|
|
Post by Beriadan on Oct 25, 2024 23:14:11 GMT
"Well, that is fair. To be honest, my family have never really been interested in being accepted."
Astra shrugged. Lady Blackmoore had her views, that had been cemented over two hundred years or so. At least she wasn't trying to scare her off like some Scooby-doo villain. The old lady just cared for her house, her legacy... and had a scathing view of anything that seemed to threaten that.
"Impressed or not, I'm afraid you're stuck with me now. Luckily the rest of my family had no interest in coming here, so you won't have to deal with their vagrant bohemian nonsense.
"My bohemian nonsense, on the other hand - oh wow."
Astra's eyes were wide as Minnie lumbered over. An actual dinosaur. She was quivering where she stood, a look of excitement radiating from her face like sunlight.
"Triceratops horridus, such a terrible scientific name for something so beautiful. Fantastic. Wonderful! Lady Blackmoore, did I tell you that you're literally the coolest person I've ever met? Because this is, like... absolutely at the top of amazing things that's happened to me recently. And I've been to space!"
Astra looked up at the Duchess with a wide, beaming grin. This was turning into a far more interesting day than she had expected. Astra reached out a hand as Minnie approached, hoping to press her palm onto the giant's beaked nose.
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Oct 27, 2024 10:09:38 GMT
"Well, as small a blessing as it is, a blessing all the same," Lady Blackmoore said, " and honestly, had I wanted you out of here, you'd be out on the steps by now. So perhaps a little less assumption on my views is in order? Just because I do not like something doesn't mean I can't... what is the phrase? Live with it?"
Adelaide smiled benevolently at Astra's very positive reaction. Well, at least some things were still left in the family, which was a much bigger blessing, but she did not intend to say that out loud. Such praise could go to a person's head like a strong drink.
"Yes, an awful name, but I should not be surprised Othniel Charles Marsh named it. My husband and I only met him once at Yale College; like most men in those days, he had a very inflated sense of his importance, made even worse by the fact he was American." The duchess watched Minnie come over, curious about the stranger but also massive enough not to feel threatened, which tended to be the case for most things. "She has made a habit of following any living and visiting the grounds, frustrated at them not noticing her poor dear. Sometimes, we feel she might not fully understand her current state."
Sadly, Astra would find her hand passing through the magnificent beast, and she was more transparent than Lady Blackmoore.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Oct 27, 2024 13:32:32 GMT
Astra grinned at Lady Blackmoore's response. The ghost was fun to riff off of. She had a sharp wit and a sense of humour so dry it made her dehydrated. Still, Astra dealt with all sorts every day, and had a feeling that this Duchess liked her. It gave her confidence.
Yet the story of Minnie squeezed her heart, and Astra felt an enormous sadness. No way. Not on her watch. She frowned, looking at Minnie's frustration, and shaking her head.
"Nope. Nuh uh. That's not happening. Wait here..."
Astra marched inside, finding the first comfortable chais long or chair, and making herself comfortable. She breathed deep... and released her astral form from her body.
Astra floated back to Lady Blackmoore and Minnie, reaching out her astrally projected hand now to stroke the dinosaur ghost with a smile.
"You're not going to have to worry about a lack of attention from me, girl."
Astra glances at the Duchess as she rubbed Minnie's beak, smiling.
"This is what I can do, Lady Blackmoore. It's the ability that has been passed down the Zappon line. In this form, I can go anywhere, and be anyone."
For a moment there was a blur, and then Astra's form changed. She was now dressed as if she had been born in Lady Blackmoore's own time, hair a dull brown and tied up in fancy braids, her clothes expensive and far more ladylike than she would ever wear.
"My mother never had this skill, which is maybe why I can see you all and she couldn't. It's taken me to the furthest reaches of space, and all across the world. The Zappons never had much in the way of breeding or wealth, but we do have this."
