Dollhouse Dilemma

Nightstripe · Jul 11, 2018

What little light drifted past the heavy drapes of the studio had begun to fade an hour ago, both due to the gathering of clouds and the slow decent of the sun. The light pattering of raindrops began to echo throughout the room. Diam sat at a workbench off to the side of the large room, his hands carefully cutting away at a clay construct that was the beginnings of his next project.

The cold eyes of hundreds of dolls surveyed the room from their various placements. Shelves, hangers, small chairs and many other surfaces held Diam's creations. The light of a simple table lamp became more and more prominent as the sky outside continued to darken, the overhead lights sat neglected as Diam's focus pressed further into his work.

The small knife in his hand suddenly stilled as his eyes glanced up to a shape in the shadows. His body fell unnaturally still as he waited for his eyes to focus through the dark on the new guest in his studio. His head tilted a bit, his face showing no heavy emotion at the intrusion. "... Welcome. Shall I put on some tea?"

@Zora

Zora · Jul 11, 2018

Zora had actually meant to transport herself to her friend, Natasha's house. But, as was seemingly more and more frequent of late, her powers had failed her and sent her off in another direction altogether. This time, she had been sent to a place she had actually never been to before - which was very disconcerting. Normally, if a "mismovement", as she liked to think of them, happened, she just ended up someplace wrong, but familiar. Somewhere she actually knew and could get home from. Here, wherever that was, was not familiar, not at all and she felt a bit panicky.

Looking all around her, letting her eyes adjust to everything, Zoraida saw she was in a darkly lit room with tiny figures, no, dolls, they were dolls she realized in surprise, guessing there were probably hundreds of them staring at her from every angle. Stepping forward into the light, she immediately heard a voice calmly address her and ask if she wanted some tea?

Surprised and a bit stunned at this, it took Zora a second to answer, "I am very sorry for the intrusion, I seem to be lost, and yes, tea would be lovely." she admitted uneasily as she then spotted a pale looking young man at a workbench.

@Nightstripe

Nightstripe · Jul 11, 2018

"Clearly." Diam stated in response to her being lost. "One moment, there is no need to converse in the dark." Setting the knife down, the small vampire stepped down from the stool he was sitting on and walked over to a switch. His footsteps resounded faintly in the large room, his form vanishing into the dark briefly before he flipped the lights on.

The room better illuminated now, He gestured to an approximation of a living area set up in one corner of the room, complete with a few chairs and coffee table. "You may have a seat if you wish. I would advise against running at this point, as it would convince me you are a thief or someone of similar intent."

Having said this Diam turned his back on Zoraina, clearly not threatened by her sudden appearance. He was confident he had read the situation well enough that she wouldn't do anything too surprising. He made his way to a kitchenette off to the side and settled a kettle on a hotplate. After a moment he turned back to her and offered a small bow.

"I am Diam. I believe a name would be a good start to your explanation."

Zora · Jul 12, 2018

"No, don't worry. I won't run. I wouldn't get far anyways even if I did." Zora said gesturing to her feet. She was wearing insanely high cream coloured heels with gold butterfly straps, which in hindsight seemed like a good idea at the time, but now they were making her feet ache.

When Diam turned the lights on, Zora took a moment to look around the room. It wasn't as odd now, but it still seemed a little strange. It was probably the dolls, Zora found dolls always made her uncomfortable. Maybe because she often felt they were or could come alive.

Taking a seat as instructed, Zora politely watched him go to the tiny kitchen and put on the kettle for tea, not saying anything mainly because she was embarrassed that she had appeared so unexpectedly in a stranger's home. It was rather unforgivable and she hoped he'd not call the police because it would be awkward explaining what had happened.

"Oh, um, yes, sorry... I am Zoraida Del Bosque. I own Del Bosque Holdings, and I tried to magically transport myself to a friend's, and, well, something happened and I landed here instead." she said with a grimace. Having the really bad feeling that her magic was totally screwed up now.

@Nightstripe

Nightstripe · Jul 12, 2018

Diam let the room fall silent for a moment as he prepared the tea, allowing the conversation to stagnate a bit more then someone else might be comfortable with. Before long the faint whistling of steam broke the silence, and Diam transferred the water to a teapot he had set atop a tray.

"You would get as far as I allowed. Though I do not particularly enjoy chasing down possible vandals personally." He returned to the living area with the tray in hand, setting it on the coffee table and pouring two cups before allowing himself to settle in the seat opposite Zoraida. An otherworldly stillness overtook him, broken only by him leaning his head against a hand.

"You say magically. Are you new to these arts then? Many can be quite fickle if you do not grant them due attention." His strange eyes studied her, creating an almost impenetrable mask occasionally disrupted by a blink.

