As I stealthily creep through the home, I feel an unfamiliar dread & guilt. I feel the cool breeze wafting through the open windows, & my body starts to shiver. Or was I, perchance, only shivering from the cold enclosed in myself? I feel so cold, cold as frozen steam in a winter storm, the cold, cloudily swirl-making in me, forming me, threatening to freeze over & never crack. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b2RUPvp1G
I glance down. My hands are slender, thin, & paler than usual for my dusky, olive skin. Suddenly, I notice the dagger concealed in the palm of my left hand, radiantly gleam-making in the dead of the darkness of everything, & gradually start to panic. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEDCTrpcCK
The anxiety rises, & I grow faint, the world growing hazy around me, as I struggle to keep a grasp on this strange world. My cogwheels slowing with the sudden, entrapping strain of the horror induced by... Induced by what, indeed?copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5FJs2Jp0V
Looking around, my face relaxes - peaceful-looking - almost childlike again, as it should be. Colourful swirls surround me, engulfing me, but one colour is clearer than the rest.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ097202SwrU
I look around in awe, my IEMP suddenly, exceedingly clear, frozen again as I feel the gears start to function, normal-doing again. I clearly see the unmistakable colour of blood. Crimson, dripping, languid-making, down the walls, swirl-making in the fog inside the home, puddle-making on the floor. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhyQTsijFV
I look behind me, & behold! There are people, begging me, the terror plain-showing in their bodily postures, their facial expressions. I cannot recognize them, try as hard as I may. I attempt to run to them, but hopelessly fail, as they flinch away from me. The cold set in my frozen heart forbids me to move forward for that purpose, push-doing me towards them for quite another reason. Seeing their gazes, I turn around in the hopes that it is not truly me they are afraid of, perchance the monster is another. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s0JbtLVSM
I veer, despairing-feeling, knowing in my heart that the only fiend here is myself. Seeing no one, I clench my hands feel-doing in my left the weight that persists. I look down & see the blade, but this time, something is exceedingly different. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTVZWW1Pss
No longer is the dagger flawlessly brilliant. Oh, it still lustrously glimmers in the dark, but it is no longer perfect. Now, it is marred by the scarlet ribbons weaving down the blade, the specks of cruor spatter-making across my hand. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFKiwELPXq
My heart clenches at the gore saturate-doing my hand & I endeavour to drop the burden, but the weight does not leave my grip. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1SLL4ew07
Instead, I advance towards the terrified people, the weapon raised precariously, as they back into a corner, whimper-making, wail-making, & beg-doing. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS0dRX9SMC
My body is no longer expressly mine to control. It moves of its own will, or - perchance - that of another. My hand descends upon the desperate-sounding, howl-making people, &.. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwi5OPJzEH
I awoke to the sound of yet another shindy. I carefully wiped my right hand against my right eye, which was quite steamed up this morning. I finished, being able to see slightly clearer through that eye, & listened to the din coming from downstairs.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oJTauXo1Y
"I say! This must be the fourth time this week, & it is yet Monday!" I thought aloud to myself.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkQxyHuIAh
Mama & my elder sister, Elle, had been quarrel-making almost continually since Mama brought the strange man hence.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUNC0BsJb6
I was not sure why. Why, he seemed a bit queer, I supposed, but aren't all adults somewhat queer towards children of my age?copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcva5FF24G
"How peculiar." I said aloud.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B0R8zzCh9
Margaret had not yet come with my breakfast, to help me out of bed, & get me dressed. I was not sure I wanted Margaret to come & help me out of bed. I was quite comfortable hence, in the fluffy pillows & mattresses & such. No doubt the din was even louder outside.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB4He4iGOu
After all, how could she possibly have heard my bell through that deafening ruckus?copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfGiqLY5O3
Margaret had also been acting quite unlike herself as of late, now that I began to think about it. Shuffle-making about, with her head bowed. She had usually been one of the more outspoken & independent servants. As Mama put it, she was "insolent." I was not quite sure what that word meant, but mama always used it when Margaret was talking to her, so I supposed it meant somewhat what I thought it did. She also sometimes said that if it was up to her, poor Margaret would be neutralised.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPENHMmgpD
