Chapter VII: Van Helsing's Cinematograph; Early morning
[A work of technological wonders, it seems the odd couple from the century of carriages and steam power have gotten themselves a bit of an 'upgrade'. Nothing too fantastical, but most definitely a step into the grand future. Why yes, the Victorians have achieved live cinematography!]
Does it work? Is it so? Ah ha! Look, Friend John! We have moved up in the world!
[Hardly as 'technicolored' as one's new-fangled "high definition", the picture opens with a classic silver sheen, reminiscent of the 1920's. And there Van Helsing, in all his youthful jubilation, is giving a wave to what would be his beloved "audience".]
Hallo, am I coming in?
[The elation exhibited by his dear friend and mentor would not escape the sanitarium Doctor so easily; Seward's previous preoccupation of reading over the latest newsfeed-which had become a nightly habit-forgotten when Abraham presented his marvel.]
What... What is that?
[Turning his back from the recording screen, the professor's scarlet coat flutters as he trots up to his companion and ushers him over.]
Our young master Dornez thought best we "come out from the 'stone-age'", so to speak. So! I take advantage of recent merchantry and here I have constructed a carriageable datum processor. Surely you must have seen the far more modern devices at your place of work.
[There is a marked hesitance upon the doctor's pale features before he is escorted over to the box-like contraption, otherwise known as a “lap top” from this century. It had a considerable Victorian quality to it, however.]
A...Carriageable..data processor? Well I- [He leans forwards to inspect the thing, unaware that it is broadcasting a very close-up image of his marvelously groomed moustache.]
Well, that's quite remarkable! .....How does it work?
[Van Helsing gives an exuberant waggle of his finger, stepping enough out of view that the sterling lens offers a lovely focus of their baroque styled parlor.]
Now that, my dear friend, is a Pandora's box to be opened. Und by God have I opened many, as you can see by the very wrinkles of my face.
[In other words, they would be there all day if he went into fine detail... and surely he would.]
Truly, you astound me! Is that what you've been up to...?
[He'd been wondering what it was Dr. Van Helsing had been doing late at night in his room for the last several weeks. The noises had abounded to the point where he'd vacationed to one of the lower bedrooms on more than one occasion when the walls no longer provided enough cushion between them.]
That und much, much more. Verily abstaining the Dark make this old advent-seeker a dull und restless boy. So I decide to tinker forthwith to a contraption that put the waltz back in these lead feet.
[Not about to keep his younger ward in suspense, the giddy tutor turns to the very corner of their amply named "Music Parlor". Strutting past their rose-wood grand piano he pinches his fingertips upon a velvet sheet and unveils a 12 by 1/4 concert disc music box.. With a dark-stained mahogany case, carefully etched in baroque floral patterns reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age, it was clear Van Helsing had put quite the hefty amount of love into this beautiful machine.]
A Symphonion, they call it. I witness myself the first mass production in Leipzig und snatch up one for my smoking room. I knew not how quiet my home was in Amsterdam, till I left you, brave Harker, und our precious Madam Mina.
[The old Professor's mind was teeming with inventions of these kinds, certainly an enterprise the common man could not help to be baffled at, but one Dr. Seward was far from unused to. He'd fashion a time machine out of little more than spare wiring, a combustible engine, and a claw-footed bathtub were that his prerogative. Certainly that might be seen as absurd had Seward known him to have taken on more impossible schemes than that one.
Stepping forwards the taller of the two companions stared with lofted brow, listening attentively.]
You...handcrafted this yourself?
[A fine piece of workmanship indeed. He scarcely could imagine how Abraham had learned such a craft as it had only just been showcased in London in 1897, yet the proof was before his very eyes.]
Ja, do you think it manifest itself? Nay, I merely engineer the mechanism in reverse. To dismantle it one may learn the clocklike workings.
[No innovation old, new, big or small was safe from the professor’s prying hands. He had lost many-a pocket-watch in his youth attempting to “improve” the ticking sounds. Taking a hold of the small crank on the side of the box, he began to slowly wind it up.]
