Cherubplay

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"Servant?"

2016-01-01 10:38:52

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"...my apologies, your majesty. I assumed...please, enter." He moved aside and waved us in.

2016-01-01 10:40:42

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With a last look to the guard, she took Madison's hand and entered with him.

2016-01-01 10:42:18

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Hm. I can see why, though. Why would a commoner consort with the queen? It was a nice enough village. There were plenty of shops, some inns, and everything was very busy. As we walked, however, people started staring. First at me, then at Ivory, then at our hands. Then back at Ivory. Looks like everyone already knows what she looks like, somehow. I stared down everyone who looked at me, but they wouldn't make eye contact. Just generally stared at me.

2016-01-01 10:46:15

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Eventually, Ivory's gaze looked to Madison. "What's wrong?" She quietly asked, trying to avoid everyone else's gaze. Yes she knew she was a 'Queen' but...

2016-01-01 10:50:51

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"Just getting a lot of weird looks. ....you said it wasn't that bad, right?"

2016-01-01 10:51:54

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"Yeah, it's not. I don't know why anyone would be staring."

2016-01-01 10:52:46

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"Probably because I look like a freak." I sighed. "....we should probably go inside somewhere before your fans start screaming for autographs." Or someone attacks me with a pitchfork.

2016-01-01 10:54:26

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"You're not a freak." She saw a nearby shop. "Lets go in here, if you're that worried."

2016-01-01 10:58:26

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Some kind of boutique, by the looks of it. I honestly can't tell. We approached it; the shopkeeper had already come out, and held the door open for her with a bow. When I tried to follow her in, he grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me aside. "Woah, what's your prob--" "I'm sorry, your highness, this isn't allowed inside. I'm sure you understand." ..../this/? "I can keep it in back if you'd like so it won't be stolen, or--oh, I see. This makes things easier." He reached for my back. I tried to shove him away. "Wait, stop, I'm not--!" He pulled out my key, and instead of freezing I went entirely limp, slumping against the outside wall. He held out the key to her. "You may take this with you so no would-be thief has any use for it." Every time he said 'it' my heart sank more. I'm just....an object to be stolen. That's why everyone was staring....no one expects the queen to hold hands with her belongings........or for a puppet to be her friend....instead of a......servant.........

2016-01-01 11:12:48

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This? It? Oh fuck that. With each sentence, she grew more furious. "First of all, he has a name. It's Madison. If you can't use it properly, don't say anything at all. She then folded her arms. "Second, wherever he goes, I go. If he's not welcome here, then I'm not either. Third." She reached out and snatched the key away from his hands. "Don't ever touch him with his consent.. /Ever./ Do you understand? Or do I need to speak in a different language." Her free hand became a first, and tips of her fingers became covered in ice.

2016-01-01 11:18:49

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He looked terrified. "Y-yes, your majesty, I'm so sorry, I thought since it -- since he was an enchanted puppet, you wouldn't mind if I...I'm sorry, he's allowed in if you wish, I didn't realize you had such a personal connection with your servants."

2016-01-01 11:24:29

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"He's not a servant." She shoved the key back in and wound him up. "At all."

2016-01-01 11:25:15

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I jolted involuntarily when she replaced the key, and as soon as I could move again, pushed myself up off the wall, shaking. "It.../he/ couldn't possibly be a nobleman. What types are you consorting with?"

2016-01-01 11:28:22

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"That's not any of /your/ concern."

2016-01-01 11:29:36

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"Y-you're right, I apologize. It was only curiosity. Please, b-by all means, do what you like...!" He held the door open again, at this point just trying to do whatever he could to win back her good mood.

2016-01-01 11:32:23

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"Actually, I believe I'll be going elsewhere." She took Madison's hand, and started to move again. Away from people.

2016-01-01 11:33:29

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He didn't take it back. He just stood there, staring blankly.

2016-01-01 11:34:01

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She stopped, and stared at him. There was no way he was doing this unintentionally. She wound him up again not even 10 seconds ago.

2016-01-01 11:36:23

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He was still shaking slightly. He wasn't frozen....but his arm was limp. He was making her look bad. Walking around defending an object.....that's all he was.

2016-01-01 11:38:49

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She went quiet, then let out a breath. Ivory stood there for a moment, squeezing his hand gently.

2016-01-01 11:42:48

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He was an it. Its shouldn't feel. Its didn't bother their owners with breakdowns or pity parties. "...........just go in without me. I don't care," he said, very quietly.

2016-01-01 11:46:36

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"I do." She spoke. "I'm not letting you be treated like that."

2016-01-01 11:47:40

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"It'll happen at every other shop. Just follow his rules." He spoke in a monotone.

2016-01-01 11:49:16

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"/No./"

2016-01-01 11:49:56