The Invisible City of Kitezh II. Wedding Procession

[collector]

[Braxiatel has picked out a nice, comfortable room for the broadcast. (Also, he has tea, but does that even need to be mentioned?) The initial smile he offers is somewhat less pleasant than it could be.]

First, allow me to congratulate the happy couple on their engagement. Do enjoy yourselves picking out the drapery for your new home. And if I may applaud the Doctor in particular for finding a new place to trap us all.

[That done, Brax is back to being cool, calm, and calculating]

Now, on to business. Some of you may have already explored the area and found five locked doors. One, to the north, is essentially inaccessible, but I'm sure no one will be too upset if we keep trying. There also are four other doors, each of which asks a security question when one gives it access to one's CAT. Each door's question is asked by one of the residents of the town.

In case anyone wanted to have a go at the questions, I've made a text post with the door's location, the question's speaker, and the question given. My suggestion is that the doors be taken in teams. We haven't any idea what's behind them, after all.

[with a sip of his tea] And if I could borrow the future wife of Doctor Hatter, I think I'd like to try the northwest door with her first.

[TEXT]

Northeast: Osculia
What treat is the best reward?

Northwest: Verita
I don't just stand for the news; I, Verita, also stand for...

Southeast: Audrey Ardes
I'm as boisterous and cheerful as they come, but mentioning this can kill my good mood. What is it?

Southwest: Dante Iussus
I'm a man with an awful... And before I believe anything, I need...

Comments

[collector]

[There we go. Brax double-checks to make sure everything is fine in there, and then he pulls away, putting his cufflinks in his pockets. He gives Verita a smile]

Well. That's a good start. Now, Sophie, let's try the door.

And, Verita. You certainly do live up to your name.

[fortune_sought]

[as surprised as she is that Brax's experiment wasn't interrupted, she's quite possibly more surprised that it's over already] All right... [turns, giving the door a firm push. it doesn't budge] Confound it!

[luministimods]

[the door rings out with a mechanical voice:] Security clearance required.

[Verita, meanwhile, blinks, shaking her head to clear it after that experience] Thanks, I guess! [smiles brightly]

Ohh, I bet that wants me. Hey, door! This is the valiantly vociferous Verita, granting clearance!

[the door gives an obliging beep and opens]

Oh, great! [stands...but then hesitates. she can guess what might happen if she approaches that door] Great for the dear citizens of town, at least...

[collector]

You step through ahead, Sophie. I'll hold the door open for Verita.

[As a gentleman should, right?]

[fortune_sought]

[glances at him--and might just be smiling faintly at that offer. she steps outside the room]

[luministimods]

[is surprised by the offer, to say the least] Thanks! [starts to take off at a run for the door, but she hardly moves two steps before it slams shut. she skids to a stop] Awww...that's not fair!

[collector]

[Braxiatel pulls his hand away just in time to avoid losing his fingers. And he's still trapped on the inside.]

Verita, could you open it again? And Sophie, if you can hear me, we're going to need something heavy and thick to move into the door frame.

[fortune_sought]

[unfortunately, Sophie can't hear him. but she's trying her CAT on the door, and it's not responding]

[luministimods]

[frowns worriedly] I'm not sure Daddy would be very happy if you did that. He definitely wants me to stay in here. You should probably just go.

[collector]

[Braxiatel frowns, but there really isn't much he can do.]

If you insist. We'll do what we can for you.

[luministimods]

[smiles brightly] Thanks! Don't worry, I'm supposed to be safe in here anyway. I just wish I still got to share the news with everybody! [pouts]

But...before you go. [hesitates, fidgeting a little] I just want you to know--I didn't know that Daddy didn't ask permission before he brought you all here. He didn't tell me that.

[collector]

I believe you. And I don't blame you for a thing.

[Unless she is a lot better psychic than she lets on. The thought does occur to Braxiatel - paranoia has its moments - but he tucks it away.]

[luministimods]

[smiles] That's a relief, then!

You should try the door again. I'd better let you out before Daddy changes his mind.

[collector]

Of course. I am, after all, the one who forcefully invaded the mind of his precious daughter.

[With a smile, he tries the door]

[luministimods]

Good point. You should be super careful!

[the door requests clearance]

This is the valiantly vociferous Verita, granting clearance--again!

[and the door swings open]

Bye now!

[collector]

[He steps through] Sophie, are you all right?

[fortune_sought]

[the door, naturally, slams shut behind him. but he has at least rejoined an, admittedly, rather frustrated Sophie...]

Finally! Of course I am. What about you?

[collector]

Oh, I'm in good health. No suddenly unstoppable violence from Verita.

[quietly] Thank you, Sophie. For supporting me in there.

[fortune_sought]

[sighs in relief] And nothing from the Mayor yet? Curious.

I'm not certain I did terribly much, but I do expect an explanation of what you discovered. [gives him a pointed look]

[collector]

Of course. [with one of his best charming smiles] Over a glass of brandy?

[fortune_sought]

[smiles despite herself] If you prefer.

[collector]

I always prefer brandy. Well, almost always. Sometimes, I prefer a claret.

[He tries his CAT at the door, just to see if it will pick up, then starts wandering through the hall for a room with brandy in it. (Because if there is one, Brax would have found it.)]

[fortune_sought]

[follows after him] You could start explaining while we look for your drink, you realise.

[collector]

I could also tango with you to the drinks cabinet.

[fortune_sought]

[raises an eyebrow] I take it you found something useful, then?