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Oct 27, 2024 17:45:59 GMT
Lady Blackmoore watched her descendant as she returned to the building. She did not show it, but she was curious about what the girl was plotting. She furrowed her brow slightly as Astra came back, but not in a physical sense, so it appeared the girl did possess some powers outside of just possessing the sight.
Minnie seemed initially slightly taken aback when Astra touched her beak but quickly seemed to enjoy it and came closer to her with a great sound, similar to a bird, but not entirely. It was nothing like what a dinosaur sounded in Jurassic Park, that was for sure. So, similar to a bird, but not entirely.
"Yes, that is acceptable," Adelaide came closer and casually adjusted the Cameo Brooch at the neck of her gown. It was a lot to take in for sure; she had not expected the girl to have the power to detach her spirit from her body, which was helpful for sure but unexpected.
"Yes, this looks... good on you." She paused and looked at Astra's hair and face. "Yes, you are remarkably similar to Hyacinth." Adelaide pulled her hand back before taking a few steps back. "Never mind that. It's a useful skill to have."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 8, 2024 10:09:07 GMT
There was a shimmering in Astra's form as Lady Blackmoore adjusted the brooch. Her hair sprung out, violently returning to its pink and fluffy state. Astra grinned as she continued to stroke the rough skin of Minnie's beak.
"Sorry! I guess even my subconscious can't handle normal hair."
She squirmed in the dress, obviously not used to the customs of fine clothing. Astra was very much out of her comfort zone. She looked up at Lady Blackmoore, cocking her head to one side.
"So... what exactly do you do here? Not in a rude way, but, like... surely you must get bored just hanging around this old place? Don't you want to get back out into the wide world again? Be the adventurer you were in your... youth?"
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Nov 8, 2024 12:12:05 GMT
Adelaide furrowed her brow slightly as Astra's hair decided to rebel and return to the unruly mess of pink that it had been in before. But she made the tactical choice not to comment on it, as it would do neither of them any good for her to state the obvious. Instead, the Dowager Duchess turned her focus to the questions that followed.
"You believe us out of touch with the living world?" She asked, arching one of her slender eyebrows, "We keep busy; it a lot of work keeping the castle in shape, and we do get regular ghostly visitors; in fact, I host one of the grandest balls for that sort of thing. Just because most of the world doesn't see it doesn't mean the dead do nothing. That being said, most ghosts are bound to the place where they died for most of the year; this is true." She put her hands together. "I'm not one of them; the same can be said for Thomas, my driver, along with a... few other ghosts from other parts, the majority of which I stand only as a formality; I do have a reputation to uphold."
Adelaide looked to Minnie, and there was the faint smile again. How she adored the dinosaur and seeing her liking Astra was enough for the old lady to accept her begrudgingly. "Minnie could leave if she wanted to but has chosen not to. She likes the security and severe lack of predators here." The dinosaur affectionately made a few sounds. "One can only imagine how dangerous her life was."
She shook her head, focusing and returning to Astra. "But, I feel you've got something in mind when you say-- adventuring?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 12, 2024 12:55:36 GMT
Astra raised her hands in a silent defence, givkng Lady Blackmoore an apologetic grin. Her Victorian dress was starting to colour itself in with vibrant shades, as if it was slowly materialising in the spectrum.
"No offence! No offence! I just meant - well, I've met aliens and travelled the cosmos meeting colonies and stuff... but I've never met a ghost. So I guess I apologise if I say any, like, stereotypical stuff?"
Astra went back to stroking Minnie's head, looking at the spectral dinosaur with fondness. If her mother had only truly understood what this place was... what it contained. Maybe she wouldn't have abandoned it.
"What I mean is... dont you ever feel that pull? The spark of adventure? You must have been travelling all over the place when you were... younger. Do you never think about doing that now? To explore new places and see new things? Don't you ever... miss it?"
Astra looked up at Lady Blackmoore with a level of confusion in her eyes. The ghost would be able to see how strongly she felt about it. To see a fellow adventurer seemingly shackled to one place... she bowed her head slightly, focusing on Minnie, giving her an extra good two-handed fuss on either side of her beak.
