(Untitled)

[permanent_blur]

rosencrantz had been saving up butcher paper for just such an occasion. mind you, he couldn't have you told at you the time what just such an occasion was, or what it would look like -- but certainly he was saving it up for something, and certainly now that he can use it, there's something he's saved it up for. that's why this afternoon, after

Comments

[myrddin_wyllt]

Now, that's an idea Merlin likes. "I should come up with something," he observes. "Great idea." Not that he thinks it's really the ideal way, but any gesture of goodwill towards the plothole should be encouraged.

And so he morphs to one of his much, much younger selves (mother's day does work that way, doesn't it?) and proceeds to thing-a-ma-bobbing a piece of wood from his pocket, tongue stuck out in focus.

The quirk (for he is highly whimsical, as we know), is that he is still tugging on his pipe even though the typist told him not to. And now, of course, he's slobbering a bit for the dual operation.

T: Couldn't resist it. This is such a fun idea!

[permanent_blur]

and -- of course -- ros will be watching with great interest. "well, what's this?"

[myrddin_wyllt]

"A th-tatew," replies young Merlin. "Off the plot-howl."

Yes. Kid Merlin has a lispth. The old geezer just crackplotted himself.

He sucks onn the pipe. It makes a funky sound. More saliva drips. It's purple. Kid doesn't control his magic that much at this age.

[permanent_blur]

curious, curious, "well, what's that?"

[youngandhealthy]

"Sir, tis very bright! What does't say?"

[permanent_blur]

"happy plothole day -- though i suppose it ought to be plothole's day, since it's a day for her and not one about her. but it can be about her, too, can't it? she's the one everything comes from ... everything in the mansion, at least. i've spoken with her before ... !"

[youngandhealthy]

"She speaks to thee! Canst thou ask her what ails her?"

[permanent_blur]

"of course i could," cheerful and matter-of-fact, "and you could, too, if she was about to ask -- but i don't think she's about. that's why i've got the sign."

[patriciamydear]

Donleavy also likes the idea, although she has no idea what to give the plothole. For Mothering Sunday (and, later, Mother's Day), she always gave her mother some of her own writings. A story, perhaps, or (as time went on) some research.

"Can I sign your card, please? I am not particularly sure what to give our dear plothole..."

[permanent_blur]

"of course you can," says ros, cheerful as you please, already offering a marker -- "and you may, too. you might even leave a little note, if you like, or a picture -- something to make it personal."

[notsodistressed]

Johanna smiles appreciatively. "Oh! What a lovely pinwheel!"

[permanent_blur]

he glows. "you can give it a spin -- i'm sure the plothole won't mind. or i could make one for you, too --"

[notsodistressed]

She spins it, delighted. "Could you, sir?" she asks. "That would be so kind!"

[permanent_blur]

"it's all right -- i like making things. especially things that spin ... or that fly, or that hop across tabletops ..."

[not_snake_bite]

"How sweet," comments Steerpike as he passes by - but there's just a bit of disdain in his heart as he says it. He does believe in flattery, though, and quite likes the idea of the plothole's possible return.

And so he leans over to Rosenkrantz's exhibit, and says, "Well." He ponders a little, and says, "Perhaps I might add a little something." He's actually not overall unpleasant - just... Steerpike.

He's still wearing the mask - but he managed to locate, in the attic, some garments that arent as frilly as the shirt he borrowed the night of his arrival. Just a strict black tie suit, as would be his wont, or something close enough.

[permanent_blur]

it's not as though ros would notice, if he were anything unpleasant -- he's a man altogether oblivious, when it suits him, and a great deal of the time when it doesn't. "oh, you ought, sir -- you ought. it's just one of those nice little things, and it's always nice, to do something that's nice --"

[not_snake_bite]

"One would suppose so," he replies a little haughtily. But he does close the distance. "I assume we are indulging in shameless flattery, are we not?" It's not a question, but he wants details.

[permanent_blur]

"of course we are. that's the nicest sort."