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

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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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She smiles and places a hand on her friends arm in quiet thanks. She did not know what she would do without her friend here to keep her steady, and can only imagine how it has been in the city for 4 months prior.

"That is a comfort indeed." She says a bit absently as she watches Morgana with a close eye.

"I saw you just a over an hour before arriving, when Arthur left..." She hesitates, as that was a secret even Morgana was not to know. "I mean, returned from the North country."

Morgana does not pick up on the misspeak. Such a thing is not entirely uncommon for Gwen, and Morgana would never point it out. Also, she's turning over in her mind exactly when that event took place. "The North Country -- I do not recall --"

Then it hits her: "You are ahead of us." Because a statement like that needs to be explained, " Sometimes people who know each other, they come from different points in their life." She thinks of how the Doctor explained it to her.

"It is like going for a walk in the forest. If you went ahead of Arthur and I, for some reason, and we took another path altogether, with the three of us ending up in the same spot, eventually."

"How long has it been since Arthur," it's an event she would rather not recall, all the worry and fear of the near loss of the crown prince, "was attacked by the Questing Beast?" That would give her a better idea.

"Ahead of you?" She furrows her eyebrows as she turns over that concept in her head, but the metaphor Morgana gave began making sense. "So you do not recall some of the same incidents? Then Arthur must be from another place as well?"

"That must have been at least a month ago, maybe longer." She tries to churn through what has happened since then in her head, but the only things of significance were thieves plundering a castle tomb and the jousting tournament. "This is a strange place indeed."

Gwen looks around again, still somewhat in awe at everything that is so foreign to her. A tram crosses by on its tracks, and she steps closer to her friend as she watches the object move with a cautious curiosity.

"Much of it still makes little sense to me. This Tablet especially."

"I have not found any discrepancies between us thus far, even though he arrived in Taxon a full fortnight after I did."

Being so busy coming up to explain the discrepancies in the time line, Morgana gives the dirtiest look to the tram going by -- more out of frustration that she had, briefly, stopped paying attention for them. "That's a tram. It is wholly unsafe to walk on the roads because of them. They are useful if you need to get somewhere quickly, but this city is not large and I would rather walk." That's her way of saying she hates the things.

In regards to the tablet, "You are becoming more acclimatized to this much quicker than I did. I rarely looked at it for the better part of a month but we can get the use of it sorted once you are settled."

"I see..." She says softly, idly thinking that is for the best considering how recent events unfolded between them.

"Faster than horses, you think?" Her curiosity is piqued by all of these new oddities that she's surrounded by, but in the back of her mind she has her suspicions. She knew of nothing that was capable of moving seemingly on its own or projecting realistic pictures, and it all came back to one thing in her mind. "Are they...magic?"

Edited 2010-05-09 00:19 (UTC)

"They are a great deal faster, and nowhere near as civilized," that might just be Morgana's bias against them creeping through.

She's relieved it's daylight. Morgana had arrived late at night, lost in a city without any companions.

If there is one thing Morgana can understand, it is the automatic assumption that everything here is magic, and no matter how long she remains, the hatches will always be somewhat magical to her. "They are a very advanced form of science. I have," correction, "had someone here who was helping me learn about it."

As for the actual magic in Taxon, that can wait, at least a few hours before she has to explain that to Gwen.

She laughs lightly at that, a hint of fondness in the look she gives Morgana. Four months in Taxon and away from home or no, she would be worried if Morgana had not expressed her displeasure with the trams so articulately.

"Well, you will have to share all you understand with me once you are better." She makes note of the correction Morgana made, but decides to ask on that topic later. "Show me where you are staying."

Morgana stops for a second to focus on Gwen. She's been waiting several days for her appearance, and despite the guilt that's underneath the joy of seeing her (it is wrong and selfish to be oddly happy her friend's here, she knows) Morgana does not want this to turn into a conversation about her.