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Nov 12, 2024 21:32:28 GMT
"Yes, I am not going to take offence; it is a waste of both mine and your energy," Lady Blackmoore made a dismissive gesture with her gloved hand. "But, I find it odd that someone with your abilities has encountered creatures from other worlds and yet never encountered a spirit on your planet. Ghosts are not rare as a concept; they exist in most old places where living things have died violently, be it from murder and war to sickness and famine."
Adelaide regarded her descendant's words for a while, leaving Astra to focus on Minnie.
"What makes you think I have not? I just told you I can leave the grounds; I am not bound to this location like most ghosts here. I might not have visited aliens and travelled the cosmos, but that is because my interests are here on this planet." She gestured to the area around them. " Besides, I occasionally do get... visitors. The castle may exist here, but it has a habit of appearing in other places, principally during powerful storms or during times of thick mists."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 18, 2024 12:26:18 GMT
Astra shrugged with a grin. Lady Blackmoore was brimming with indignation, and she loved it. Still, it did raise a good point. Astra hadn't really spent much time on Earth, not when she could explore beyond the stars and solar system.
"It's fascinating, honestly. I've never really been to old castles or places that could have been haunted. Since I learnt how to do this, my sights have been on the stars, personally. I suppose... I always thought ghosts were just stories."
She turned slightly so she could face Lady Blackmoore. Astra's eyes, alive with a keen interest in the ghost's activities. At this point the dress had whispered away, leaving her dressed in a vivid floral shirt and bright green shorts.
"Where is the most interesting place you've been? Are there other dinosaur ghosts? What about animals? How come we're not surrounded by spectral squirrels? Do all ghosts know they're ghosts, or do you meet any that think they're still alive? Have you ever met an alien ghost?"
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Nov 18, 2024 22:05:36 GMT
"Yes, that much is clear," Lady Blackmoore said calmly. "But, I suppose it makes sense for someone so young to throw themselves out among the stars and forget to look at the world next door. Because I assure you, we are anything but stories, and if you take the time to look, you'll find ghosts in the most mundane places. Perhaps the man who choked to death on a piece of fish at a restaurant or the lady who died of a heart attack at the casino."
She watched as Astra turned to look at her, pretending not to notice that her lack of focus had caused her clothes to turn into... whatever mess that could be called. She asked several questions, so it took the Duchess a few moments to sort through them and formulate an answer.
"Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada. It is home to some of the world's largest and most diverse dinosaur fossil sites." She began, turned to face Astra. "Not that I have encountered, and I could not say for what reason. Perhaps Dinosaur Ghosts are just that rare. It is worth looking into, however. As for animals, they do exist, but I believe it takes a lot to make a squirrel into a ghost since one major favour in becoming one is unfinished business, and most animals tend to leave the world unburdened by such things as a rule; they live for the present. Or that is my theory" She sighed, tapping her cane and looking at Minnie. "I fear whatever unfinished business Minnie has, it will be near impossible to resolve at this point, and her death must have been... especially traumatic."
As for the last question, Lady Blackmoore began by shaking her head.
"No, not all ghosts know they have died; several still on these grounds think themselves alive. We treat them in the same way you deal with your elderly and confused. It is best not to trouble them with the truth they cannot accept, but it will come in time." Her face turned more stern, "so do not go around trying to get them to see it, we know how to handle it... and it is a truth they need to accept on their own. As for Alien ghosts... no, not to my knowledge. But, if they have a soul like us, then it stands to reason there could be alien ghosts; logic dictates we are not just happening in this world."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 21, 2024 19:59:35 GMT
Astra nodded along to Lady Blackmoore's patient answers. For such an old soul, she was putting up with the excitable girl's questions with tact and a polite guise. It must come with having to deal with ghosts for hundreds of years. She swung her astral legs from her perch on the wall, smiling at Lady Blacmoore with a curious gaze on her face.