You need not flinch, Friend John. Mijn schoonmoeder Ik zweer het op. I swear on my mother-in-law this apparat will not combust.
[Unlike the aforementioned ‘time machine’ which nearly took out half his carriage house. Next time he would be sure to use a Daimler Standuhr engine.]
O-oh, I see.
[Joining his mentor at his side he was again like the dutiful student who assisted in many a project those years back in Abraham's lecture hall.]
I hardly expect it would.
[Though he still eyed it almost warily.]
Gut, so should I expect repose in your feet.
[Releasing the handle brought forth an effervescent euphony that jingled like the many rejoicing bells of Christ’s Eve.]
Up now, one, two, three, one, two, three!
[Without a moment's warning Abraham took up his ward by the hand and hip and waltzed with him across the brocade carpeting, prancing along just out of screen.]
'B-bram...!
[A sharp gasp could be heard as the poor man was whisked about the parlour with the vigor of a ballroom couple, his ears burning out of embarrassment. Clearly dancing with another man was not among his regular past-times. Instinct, more than conscious thought of where his feet were going saved him from tromping upon his dear friend's, as to be expected as second nature to a gentleman of the waltzing era.]
La-da-dee-dum-da-dee-dum-da-dum-dum~♪ Familiar, Friend John? It is the Waltz of our Wilhelmina!
[Abraham’s laughter bubbled with the uplifting tune as they danced back into view, leading all the way, of course. He was doubly impressed by his student’s quick feet, always ready for his teacher’s sporadic whimsies.]
[The cheer of the dance was soon to carry and lift not only his feet but also his heart, the sonorous mirth of his teacher's voice proving to be as infectious as the pink in his cheeks. Gripping the other's shoulder the two saw fit to twirl about and then disappear momentarily, a soft 'thud' as the table in which the NV had been placed jostled about by their merrymaking and cutting the feed completely.]
((ooc: Blue = Seward, Red = Van Helsing. Action tags are permissible to the residents of the Stoker Household, including anyone visiting the manor at the time. ♥ Replies will be delayed as the two muns, Seward and I are off to go see the movie "Priest"! We'll be back tonight to tag all evening. ;-) ))
Does it work? Is it so? Ah ha! Look, Friend John! We have moved up in the world!
[Hardly as 'technicolored' as one's new-fangled "high definition", the picture opens with a classic silver sheen, reminiscent of the 1920's. And there Van Helsing, in all his youthful jubilation, is giving a wave to what would be his beloved "audience".]
Hallo, am I coming in?
[The elation exhibited by his dear friend and mentor would not escape the sanitarium Doctor so easily; Seward's previous preoccupation of reading over the latest newsfeed-which had become a nightly habit-forgotten when Abraham presented his marvel.]
What... What is that?
[Turning his back from the recording screen, the professor's scarlet coat flutters as he trots up to his companion and ushers him over.]
Our young master Dornez thought best we "come out from the 'stone-age'", so to speak. So! I take advantage of recent merchantry and here I have constructed a carriageable datum processor. Surely you must have seen the far more modern devices at your place of work.
[There is a marked hesitance upon the doctor's pale features before he is escorted over to the box-like contraption, otherwise known as a “lap top” from this century. It had a considerable Victorian quality to it, however.]
A...Carriageable..data processor? Well I- [He leans forwards to inspect the thing, unaware that it is broadcasting a very close-up image of his marvelously groomed moustache.]
Well, that's quite remarkable! .....How does it work?
[Van Helsing gives an exuberant waggle of his finger, stepping enough out of view that the sterling lens offers a lovely focus of their baroque styled parlor.]
Now that, my dear friend, is a Pandora's box to be opened. Und by God have I opened many, as you can see by the very wrinkles of my face.
[In other words, they would be there all day if he went into fine detail... and surely he would.]
Truly, you astound me! Is that what you've been up to...?
[He'd been wondering what it was Dr. Van Helsing had been doing late at night in his room for the last several weeks. The noises had abounded to the point where he'd vacationed to one of the lower bedrooms on more than one occasion when the walls no longer provided enough cushion between them.]
