[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/vYFFhvq.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/A0ETWbS.png[/img][/center] -- [b]Time: Third day without the Ambassador, evening.[/b] [b]Location: Paris, France.[/b] [b]POV: Mara[/b] [color=LightPink]"300 meters."[/color] Mandate murmured softly. [i]Awed.[/i] "Whazzat?" Mara raised her eyes above the book she had buried her nose into. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she sought an explanation from Mandate. The problem, of course, was that the golem wasn't looking at the goblin. She was staring off into the distance, focused upon the tower that stood defiantly bright against the dim evening sky. [color=LightPink]"The Eiffel Tower is 300 meters."[/color] the golem elaborated. It was hopeless to try and read her illusionary eyes, but her mouth was a hard line. What thoughts lurked behind the cold facades of flesh and quicksilver? Shaking her head, Mara refocused upon her chosen book. Reading in the dark was as easy as navigating in the pitch black, if one knew the proper magic. Still, she found herself stalling. The words and meaning eluded her. It was not for a lack of literacy, but rather the presence of Mandate. More specifically, it was the nagging questions she brought with her. Sighing, Mara lowered her tome, and focused upon the golem with a raised eyebrow. "How'd you know that, Mandate?" That was a good place to start. Mandate shrugged, forcing Mara to fight off a momentary burst of irritation. Shoulder movement was not a real answer -no matter how much anybody else tried to convince her otherwise- and she wouldn't accept it as one. "Mandate? Come on, how'd ya know that?" It was the first time she'd had to ask Mandate anything more than once. [color=LightPink]"I don't know."[/color] the golem replied truthfully, her shoulders shrugging once more. [color=LightPink]"It just felt right. I was right?"[/color] Suddenly, her lips quirked upwards. Like a switch had been flicked, her eyes shot to Mara fast enough that the goblin almost -[i]almost[/i]- flinched. Again with the rapid swinging of her mood, as if bringing joy to the construct was as easy of reminding her of nice things, or rewarding her accomplishments. Truthfully, Mara wasn't sure how to deal with it. The moods of the fey were as vastly differing as the stars in the sky, but it was rare for one to strike a balance between discordant and harmonious; somehow, Mandate did so naturally. Mystifying. Snorting, Mandate gave the golem a nod of affirmation, and watched as she seemed to wiggle with joy, turning her attention back out into the sky. Mara could no longer tell where she was looking, with the way her illusory eyes darted about to represent her changing focus. [color=LightPink]"I cannot wait to tell Miss Ambassador that I have knowledge of things!"[/color] Mara closed her book with a soft 'tsk', hopping off of the low wall she'd seated herself upon. At least the area was deserted enough that Mandate was unlikely to be heard. "I think she already knows that ye know things, Mandate." she replied, stopping beside the golem. She gave a shrug of her own -it wasn't hypocrisy!- and focused upon the tower in the distance. "Sort of, anyway." [color=LightPink]"Then I should find new things to tell her!"[/color] Mandate chirped. Mara could only assume that she either didn't notice or didn't care about the gruff tone that she'd been using. It had been easy to learn that such was the nature of the golem; she simply didn't care, or absorbed it all in good stride. Traveling the city was an adventure, and being shouted at by annoyed pedestrians after she'd stepped blithely into traffic was a learning experience. Mara grimaced; that had been a tricky one to smooth over, particularly since only Mandate could see her. [color=LightPink]"Maybe I should see if I can knock it over."[/color] Mandate wondered aloud. Mara's thoughts fled like vampires at dawn. "Whuh?" [color=LightPink]"The tower! I bet if I pushed at it really hard, or gave those supports some good punches, I could topple it really easily."[/color] Mandate drummed her chin in thought, unaware of Mara's stunned state as she considered her options. Mara was too busy trying to reboot her brain to consider what that looked like without the illusion. [color=LightPink]"It'd probably have to be a punching thing, you know?"