Fantasiestucke VI. Fabel

[collector]

[The CAT turns on without warning as Brax is trying to open his front door. He is fine, his half-amused smile settled easily. He doesn't show a sign of having lost to any of the questions, and he's holding two coins in one of his hands.]

[Then the hologram pops up, and Braxiatel loses all expression. If there is one word to describe him now, it's cold.]

[It is asking him this: What is inside your head?]

[Very, very quietly, Braxiatel speaks.] I'll take the penalty.

[He steps into the house. There is the mechanical click of joints as his hands close into fists, then open again. He drops his coins and a silver pen on the table, then sinks into a chair.]

Comments

[fortune_sought]

[concerned] Is it painful?

[collector]

Not in the slightest. Actually, it's a bit fun. [This time when he wiggles his fingers, he deliberately creates the opening bars of 'Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)'] Something like tap-dancing.

[fortune_sought]

[can't help a smile, shaking her head] You make it sound like a talent!

[but there is another reason she's been wanting to contact him...] Not to intrude, but might I come visit? For tea, perhaps?

[collector]

Yes, of course. Shall we have it outside?

[A gentleman does not allow a lady to walk through more crazy cursed thresholds than necessary.]

[fortune_sought]

[considers that] [absently] No, this might be easier in your home...

I'll be there shortly, if you don't mind?

[collector]

If you insist.

[fortune_sought]

[is on her way there!] Mr Braxiatel...do you think it's possible that your home might ask a question about your life rather than mine?

[collector]

If it does, I'll give you the answer. [That makes him incredibly uncomfortable, but there really isn't any way of getting around it if she insists on going inside]

[ooc: If it does, you have a carte blanche to come up with whatever you want.]

[fortune_sought]

[glances at him curiously, considering how he just reacted to his own question] ...thank you.

[but when she arrives and touches the knob, the question that appears is: Who kept the Witch's spell on Sophie Hatter despite the attempts of strong wizards to remove it?]

[Sophie's face goes slightly white and then very red, and she glowers at the door] Curse you! [sighs] I did. [she's totally forgotten that she left the connection open]

[ooc: I wish! Thanks for the offer, though~]

[collector]

[He opts to politely pretend he didn't notice that at all. He turns off his own CAT and stands to greet her.]

Hello, Sophie.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie has not been having a good week. most of her hair is yawn now, and her leg has gone the same way as her foot--stuffed fabric. she glances at him, still scowling, but she quickly attempts to cover it up with a rather thin smile] Hello, Mr Braxiatel.

[collector]

So. What is so important that you decided to brave another threshold to speak to me?

[fortune_sought]

[drops her gaze, feeling rather awkward] Might I see one of--[glances back up, struggling for the word]--the...the cloth you wear around your neck?

[collector]

[He frowns at that - for once, she has him confused - and then he tugs on his tie] You mean this?

[fortune_sought]

Yes, that. May I see one?

[collector]

Is there any one in particular you'd like?

[He is still very obviously a little confused, which makes him seem much less the Controlled Arch-Manipulating Gentleman than usual.]

[fortune_sought]

[reddens because making Mr Braxiatel feel awkward just makes her even more embarrassed. she probably hasn't thought this through, as usual] Is there a certain colour or style that you like best? Or that you'd like another of? Or--even one that needs to be mended?

[collector]

I suppose . . . Hold on a moment. [He ducks into his room to pull out a grey tie. When he steps out again, he is continuing to look like a fish out of water.] I hope this will work?

[fortune_sought]

Yes, thank you. [steps forward to take it from him, forgetting some of her embarrassment as she focuses on the tie] What is it called?

[collector]

It's a necktie. An odd bit of clothing, but fashion will be what it will be.

[fortune_sought]

A necktie? A sensible name, I'd say. [accepts the tie and turns it over in her hands, studying it with a practised eye] Yes, I'm certain I've seen fabric like this in the stores. And it doesn't look as though it would be terribly difficult, really...

[collector]

[He listens with curious interest, now having a vague idea, but he's still not sure] Yes, it evolved out of the cravat.

[fortune_sought]

[glances at him, still half-lost in thought] May I borrow it?

[collector]

Certainly, if you like.

[fortune_sought]

Thank you... [sorry Brax, she's still studying it for the moment. pauses, lost in thought about exactly what she's going to do]