She doesn't know why she answers 'guest', or how anyone could answer 'servant', but it seems compulsion has been a common theme of late. Given the deeds she's committed in the name of her brand of justice, might this not seem a fitting punishment? To be devoid of control is a fear that this world has exploited a much as her own, and it's all she can do to keep from screaming when she's made to sit at an all-too-familiar table for tea.
The Unwinding had once had its way with her sanity, denying her the right to agency and the knowing of her own soul as the rain had melted away her very being. To question her reality has long been a curse of Vanessa's, and the Unwinding had deepened that curse. Here she is now, being reminded, and then there he is. Another who must have been shaped in part by the uncertainties laid bare by the Unwinding.
One of the guests, a ghost with a shrill laugh, asks Vanessa where her husband is. Will he be joining us, dear? "No, I, I have no husband." But you are promised to someone, aren't you? Such a lovely thing, you must have a man on your arm. "It's, well it's─" You do! Tell us the name of your beloved. You must. Who are you promised to? She shakes her head, eyes darting between the apparitions and reaching to scratch under her sleeve. Her silk gloves soften any attempts to distract herself from their compulsion. "He has many names."
She flinches with a jerk of her chin in defiance at the notion. Could she mean Ethan? It should be Ethan (he has his own secret lives, doesn't he?). They aren't promised to one another, but neither does she think herself promised to Amun-Ra or any of his incarnations.
It's the curse of this place. Everything stokes the Evil.
Another one of the ghostly caretakers laughs out How mysterious! Do you also have other names, Miss Ives? while brandishing a knife when Charles comes near with the tea. Vanessa lurches forward to take it from her, but they request her to Please, sit! You're being incredibly rude, you haven't answered the question. and so she stays rooted, unable to stop anything they might do to him. All she can do is answer the question, though she resists to the point of keeping honest without being blatant. "What others call me, yes. Isn't that so for everyone?"
Disappointed chatter follows. They may need to be more forceful with their questions, she's so evasive!
(UN)SHELTERED } tea party with charles (closed)
The Unwinding had once had its way with her sanity, denying her the right to agency and the knowing of her own soul as the rain had melted away her very being. To question her reality has long been a curse of Vanessa's, and the Unwinding had deepened that curse. Here she is now, being reminded, and then there he is. Another who must have been shaped in part by the uncertainties laid bare by the Unwinding.
One of the guests, a ghost with a shrill laugh, asks Vanessa where her husband is. Will he be joining us, dear? "No, I, I have no husband." But you are promised to someone, aren't you? Such a lovely thing, you must have a man on your arm. "It's, well it's─" You do! Tell us the name of your beloved. You must. Who are you promised to? She shakes her head, eyes darting between the apparitions and reaching to scratch under her sleeve. Her silk gloves soften any attempts to distract herself from their compulsion. "He has many names."
She flinches with a jerk of her chin in defiance at the notion. Could she mean Ethan? It should be Ethan (he has his own secret lives, doesn't he?). They aren't promised to one another, but neither does she think herself promised to Amun-Ra or any of his incarnations.
It's the curse of this place. Everything stokes the Evil.
Another one of the ghostly caretakers laughs out How mysterious! Do you also have other names, Miss Ives? while brandishing a knife when Charles comes near with the tea. Vanessa lurches forward to take it from her, but they request her to Please, sit! You're being incredibly rude, you haven't answered the question. and so she stays rooted, unable to stop anything they might do to him. All she can do is answer the question, though she resists to the point of keeping honest without being blatant. "What others call me, yes. Isn't that so for everyone?"
Disappointed chatter follows. They may need to be more forceful with their questions, she's so evasive!