I heard two bumping sounds & afterwards heard more thumping sounds, this time coming towards my bedchamber.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjfu0tyjam
"Oh! I dare-say someone is marching up the stairs in this direction! Perchance I have been remembered after all!" I said excitedly, to no one in particular.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXCug2gf85
I snuggled into the sheets a bit, to show that I had been left disregarded, & I hadn't been properly taken care of.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUVWHDJ4T8
The door smashed open with a resounding crack, & in walked - no - stormed, a considerably flustered-looking Elle. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡHksWOsqnMA
I looked at her, taking in her usually delicate-looking beautiful features, contorted in fury. Her long, elegant-looking sloping nose, now scrunched up to create wrinkles in her brow. Somehow, her clothes also looked particularly bunchy today. Her dark eyes burned with the complete ire contained inside of her. Sometimes I wondered how she hadn't exploded like an overfilled Steam Energies Processor yet. As I took in her features, she turned to me & found me on the bed.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAym4Ool3w
Her eyes widened - even more - which I had not previously considered possible, & as she strode over to me, she exclaimed, " Gadaranine! You are still abed? Come, come, we must make haste!"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmqmj8Z2cT
She grabbed me out of bed & rifled through my closet, stuffing various items in a knapsack that seemed to appear out of the aether. As she continued her rummaging through my wardrobe. I noticed the state she was leaving the wardrobe in & gasped.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUdEQ16hoS
"Elle! Margaret is going to be mighty displeased when she sees the state of the wardrobe!" I said, worried-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8tquxfTTj
She turned to me & her eyes softened. She knelt down & grasped my hands, flinching slightly as she felt my queer finger - the one mama hated - against hers, but quickly hiding it. She looked into my eyes with a sort of pleading look.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkFQGZZG1c
"Ara, darling, do not fret about that now. I need you to be as grown-up as you can be right now, alright? Please just listen to what I say & obey, do you understand?" She stated, quite plain-making.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6NRXPYee
Not waiting for my response, which was, of course, to ask why, she got up & tightened the knapsack - which was quite full indeed.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7nkxRSNLL
She grabbed a pair of black kid gloves &, rather careless-doing, slipped them onto my hands. As she slipped on the left glove, the pointer finger's tip ripped a hole in the gloves. She gasped & swore, something I had not ever heard her do, because it was impolite & exceedingly unladylike. I - in turn - gasped, blushed, & was about to reproach her. I noticed the fire was back in her eyes & carefully decided not to do so for my own well being.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a5M1ML1tN
She seized another glove & took a bit more care in sliding it on this time. She then grasped two of my petticoats & slipped them on me after a pair of stockings. I was a bit confused, as I never wore two petticoats at the same time, but I kept silent because of her earlier words to me. She also grabbed three dresses & somehow managed to put them on me. After that, she grabbed one of my pinafores & a thick coat, slipped them over my dresses, & patted everything down.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡd30jQShFQw
Just then, I noticed she was also wearing quite a lot of clothes. I was getting curiouser & curiouser. Why all this fuss? copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHDg2a8UYT
Then, as if satisfied, she looked me up & down, & then grabbed my forearm & dragged me out of my bedchambres.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡF44LR6yC71
I stopped her & explained that I had to use the water closet.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk4rEVjVB9
She sighed, led me to the water closet, & when I was finished, she grabbed my forearm again & pulled me downstairs.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvR5LTfUNd
The scene down there was truly frightful!copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtiTfa0NM7
My mouth gaped open as I took in my poor mama & the strange man, lying on the floor, seeming-looking, asleep. Now this was just too curious indeed!copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdsUE7PX3q
" Elle? Elle? Why are mama & - & -" I paused, for I could not recall his name.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vVZAHTQCH
" Baron Hamish Thyson. I shall explain when we are situated in the float. No time to waste." she stated, cold-looking, casting a frigid glance at both of the people lie-doing on the floor.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ramkpwldj
" Float?" I queried, rather confused-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2wVWb3M86
" Aye, now come along, Ara."copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgB8gcQ92t