[/color] "... Whuh?" [color=LightPink]"See, I can put out a lot of force into a really small place, but if I wanted to push it over, it'd have to be a lot of force all over the place. I'd have to be huge, or I'd just push a hole right through it! So, I think punching is the better option here, don't you agree?" [/color] Mandate placed her hands upon her hips, looking down at the goblin with a smile. [i]She expects a response?[/i] Mara composed herself relatively quickly, and gave the golem a disgruntled frown. "Mandate, no." A part of her doubted the golem's claims, as she'd never seen a construct capable of moving such a massive weight, but the majority of her most definitely did not wish to test the golem's claims. If she was truthful, as the goblin was dreading, then the damage would be partially her fault. Mandate's smile disappeared. Her dead eyes bored into the goblin's. [color=LightPink]"Mandate, yes."[/color] she replied firmly. The rebuke made Mara mentally reel, considering who it was coming from, but the goblin had her own retort. She adjusted her glasses, and shook her head firmly. "The Ambassador wouldn't like that, Mandate," she began, ignoring Mandate's quiet correction of 'Miss Ambassador', "This is [i]her[/i] city, and she'd like to keep it intact." It was a reasonable enough guess of the Ambassador's motives, as the goblin sincerely doubted that the human wanted to see the tower toppled. Whether or not she was correct, the golem seemed to certainly believe her; she seemed to deflate, her hands living her hips as she pouted down at her companion, casting a final plaintive glance to the structure in the distance. Mara shook her once more. Mandate made a noise akin to huffing her breath, particularly impressive considering she didn't have to breathe. [i]But then, how does she talk?[/i] [color=LightPink]"Fiiine,"[/color] the golem hummed, [color=LightPink]"But if she's not impressed, the blame is only on you."[/color] Mara released the breath she'd been holding. She could work with that. "That's fine, Mandate." The golem nodded, and strode past the goblin. Apparently, something else had grabbed her attention. Mara sighed. [i]The sooner the Ambassador returns, the better.[/i] -- [b]Time: Fifth day without the Ambassador, afternoon.[/b] [b]Location: Paris, France.[/b] [b]POV: Mandate[/b] [i]I wonder what I'd see if I ripped her open.[/i] Mandate's eyes lingered on Mara's back. The gift from Miss Ambassador felt nice in her hand, and around her neck. [i]Would it be like a small human, compressed to fit a miniature form? She doesn't seem too hampered by her cute little form. Less than I thought she'd be. Maybe her muscles are denser? I'd have to feel them to be sure.[/i] The goblin was steadily growing more distant, trudging alongside the street whilst Mandate stayed where she had been. [i]But they'd rip all the same; Mara isn't[/i] that [i]strong, so it'd have to be found in the texture differences. I wonder how her organs are positioned. It can't be that different. What about her brain? She doesn't seem like she thinks that differently from a human. Then again, she likes to stay in walls, and I do not think human beings do that very often. Maybe she is closer to a rat?[/i] She was peering at the ground, her nose scrunched up as she adjusted her glasses. [i]Oh, this reminds me of a question I had![/i] Mandate's V-shaped 'smile' returned as she hurried after Mara, her footsteps louder than they should have been with the size that the crystal made her look. The goblin winced, shooting a frown over her shoulder for reasons Mandate couldn't be bothered to understand. She had important questions for her delightfully mysterious, squishy companion. [color=LightPink]"Mara, if I opened a human's skull, would I be able to tell if it was a selkie by looking at its brain?"[/color] she chirped, tilting her head. Mara stared. [color=LightPink]"I mean, selkies are mostly seals, right?"[/color] the golem continued, seeing that her point had been lost upon the goblin. She would do her best to help Mara understand. [color=LightPink]"So they probably look a lot different from a human when you look inside, or maybe it just has some weird differences, like an extra lobe or something. I would be able to find it, right?"