Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire [OTA]

[freedomsuitsme]

Who: The Great Maxwell and YOU!
What: Bopping around the ship, taking care of errands
Where: Library, Cabins, Windjammer, Various
When: Early October
Warnings: None Yet

Pick your poison, name your desire [Library]

It took some time to decide where exactly he'd work on Grace's suit. Though the lounge in Bobby B's is comfortable, he doesn't want the smell of cigars to permeate the fabric, not when it's so new and fresh and wonderfully pressed. Stan the Man would have been too crowded and noisy, the Atrium too open. What had sold him on the library was the presence of open tables and the soft hum of the alchemy engine.

Measure twice, cut once. It's an especially important mantra to follow when you have so little material to spare. Old muscle memory finds its way into his fingers as he works, and, steadily, the ensemble begins to come together.

He's engrossed in his work, but considering he's working in a public place, he's not about to shoo out anyone else who comes in.



I'm a great many things, but I'm not liar [Closed for Giles]

It's about a week into October when the magician comes a'knocking.

"Giles, it's Maxwell. I've run into a bit of a problem."



Despite your rage, despite your ire [Near Cabin 105]

Around midday, early in October, Maxwell can be seen entering, and very shortly after, emerging from Cabin 105- Grace and Valdis' cabin. He knocked first, then entered when there was no response... unless there was. Though he did try very deliberately to come by when he knew Ms. Grace would be out.

He doesn't make much of a deal about it, and he doesn't have a look on his face like he knows he's doing anything untoward or unusual.

Well, curiosity killed the cat, but since when did cats care about death taxes?

I'll be dancing around your pyre [Windjammer]

It's occurred to him that, given how food doesn't spoil and the depths of the Tommy Bahama are infinite, he probably shouldn't forego packing provisions for his eventual safari with Higgsbury. He knows the outing is inevitable now- the gift of a couple of very familiar pith hats from Sundries has convinced him of as much- and he wants to be as prepared as possible, given the scientist's lingering apprehensions.

He's packing a lot of bacon and eggs, an odd choice for a field mission. Perhaps there's something better and less greasy that he could be stuffing into his basket?

And our old grudges we'll retire [Wildcard]

Comments

pick your poison, name your desire

[millay]

Maeve is back for her occasional restock on books. Though, she is generally stuck in the erotica section for the sake of books that don't take much mental effort. Also they are entertaining. Even if the writing is more than a bit questionable.

She pauses as she sees Maxwell again. Instead of books, she notices the clothes being made. "I have to say it's the first time I've ever seen someone making clothing in the library."

[freedomsuitsme]

“It’s the only place with enough table space where the tables aren’t likely to carry traces of food or drink,” he mutters, not looking up from his work. His voice might be familiar to Maeve- a deep transatlantic with just a hint of something of the more English persuasion, oddly reminiscent of a harmonium.

[millay]

She does have a perfect memory (last October not included) so it registers to her as something familiar. She's got her own accent, but different from his own. "Do you need any assistance? I'm no seamstress, but I can at least hold things in place or out of the way if necessary." And if he's good with making things, perhaps he can assist her with using the dress from the Mariposa to make a bit of a more modern outfit.

[freedomsuitsme]

"Hmm. To be quite honest, I'm rather particular about my own work, but perhaps could you hold up that one fabric end that's hanging off the table, so it doesn't slide as I put it through the machine?"

I'm a great many things

[ring_for_giles]

The cabin door opens not to the cabin, but to the Cottage gardens.

"Of course," Giles says with a nod, stepping aside to let Maxwell in, "Please, come in, I'll see what I can do."

[freedomsuitsme]

"Thank you. I hope I can trust you to keep your confidence in these matters. Do our previous agreements still hold true while I'm here?"

[ring_for_giles]

"You certainly can. And, yes, the Pledge will apply whenever you enter the bounds of the Hollow."

[freedomsuitsme]

"Good, good, that makes all of this less complicated. I don't suppose we might discuss this over tea?"

[ring_for_giles]

"Some might argue that over tea is the only way to discuss one's problems," He smiles lightly, "Earl grey, or something different this time?"

[millay]

She considers the answer and nods. "Understandable. I was the same. Different work, though." Not even really something comparable. Brothels aren't terribly similar vibes. "Of course, darling." They move carefully to hold it up for him being sure not to disturb anything too much. "I feel like I've met you before somewhere." She has a pretty good idea of where, but perhaps it's just one of those things. "My name is Maeve Millay, but you can call me Maeve."

[freedomsuitsme]

"Earl Grey is more than fine, thank you." He appreciates the feel of this place, already feeling more at ease despite the situation that has brought him here.