She grabbed my forearm & once again, off we went, towards the outside. Yet again, I stopped.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6U1sfrZAE
" Elle! What about Margaret?" I asked, apprehensive-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3HPYE01q9
We never went anywhere without my Margaret!copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EqKNGWDQY
Elle sighed, scooped me up in her arms, & carried me out of our abode. She walked up to the float & commanded it to open. By what seemed like magick to me, it opened. She dropped me inside, & then she climbed in herself. She commanded the float to sail to Bushy House, Teddington, South-west London.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G41Iwg9wQ
That was the living place of Uncle Sylvester & Auntie Anadora! I, calm-showing, or as calm-showing as I could, waited for my sister to explain.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOTvESaFUA
" Margaret is gone, Ara. Duchess Clementine put her out of commission." she began.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ffN2WJFM
I gasped, but soon noticed the box filled with poor Margaret's remains.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMsLOai4kO
" But Elle, she's in there!" I exclaimed pointedly.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8DPEiIOXD
" She has been deactivated. There is no steam in her, & she has been disassembled. I brought her in hopes that you might one day restore her, even if you do manage to contrive such a thing, there is always the chance that she will no longer have any steam-data of you retained." she explained.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMGE1tGXcm
" She won't remember me?" I contemplated the idea.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU9cFXnY2I
" It is quite likely she won't." she calmly replied.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYQrOvJxjH
" Oh dear. I rather don't like that idea, let's leave it be. The rest, Elle? Why were mama &- &-" I paused again.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJtQnvk4tw
" Baron Thyson, Ara." she supplemented.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdqAq6yO5B
" Yes! Thy-Ty-Thyson." I stumbled over the name.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTAnkpS4Wc
" I knocked them out so we could leave peacefully." she replied plaintively.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6VeXjKhod
" Why?" I queried.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPqeqRlZFr
" Would you have liked mother & the Baron pulling us back while we were leaving?" she asked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbkbyFArJw
" I suppose not. That would have hurt more than you pulling my forearm." I stated.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuDzJATtRi
She apologised & sat silent-doing after that for a while. Then, my IEMP rumbled quite loudly.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF77UyYgxE
" Oh dear. I'm afraid I completely neglected to eat breakfast, Elle!" I said, sorrowful-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8P2joHUQq
" Quite. I'm afraid I completely neglected to bring you something to eat." she said apologetic-looking.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡquV34EEX7w
I sighed, sad-feeling. There is absolutely nothing worse than forgetting one's meals.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOcnW6VVnt
Suddenly, something clicked & I bounded up from the float-seat.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Bp7VNOPE
" Elle! Elle! We are going to Auntie & Uncle's house, are we not?" I asked, excited-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg8akcOYaW
She arched her eyebrow, " Yes, yes we are, Ara."copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqLGOHNKCb
" Does that mean I get to see Pippin?" I squeaked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcgPBnKpbA
Elle laughed, " Yeah, you shall see quite a bit of him presently."copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rQcBapq8z
I squealed & jumped around.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD08kPQ8zs
" It's been so long since we have been to see Pippin, Elle!" I remarked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNEzDfXnF9
She smiled & patted her lap, where I then sat.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIAOUcYjC7
I smiled up at her, waiting. copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KU85JYdj
" We are almost there, Ara. However, I have some requests of you before we get there." she said, more serious-looking.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx757Kl480
My smile slowly straightened out & I looked up, listening for the next words.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6JOUD0SXD
" Ara, you are going to have to be an exceedingly good little girl from now on. Imagine something. Can you do that?" she asked, & I nodded.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQDKLLPuK3
" Imagine father is away, & mother does not care. Imagine I would now have to take care of you. Imagine I asked aunty & uncle to help me. Imagine we are now going to live with them. Got it?" she asked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡObAVhHGDMO
I nodded. I could perfectly imagine that.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZUnOO1PHY
