[voice]

[burntbridges]

Has anyone else tried communing with the dead since they came here?

[Probably not - not only have the locals probably not had a mortal body in ages, she hasn't met a single person who knows about necromancy. It's a terrible shame.]

I can't find any human remains here, I'm not sure anyone even knew what I was talking about when I asked. I found a dead animal yesterday - I think it was dead - but it didn't make any noise. I can't tell if something's wrong with me, or... if death just works differently here. I haven't even been able to hear my crow since I got here.

[There's a long pause while she stews in her distress, before adding on what seems like an unrelated thought.]

Does anyone know how to hire a maid?

Comments

[burntbridges]

Is death something to be sensitive about? It wasn't in Thornwell.

[Maybe in the rest of the world. She doesn't know.]

If they burn their dead, there will be nothing to speak through, but a seance doesn't require a corpse. Just a clear image of the person being summoned. If your friend has someone in mind, we can always try to contact them.

[Granted, there's much more room for user error without human remains... but she'll take anything.]

...Perhaps it isn't urgent, but it feels improper to be without hired help. I feel almost naked.

[daikonrose]

[ There's a pause, before she pipes up again thoughtfully. ]

I suppose that would depend on cultural perspectives and things like that. I can't say I know the details of the Aellyn philosophy on death, but if you consider that so many of the native folks picked living for centuries in robot bodies over dying normally... it feels like they might have some sensitivities about it, you know?

Ah, I don't think he has pictures. But I'll tell him about that, so he'll know to look! This is definitely the biggest lead we've had either way!

[ There's another pause, but when she speaks up this this time, there's a subtle little quiver to her voice. ]

Ma'am, I'm just guessing, but... would you happen to be royalty?

[burntbridges]

Pictures...?

[It takes Letha a moment to remember that photographs exist - they're new technology to her, something she has to remind herself of because a 'picture' to her still means a portrait painting.

And while she's thinking about that, the girl's question catches her off guard.]

...Not quite. I'm the grand-daughter of the Lady of Thornwell. My name is Lady Letha Regis of Thornwell - just Letha is fine, though.

[daikonrose]

Mmhm! [ It hasn't occurred to Kyoko to even wonder if she needs to explain photographs--she's not actually thinking of them in this scenario. ] Maybe there's something in an old book somewhere, something like that... It could take a while to find.

But more importantly! Lady!! [ There had been the briefest moment of disappointment that she wasn't talking to a princess right now, but any kind of nobility was enough to send Kyoko right to the moon. ] Please let me be your maid! No payment necessary!

sorry ive been terrible this month

[burntbridges]

[Being fawned over has become a rare occurrence, and it catches her off guard enough that Letha blushes. A bright smile warms her face, and she nods.]

Well, I don't want you to starve. How about a hug every day in return for working as my maid?

[That seems fair enough - she can't wrap her head around the exchange rate of pounds to touch, and she had never managed to get a living servant back home. The death don't need payment.]

it's all good!

[daikonrose]

[ It's a good thing this is audio--if Kyoko had seen that smile, the encouragement probably would have destroyed any chance of this conversation not descending into her excited nonsense. ]

Oh, it's so kind of you to worry! But I already have other income, and my replicator is pretty robust actually--it's much more important to make sure you have what you need! Really, don't worry at all! Only tell me what services you require, my lady!!

[ Well. The excited nonsense might be unavoidable, actually. ]