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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡKohjhVU29w 維尼
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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz3iGDHtrk 維尼
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?8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVrsms4qH4 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62hJ7PRwAF 維尼
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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x2q9hU0Dr 維尼
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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA0Uw9bl7w 維尼
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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c9SeYJ6kc 維尼
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. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc39KDx8nK 維尼
My heart clenches at the gore saturate-doing my hand & I endeavour to drop the burden, but the weight does not leave my grip. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5sdlFqTf3 維尼
Instead, I advance towards the terrified people, the weapon raised precariously, as they back into a corner, whimper-making, wail-making, & beg-doing. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV8Izmlknr 維尼
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, &.. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxzu3FJAVZ 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEGzXoZyem 維尼
"I say! This must be the fourth time this week, & it is yet Monday!" I thought aloud to myself.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DKc4q4var 維尼
Mama & my elder sister, Elle, had been quarrel-making almost continually since Mama brought the strange man hence.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGl0eAbR6s 維尼
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?8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6umjOMl8F 維尼
"How peculiar." I said aloud.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBmeDAKtj 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmcX2ksq75 維尼
After all, how could she possibly have heard my bell through that deafening ruckus?8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhyHfw7vn9 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnhRCr6vIJ 維尼
I heard two bumping sounds & afterwards heard more thumping sounds, this time coming towards my bedchamber.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡOax4pnsksT 維尼
"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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡhieNzfkb23 維尼
I snuggled into the sheets a bit, to show that I had been left disregarded, & I hadn't been properly taken care of.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPkrpzaJD9 維尼
The door smashed open with a resounding crack, & in walked - no - stormed, a considerably flustered-looking Elle. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhEzE9F61T 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg4vNkcPJQ 維尼
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!"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HPV28Hmnr 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgGBsa5A8i 維尼
"Elle! Margaret is going to be mighty displeased when she sees the state of the wardrobe!" I said, worried-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfnLa4qOKc 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUtXB2Unr7 維尼
"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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRfbnFD1ZL 維尼
Not waiting for my response, which was, of course, to ask why, she got up & tightened the knapsack - which was quite full indeed.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdgerMgXbi 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qQOhgTQwZ 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsg2Xtbi1p 維尼
Just then, I noticed she was also wearing quite a lot of clothes. I was getting curiouser & curiouser. Why all this fuss? 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMZitcG11L 維尼
Then, as if satisfied, she looked me up & down, & then grabbed my forearm & dragged me out of my bedchambres.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu7XWQSHWT 維尼
I stopped her & explained that I had to use the water closet.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7gvG3ZlEN 維尼
She sighed, led me to the water closet, & when I was finished, she grabbed my forearm again & pulled me downstairs.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9XGjJSrOM 維尼
The scene down there was truly frightful!8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRpj2ngi74 維尼
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!8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdq6lvDOF2 維尼
" Elle? Elle? Why are mama & - & -" I paused, for I could not recall his name.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy3EYNVmdJ 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡooVP0fkhqc 維尼
" Float?" I queried, rather confused-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J5Vdd2RUF 維尼
" Aye, now come along, Ara."8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rh4VMOOo5 維尼
She grabbed my forearm & once again, off we went, towards the outside. Yet again, I stopped.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UiPlAKmKH 維尼
" Elle! What about Margaret?" I asked, apprehensive-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyNHSNC4vl 維尼
We never went anywhere without my Margaret!8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7wqF0lUoe 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1jHQipe4l 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s5qFnxpS4 維尼
" Margaret is gone, Ara. Duchess Clementine put her out of commission." she began.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdYj0D429p 維尼
I gasped, but soon noticed the box filled with poor Margaret's remains.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ0J6kcxVN 維尼
" But Elle, she's in there!" I exclaimed pointedly.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YOKJfEqlR 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL9M9VUGRJ 維尼
" She won't remember me?" I contemplated the idea.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK4AhiFYWY 維尼
" It is quite likely she won't." she calmly replied.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSDoANok2E 維尼
" Oh dear. I rather don't like that idea, let's leave it be. The rest, Elle? Why were mama &- &-" I paused again.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQqPwSntnM 維尼
" Baron Thyson, Ara." she supplemented.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPYsUyCnUu 維尼
" Yes! Thy-Ty-Thyson." I stumbled over the name.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LJ9ddoxZ2 維尼