[/color] Mara continued to stare. For a moment, Mandate wondered if she'd said something to displease the goblin. The fey mostly just looked a little disgruntled, though. "Why woul-" Mara stopped, then sighed. "Just come on, Mandate. Ye can ask the Ambassador when ye see her." The reminder caused Mandate's fading smile to regain its lost strength. That was a good idea, with only one small flaw. [color=LightPink]"MISS Ambassador."[/color] Mandate gently chided, raising a finger to emphasize her point. Mara shook her head one last time, then turned and resumed the trek through the winding streets with a final, unreadable glance backwards. Mandate's long stride ate up the distance easily as she held the question in her mind, prepared to throw it at Miss Ambassador at the first opportunity. Once she was done being so very excited to see said Miss Ambassador. Perhaps then her urge to explore would grow strong again; There was still so much to be seen and found within the city, and her enthusiasm hadn't fully faded, but it had changed. The truth of just how long four -almost five- days could be had struck Mandate upon the end of the second, when the seconds had begun to dribble together halfway through their walk. The sun had begun to dip, and she had hardly noticed. In truth, most of the landmarks she had learned of on that day and the next were forgotten. Perhaps that was why the very end of the third day stood out so sharply in her mind; the Eiffel Tower had been mentioned by Miss Ambassador by name. Therefore, it was [i]special,[/i] and provoked her attention. The thought of it, and her questions for Miss Ambassador, had kept her... Contently hazy through the fourth day. Through the slowly rolling hours and forgotten sunrise and sunset. And now, finally, it was time! She could hardly wait. -- [b]Time: The same day, late afternoon.[/b] [b]Location: Outside The Ambassador's apartment building, Paris.[/b] [b]POV: Mandate[/b] [color=LightPink]”Can I press it?”[/color] “Mandate, I’ve already-” [color=LightPink]”Please?”[/color] With a sigh, Mara wordlessly shuffled slightly to the side. Smiling, the golem eagerly tapped at the door buzzer, staring up at nothing in particular and awaiting a response. She quickly raised her hand to press it again, admittedly without waiting very long, but allowed the goblin beside her to guide her hand away without a complaint. And thus, they waited. Vienna bustled to the door at the sound of the doorbell, drying her hands on a t-towel hung off her shoulder. She pressed the palm of her hand against the wood of the door closing her eyes and allowing herself to see who was down at the front doors. She recognized the little goblin Mara, unmistakable with her bottle glasses. Vienna saw the large human heavily glamoured beside Mara. The gem she was wearing glittered with enchantment. Vienna stepped away from the door then made her way to see Odette unpacking in her room, the door was open. “[color=peru][i]My Lady I apologize for intrudin’ it seems the goblin, Mara, has brought a visitor. Do they have permission to enter?[/i][/color]” Vienna often reverted to common fey, it was her native language and found French difficult to learn at first. The household fey clasped her hands before her, waiting for her response. The human sorceress carefully picked through each piece of clothing, throwing a few into the hamper as she went. “[color=thistle][i]Allow them up, they are right on time.[/i][/color]” Odette replied. When she had arrived home from New York she stripped free from her clothes and dressed down to a pair of shorts and a loose fitted tank top. Her hair was released from its bobby pins and her face was rinsed clean of makeup. Vienna nodded bowing her head and hurried off back to the door, unlocking the main door to the building with a resounding buzz. Mandate was through the door before Mara had started to move. At any other point, she might have been quite slow in taking in this wondrous new environment known as ‘Miss Ambassador’s building’. As it stood, however, she couldn’t quite find it in herself to slow down beyond a brisk walk, shooting straight past the door. And promptly becoming lost. [color=LightPink]”Mara? Where do I go to see Miss Ambassador?”[/color] Her tone was curious and ever so slightly pleading. She turned to seek out the goblin, and her eyes landed upon the fey that she had almost bowled over -and in the process, completely missed- in her haste to find her friend. [color=LightPink]”Oh, hello! Where do I go to see Miss Ambassador?”