, I guess I am lucky. [Orphan with no memorable father figure to dream up.] Though you to be enjoying your visit.

voice;

[primrosella]

I've seen this curse before a few times, really. It often comes about this time of year, when everyone gets to see their fathers.

[There's a trace of wry fondness in the way she says it; she generally has a much better time of this curse than most of the people she knows.]

voice;

[flensing]

A few times? You've been here several years?

[Anna does not sound horrified by this prospect, just surprised.]

voice;

[primrosella]

Yes, that's right. It'll be, let me see...four years at the beginning of August. So not so very long, now.

[Private]

[had_not_lived]

I'm all right.

He's not real-- I know. So, I'm all right.

[Private]

[primrosella]

Even so--well, Daddy and I are coming over right now, so we'll see you soon, in any case.

[Billy leaving was bad enough. Neil's father on top of it? Oh, no. Rosella is no-nonsense about this one today.]

voice;

[flensing]

I see.

[And she doesn't really intend to voice this, but it tumbles out,]

It would be incredible, to have so much time here.

voice;

[primrosella]

[Now there's a sentiment you don't often hear out of people.]

Do you think so? It's certainly an adventure, I must say, and it's one I'm glad I've had, though I don't know if incredible is quite the word I'd use for it.

[Private]

[had_not_lived]

All right. I know he likes to visit your friends.

[Not that he doesn't know why she is, really, but it's a little easier to accept a kindness from that angle. He's not big on feeling sorry for himself.]

[punchedhitler]

Are you all right?

[Private]

[primrosella]

[Hey, whatever works.]

Perhaps you can help me convince him that the Blue Light is a perfectly respectable place to manage, princess or not. I don't think he quite believes me, you know.

[primrosella]

Oh, hello, Ste--er, that is, Captain Rogers, hello. Yes, I'm quite all right, thank you, I'm--

No, not like a sea captain, he's...er, well, he's a knight of sorts.

--I'm sorry, yes, I'm just fine. I'm visiting with my father today.

[Private]

[had_not_lived]

Of course. I'd have a hard time thinking of any more respectable business in the City.

[Private]

[primrosella]

Well, I can think of at least one, but it's really no question that yours would be nicer than mine.

[punchedhitler]

Do you like your father?

[Private]

[had_not_lived]

Don't sell the Light short!

[primrosella]

Do I--well, goodness, yes, of course I do!

[Rare a thing as that may be, in the City.]

It's always lovely when he manages to come visit me like this. I miss him very much.

[Private]

[primrosella]

Oh, I'm not! But books are rather a little nicer than all the commotion at the Blue Light, you do have to admit.

[Private]

[had_not_lived]

I don't know, I like the commotion. And I've never had such lovely dance partners at the bookstore.

[Private]

[primrosella]

Well, perhaps it's just as well that we both like the other's business, then! That just means we have plenty of excuses to visit each other.

[punchedhitler]

Then I'm sorry he's not here with you.