She links their arms. "Gwen, I was unfortunately ill for the past couple of months, but I assure you, I am recovering. Put your mind at ease or chastise me for not taking care of myself over the past few days, but please, do not worry." In truth, she doubts that will put the subject to rest, few people recognize Gwen's stubborn streak.

"At least you will be comfortable with your lodgings. There is an odd portion of the palace here, the Royal Chambers. We shall have to select an appropriate room for you." That translates in Morgana-speak to you are staying with us, and in a chamber near mine, without argument.

Morgana now has the two people dearest to her in Taxon (not that she would admit it to the other one) and she firmly intends to keep them close.

"So long as you pay heed to it and see a physician if needed." She places her free hand on Morgana's for a moment, quiet reassurance that the worry will still be there, and puts that topic aside for the time being.

The surprise shows in her expression at the offer to stay at the Royal Chambers. She knows protest is fruitless as Morgana would be insistent, but she certainly would not take choose to be far from her friend if it makes her feel more at ease. Of course, there is also the matter of Arthur...

Having her own place in Camelot meant easily pulling herself away from work and the various social requirements the court demanded. After spending the entirety of a week with Arthur she found it was difficult for him to switch modes. This combined with all that happened between them in her recent history just makes her uneasy about the arrangement. She harbors a hurt over it she chooses not to admit to, but she tries not to show it for Morgana's sake.

"None to extravagant, Morgana, I need only modest quarters." She shoots a wry smile Morgana's direction. "Though I can't help but wonder how a portion of the palace made its way here."

"I assure you, I have had my fill of physicians," medics, psychiatrists, Doctors, "of late. Now my care is up to me." And what a brilliant job Morgana's done thus far.

"And we shall find you suitable quarters," which will be slightly more than modest, as the servant's quarters are at the opposite end of the Royal Chambers, much too far away for Morgana's liking.

Morgana leads her towards the Royal Chambers, which, blessedly, is not far from the Sanctuary. Her own introduction to Taxon included a cross-city journey, and an Extra as a guide. That reminds her.

"The natives of the city," she points to a woman in a blue dress, walking purposelessly down the street and entering a shop, "are called Extras. They may be here, but when you speak to them, look at them long enough, something is missing." Up until the previous week, Morgana would have told Gwen they were harmless, but even harmless intentions, she's learned, can be twisted.

Perhaps they were both so stubborn at times because they had one another around as an influence and reinforcement of it for so long... now Arthur had both of them to deal with.

She knows precisely what Morgana meant by suitable, but the only protest she offers is in the look she glances over at her.

"Are they not people?" The woman seemed normal enough, though the explanation frightens her a bit. In all honesty, most of this place does.

All Gwen gets for the look, is a mirrored one in return, that and a small smile.

Spying another extra, Morgana shakes her head. "They might of been people, or could be people, but as they are right now, they are not people, no." It is why there is the barest of staff's at the Royal Chambers. Morgana had dismissed another two upon returning home after the duel. She had worked out a way to make it even smaller.

Now that she knows they can be used as a force, she is more wary of them. Not that Gwen needs to be made aware of any of this during her first few moments in Taxon.

Rounding another corner, Morgana adjusts the bag she carries, though all it contains is a book and today's uneaten food, giving Gwen a moment to take in the concept of a 'portion of the palace.'

"I guess it would not be much of a city without...bodies filling it." As it stands Guinevere has had contact with very few individuals since her arrival. For all she knows, the captors of Taxon are few and far between.

The familiar visage of the Camelot castle before them is a welcome sight among the antiquated and futuristic buildings they have passed on their walk thus far, but something is missing. Perhaps Guinevere had looks on the entirely of the kingdom as a complete thing that sprawled out in stone and daunting walls for too long, but even being told that it was only a portion of the castle did not prepare her for this particular portion to be stationary in the sprawl of another world.

"You really were not kidding when you said a portion," Her eyebrows raised at the sight. "A welcome piece of home... whoever these captors are they seem intent on stealing away people and things?"

