taxonomites | forma • [ holo : arrival ] • hwílum and tówearde cwén

"This isn’t the castle...what has happened?"

Shock. Pure and utter shock and a shiver are what go through Guinevere when she realizes she's not in the corridor of Camelot she meant to turn into. She grabs at her wrist, looking down when she notices the cool metal there. This was no part of the castle she'd seen before… but she didn't remember being taken away. It must be the work of magic, though this was no magic she had seen before.

She steps forward, examining the object on the pedestal that almost demanded her attention. The Tablet was an odd thing indeed. She didn't quite understand its purpose and poked at its interface for a few moments before shifting her attention.

"Merlin?....Gaius?" She yelled out into the echoing room as she approached the walls, palm first. "Where in the world am I..."

Up until then she was able to maintain that semblance of stability, but when no voices returned her call and she slipped down to the floor and let the tears flow unchecked. It reminded her of being in the dungeon, locked away and kept all alone away from everything with nothing to look forward to but an execution.

"Morgana...Arthur. Anyone!" She says through the sobs. "What is it you want of me? I have nothing of value… I am just a servant."

She hangs her head, fiddling with the Tablet in her lap. Everything about this place is so foreign to her, it’s hard to calm herself down and think. But then she remembers Morgana, one of the strongest people she knows, and thinks of what she would do in this situation. It helps her to take a few deep breaths and stand up off that cold metallic floor, shoulders back and chin up. The regal strength of a lady of Camelot; she would need to thank Morgana once she saw her again.

"My mistress is Morgana, Ward to Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot. My mistress and my king do not take kindly to kidnapping, but I assure you they will come for me." She said into the cold room, keeping a tight seal on the nerves that threatened to make her voice shake. Her hands clutch the fabric of her dress and the tablet at her sides, her eyes glassy with the fear she tried to suppress.

[ ooc • notifs are going slow for me so sorry for any delays ]

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"Hey - hey." Spade can't help it. A young woman in this much apparent distress, he's gotta say something. "Easy, sweetheart. No one's gonna hurt you." Which is probably true, as far as he's been able to tell. "Deep breaths, okay? Nice and easy."

She looks around her, not quite realizing the voice is coming from the Tablet clenched in her hand. She takes the advice of the mysterious voice regardless; no point in dealing with her captors half hysterical.

"Who said that...?"

"I'm called Sam. Sam Spade. I'm a fellow abductee. Here - you see the little column with the doodad on top? It should have an image on it."

Her nerves have settled some, calming her down a bit more with each breath as she heard the stranger speak. So he is subjected to this kidnapping as well... he was pleasant and kind enough to help her when she felt lost. There seems little reason she should fear him.

"Doodad?" She furrows her eyebrows but it clicked when she opened her hand and looked at the object she'd grabbed from the pedestal. The moving picture is surprising, and all of Gwen's confusion registers in the image sent back to Spade. "Oh...this. F-forgive me, I have never seen anything like this before. My name is Guinevere."

"It's okay, ma'am - I hadn't either, and I'll guess it's closer to something I had than anything you've seen." Because he can safely label her period as "old," which is all he needs for now. "Are you hurt at all?"

She blinks at him before looking herself over. She doesn't feel hurt or anything, just a little shaken up. Despite the calmer visage, her heart is still pounding.

"N-no, I believe I'm intact." She lets out another drawn out breath. "Can you tell me where I am- I mean- where we are?"

"I can tell you what it's called, but not exactly where, I'm afraid. City's called Taxon. People've been brought from all over."

"...So they make a habit of capturing people in the middle of their homes."

She mulls over that thought for a moment and doesn't do well to hide the worry from her expression.

"How long have you been here... in this Taxon?"

"Six weeks, give or take. Where'd you come from, just now?"

The time frame doesn't help to ease that worry. She frowns and sinks to the floor once more to set, her knees weakening beneath her.

"Oh...I came from the Kingdom of Camelot." She's somewhat preoccupied and hesitates before responding.

He considers this, then says, "Arthur Pendragon ring any bells?"

"You know of Prince Arthur?"

While her expression did brighten some at the mention of his name, it isn't too surprising to meet people who have heard of Arthur even outside of Camelot. But Spade didn't seem like the sort she typically ran into even outside of the Kingdom.

Spade nods. "Haven't met him myself, but he was organizing a law enforcement group of sorts. Also sang a real catchy little ditty the other day," he adds, with a faint smile.

"He sang? Well, I regret missing that." She manages a laugh at the thought of him singing or doing anything but, well, leading a band of knights.

"He was the head of the Knights of Camelot, and a fine one at that." She says easily, but clears her throat and quickly changes the subject. "Hopefully there is a way for all of us to return to our homes."

"I don't think the singing part was entirely voluntary. But no, sweetheart, I'm afraid not yet. Not that we've found so far, anyway. I'm sorry."

She frowns for a moment before lifting her chin some. "Perhaps we will be able to find one eventually. It cannot be hopeless."

"No," he agrees, impressed by how quickly she's managing to adjust, given her initial panic. "I don't think hopeless. We're working on it."

She's quite adept to coping with situations such as these, or at the very least suppressing her worry enough to manage when managing is all she can do. It helps that she's an optimist living in Camelot, and not being entirely alone makes things a lot easier.

"And what do we do to fill the time?"

"Some of us work, though they make sure you've got food and shelter either way. I spent the first week just exploring, finding where things were." He shrugs. "Kind of up to you, as long as the plan doesn't include leaving right away."

"Well, I suppose they are taking care of us at the very least." This last comment of hers has the caveat of sarcasm. "Sam, I am indebted to you for your assistance."

"Not at all. You ever need anything else, I'm a private detective. Helping out's what I do, mainly." Well, sort of. It's a good line, anyway.

"I will not soon forget. Unfortunately I do not have anything to offer in return, unless you are in need of armor or needlework."

"Hell, a man needs buttons replaced, time to time. We can work something out, if you ever need anything."

"Well, buttons are done with ease. Do not hesitate if you are ever in need." It's a small offering, but she would do it gladly.

"Thanks. You settle in, kid, and give me a shout if you ever need anything."

Sam Spade, hardboiled as they come: unable to resist Gwen's total sweetness.

forma • [ holo : arrival ] • hwílum and tówearde cwén

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