[freedomsuitsme]

"Would I be amiss in referring to you as Ms. Millay? Apologies, it's a result of the time I come from, but I feel somewhat uncomfortable referring to others on such a personal basis unless I know them well. Though if Maeve is what you prefer..." He trails off, thinking. Yes, he knows her from somewhere, beyond just inhabiting the same ship, but he can't quite place exactly where.

Wildcard

[be_seeing_you]

Following this night Number 6 sets out determined to find Mr. Carter and confront him about it.

He stalks up with none of the usual friendliness he would show his fellow game player. Instead, he demands, "What did you do to Ava?!"

[freedomsuitsme]

“Mr. Starr. I was honestly hoping you might approach me about this.”

“I would like to preface this by saying that I had nothing but the best intentions for Mrs. Starr. During the shipbloom, I observed her losing her memories and coughing up plant matter. The association between the flowers afflicting her- forget-me-nots- and the nature of the affliction itself made me suspect that removing them would both restore her memory and save her from possible suffocation.”

“I endeavored to use my magic to remove the plants from her body; my shadows have previously shown a particular dislike for mind-altering plant matter. Before I did so, I of course sought permission from your wife as thoroughly as I could, given the circumstances.”

“However, during the ritual, I was interrupted by a loud-mouthed bear of a man, whose intrusion and interjections startled Ava and caused her to flee. And as she left the ritual circle with the magics still active inside of her, despite my instructions that she not leave the circle under any circumstances, well…”

[ring_for_giles]

With a nod Giles disappears in the direction of the kitchen.

And reappears barely two minutes later, a tray laden with perfectly brewed tea and biscuits in hand.

Once it's all been laid out on the coffee table and portions served, Giles smiles, warm but professional, and asks "How can I help?"

[freedomsuitsme]

He sighs.

"Alright. You're not going to be impressed- someone stole my spellbook, and she won't give it back."

[ring_for_giles]

He raises an eyebrow, whether that's because he is unimpressed or simply at the assertion that he would be is anyone's guess.

"How dangerous is it outside of your possession?"

[freedomsuitsme]

"I'm not sure. I don't believe They can be summoned here to establish a contract, and someone's use of shadow magic is extremely limited without that, at least in ordinary circumstances. The issue is that the person who took my spell book did so while a ritual was still active and incomplete inside their body. It's more of a danger to her than anyone else, at least if I understand the rules of the ship correctly."

[millay]

"If that is your preference. We don't have a lot of formalities where I'm from." Especially not at the Mariposa. "I am not particularly used to it even though people seem to believe that I must be." She shrugs. It feels particularly abnormal. "Do you have a preference for what I call you at this time?"

[freedomsuitsme]

"Mr. Carter is fine. Maxwell, if you do prefer the more casual." He isn't going to be terribly picky about what others call him. He's got a scientist calling him all manner of names and a fish that knows him as "the gentleman Maxwell," after all.

[be_seeing_you]

His fists are balled at his sides, trembling from barely held-back rage, but he listens. What he hears doesn't exactly make him feel any less like socking Maxwell in the jaw. His wife was suffering from that level of confusion and he thought her consent could be trusted at all? Yes, he realizes it was an effort to help but... he should have been there, dash it all.

He takes a very slow, calm breath in. Holds it. Lets it out.

"If I bring her back to that circle, can you reverse what has been done?"

[freedomsuitsme]

"I can, but I'll need my spellbook back. She's taken it, and while I could craft a new one from some paper and my own lifeblood, I'd rather not leave a second copy lying around. She's grown rather convinced that the shadows are her friends, Mr. Starr. I've tried to convince her otherwise, but, well... she's certainly not inclined to listen to me now."

[millay]

Maeve nods. "I suppose that would be less confusing than trying to sort through multiple Maxes on one ship." Maxwell, Maximilien, and Max. She's not sure if the third has a longer name than that. "Are you very skilled with tailoring clothing?" She pauses briefly before adding, "I have my dress from the brothel I used to work in that I was considering making into something a little less...brothel-dress. Only I don't know where to start."

[be_seeing_you]

"I know where she is keeping it. I will retrieve it for you. She's become protective of it, so she is sure to be close behind when I do. I have a way to bind her'" much as he dislikes that idea. "She is very clearly not in her right mind at the moment, so I will do what I have to in order to cure her. Where do I need to bring her?"

[freedomsuitsme]

"I still have the ritual circle prepared in the brig. I'll check it to make certain it hasn't been altered. All that we need to do is let the original ritual run to completion, and it should expend what remaining energies are lingering in her body. From that point, it shouldn't take long for her to go back to normal."

He pauses.

"She hasn't successfully summoned anything, has she?"