There are so many things Morgana will have to keep track of in regards to what she tells Gwen. Most of them, Morgana had to figure out on her own and would rather spare her friend the trouble.

She escorts her to the main door and points to the electronic pad, in a weird mirror image of what she did with Arthur, all those months ago. "You need to put your hand on there, to make sure the door will always open for you, as a resident." That's her back-handed way of ensuring Gwen's stay a the Royal Chambers, a bit sneaky, but a well-intentioned move.

As for what the rodents (a small detail Morgana will leave out until the initial shock has worn off) steal. "We shall have to find out what you have brought. Some bring buildings, other pets, and one," a shadow of sadness is evident at the thought of Enfys, "brought a knitted garment with her that was not her own."

The rodents certainly do not take into account equality when it comes to what people bring with them from their old lives.

She nods and hesiates a bit before placing her hand against the pad. Were it not for her friend's input and direction she would be very lost and confused in this sea of technology, but she trusted Morgana completely and would heed all of her advice and knowledge about the unfamiliar in Taxon. The palace was, however, quite familiar to her, and she did not hesitate to open the door once her information had been registered.

Walking through the doorway, she lets out a sigh of relief. It is more than comforting being back in (a part of) the castle. She spent more time there than she did at home, so making the adjustment here will be easy. Odd, but easy.

"Like a wish," Guinevere says a bit absently before turning her attention back to Morgana. She catches that sad expression and moves back to her side. "Is she a friend you made here?"

Morgana rationalizes her actions in a couple of ways. The first is that she truly believes Gwen would be safer at the Royal Chambers. The second is to make Gwen more comfortable with such familiar surroundings. The third is that the Royal Chambers came with her own arrival, she could decide who had permanent access or not.

"It is not a wish, Gwen" Morgana says, wistfully correcting her. She takes her arm. "A wish would be for you to be safe back in Camelot."

"She was, yes." Somehow, it feels right to tell Gwen about her, even though she's convinced the two never would have gotten along. "Her name was Enfys."

"Better a piece of it than none at all." It's clear from the look she gives Morgana that she means more than just the buildings and posessions. It's selfish of her but something tells her she'll understand.

Guinevere's expression turns a bit more solemn as she hears her friend speak of a lost friend. She recalls Sam telling her that people do ocassionally get taken out of the city, hopefully put back in their homes as of nothing happened. But when there is a life established in Taxon it must be just as painful to be spirited away again, leaving behind a sort of life and people and attachments. It made her sad thinking to think on, worries rising in what she'd do if her friends were stolen from her or if Morgana was frantic with worry over her disappearance back at Camelot. She wasn't sure if she could handle losing a loved one again.

"I'm sorry," she says with a sympathetic rub of her hand to Morgana's. "Were you very close?"

Morgana does understand, but that is how things always work with Gwen, and it is a relief to have that back. For a moment, she debates telling her that the very first thing Morgana demanded in Taxon, was reassurance that Gwen was not taken as well, and yet, now here she is.

"She lived here for a short while," Morgana leans in a little conspiratorially. "Drove Arthur absolutely mad, at times." One day, when this place gets the better of Gwen, it does of everyone at one point or another, she'll regale Gwen with the tale of the arm-wrestling match in the dining hall.

"Enfys also helped take care of me when I was at the height of my illness." Morgana pauses before she says anymore, she does not need to be maudlin. "Come upstairs, we will find you some quarters to your liking."

If Gwen feels like she's being steered away from the servants' quarters and towards Morgana's wing, that would be because she is.

Edited 2010-05-09 23:23 (UTC)

She laughs a little at the thought of someone living here and driving Arthur insane. After living with him for a week and driving her completely nuts she enjoys the idea of him getting a taste of his own medicine without Merlin here to fall back on... but she tries not to think on Merlin for too long.

"I am sure anything would be fine," Though her protests are probably going to be fruitless, she mentions it regardless. She follows the staircase up to the hall of quarters and stops just before the room she knows to be Morgana's back in Camelot. "And these rooms are all too much for my needs."