[/color] She paused, and scolded herself internally. [color=LightPink]“Also, it’s nice to meet you!”[/color] Perfection. Vienna didn’t understand English and only understood the word Ambassador. Staring at the glamoured human, wearing her confusion. “[color=peru][i]Mara, what did she say?[/i][/color]” Looking to the goblin for help. Before Vienna’s question was answered, Odette heard the golem from her room and quickly exited to save Vienna more confusion. She padded up behind Vienna patting the shorter Fey on the shoulder, “[color=thistle][i]Vienna could you please go and prepare some tea? Mara, I am sure you are thirsty.[/i][/color]” She supplied in common Fey. Vienna nodded curtly, sidestepping the golem. Then greeted Mandate smiling, “[color=thistle]Mandate, it is good to see you.[/color]” Mara, who had followed Mandate inside at a much more moderate pace, nodded her head in acknowledgement towards Miss Ambassador. She murmured her thanks with a long stretch, and shuffled after Vienna; she had more or less drained herself of any enthusiasm to spend time with Mandate, whatever little there was in the first place. Or so the golem assumed, anyway; she wasn’t completely blind to the feelings of others; she just didn’t particularly care, most of the time. This was one such time. Her gaze had snapped to Miss Ambassador almost as soon as she had come into the golem’s field of vision. Frozen in place, she watched with a quiet sort of anticipation as the smaller human said something to the even smaller Fey, seemingly sending her off to do something. Vienna was hardly past the golem when she burst out, with no small amount of joy, [color=LightPink]“Miss Ambassador! Can I hug you?!”[/color] Her hands flew up to the gift hanging around her neck, working gently to remove it as she asked her question with a contrasting enthusiasm. Despite her lack of much of a human’s body language, there was a clear sense of anticipation. Genuinely, Odette chuckled in response. The golem expressive as ever her harmonious feminine and masculine voices mixing so pleasantly. She supposed she expected this level of affection, holding her hand had been very strange behaviour from a golem but it seemed appropriate for Mandate. Although Odette had not come to any new conclusions, she intended to figure out some of the mysteries hidden within her new friend. She opened her arms to Mandate and said, “[color=thistle]Yes you may, then we will talk about your adventures through Paris the past few days.[/color]” Mandate readily accepted Miss Ambassador’s invitation of open arms, moving at a brisk walk with her friend’s gift held tightly in her hand. Her only moment of hesitation came when she opened her arms to envelope the significantly shorter being, pausing as she remembered her manners. [color=LightPink]”Of course, Miss Ambassador. And, hello again!”[/color] With that cheerful, late introduction, the Ambassador was enveloped very gently by the massive golem’s arms. Mandate had to stoop to do so properly, but she did not hesitate. [color=LightPink]”I saw interesting things and have much to talk with you about!”[/color] she continued, though she did not break the hug. The harmonious choir of her voice conveyed a great level of fondness, she felt. [i]And much of it was slow without you,[/i] she did not add. The cool, solid and gently firm hold Mandate had around Odette sent involuntary chills racing across her skin. She tried to wrap her arms around Mandate’s torso but struggled to reach past her sides. Odette awkwardly settled for patting her back. “[color=thistle]I hope Mara was good company to keep.[/color]” None too subtly asking if there was a problem. Mandate nodded her head above Miss Ambassador, pleased by the patting. The human was soft, to her senses at least. Perhaps she was biased by how pleased she was to see the Ambassador again, but it was a wondrous experience, like holding onto her hand except more. The golem’s response took a few moments. [color=LightPink]”She was wonderful, Miss Ambassador, and very helpful to some of my questions. Do you own the Tower? She told me that it would be bad if I knocked over your things, and called the Tower one of them!”[/color] The first and most important of questions, of course; she had to know if an opportunity for indepth study had been needlessly wasted. The golem drew back as she spoke, carefully releasing the smaller human from her enveloping embrace and peering down at her with her singular eye and V-shaped smile. Odette giggled again, “[color=thistle]Mara was right, it would not be good if you knocked over the Eiffel Tower, my dear. I do not own it, however. That landmark belongs to Paris.