" Alright, now be a good little girl, & keep imagining it. Do what you would do if it were true. Act it out, alright?"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHP5rARh5C
I slowly nodded, exceedingly confused, but willing.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTNUP5CvIo
In a few minutes, the float stopped in front of Uncle & Auntie's home.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmoeJc2L2K
The doors opened with a sudden burst & out ran a boy.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuryAT9rae
He tripped on the stairs as we climbed out.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v8RqXX2sF
I started laugh-making & ran to help him up.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL2QZM32x5
I bent down & lent him my hand & pulled as hard as I could.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhzeQ98ZBj
He smirked & acted like he was attempting to get up, but actually did not get up in the least. I groaned & pulled even harder. Eventually, I let go, exhausted.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFOmxejuhL
" Pippin, you cad! Help me a little, in the least. I can-not completely pull you up on my own." I complained, exasperated-feeling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIxdyxZBzx
Pippin winked & asked, " Why-ever not, dear Ollie?"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmOgBEqKD1
I sighed, waved my hand about, & explained the matter-of-fact, " You are Elle's age, & much larger than her, you blubbery stengine!"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SHSef6xKo
He sprang up with a bound, startling me, " Blubbery?! Who do you think you are calling blubbery, Miss Elephant?"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV7Q8Gn7iX
At this, Elle, Aunt & Uncle walked over, so we had to behave.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZjtfV7FGL
" Gadaranine." Uncle said, stern-looking.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJDpBREIpo
I remembered what Elle had told me to act out.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IjeysUWzd
" Yes, uncle?" I replied.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeccIs8P7O
" I have discussed the matters with your elder sister Ellectra over the Remote Steam Cloud Communication Device beforehand. I hope you understand what a grave matter we are discussing, & as thus, I expect you to behave accordingly." At this, he turned & gave a stern look to Pippin.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPyfea7TSw
" I will accept you & your sister into my house, but I expect you to act as though you are indeed in the position that you are in. I will not tolerate anything or any behaviour that will bring further dishonour upon my family or myself. Do I leave this clear, Duchess Gadaranine O. Eberneus & Duke Peregrin D. Strophson?" He commanded, more than queried.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZeCeN49JE
" Understood." Pippin & I said in unison.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCTyPB0Yq8
I caught the underhanded wink Pippin sent at me, though, & had to fight to keep myself from giggling.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Ylhdwo6o
Uncle, not catching the wink, finally looked satisfied & strode back inside the house.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡVooa0DX5MH
Auntie smiled with her pleasant rosy cheeks, walked over & knelt down, despite her shortness. I supposed people just had a knack for kneel-doing when they talked to me. I surely had no idea.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8kCH9dI8E
" Ara, I know Sylvester seems a bit harsh sometimes, but I'm sure that he shall soon come to accept you as one of the family. Do not fret about it. I am quite sure my son hence has already done so, right my dear Peregrin?" she smiled with that pleasant-looking round face & tilted her head towards Pippin.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVGPhY2Nm9
Pippin looked at me, grinned, & said, " Of course not!"copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡchxBryepD1
His smile, however, told me otherwise.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7narZRBdAJ
So, I smiled back, & then my sister smiled.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrFyhXxkKT
Thus, in that one incredibly innocent & cheer-full moment, everyone around me was smiling. 77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59mn1mewWU
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77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KpP9Tb9gK
copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaBZCARdNr
Soooo... Prologue, eh? Tell me what you think about it in the comments! (Down there, yeah, that sorta yellowish button with comments on it...) Did you think it was a dream? Did you like how I sort of clued you in on it with the italics? Like the language use? Maybe it'd be worth it to hit that like button so more people can enjoy it, yeah? copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFTCebALvk
Also, don't forget to bookmark it so you won't lose the book, that wouldn't be good, aye?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4hqMr8EcC
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See you laters, alligators! copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuJoumZmzN
- Legolass+copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxtHaISKto
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