Zora · Jul 12, 2018

Zora fell silent when Diam didn't comment back and thought it best not to babble or say anything more. She looked around her again, then at her hands folded in her lap, noting she needed a manicure soon. After a short while, she heard the kettle start to whistle slowly and returned her gaze to the kitchen and the person there.

"No, not new. I've been handling magic my whole life," she said in answer to the strange young man's question, "But for some reason, my magic must have failed me and I ended up here in your apartment." she confessed pressing her lips together in a small grimace as she watched him set everything on the table and pour the tea.

"Where are we..., if you don't mind me asking?" she inquired, wondering exactly how far her magic mistake had actually taken her. Heck, she didn't even know if they were still on Manta Carlos or she had moved herself to some other point on the globe. The thought of which actually made her feel ill if she had.

@Nightstripe

Nightstripe · Jul 12, 2018

"I do hope you are accounting for interference, Miss Del Bosque. That would be an embarrassingly novice mistake for one that claims such experience as yourself. Twenty six years or so if I am not mistaken, though you mages do have your ways around appearances." Diam leaned forward, gently lifting his cup off the table.

"Currently you are in my studio. You should appreciate it, my kind do not often divulge our private places." He took a sip of the tea, allowing the pause to linger. "Secrets are not so simple, Miss Del Bosque. Perhaps it would be best for you to describe where you came from, or where you were attempting to arrive"

He blinked once at her, then gestured at the tea. "It is not poison, just a simple lemon balm. You should try it, such things should calm your nerves. Honestly, I am simply trying to be a good host."

Zora · Jul 12, 2018

"Perhaps..." she murmured considering his words," though I somewhat doubt it was that. I can count the number of times on one hand, I "mismoved" and ended up elsewhere. " she said, hiding the fact that three of those times had been lately, and was now beginning to suspect that her magic abilities had somehow been compromised.

"27 actually," Zoraida said correcting him. "Or should I say 27 for the last 13 years. I do not age anymore, it's not glamour or a spell," she explained, not having ever used such a spell, considering mages who used such artifices sneaky and vain.

Nodding in understanding, Zoraida respected Diam's privacy. She, herself, had been brought up in a very secretive society where a slight paranoia reigned about secret lairs, potion labs, sacrificial and sacred areas.

"I was at home in Manta Carlos, and I wanted to move to another location on the far side of the island. " she answered somewhat cryptically.

"Thank you," Zoraida said taking a sip of her tea, she hadn't actually thought it was poisoned, though now, she wondered why Diam would ever say or imply that. Maybe he was worried she thought that?

"It's very nice. I like lemon balm," she said with a smile. It was a drink her mother used to give her when she was a young girl."And I didn't think you had actually tampered with my drink, I was just letting it cool somewhat." she explained politely, hoping to appease Diam.

Nightstripe · Jul 13, 2018

Diam nodded just once as he let her finish her thoughts, taking another sip of his tea. "You will be pleased then to learn you have not left the island. You are still within it's barriers." This was the information he'd been holding back most, but It was safe enough to say it now. Even if she was lying, if she knew of the island it lost him nothing if she knew she had arrived.

"It matters not the amount of mishaps, young one. Experience does not fade so quickly. Unless the reason for them is you overstepping your bounds, then there is still another." He didn't comment on the source of her agelessness. She didn't seem like a vampire, like himself, but he knew enough of other methods of immortality to know it didn't seem like a relevant matter just now.

He shifted his position slightly, his eyes beginning to study her in a different manner. They glided across her features as if memorizing them, sectioning them away in some method no longer wholly conscious. "Yes. Forgive me. I forget that most do not have my tolerances. You may take your time."

He blinked slowly, as if allowing a moment for the conversation to move forward. "I am satisfied with your words, but what is presently your intention? I would suggest an attempt at isolating the impurity in your spell if there are no pressing matters you must attend."

Zora · Jul 13, 2018

Zora gave small thanks to whatever deity might be listening when Diam told her she was still on Manta Carlos. Her main concern had been if she had moved off the island to somewhere equally remote like Nepal or the someplace in the middle of the Atlantic. It would take her forever to get home if she didn't use magic.

"Well, that's a relief. At least I can walk home or hail a cab if I need to," she said taking a tiny sip of her tea. Thinking she should really get herself a car service and stop trying to transport herself anywhere. If this happened again, she could actually be arrested or hurt by somebody defending their home.

When Diam regarded her a second time, Zoraida felt somewhat uncomfortable, and she wasn't sure why. "My intention? Well, I don't know..." she confessed awkwardly at his pointed question.

"The impurity in my spell? Uh, okay, sure...that'd be helpful," she stated with some confusion but quickly decided that it might not be a bad idea. She had been pretty sure her spell hadn't been altered, but at this point anything was possible, maybe Diam was right, and that's why her magic was not working properly.

@Nightstripe

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