Tuesday, October 14th, 2014
Round 2: Settling In
Mary-Anne eyes the hallway carpet with an air of critical dissatisfaction.
After breakfast, she had followed up on something she'd noticed late the night before; namely, wispy cobwebs in the upstairs hallway. It's not just the hallway; there's a fine layer of dust in every room up here, particularly the Library, and every dark corner seems to have a spidery squatter. Her mouth twists in distaste. Apparently, it was too much to hope that the regular custodial staff would tidy up before they left for the winter. It seems Mary-Anne gets to spend her first day in the Mansion giving everything a good cleaning.
Without turning her head, Mary-Anne reaches behind her and snags Maryn by the arm. "Going somewhere, Maryn?" she asks pointedly.
The sneaky child gives a guilty start at how quickly she was caught, then flashes a wide, dissembling smile. "Dad said that I could go play outside now that the rain stopped!"
"Mhm." Mary-Anne sniffs. "Just don't go too far; you need to do your flashcards in an hour."
"But Mooooooom!" Maryn protests. "I'm not even at school! I have all day to do those!"
"No buts." Mary-Anne says firmly. "Flashcards in an hour, before we have lunch."
Maryn heaves a put-upon sigh. "Okaaay. Can I go now?"
"Yes." A short response, but in the time it took Mary-Anne to provide it Maryn had already bolted down the stairs. "And be careful!" Mary-Anne called out.
Mary-Anne Objective Set!"Okay Mom! Love you!" Maryn calls back upstairs, not breaking her stride. Running into the Foyer, she tugs on her fluffy boots and scrambles into her equally fluffy coat before bursting out the front door. The air is cold, but still; Maryn breathes out noisily, watching her breath mist and rise away into the clear blue sky. Everything smells crisp and clean.
Maryn looks around for something to do, wondering if she should go back for some toys. There's lots of room to run around out here, and she remembered Dad saying something about neat buildings and things out behind the house. She can see him talking with Garen over by the Garage, but decides against going to ask him about it; he can't tell her
not to explore things if she doesn't ask first!
Maryn Objective Set (kinda)"Tell you what, champ." Floyd says, stamping in his boots for warmth. "I've got a folder with a list of everything in the Mansion up in my room. If there's any glass to put in the window, it'll be on that list."
"And you can fix it then?" Garen asks hopefully.
"I'll do my best. I should have all the tools to do the job." Floyd snorts in the cold. "I'm going to go check on the tools in the shed, give everything a once-over. Part of the job, and all. If you find the glass, let me know, and I can install it this afternoon."
"Sounds good." Garen nods, then purposefully strides off toward the Mansion. It shouldn't be too hard to find the windowpanes, right? They're probably sitting right out in the open, and the summer crew was just too lazy to install them.
Floyd Objective Set!
Garen Objective Set!Harpo perks up from where Harpo had been resting outside. Harpo had enjoyed a good run this morning and had smelled many things and had just been feeling the sun on Harpo's cold nose, but now there are many people outside! Floyd man and Garen boy are talking, and now Maryn girl is running outside too!
Harpo whines in some worry. Harpo is more familiar with this place now, and Harpo is definitely knows more about the outside than anyone else, but now the family is splitting up. That is no good as Harpo sees things, since even in the sunlight there is a non-zero chance of raccoon attack.
Harpo is confident, though. Harpo is a good defender. Garen boy seems to be heading back inside, but Harpo will make sure Floyd man and Maryn girl come to no harm this day!
Floyd the FatherObjective:
Check tools in Gardener's ShedAP:
3/3XP:
3/10Status: Normal
Inventory: Manilla Folder (last seen in Master Bedroom)
Traits:
Gearhead,
Claustrophobia Mary-Anne the MotherObjective:
Clean UpstairsAP:
2/3XP:
3/10Status: Normal
Inventory: None
Traits:
Mama's Healing Kisses,
Too Many Legs Garen the TeenagerObjective:
Find the windowpanes!AP: 3/3XP: 0/5Status: Normal
Inventory: Nintendo DSi
Traits: Diverse Interests (Geography) Maryn the Little KidObjective:
Play OutsideAP: 3/3XP: 4/10Status: Normal
Inventory: Little Elephant Statue (last seen in room)
Traits: Curious Little Monkey,
Properly Paranoid Harpo the Family Dog.Objectives:
PROTECT EVERYONEAP: 1/3XP: 2/10Status: Normal
Inventory: None
Trait: Loyal Companion