Boxes Within Boxes: The Mail has Arrived

[velesdonnersen]

[Dook the Weasel goes wild, racing around the house at the sound of approaching footsteps. Tarvek, working in his home office on some work from the law firm, looks out and spots the mailman. He slopes out to the mailbox, greeting the mailman as he leaves. He looks in, and spots a box.]

Granny?  Granny, could you call Ilsa and ask her to come on over? She's gotten pretty touchy about me opening mysterious boxes without her there. Not that Mayfield doesn't justify it.

 Who: Granny Weatherwax, Tarvek, Ilsa
What: The mail arrives, bringing mystery..
Where:1126 Taylor Street
When: After Portalfield
Warnings: Unknown

Comments

[atent_dead]

[Granny eyes the mail with suspicion. It's probably hard to tell though. THat's how she tends to eye everything.]

More nonsense?

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa knocks as she enters the front door, more warning than request, calling out: ] Anyone else get mail, today?

[ She's got a bulky cardboard box under one arm, and groceries in the other as she heads for the kitchen. ]

[velesdonnersen]

Ah, they've sent you something, too. [Grimaces] Well, I'm being "good." I waited till you could join me.

Granny, did they send you anything? Ilsa believes in safety in numbers when it comes to mysterious Mayfield boxes. We can watch your back, if you've gotten anything in the past couple days.

[atent_dead]

Seems sensible enough, if ye tend to have things that might cause trouble.

[She'll play along]

[ooeeooahah]

Considering when I got my Sight back, I was blinded to normal vision for most of a day, it's probably a good idea.

[ She slides the cardboard box onto an empty chair before she starts putting the groceries in the appropriate places. ]

Besides, sometimes it takes some interpretation to figure out what it is, when the symbolism isn't what you expect. I think this time I got something physical, though.

[velesdonnersen]

[He slides his own carton out onto the table beside Ilsa's.]

Who goes first? Any volunteers?

[He gives the two boxes a sour glance.]

Can either of you two Talented Ladies detect anything?

[atent_dead]

Pussyfootin' around ain't goin' to accomplish anythin'. But no, ain't noticin' any woo woo.

[Sensing vibes isn't really Discworld witchery anyway]

[ooeeooahah]

Nothing dangerous, but then, it's hard to sense anything before the recipient touches it, like it's not active or doesn't exist before they touch the catalyst.

[ Ilsa shrugs, putting away the last of the groceries. ]

Mostly, I just like to have someone on hand for the aftermath.

[velesdonnersen]

[ He makes a face, and gingerly pulls the box toward him.]

I suppose I might as well try.

[He takes an elegant gentleman's pocket knife from his pants pocket and neatly slices around the edges of the box, touching as little as possible.]

Lean back, ladies. If there's anything bad in there I want you safe.

[ He leans back himself, and gently pries the lid open with the tip of his knife. Then he stretches his neck and peers in. A voice comes from a nest of crumpled paper. It is metallic and seems to blend machine-sweetness with a trace of rust and destruction.]

M-m-maaaster Tarvek? I-I-I W-where? I am? Wh-wh-where?

[atent_dead]

[Granny doesn't shift at all. She'll decide for herself what to worry about. And most danger wouldn't dare.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa's reaction is to stand behind Tarvek with her hands on his shoulders. ]

That's not...

[velesdonnersen]

[He gives a tiny, tiny nod, and one hand slips over Ilsa's, even as he assumes a defensive veneer of sarcasm.]

Of course it is. Head only, you'll note.

[ Suddenly his voice is gentler. ]

Yes, Tinka. It's me. Hang on and I'll get you out of there. The two women with me are Granny Weatherwax, who... lives with me here...and a friend, Ilsa.

[He eases the head out of the box and sets it on the table. It's like a giant porcelain doll's head. It blinks confused, mechanical eyes, trying to take in the room. He gently pats its curls.

Shhh. Granny, she's... Is there somewhere you wouldn't mind her sitting? Like on the mantel? So she can feel like she's part of our home? If...if you don't mind? Her name is Tinka. She's my responsibility.

[atent_dead]

Long as she ain't underfoot.

[Talking dolls. Nothing but trouble.]

[ooeeooahah]

Someplace where she can be part of the conversation, but not in harm's way... sometimes might be an idea to have her sit on top of the fridge?

[ Ilsa's hands tighten slightly on Tarvek's shoulders, but then she continues, taking his pocket knife. ]

Might as well check mine, next.

[ Following Tarvek's example, she moves the box to a chair on the far side of the room from the others, and opens it. ]

Well, that's interesting.

[ She pulls out a small suitcase, regulation carry-on sized. ]

Feels lighter than it ought, though.

[velesdonnersen]

[He gives Granny a grateful glance for her permission regarding Tinka, then looks curiously at the suitcase.]

A travel-case? Like in movies?

[ After all, he's been stuck in Mayfield. Suitcases are something he has witnessed mostly through old movies watched with Quin.]

[atent_dead]

Ain't made of sapient pearwood or any such nonsense?

[No Luggage here, please]

[ooeeooahah]

What? Oh - no, ma'am. [ Though the designation does give her pause, she sorts through the case quickly. ]

My clothes and such are in here, but not my hunting kit.

[velesdonnersen]

[ He can't decide if he wants to see the clothes from her time and world line more, or her "hunting kit." Both are of professional and personal interest. Only one, though, is here, apparently.]

You are going to model them for me later, aren't you?

[Then he flicks a glance at Granny and blushes scarlet.]

[atent_dead]

Harmless enough then.

[She'll just pretend she didn't hear that nonsense. Everyone will be happier.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa swats Tarvek before responding to Granny. ] This time, yes. Did you get a letter or package?

[velesdonnersen]

[Tarvek squalls when she smacks him, but it's mainly good-natured play. He grins.}

Come on, Ilsa -- I haven't seen clothes from your time and place. I'm curious

[Cocks brow at Granny.]

Well? Did anything come in for you?

[atent_dead]

[She opens the smallish looking envelope without fanfare. No sense dithering]

Ain't anythin' physical.

[ooeeooahah]

Were they cryptic or straightforward, this time?

[velesdonnersen]

[ Poor Tarvek. He was raised to be nosier than an elephant with two trunks...and he's smart enough to know that "nosy" won't get far against Granny's headology. He forces himself to act mildy intrigued instead of insanely curious.]

It's the intangibles that get you, every time.