An Unexpected Gift

Campaign: The Princess's Party

Chapter 9 / EX1-1

An Unexpected Gift

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Saving the Sparrow

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In the Rumbling Thunder

Summary

In the midst of the group's march, Cleo opens a package given to her by Chelle and finds a fantastic dress inside. After putting it on, she allows herself to indulge in a fantasy of being the daughter in a noble family.

Dialogue

*wheeze* *pant* We've come quite far... and I fear I need a rest... Of course, Cleo. Feel free to rest here. I'll come back for you in a bit. My apologies... Thank you... I should have something to eat while I cool off. Perhaps there is some food in this package Chelle gave me. Hmm. If there IS food inside, there must be a lot of it; this package is enormous. Perhaps it isn't food at all. Goodness! It's the dress from earlier! And there seems to be a letter as well... "Though this fine dress ill befits you, I give it to you as a memento of our time together regardless. - Chelle" Heavens, but that woman is a devil; I am WELL aware it does not suit me! Still, now that she's given it to me, I suppose there's no harm in putting it on... Hmm... Yes, there's nothing wrong with the fit. The problem must simply be that I am not of noble blood. But suppose I were a sylvan aristocrat? Would it suit me then? If my birth were different, my deportment and bearing would be different as well. I wonder... Posh, but my days are filled with boredom. Where IS my butler?! I am here, Lady Cleo. Finally! Now sit there; I would have you distract me from this dull malaise. Tell me, what do you see on the table in front of you there? An array of food, my lady. A full meal, in fact. Indeed! It is a table groaning under the weight of the best and most delicious dishes I could conceive of. You want to take a bite, don't you?! You want to stuff all of this food into your quivering, drool-filled maw! Ah, but you cannot do so until I grant you my permission! O-of course, my lady. And yet, the aroma is...overwhelming. You may not eat until I say so! Sit there and wait like a good butler! Waaaaaaaaaait... NOW you may eat! And once you do, I would hear your thoughts so I might make improvements to the recipe. M-my lady is most kind! Er, but if I may, why are you preparing meals yourself? A lady of stature does not normally cook. I wonder... Are you REALLY a noble? Ummm... ...Hmm, this is more difficult than I thought. My thoughts still default to those of a servant. If I want to do this, I must think even MORE like classic nobility. I am better than everyone... Everyone exists for me alone... Hmph! You are trash! Odious refuse! I would have you lick the dirt from my boots, but that would only make them even MORE unclean! How DARE you cavort about MY manor and pollute MY sight so shamelessly! ...... Nothing to say? Rat got your tongue? Fie, but you ARE trash! Acknowledge me when I am berating you! Admit what trash you are, trash! Scrape and grovel before me! ...... You decline to answer? Fine. You are of use to me no longer. In fact, I shall dispose of you myself. I need only my broom and mop, and— ...Wait, why am I cleaning? I'm supposed to be a noble! That was better, though. I think I'm finally approaching the proper mentality. Surely THIS time I shall succeed! Are you rested up, Cleo? We need to be on our way. Ah, how time flies. Please just give me a few more moments, if you would? Um, Cleo? Where'd you get that dress? What, th-this?! This is... Ummmm... Th-this just happened to be in my bag! I don't actually LIKE it! Then why did you put it on...? You know what? It doesn't matter. It looks great on you regardless. That is not what I need to hear from you at the moment! Ugh. We're leaving. I should have known this entire affair was useless...