"Hey, listen. How about a trade? You take me to the Dinosaur Provisional Park, and I'll take you to an actual other planet. We can trade experiences, how about that?"
Astra jumped onto the floor, making no noise of course. She looked at Lady Blackmoore with her head cocked slightly to one side. Well, why not? Sue was telling her to take the initiative, and why should Planetary only hire aliens and people? She smiled, lacing her hands behind her back.
"Lady Blackmoore... do you ever think about, like... getting back into work?"
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Nov 21, 2024 21:50:07 GMT
"Getting back into work?" Lady Blackmoore furrowed her brow. "My dear, I am an aristocrat; I have, to say it, never worked a day in my life." She paused before smiling slightly. "But, I get your meaning. I have been looking for ways to occupy my time, and this is true. I told Miss Death I had no time to move on, so I like keeping busy. She is not very grim for being the grim reaper..." she nodded.
As for the trade, it piqued her curiosity.
"Very well, that is an acceptable arrangement. However, I do have a condition of my own and will be allowed to take us there in my car." She paused, adjusting the brooch on her dress. "I am still the Dowager Duchess; I have standards and am used to at least some level of comfort."
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 9:44:18 GMT
Astra grinned at Lady Blackmoore's response. She was truly an aristocrat, the anthithesis to the Zappon family in manners and wealth. Yet there was certainly something that connected them, beyond this old house maintained by ghosts. Astra wasn't sure if the anecdote about death was real or made up, but realised that, at this stage, neither answer would surprise her.
"Alright. My body should be okay here. It can survive a while without me telling it to do the basic functions, and as long as I'm back in time to give it a drink, we'll be fine!"
Astra nodded to the terms. It would be better than the yellow VW that her family had driven her to the funeral in.
"That sounds like a road trip to me! Your car, though... is it... a ghost car?"
She said the last phrase with hushed tones, as if calling the name might summon the spirit from beyond the grave.
|
|
|
|
Post by DornKoon on Nov 24, 2024 12:21:59 GMT
"Excellent, I'll have Thomas get the car around." Lady Blackmoore said, and as if knowing he was needed, an elderly gentleman appeared close to her. He looked to be in his late 50s, with white hair, dressed in a black butler uniform, similar to the young footmen but more distinct. "You called, Duchess?""Yes, Hughes, me and my young relative are going out," Adelaide explained, and the old gentleman looked to Astra and gave her a nod. "Have Thomas meet us at the drive with the car.""Certainly, Duchess." After another nod, the butler vanished. " Mr Hughes, the butler. He used to serve my Father-In-Law, but like so many others, he fell victim to Consumption." Adelaide explained to Astra before she could ask. "Today, I believe the sickness is called Tuberculosis. There is no time to waste, and your... physical form will be quite safe during your absence."The Dowager Duchess did not wait and began to return towards the front of the building. As it was, upon their arrival there, a car was already waiting for them, white and slightly luminescent. It was levitating a few inches off the ground. Standing outside was a young man in a driver's uniform, holding his cap and greeting them with a bright smile.  His whole body seemed to radiate excitement. "Fine evening for a drive, Duchess. Hello, Miss, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Thomas... I drive.""Yes, so it is; thank you, Thomas." She said as he opened the door to the car for them. She calmly sat down and made herself comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 12:38:58 GMT
Astra whistled as the butler popped in and out of existence. Ghosts were fun. Aliens were one thing, but ghosts... she shook her head, keeping in step with Lady Blackmoore until they were out front, the car spinning around to greet them. She waved at the driver as he introduced himself.
"Hi, Thomas! It's great to meet you. I've neber driven in a ghost car before, so I'm very excited."
Astra hopped up into the other seat, fidgeting to get her spectral bum comfortable. She had soared across the cosmos by herself, been in Sue's technologically marvelous vehicles... but a ghost car seemed like it would be something that could sit amongst them in terms of incredible things that Astra had experienced.
"Drive away, Thomas! Lady Blackmoore, do you go for drives often? I'm so excited to see the capabilities of this car!"
|
|
