dream! oo4
Warnings: Vague mentions of torture instruments, and strange fangirling over the supernatural (witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, that sort of thing). Also vaguely hint at semi-spoilers for Pandora Hearts.
Dream Effect: [OPTIONAL] As Ada discusses her choices of literature, there will be a strong feeling of emptiness in the viewer. There's a hint of determination there, however the feeling of longing is far more constant.
"Ah, a new volume of Holy Knight!" Ada sighed happily to herself as she approached the librarian's desk. They always kept new arrivals close to the librarian's desk, and every time that series in particular got a new istallment, she would often find herself enthralled. "Oz would have loved to read that!"
Her musings managed to catch the librarian's attention, and the woman that Ada had come to know as the reliable Miss Brooks gave the girl a soft smile. "In a pleasant mood, Miss Ada?"
"Yes! Thank you for asking, Miss Brooks," Ada smiled brightly as she placed her stack of books on the table. Quickly Miss Brooks got set on making records of Ada checking them out as well as stamping the books appropriately.
Ada had taken a few moments to examine the Holy Knight installment and wondered idly if she should start collecting them so that, should her brother return, they would already have a fine collection from him to read. She would suggest it to Uncle Oscar when she next heard from him.
"Oh..." Miss Brooks commented absent-mindedly as she looked down at the book that she was stamping.
It caught Ada's attention and the girl tilted her head as she repeated, "'Oh'? Is something the matter, Miss Brooks?"
The librarian only cleared her throat as she flipped through the pages of the book that she was looking at, "Miss Ada, surely you know what you are checking out, yes? This looks to be a book on crime and punishment on the more... gruesome end of the spectrum, to say the least. This book is not for the faint of heart. Are you sure you would like to check this one out?"
Ah, so that was it? Ada only smiled in response to that, distantly and vaguely. After all, if she were to smile too brightly, it may give the wrong impression! "I have my reasons for it, Miss Brooks. I admit to being very curious about our country's method of punishment. It seems very saddening what we must resort to, but you must understand that it's often a topic of certain banquets. And while it may not be discussed directly with me often, I should have enough knowledge to be able to carry along a conversation."
All of it true, but none of it the whole truth.
Miss Brooks, however, seemed to believe her entirely, "Ah? How admirable of Miss Ada, then! And just what is to be expected of our school's prefects. Though this is still not a book I recommend reading right before you head to bed, yes?"
At that, Ada returned to her usual demeanor, blushing a bit with an embarrassed giggle, "Of course. Thank you for your concern!"
The next book that Miss Brooks picked up elicited the same reaction as the one prior, however. A bit of a surprised look, not judging, but clearly the book she picked up did not have the content that she expected. "Ah, Miss Ada... This book... It's a collection of stories, you realize that, don't you? So while it may mention witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and the like... Well, if this is to go along with your crime and punishment book, as witchcraft is indeed a punishable crime... I don't think you should look to fiction."
That wasn't anything that Ada expected either. "Oh, no, that one is..." She stuttered for a moment before looking away and blushing a bit. "I'm sorry, Miss Brooks. It was merely my own curiosity for that choice of literature."
"Mmm..." Miss Brooks regarded her thoughtfully before giving a soft smile, "There is more to Miss Ada than what meets the eye, then. If I may inquire, what is it that you find to interesting about these darker topics?"
How to answer, how to answer...! She could just as easily let loose all her energy then. It was a far safer topic than discussion on torture instruments. Miss Brooks could be trusted, Miss Brooks would understand... wouldn't she? Ada did her best to keep a level head as she tried to explain her fascination.
"Well, you see, it's just...! Isn't it so fascinating, Miss Brooks? Witches and warlocks alike are capable of inhuman feats, through a manner of spells. If they were to will something, it could happen. Their potions are able to work as truth serums or to manipulate others, and all other manners of magic! Anything they would have ever wanted could have been theirs..." her eyes lit up with her explanation as she thought of her own aspirations. All Ada had ever wanted was for her brother's return and...
Oh. Miss Brooks was still expecting to hear more. Of course, Ada had only covered half of the stories addressed in the books. How silly of her.
She regained her joy again as she went on, "Ah! But vampires and werewolves...! They're such taboo topics, wouldn't you think, Miss Brooks? Vampires essentially work with a type of blood magic, and the way that they must take blood from their loved ones and from strangers alike... Well, I can't say I approve of it, not at all. However I wonder how tortured their souls must be. And werewolves, their natural enemy. What would it be like, to change from man to wolf at the whim of the moon? Oh, it's so unreal, but the emotions weaved into the stories are so real all at once!"
Though the only response Ada got to her unabashed honesty was a laugh. The librarian was clearly quite amused, "Oh... Miss Ada, you get passionate about the strangest things." She was quick to stamp up the rest of the books without looking at them before handing it to the noble girl. "Due in a week, as per usual. It was nice having this chat, enjoy your day."
Ada was stunned for a moment. Was it really so funny? Ah... Perhaps she really should keep her interests a bit more secret. So instead, Ada smiled and curtseyed as best she could while balancing the stack of books as well. "Thank you, Miss Brooks. Have a pleasant day."
And as she began walking out of the library, she got a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Would she ever be taken seriously? A soft sigh escaped her lips.
"Oh well...."
-----------
[The feed opens to Ada, waking slowly from her sleep. However she's not wearing her typical school uniform, but instead one of her elaborate gowns. She seems to be very confused, this wasn't the second mansion that she last fell asleep in. Her eyes widen as she notices the Dreamberry, and she finally manages to make the connection.]
Oh...! Then I've return to Somarium?