[/color]” Odette said guiding Mandate over to the couch to continue chatting. Meanwhile in the kitchen Vienna went about preparing a tea tray setting a timer for steeping the tea leaves. Vienna pushed a plate of freshly baked biscuits Mara’s way. “[color=peru][i]So this golem was quite a handful then?[/i][/color]” Vienna made small talk as she worked. It wasn’t very often she got the chance to speak to Mara. The household fey smiled widely at the goblin. Mara’s initial response was a heavy and wry huff, which she felt was quite adequate for getting the tone across. She seemed to perk up as the biscuits came her way, and accepted them with hasty thanks and keen awareness of her relatively empty stomach. [i]”Handful and a half,”[/i] Mara responded after she’d taken a bite and swallowed, [i]”Interesting, though.”[/i] she finished with a shrug, mulling over the events of the last days. [i]”Always seems to want to break something, except when she doesn’t.”[/i] That was the simplest description she could provide, but it felt apt. Mandate had allowed herself to be guided to the couch quite easily, giving a soft ‘ohhh’ of understanding as she considered that. Miss Ambassador had called the city ‘hers’, but perhaps that wasn’t literal. Well, it was literal enough to the golem; as far as she was concerned, the human owned whatever she wished to own, and it was accepted as fact by her without fuss. But if Miss Ambassador thought otherwise, then so it was. [color=LightPink]”Well, she was not able to answer a question or two, and that disappointed me. But! She told me you would be able to help, if you want to hear them, Miss Ambassador.”[/color] She was quite eager to ask the Ambassador, and it showed in her inhuman voice. The strange harmony was [i]anticipatory.[/i] Odette nodded folding her hands in her lap, “[color=thistle]I would love to hear your questions and answer them the best I can, my dear. However I have one question for you.[/color]” She reached out for Mandate’s hand. She had no real worries that Mandate would refuse her offer. It was only cordial to make this offer clearly and without any doubts. “[color=thistle]Mandate, I suspect that you do not have anyone to return to. Am I right in this assumption?[/color]” She asked taking on a more serious tone looking straight into the red orb of Mandate’s singular eye. Mandate would have blinked, if she were capable of such a thing. Her eye focused upon Odette, and did not deviate. [color=LightPink]”Return?”[/color] she murmured slowly, softly. It was a hesitant noise. Did Miss Ambassador expect someone to come for her, perhaps? Did she… Mean to return her? Return… [i]A thunderous noise, a siren call? A thousand noises. A thousand cries. Screaming, hers and theirs and his. The floorboards shatter with an exertion of will, and they tumble to the stone. Flesh and bone break. Her hand tears through a man like a cardboard, like paper, and she wonders for a moment what cardboard is. Still, she screams, until they do not.[/i] Mandate jerked as a metallic noise rang out, peering downwards. Her hand had closed in on itself, rather than grasping onto Miss Ambassador’s. It had clenched until metal had made an awful noise. She became aware of the metal slivers that made up her ‘mane’ settling once more. [i]Stop. Stop now. There is no danger.[/i] And slowly, it relented. The golem cautiously turned her gaze back onto her friend, her dear friend who did not seek to send her away. She had brought her along for a reason, after all! Reassuring herself as such, Mandate finally responded, 10 seconds late. [color=LightPink]”No one, Miss Ambassador!”[/color] she chirpily reported. [i]No one who I wouldn’t kill.[/i] Odette watched the golem’s reaction with apparent curiosity. The flare of her mane was as expressive as a smile or frown, to Odette. Her reaction hinted at something painful, truly such expressions of grief and trauma were universal. The little clues were all she needed to know, she had to be [i]very[/i] careful when referring to her origins. The unknown amount of souls embedded within Mandate must be bound by powerful necromancy, how well they stabilized within the golem was at best anyone’s guess. Without the creator’s notes or input, Odette would simply have to find out for herself. Thankfully, her connections provided expertise in such putrid magic as necromancy. An area she never dabbled in. “[color=thistle]I see, then Mandate it seems you are in need of a home and somewhere to stay. Truthfully, I am in need of your help.