(no subject)

[timeandclara]

[Clara has awoken to find herself in a strange place, much like many of the residents here. She has decided to deal with this not by panicking, but instead by wandering the corridors trying to find anyone who might be able to provide her with any even remotely helpful information.]

Hello, is anyone there?

[OOC: I'm sorry, I know that the last thing we need here is more Clives and I'm admittedly not a big female!Clive fan, b-but she's needed for Hendel. >.>]

Comments

[timeandclara]

We are a revolution! To get London back to how it was! How dare you belittle us!

[puzzlingchest]

[Indicates their relative heights with a hand.]

It's rather difficult not to belittle someone so... little.

[timeandclara]

[Slaps Hendel's hand away.]

Don't you touch me! And just what do you think you've been up to disappearing for this long anyway?

[puzzlingchest]

Were you worried about me, my dear? I'm afraid this place saw fit to drag me away from my duties...

[She sighs dramatically.]

Well. It can't be helped, I suppose. Now, you'll be needing a place to stay.

[timeandclara]

A place to stay? What do you mean? Where are we?

[Stiiiiiill glaring!]

[puzzlingchest]

It's called the Dressing Room, to the best of my knowledge, though I couldn't say why. Some kind of interdimensional rift which draws people from different worlds and times, and there's no way out.

...well... there were doors, at one point, but they've gone now. Unless they appear again, I suppose it's safe to assume we'll be in this place for the foreseeable future.

[timeandclara]

Stuck in a building with you? Wonderful.

...Excuse me, I was looking for someone who could prove helpful.

[puzzlingchest]

Am I not helping you? I rather thought that I was; I've answered every question you've asked, after all, and I was going to help you find a room, too.

[timeandclara]

I can find a room by myself, thank you very much!

[Commence turning on her heels and stomping away.]

[puzzlingchest]

[Hendel strides after her quickly, seizing Clara's wrist and jerking it up behind her back. Using the grip as leverage, she twists Clara so that they're facing again.]

Consider, my dear, that finding a room yourself will not make you safe. Wherever you make your dwellings, I can find you, and if I have to waste time ferreting you out of them then I... will not be best pleased.

Remember, as well, that none of your little friends are here to look after you.

[timeandclara]

[She yelps initially then attempts to puller her wrist from Hendel's grasp.]

I don't need them here! Because I assume that there are other people here and you'd never act like this in front of other people. It' risk slandering your oh-so-ladylike image.

[puzzlingchest]

I can assure you, this place is large enough that I can have you without you ever seeing another person in this place, if I so choose.

Neither of us wants that, though, do we?

[1/2]

[timeandclara]

[Tries to back off, even with her arm being held.]

N-no...

[2/2]

[monocle-layton.livejournal.com]

[Standing behind Hendel.]

I agree that it would be most unfortunate for this young lady to be held against her will.

[puzzlingchest]

...and I don't intend to do so unless it's necessary, my dear double.

After all, I need access to her, or how else would I make use of the... wonderful gift that Clive traded me?

[monocle-layton.livejournal.com]

Regardless of what Clive gave you, my lady, if this woman does not wish to receive it then I would say that your treatment of her would potentially equal harrassment.

And that would look terrible on your good name.

[puzzlingchest]

At this point, I'm not entirely sure it matters what happens to my good name. I've got the means at my disposal to make use of the only thing that convinced me to run in this election, and I'm rather certain it would be much more entertaining to throw my running-mate to the wolves.

It would only be fitting, would it not? In exchange for Clara here, you get the confirmation that your Clive has been aiding me in an attempt to actively defeat you.

[monocle-layton.livejournal.com]

...

...He...

[Oh god. He kind of sort of thought that he knew it the whole time, but he wasn't prepared to be faced with it thrown at him so directly.

His face only betrays a moment of doubt, then he returns to his usual smile.]

Thank you very much for the information, madam. As that is the case, can I take it to mean that you will be withdrawing from said election?

[puzzlingchest]

Withdrawing?

Oh, no. I think it's better for your vote if I stay in. Any voters certain they don't want you in power will be split between myself and Descole, and you'll win for certain.

[She shrugs slightly, then glances back at Clara.]

[monocle-layton.livejournal.com]

That is most true...

[And admittedly what he had been planning.]

Well, now that we both have what we want from this, I believe that I should excuse myself to speak with Clive.

[puzzlingchest]

Quite.

[Hendel turns fully back to Clara now.]

So, my dear, shall we find you some accommodation?

[timeandclara]

[Um I think the nice man was going to help me, but now apparently he isn't.]

I'd... rather be several hundred miles away from you, if it's all the same.

[puzzlingchest]

...we don't always get what we want, my dear.

[What Hendel wants at this moment is a Clara who doesn't hate her, given what she's seen of Clive. But... perhaps with Clara this way, she can make things so that Clara is less inclined to betray her, at least.]

Come.

[timeandclara]

No.

[Tugging at her arm again.]

[puzzlingchest]

...

[Hendel lets out a soft sigh.]

I do not intend to let you go now that I have you, Clara.

[She hesitates, then, before dropping down to her knees before Clara. She loosens her grip, too, though it's still firm enough to stop Clara pulling away.]

That man who was here before is... another version of myself. From a different world. Your equivalent in his world is his... I don't know. But I intend to make certain that you end up caring for me, as your double does for mine.