Book the Second, Chapter the Second: An Unexpected Arrival

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Of course --

"we did, sir, as--

"did Aunty before she--

"went away."

[SunlessNick]

"And what does she order of you?" asks William.

[jp1885]

Lepus frowns as his ruse is exposed. So this is no childish prank then...

"Pssht, just my little game. I thought Poppy liked games."

Although he knows not the method of detecting evil, he recognises the gestures Vincent has subtly made. He also notices his reaction.

"I would know more of Poppy before I devote my life to her. How does she know me?" He asks the twins.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"And what does she order of you?" asks William.

"We are too--

"little yet to be--

"of much use, but--

"when we are--

"grown, we shall--

"be of great help, she--

"tells us."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus frowns as his ruse is exposed. So this is no childish prank then...

"Pssht, just my little game. I thought Poppy liked games."

Although he knows not the method of detecting evil, he recognises the gestures Vincent has subtly made. He also notices his reaction.

"I would know more of Poppy before I devote my life to her. How does she know me?" He asks the twins.

"There is little--

"indeed she does--

"not know."

[Mr. Handy]

"Do you know where your Aunty went?" Henry asks the twins. "Why did she go without Poppy?"

[jp1885]

A dangerous thought blooms in the overgrown garden of Lepus' mind. He has no wish to pledge eternal obedience to the doll, but what if he could anger her into playing her hand?

"Psht! 'tis but a childish trick! Why, this 'Poppy' naught but a mommet; it's powers merely the imagination of children!"

[Rooter]

Vincent shakes his head. "I sense it is an evil thing, this poppet, a source of malevolent influence. It may be the creature below the house is using the doll to influence the children, non? I think we must destroy it to save Highdark Hall." He holds his hand out to the children. "Give me the doll, s'il vous plait. We will get you another just the same, oui?" Anticipating some resistance he also murmurs an incantation to Beguile the children into obeying his wishes.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Do you know where your Aunty went?" Henry asks the twins. "Why did she go without Poppy?"

"Poppy sent her--

"far, far away, because--

"she was no longer--

"helpful."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

A dangerous thought blooms in the overgrown garden of Lepus' mind. He has no wish to pledge eternal obedience to the doll, but what if he could anger her into playing her hand?

"Psht! 'tis but a childish trick! Why, this 'Poppy' naught but a mommet; it's powers merely the imagination of children!"

This statement produces giggles from the two little girls.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Vincent shakes his head. "I sense it is an evil thing, this poppet, a source of malevolent influence. It may be the creature below the house is using the doll to influence the children, non? I think we must destroy it to save Highdark Hall." He holds his hand out to the children. "Give me the doll, s'il vous plait. We will get you another just the same, oui?" Anticipating some resistance he also murmurs an incantation to Beguile the children into obeying his wishes.

Spoiler:

Beguile increases CHA to 12[dice]0[/dice]

At first, one of the twins -- is it Juno or Julia? -- nods and begins to hand the doll to the Frenchman, while the other -- is it Julia or Juno? -- looks on without objection. But before Vincent can take the plaything, she suddenly pulls it back, and both girls produce ear-splitting shrieks, as of tortured souls, that are difficult to believe could come from such young and innocent throats. Any attempt to reach out to the twins, or to the doll, results in an explosion of biting and scratching, as if the children had become wildcats. During this time, they appear to undergo a peculiar transformation. Their eyes become red and glowing, their nails grow into claws, their teeth extend into fangs. The effect is a very brief one, as long as no further attempt is made to obtain the doll; so much so that one would think it illusory. The adventurers will recall the Altumbers have ceased any efforts to separate the twins from their companion, for reasons which now seem clear.

[Mr. Handy]

"We've met your Aunty," says Henry once the girls calm down. "She misses Poppy."

[jp1885]

While the twins spit and snarl like wildcats, Lepus does not seem the least bit surprised. Maybe it is an illusion, maybe not - he has no way of knowing. However he is certain that pledging his life to the doll would be a very bad idea!
He thinks for a moment while Henry addresses the girls.

The only clue the doll has given them is that she knows him from somewhere - could she be related to his little friends and cousins in the faerie realms?

Victoria,Lepus utters something in a polyglot mix of the faerie languages he has learned over the years. [color=#008000]<<Oh thee who resideth in the doll, be this mere illusion? If thee truly be powerful, then compel the twins to turn around thrice. Else-wise we shall walk away in contemp of thee.>> [/color]

[SunlessNick]

"Poppy has not been kind to her," says William. "Certainly not how one would wish to see two pretty girls like yourselves dealt with."

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry. "If she treated your Aunty like that, what's to stop her from doing the same to you once you're no longer useful to her?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"We feel sorry for--

"Aunty Beth, but there is--

"nothing to be--

"done for--

"her. Without Poppy--

"we would--

"die."

While saying this, the twins turn the doll, seemingly without knowing what they are doing, until it is facing directly at Lepus. Its painted eyes stare blankly at him.

Lepus:

Spoiler:

You hear a voice within your head. It is very thin and high, and sounds like someone speaking in a cavern.

"Woudst command those whom thou wouldst not serve? Nay, feeble mortal. Though thou hast some wisdom of our ways, thou know not our purpose. Best to flee, lest thou fall prey to what thou cannot undo."

[Mr. Handy]

"Would you like to see Aunty Beth again?" asks Henry.

[jp1885]

Lepus gasps, stepping back a couple of paces. He falls to his knees, bowing his head in supplication.

Victoria,[color=#008000]<<Oh woe is old Lepus, for I have insulted thee, Fey Lady! Had I but known... Prithee deign to speak thy name, so that I may make proper contrition.>>[/color]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Would you like to see Aunty Beth again?" asks Henry.

"We would but--

"Poppy says we--

"must not, and we--

"would not like--

"her to become--

"angry."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus gasps, stepping back a couple of paces. He falls to his knees, bowing his head in supplication.

Victoria,[color=#008000]<<Oh woe is old Lepus, for I have insulted thee, Fey Lady! Had I but known... Prithee deign to speak thy name, so that I may make proper contrition.>>[/color]

Spoiler:

There is high, almost musical laughter, as of silver bells ringing.

"Didst think me such a fool as to stumble into so pitiful a trap? Nay, my true name is for thee to discover; and thou shall not!"