" I knocked them out so we could leave peacefully." she replied plaintively.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNNZFPUR2u 維尼
" Why?" I queried.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡup38DZs8PK 維尼
" Would you have liked mother & the Baron pulling us back while we were leaving?" she asked.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEco0dPP4h 維尼
" I suppose not. That would have hurt more than you pulling my forearm." I stated.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbUkU3PXYP 維尼
She apologised & sat silent-doing after that for a while. Then, my IEMP rumbled quite loudly.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJY2WvrYsu 維尼
" Oh dear. I'm afraid I completely neglected to eat breakfast, Elle!" I said, sorrowful-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjm3Efa7sJ 維尼
" Quite. I'm afraid I completely neglected to bring you something to eat." she said apologetic-looking.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNzMVXWjz5 維尼
I sighed, sad-feeling. There is absolutely nothing worse than forgetting one's meals.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡroTmAefJ9J 維尼
Suddenly, something clicked & I bounded up from the float-seat.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9axi6FycR1 維尼
" Elle! Elle! We are going to Auntie & Uncle's house, are we not?" I asked, excited-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6X2z9iYHp 維尼
She arched her eyebrow, " Yes, yes we are, Ara."8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sKQSFVlKG 維尼
" Does that mean I get to see Pippin?" I squeaked.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡw70rDakaOV 維尼
Elle laughed, " Yeah, you shall see quite a bit of him presently."8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLK4alh5lH 維尼
I squealed & jumped around.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m5kmYbUX1 維尼
" It's been so long since we have been to see Pippin, Elle!" I remarked.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57kcHCFX02 維尼
She smiled & patted her lap, where I then sat.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr9MKu4yA5 維尼
I smiled up at her, waiting. 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDb38hABbH 維尼
" We are almost there, Ara. However, I have some requests of you before we get there." she said, more serious-looking.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNem0Oa2w8 維尼
My smile slowly straightened out & I looked up, listening for the next words.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCSlQ5GWBM 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjKCeNbHmq 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu2cTZfiac 維尼
I nodded. I could perfectly imagine that.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZPlPC1w12 維尼
" Alright, now be a good little girl, & keep imagining it. Do what you would do if it were true. Act it out, alright?"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe1ByI1Hbu 維尼
I slowly nodded, exceedingly confused, but willing.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD89lUa4Rx 維尼
In a few minutes, the float stopped in front of Uncle & Auntie's home.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqEq8rAPaM 維尼
The doors opened with a sudden burst & out ran a boy.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGtlzClg6t 維尼
He tripped on the stairs as we climbed out.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBnSI6DZZe 維尼
I started laugh-making & ran to help him up.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm0V52KYdp 維尼
I bent down & lent him my hand & pulled as hard as I could.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v8EGeSyie 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqP2Kokgns 維尼
" Pippin, you cad! Help me a little, in the least. I can-not completely pull you up on my own." I complained, exasperated-feeling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVYYpPBUo3 維尼
Pippin winked & asked, " Why-ever not, dear Ollie?"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rxfqdDmfF 維尼
I sighed, waved my hand about, & explained the matter-of-fact, " You are Elle's age, & much larger than her, you blubbery stengine!"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Na256W3K 維尼
He sprang up with a bound, startling me, " Blubbery?! Who do you think you are calling blubbery, Miss Elephant?"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvsW9bJ4Ux 維尼
At this, Elle, Aunt & Uncle walked over, so we had to behave.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡswAcnRl2EJ 維尼
" Gadaranine." Uncle said, stern-looking.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡurG7xd56qR 維尼
I remembered what Elle had told me to act out.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡErMFFCO06l 維尼
" Yes, uncle?" I replied.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgZ5pksjLz 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNs5eXuatX 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡUto1MDH6Fj 維尼
" Understood." Pippin & I said in unison.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDo4ylCI0 維尼
I caught the underhanded wink Pippin sent at me, though, & had to fight to keep myself from giggling.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDavU7hHYK 維尼
Uncle, not catching the wink, finally looked satisfied & strode back inside the house.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ZHnrSfx9 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxXoY4onGs 維尼
" 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.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGN75tua5p 維尼
Pippin looked at me, grinned, & said, " Of course not!"8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53dvNAgz6 維尼
His smile, however, told me otherwise.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡroc1borajQ 維尼
So, I smiled back, & then my sister smiled.8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYvK7sjAwO 維尼
Thus, in that one incredibly innocent & cheer-full moment, everyone around me was smiling. 501Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpyeC2vdRi
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501Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcFxzk1YXm
8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpF67PA8ac 維尼
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? 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡof5pawIGDW 維尼
Also, don't forget to bookmark it so you won't lose the book, that wouldn't be good, aye?501Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSr92ZShXQ
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See you laters, alligators! 8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOHvmH0Zzz 維尼
- Legolass+8964 copyright protection497ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQJv3tEfAd 維尼
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