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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6FF5zcPui
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rn0xm57P7
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tYDQodcMR
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGX8m2IySc
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS4eTBBZJr
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PU5tLuHYg
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqWxzjAiSt
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJlzYfaAeT
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mJWrdHVVF
Instead, I advance towards the terrified people, the weapon raised precariously, as they back into a corner, whimper-making, wail-making, & beg-doing. copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu682FsCXk
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s4r12HcCW
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EiQAK4hFZ
"I say! This must be the fourth time this week, & it is yet Monday!" I thought aloud to myself.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSu30wJt8H
Mama & my elder sister, Elle, had been quarrel-making almost continually since Mama brought the strange man hence.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeaRGbUnox
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡjubClLmp32
"How peculiar." I said aloud.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0US3VpNox
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡucME3sQYPf
After all, how could she possibly have heard my bell through that deafening ruckus?copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9KGM5s8uw
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTw5MA0bno
I heard two bumping sounds & afterwards heard more thumping sounds, this time coming towards my bedchamber.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSAvxEYnCO
"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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7XmOKshSX
I snuggled into the sheets a bit, to show that I had been left disregarded, & I hadn't been properly taken care of.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Qk8DU8Oi
The door smashed open with a resounding crack, & in walked - no - stormed, a considerably flustered-looking Elle. copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyb84IN25p
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIxO5myxDq
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqumLCZGLO
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjm9rqRetX
"Elle! Margaret is going to be mighty displeased when she sees the state of the wardrobe!" I said, worried-feeling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjGb7LxFjb
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OCAanda3Y
"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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2hmbJN3Yg
Not waiting for my response, which was, of course, to ask why, she got up & tightened the knapsack - which was quite full indeed.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CzHOGsmmM
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡysBa3MxgWB
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVDxiPg5Sf
Just then, I noticed she was also wearing quite a lot of clothes. I was getting curiouser & curiouser. Why all this fuss? copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTSUBGB33X
Then, as if satisfied, she looked me up & down, & then grabbed my forearm & dragged me out of my bedchambres.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBqrMtdjJ9
I stopped her & explained that I had to use the water closet.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ5ywnnNtf
She sighed, led me to the water closet, & when I was finished, she grabbed my forearm again & pulled me downstairs.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9UIKBkOF
The scene down there was truly frightful!copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEhH63bjnV
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiUzQqXdeq
" Elle? Elle? Why are mama & - & -" I paused, for I could not recall his name.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgeDbXnMhc
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡszRJhXMsh9
" Float?" I queried, rather confused-feeling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKrhkiIhvW
" Aye, now come along, Ara."copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYcWBoUZab
She grabbed my forearm & once again, off we went, towards the outside. Yet again, I stopped.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDL4m218uj
" Elle! What about Margaret?" I asked, apprehensive-feeling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR4K9o2RFx
We never went anywhere without my Margaret!copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnw0k8oe8z
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlcbpydrHI
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0zOKJcNAS
" Margaret is gone, Ara. Duchess Clementine put her out of commission." she began.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡlngRoA0MP9
I gasped, but soon noticed the box filled with poor Margaret's remains.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfuyrT7FkP
" But Elle, she's in there!" I exclaimed pointedly.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4PXTAH5nh
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIFeA3PBQE
" She won't remember me?" I contemplated the idea.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUfKm8S1s
" It is quite likely she won't." she calmly replied.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpxxnq74wv
" Oh dear. I rather don't like that idea, let's leave it be. The rest, Elle? Why were mama &- &-" I paused again.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡmue1JO5yqV
" Baron Thyson, Ara." she supplemented.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb77qStyKv
" Yes! Thy-Ty-Thyson." I stumbled over the name.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rVzZj07ox
" I knocked them out so we could leave peacefully." she replied plaintively.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK2RMLGRj6
" Why?" I queried.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwhTDIL7gv
