[004]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's small, human body succumbed to the fog very quickly, and she has just woken up very confused indeed. she's found the CAT in her pocket and is pushing buttons on it, which has resulted in an accidental transmission as she continues to fiddle with it]

What is this? Some sort of charm? Is that why I've changed back? [holds the CAT up near her face, as though asking it her questions] But why, if you changed me back, would you take my pincushion? "Good hands" indeed! [hmphs]

[sighs and stops abusing the CAT for the moment, keeping it in her hand as she turns to take a better look around the room--the living room of her own townhome]

But where am I? This certainly isn't Howl's castle! It doesn't even look like any of the locations outside. Did the door get turned black-down somehow and send me out there? Or could this be Calcifer's doing? [to the CAT again] Do you know? [frowns as she looks down, however. strands of her hair have fallen into her face, and she brushes them back in annoyance] Gracious! It's strange to have my hair back again. But...it is such a relief. [pauses for a moment, patting at her face as though she doesn't expect it to feel as it does. she smiles, sighing, relieved] Yes, very much a relief. Though I wonder what broke the spell. And why take my pincushion? That sounds more like Howl's doing than Calcifer's, but he should know that I'll have to clean if I can't sew!

Once I've found where I am... Calcifer! Calcifer, are you here?

Comments

[fortune_sought]

[frowns] I've never heard of either of those places. They must be quite far from Ingary.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Well, I've never heard of Ingary. Where's that?

[fortune_sought]

[blinks. now that's just odd!] It's quite a large country. But it's close to Strangia and not terribly far from High Norland, if that helps?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Not as much as you'd think.

[sarcastically] The places I'm talking about are on Earth. Have you ever been to Earth?

[fortune_sought]

[unfortunately, she's serious] Earth? Is that the name of your country? No, I've never heard of it.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Figures.

You really don't know Earth? Um, America? France? England? Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean? North and South Poles? Any of this ring any bells?

[fortune_sought]

[shakes her head, frowning] No, not at all.

What about Rashput? Alberia? Farqtan? Thayack? Peichstan? Inhico? Dorimynde? Jahm?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Wow. You've been under for a long time.

[fortune_sought]

[affronted] I wasn't under the spell for very long at all, and it has nothing to do with where I'm from!

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[slowly, as if speaking to a child] None... of... those... places... exist. You dreamed them up. I'm surprised you didn't throw in Narnia while you were at it.

[fortune_sought]

Hmph! And you think I have "mental issues." [turns and starts walking down the lane]

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[calls after] Honestly, I'm impressed you're still cogent enough to talk. The guy I knew only had enough time to build a city. You've built an entire world.

[fortune_sought]

I don't know what you're talking about! I clean for a living.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

It takes a very special kind of person to imagine a magical world where there's wizards and spirits and they're a cleaner.

[fortune_sought]

[gives him a look] Well, it wasn't my first choice when I set out to seek my fortune, but I am the eldest of three, so I suppose it's to be expected. [turning forward, murmuring to herself] But with the spell broken, I should be able to go back home now... As soon as I can find it.

What is it you do, Arthur? Besides accuse people you've only just met?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I'm paid gratuitous amounts of money to keep my head when all around me are losing theirs. So you should probably listen to me.

What's this spell you keep muttering about, anyway?

[fortune_sought]

And what sort of position does that?

I'm not sure I can--no, I did tell you I was under one, didn't I? It really must be broken. [looks down at her hands again, then glances back at him] How old would you say I look?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[shrugs] Early twenties?

[fortune_sought]

18. But anything less than 90 is quite a relief! I am young again.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[nods, and files that little nugget of information away]

Young again? So you were old before?

[fortune_sought]

I was old because of the Witch's spell. I'm myself again, now.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[wonders if it's worth getting in another argument, and decides it's not] Okay then. Glad that's cleared up.

So, I think that's enough small talk. How do you propose we get out of here?

[fortune_sought]

[frowns, glancing at him] You don't happen to carry a pair of seven-league boots?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Sorry, lady, what you see is what you get.

[fortune_sought]

Curses.

Then I suppose we'll have to walk. Unless you have another idea?