[So many things happened since she was last there. In her perspective, it had been months.]
How long have I been gone...?
Dream Effect: [OPTIONAL] As Ada discusses her choices of literature, there will be a strong feeling of emptiness in the viewer. There's a hint of determination there, however the feeling of longing is far more constant.
"Ah, a new volume of Holy Knight!" Ada sighed happily to herself as she approached the librarian's desk. They always kept new arrivals close to the librarian's desk, and every time that series in particular got a new istallment, she would often find herself enthralled. "Oz would have loved to read that!"
Her musings managed to catch the librarian's attention, and the woman that Ada had come to know as the reliable Miss Brooks gave the girl a soft smile. "In a pleasant mood, Miss Ada?"
"Yes! Thank you for asking, Miss Brooks," Ada smiled brightly as she placed her stack of books on the table. Quickly Miss Brooks got set on making records of Ada checking them out as well as stamping the books appropriately.
Ada had taken a few moments to examine the Holy Knight installment and wondered idly if she should start collecting them so that, should her brother return, they would already have a fine collection from him to read. She would suggest it to Uncle Oscar when she next heard from him.
"Oh..." Miss Brooks commented absent-mindedly as she looked down at the book that she was stamping.
It caught Ada's attention and the girl tilted her head as she repeated, "'Oh'? Is something the matter, Miss Brooks?"
The librarian only cleared her throat as she flipped through the pages of the book that she was looking at, "Miss Ada, surely you know what you are checking out, yes? This looks to be a book on crime and punishment on the more... gruesome end of the spectrum, to say the least. This book is not for the faint of heart. Are you sure you would like to check this one out?"
Ah, so that was it? Ada only smiled in response to that, distantly and vaguely. After all, if she were to smile too brightly, it may give the wrong impression! "I have my reasons for it, Miss Brooks. I admit to being very curious about our country's method of punishment. It seems very saddening what we must resort to, but you must understand that it's often a topic of certain banquets. And while it may not be discussed directly with me often, I should have enough knowledge to be able to carry along a conversation."
All of it true, but none of it the whole truth.
Miss Brooks, however, seemed to believe her entirely, "Ah? How admirable of Miss Ada, then! And just what is to be expected of our school's prefects. Though this is still not a book I recommend reading right before you head to bed, yes?"
At that, Ada returned to her usual demeanor, blushing a bit with an embarrassed giggle, "Of course. Thank you for your concern!"
The next book that Miss Brooks picked up elicited the same reaction as the one prior, however. A bit of a surprised look, not judging, but clearly the book she picked up did not have the content that she expected. "Ah, Miss Ada... This book... It's a collection of stories, you realize that, don't you? So while it may mention witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and the like... Well, if this is to go along with your crime and punishment book, as witchcraft is indeed a punishable crime... I don't think you should look to fiction."
That wasn't anything that Ada expected either. "Oh, no, that one is..." She stuttered for a moment before looking away and blushing a bit. "I'm sorry, Miss Brooks. It was merely my own curiosity for that choice of literature."
"Mmm..." Miss Brooks regarded her thoughtfully before giving a soft smile, "There is more to Miss Ada than what meets the eye, then. If I may inquire, what is it that you find to interesting about these darker topics?"
How to answer, how to answer...! She could just as easily let loose all her energy then. It was a far safer topic than discussion on torture instruments. Miss Brooks could be trusted, Miss Brooks would understand... wouldn't she? Ada did her best to keep a level head as she tried to explain her fascination.
"Well, you see, it's just...! Isn't it so fascinating, Miss Brooks? Witches and warlocks alike are capable of inhuman feats, through a manner of spells. If they were to will something, it could happen. Their potions are able to work as truth serums or to manipulate others, and all other manners of magic! Anything they would have ever wanted could have been theirs..." her eyes lit up with her explanation as she thought of her own aspirations. All Ada had ever wanted was for her brother's return and...
Oh. Miss Brooks was still expecting to hear more. Of course, Ada had only covered half of the stories addressed in the books. How silly of her.
She regained her joy again as she went on, "Ah! But vampires and werewolves...! They're such taboo topics, wouldn't you think, Miss Brooks? Vampires essentially work with a type of blood magic, and the way that they must take blood from their loved ones and from strangers alike... Well, I can't say I approve of it, not at all. However I wonder how tortured their souls must be. And werewolves, their natural enemy. What would it be like, to change from man to wolf at the whim of the moon? Oh, it's so unreal, but the emotions weaved into the stories are so real all at once!"
Though the only response Ada got to her unabashed honesty was a laugh. The librarian was clearly quite amused, "Oh... Miss Ada, you get passionate about the strangest things." She was quick to stamp up the rest of the books without looking at them before handing it to the noble girl. "Due in a week, as per usual. It was nice having this chat, enjoy your day."
Ada was stunned for a moment. Was it really so funny? Ah... Perhaps she really should keep her interests a bit more secret. So instead, Ada smiled and curtseyed as best she could while balancing the stack of books as well. "Thank you, Miss Brooks. Have a pleasant day."
And as she began walking out of the library, she got a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Would she ever be taken seriously? A soft sigh escaped her lips.
"Oh well...."
-----------
[The feed opens to Ada, waking slowly from her sleep. However she's not wearing her typical school uniform, but instead one of her elaborate gowns. She seems to be very confused, this wasn't the second mansion that she last fell asleep in. Her eyes widen as she notices the Dreamberry, and she finally manages to make the connection.]
Oh...! Then I've return to Somarium?
[So many things happened since she was last there. In her perspective, it had been months.]
How long have I been gone...?