" Would you have liked mother & the Baron pulling us back while we were leaving?" she asked.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiXxSXQS4f
" I suppose not. That would have hurt more than you pulling my forearm." I stated.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHZryLdeCx
She apologised & sat silent-doing after that for a while. Then, my IEMP rumbled quite loudly.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo3DiHl4PC
" Oh dear. I'm afraid I completely neglected to eat breakfast, Elle!" I said, sorrowful-feeling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡArUxZNvQFz
" Quite. I'm afraid I completely neglected to bring you something to eat." she said apologetic-looking.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55h4xPQK4s
I sighed, sad-feeling. There is absolutely nothing worse than forgetting one's meals.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqRl3a3oeS
Suddenly, something clicked & I bounded up from the float-seat.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OkVmjJR9o
" Elle! Elle! We are going to Auntie & Uncle's house, are we not?" I asked, excited-feeling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfuIj1yaMD
She arched her eyebrow, " Yes, yes we are, Ara."copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡD33vp7FsvU
" Does that mean I get to see Pippin?" I squeaked.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwIFs5YbX8
Elle laughed, " Yeah, you shall see quite a bit of him presently."copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡAon47H6GRT
I squealed & jumped around.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuWnZmuEP0
" It's been so long since we have been to see Pippin, Elle!" I remarked.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaxhPZnObk
She smiled & patted her lap, where I then sat.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLJjQQ1XxS
I smiled up at her, waiting. copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQnNem9I1Z
" We are almost there, Ara. However, I have some requests of you before we get there." she said, more serious-looking.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA9gSYffMr
My smile slowly straightened out & I looked up, listening for the next words.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJci33941G
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRxjFLGPuH
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdiXtaWJpJ
I nodded. I could perfectly imagine that.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZsnhvrrAs
" Alright, now be a good little girl, & keep imagining it. Do what you would do if it were true. Act it out, alright?"copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wkFQ0rwPW
I slowly nodded, exceedingly confused, but willing.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD9wBDHyn6
In a few minutes, the float stopped in front of Uncle & Auntie's home.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy6LVnhnPR
The doors opened with a sudden burst & out ran a boy.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWnaCea3K0
He tripped on the stairs as we climbed out.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZE9vgNcOb
I started laugh-making & ran to help him up.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7JpSFN92C
I bent down & lent him my hand & pulled as hard as I could.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tzo3bCefn
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡefmToS9c5X
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡno47OXMB6P
Pippin winked & asked, " Why-ever not, dear Ollie?"copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7INvMZ81e
I sighed, waved my hand about, & explained the matter-of-fact, " You are Elle's age, & much larger than her, you blubbery stengine!"copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgtT9SLi5Q
He sprang up with a bound, startling me, " Blubbery?! Who do you think you are calling blubbery, Miss Elephant?"copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtflA3inFo
At this, Elle, Aunt & Uncle walked over, so we had to behave.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTwVH2IGaJ
" Gadaranine." Uncle said, stern-looking.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHZpA8imrn
I remembered what Elle had told me to act out.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHRt2swkPc
" Yes, uncle?" I replied.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ25fYMhHts
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo9qNKz570
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkHkNKMk4B
" Understood." Pippin & I said in unison.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOEC3DpkkS
I caught the underhanded wink Pippin sent at me, though, & had to fight to keep myself from giggling.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLgWb3GL9N
Uncle, not catching the wink, finally looked satisfied & strode back inside the house.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC8tWWeIgj
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN7ZqaDPvX
" 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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiJXeV1VGa
Pippin looked at me, grinned, & said, " Of course not!"copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsMRWIOar5
His smile, however, told me otherwise.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMSBLjMo8h
So, I smiled back, & then my sister smiled.copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPz6NN1OJI
Thus, in that one incredibly innocent & cheer-full moment, everyone around me was smiling. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgjUx2fWfJ
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185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEor8ef1zu3
copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMH6otpaSy
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 protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfn1laPnZy
Also, don't forget to bookmark it so you won't lose the book, that wouldn't be good, aye?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhyds41Npc
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See you laters, alligators! copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HuQOSke2c
- Legolass+copyright protection181ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuravNlkak
ns54.198.212.30da2