That und much, much more. Verily abstaining the Dark make this old advent-seeker a dull und restless boy. So I decide to tinker forthwith to a contraption that put the waltz back in these lead feet.
[Not about to keep his younger ward in suspense, the giddy tutor turns to the very corner of their amply named "Music Parlor". Strutting past their rose-wood grand piano he pinches his fingertips upon a velvet sheet and unveils a 12 by 1/4 concert disc music box.. With a dark-stained mahogany case, carefully etched in baroque floral patterns reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age, it was clear Van Helsing had put quite the hefty amount of love into this beautiful machine.]
A Symphonion, they call it. I witness myself the first mass production in Leipzig und snatch up one for my smoking room. I knew not how quiet my home was in Amsterdam, till I left you, brave Harker, und our precious Madam Mina.
[The old Professor's mind was teeming with inventions of these kinds, certainly an enterprise the common man could not help to be baffled at, but one Dr. Seward was far from unused to. He'd fashion a time machine out of little more than spare wiring, a combustible engine, and a claw-footed bathtub were that his prerogative. Certainly that might be seen as absurd had Seward known him to have taken on more impossible schemes than that one.
Stepping forwards the taller of the two companions stared with lofted brow, listening attentively.]
You...handcrafted this yourself?
[A fine piece of workmanship indeed. He scarcely could imagine how Abraham had learned such a craft as it had only just been showcased in London in 1897, yet the proof was before his very eyes.]
Ja, do you think it manifest itself? Nay, I merely engineer the mechanism in reverse. To dismantle it one may learn the clocklike workings.
[No innovation old, new, big or small was safe from the professor’s prying hands. He had lost many-a pocket-watch in his youth attempting to “improve” the ticking sounds. Taking a hold of the small crank on the side of the box, he began to slowly wind it up.]
You need not flinch, Friend John. Mijn schoonmoeder Ik zweer het op. I swear on my mother-in-law this apparat will not combust.
[Unlike the aforementioned ‘time machine’ which nearly took out half his carriage house. Next time he would be sure to use a Daimler Standuhr engine.]
O-oh, I see.
[Joining his mentor at his side he was again like the dutiful student who assisted in many a project those years back in Abraham's lecture hall.]
I hardly expect it would.
[Though he still eyed it almost warily.]
Gut, so should I expect repose in your feet.
[Releasing the handle brought forth an effervescent euphony that jingled like the many rejoicing bells of Christ’s Eve.]
Click to view
Up now, one, two, three, one, two, three!
[Without a moment's warning Abraham took up his ward by the hand and hip and waltzed with him across the brocade carpeting, prancing along just out of screen.]
'B-bram...!
[A sharp gasp could be heard as the poor man was whisked about the parlour with the vigor of a ballroom couple, his ears burning out of embarrassment. Clearly dancing with another man was not among his regular past-times. Instinct, more than conscious thought of where his feet were going saved him from tromping upon his dear friend's, as to be expected as second nature to a gentleman of the waltzing era.]
La-da-dee-dum-da-dee-dum-da-dum-dum~♪ Familiar, Friend John? It is the Waltz of our Wilhelmina!
[Abraham’s laughter bubbled with the uplifting tune as they danced back into view, leading all the way, of course. He was doubly impressed by his student’s quick feet, always ready for his teacher’s sporadic whimsies.]
[The cheer of the dance was soon to carry and lift not only his feet but also his heart, the sonorous mirth of his teacher's voice proving to be as infectious as the pink in his cheeks. Gripping the other's shoulder the two saw fit to twirl about and then disappear momentarily, a soft 'thud' as the table in which the NV had been placed jostled about by their merrymaking and cutting the feed completely.]
((ooc: Blue = Seward, Red = Van Helsing. Action tags are permissible to the residents of the Stoker Household, including anyone visiting the manor at the time. ♥ Replies will be delayed as the two muns, Seward and I are off to go see the movie "Priest"! We'll be back tonight to tag all evening. ;-) ))