[/color]” Odette offered her hand for Mandate to hold again, her eyes softened, well-practiced sincerity. She sighed softly, “[color=thistle]More than you know. If you are interested I have ample space available for you to call your own in exchange you accompany me while I work, protect my person and my interests. My dear Mandate, I know we have only known each other for a short time but please consider my offer. Please come live here, with me.[/color]” Odette looked hopeful, a gentle smile poised. Mandate’s response was almost startlingly swift. It was as if there was no choice at all. Perhaps there wasn’t, as far as she was concerned; the Ambassador’s words had snagged her, like a hook into flesh, and buried themselves firmly in her mind. Her massive hands lowered, and took one of the smaller woman’s own extremities between them. Despite her lack of any organs, she felt… Elevated. In place of a rising heart, there was a surety and warmth in her quicksilver form. This was what she wanted to do, and where she wanted to be, though she could not entirely express why. [color=LightPink]”You do not have to ask, Miss Ambassador; I would gladly help you, and protect you!”[/color] [i]You’re my best friend, my only friend. It is enough.[/i] [color=LightPink]”This city is wonderful, and I would love to learn more about it, and yourself!”[/color] [i]I barely know you. It is enough.[/i] [color=LightPink]”I think I will be very happy here, if you would have me.”[/color] [i]I have nowhere else. It is enough.[/i] Standing up on the cushions on the tip of her toes Odette planted a kiss on the golem’s head, “[color=thistle]Excellent, welcome home.[/color]” Warmly cupping her face with her hand. “[color=thistle]We will go over the rules and boundaries we have in this household, but for now I believe Vienna is done with tea and I have some of your questions to answer don’t I?[/color]” Mandate’s smile, being the sharp and defined V that it was, could not grow any larger to properly convey her enthusiasm, but her pleased hum most likely expressed what her face could not. Squeezing and releasing the Ambassador’s hand, the golem savored the touch upon her face. It was a curious, sensation; the last time her face had a hand upon it had not been a pleasant time. [i]Dismiss.[/i] The thought crept away. Mandate’s response was enthusiastic and light, floating on her enthusiasm. [color=LightPink]”You do!”[/color] She remained very still upon the couch, wary of sending Odette tipping with any shifts of her weight. The human had to prop herself fairly far to reach the golem’s face, considering she was on her toes; Mandate had no interest in accidentally harming her. [color=LightPink]”Questions about selkies and fey and all sorts of things, Miss Ambassador.”[/color] Vienna arrived conveniently, carrying the tray expertly not spilling a drop as she smiled at the deglamorized golem, not the least bit perturbed. Whatever the Ambassador accepted was good enough for her. In spite of Mara’s commentary, Vienna noted, “[color=peru][i]Is the golem joinin’ the family?[/i][/color]” Mara leaned against the doorframe looking on skeptically, a huff of disapproval. Odette nodded, “[color=thistle][i]Yes, Mandate will be living with us.[/i][/color]” Then her blue eyes tracked over to the goblin, glinting with their familiar cold calculation. “[color=thistle]You did well, Mara from what I hear. You will be rewarded for keeping her company. Can I look to you in for a similar arrangement if the need arises again?[/color]” Mara averted her eyes from the Ambassador, after holding them for only a moment. She looked from her, to Mandate, then to Vienna, before back onto the golem. Mandate, for her part, seemed quite content to just be there. [i]Ignorance is bliss?[/i] Sighing, the goblin nodded, and refused to allow too many of her thoughts to slip onto her face. She wouldn’t interfere with the Ambassador’s plans too deeply, but it didn’t mean that she couldn’t be there as well. “Ye. You can count on me, an’ you know how to find me.” So it went.