Morgana may have had little genuine, honest affection in Camelot -- the majority of which came from the person she now escorts to a the smallest chamber a few doors down from her own, but what Morgana did have is a lot of stuff. Thus, when things were plentiful, and she has to admit, Taxon can provide all that is necessary for living, too much is not really a working part of her vocabulary.

And, most importantly, Morgana did not mind sharing what she has with Gwen.

She debates the best way to end any concerns on Gwen's part. She does not wish to mention the frequency of her nightmares. It would work, but not put Gwen at ease. Instead, she tries something else.

"There are only the three of us in the Royal Chambers, at the moment, save a few Extras who work as servants," there's an implication there that Gwen could consider them her servants, if she pleased. "And even though there is only a portion of the castle here, it is still rather large. If you would prefer to have your own wing, that could be arranged, and I doubt you would want to sleep in Arthur's wing."

Yes, she walked right into that one, unwittingly.

Guinevere is no stranger of her generosity. She knows that in a different world she'd be treated less like a servant and more like an equal if it were up to Morgana, but things were strict under the rule of Uther and appearances and roles are important to maintain. She'd never hold it against Morgana, especially not when she knows her so well... understanding this made it easier for her to accept Arthur's dismissing their shared moment back in her home.

But that is a thought on which she does not wish to dwell.

A smile creeps across her face as she enters the modest room. It is more than enough room for her, but more importantly it was filled to with the same luxuries all the other guest quarters were adorned in.

"This room is already more than enough. I am sure I haven't any need for more than what I had back home, and that could fit in a wing of the palace three times, no doubt." Eyes tracing the furniture that filled it, she wanders further into the room. "So...you have servants to tend to you?"

Her question is said a bit absently as she stands admiring the linens upon the bed, but the answer she receives is more important to her than she lets on. Away from Camelot and taking refuge in the castle or not, Guinevere is what she is. She is neither ashamed of it nor wishes to leave it for idle life and the comforts of Taxon, especially when there is hope of returning to the Camelot she was taken from. In that reality she will always simply be Guinevere, or so she believes.

That is the difference between pair, Morgana is always willing to push for more. That has not always worked out in her favour, but she has, just as often, been confident that it was the right thing to do. Many times, she's gone too far, but Gwen, Morgana often thinks, sells herself short.

"There is a skeleton staff of Extras to keep the Royal Chambers running, but none are permitted to enter my personal chambers under any circumstances."

But Gwen's meaning is clear. As much as Morgana would like to insist she no longer has to live the life of a servant, there's the delicate balance of making Gwen feel unwanted, and Morgana cannot decide which option is the worse of the two.

"Then I can resume my duties." There's a nod along with her words, as if it is the only possibility, for now at least.

"Like," She shifts her attention back to Morgana and steps back over to her. "Getting you back to your healthy self. What use is the mistress of the Royal chambers if she is not her usual, glowing self?"

It is a relief that Gwen takes the decision away from Morgana. Gwen will stay, not so that Morgana has a servant, but because Gwen cannot help but be of use.

And now Morgana's been told, in the nicest possible way. She puts on her best chastised look. "You will have to help me in that regard. I have learned, during my time here I am quite unable to do such a thing on my own."

"I cannot say I am surprised when the only other one here to keep an eye on you is Arthur. He can barely care for himself without Merlin's aid." Gwen's voice has a tinge of bitterness in it that makes her criticism a bit less light than it usually would be.

"Come," she says, stepping towards the door. "We should get you into bed where you can rest and tell me more about Taxon."

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Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Re: Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Re: Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Re: Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

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Taxon Street Near the Sanctuary

Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers ~ ooh Morgana. She'd totally do that too xD

Re: Location: Royal Chambers ~ Of *course* she would. It's all meant in love.

Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers

Re: Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers

Re: Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers

Re: Location: Royal Chambers

Location: Royal Chambers

Re: Location: Royal Chambers ~ Of course she would. It's all meant in love.