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Chatterbox: Pudding's Place
The Secret of Ellingham Manor
You sigh and watch a raindrop slither down your bedroom window. It’s been raining for days, with no end in sight. “The largest rainstorm in a decade,” as the weatherman said. You stare out at the gray world outside your window. There’s gray cars, gray trees, gray houses, gray streets, smoking bird, gray sky - smoking bird? You run to your closet, searching for the binoculars you got as a birthday present when you were eight. You find them under a pair of jeans that's been too short since last winter and use them to take a closer look at this mysterious bird. It's definitely smoking - a fine trail of bluish smoke is trailing from its head. That's not the only strange thing about it; its skin is brown leather, its claws a shiny silver. There’s a white rectangle - an envelope? - tied to its left leg with brown string.You realize that the bird is mechanical and marvel at how pretty and fragile it is. Then you realize it’s heading straight for you. You don’t want the bird to hit the window and get hurt. The window creaks loudly as you open it. The strange bird swoops in and lands on your bed. It uses its silvery beak to undo the string on its leg and then lies down to have a rest. Everything seems very quiet all of a sudden. The only noises are the deafening rain outside and the plinking and clunking of the tiny gears that make up the bird’s heart. You walk to the bed. You were right - it is an envelope, a beautiful envelope with a red wax seal. The seal depicts an owl with a great many spears behind it. You turn the envelope over. There’s no return address. You open it and a beautiful hand-written letter falls out. You pause what feels like two or three eternities and read it.
Dear CBer,
You are cordially invited to my home, Ellingham Manor, for a Week of Wonder and Whimsy. (Let’s call it the WWW for short.) I’ll be sending Barnaby along with a carriage at noon on October first. Be ready when he arrives, he hates rain.
Warmly,
Flora
(Lady Ellingham)
P. S. Don’t panic if the carrier pigeon’s legs fall off. It’s a design flaw that I’ve yet to find a solution to. Just bring him back to the Manor with you.
P. P. S. Bring layers, it’s cold here.
P. P. P. S. I mean it when I say be ready for Barnaby’s arrival. He’s been known to leave without passengers on several occasions.
P. P. P. P. S. Roxann asks that you fill out the form below; she doesn’t want a repeat of the last time I had guests over.
Name:
Pronouns:
Age:
Itemized list of things you’re bringing:
Personality (described in five words or less):
Any special needs? If so, specify:
No CAPTCHAs or AEs. Never again. Limit of ten people. Starts October first. -Roxann
A muffled clink pulls you from your stupor. The pigeon has tried to stand up, but one of its legs has fallen off.
submitted by Lady Ellingham
(September 23, 2020 - 2:34 pm)
(September 23, 2020 - 2:34 pm)
Scratch out the sword. Sorry for all the comments I'm just really excited and all :)
(September 29, 2020 - 11:10 am)
I forgot a waterproof camera that can take pics and videos just in case something fun happens :)
(September 25, 2020 - 9:56 pm)
//This is an automated message by RoboTOP. RoboTOP copyright 2009 by Silicon Intelligence.
(September 27, 2020 - 8:58 am)
(September 27, 2020 - 9:15 pm)
Agent Winter - we still need you to fill out the form. I don't want a repeat of the last time the Lady had guests over...
-roxann
(September 29, 2020 - 7:13 am)
Actually, Spirit took that spot (guess her comment hadn’t showed up when I reserved?), so it turns out I’m not coming. Sorry for any confusion.
(September 29, 2020 - 8:13 am)
@Agent Winter, there wwere 9 spots filled when I came (including your spot) so, you are still in. I counted to make sure :)
if they are really all filled out, I am so terribly sorry and I am completely willing to give my spot to you (cause I think you registered earlier than me)
(September 29, 2020 - 11:06 am)
erm if there is a spot, can i reserve?
(September 29, 2020 - 11:41 am)
um. I feel sorry for you, but all the spots are already taken sorry. :(
The owner of this ski lodge might add you in tho
(September 29, 2020 - 12:02 pm)
Win: there are 10 spots. you still have the tenth if you want it.
Eric G: you can have the tenth spot if Win doesn't want it, because she reserved first, and if she still wants it there aren't any spots left.
I hope that didn't sound rude or anything, just trying to clarify :)
(September 29, 2020 - 12:23 pm)
@Eric, you can have my spot if you want it.
(September 29, 2020 - 1:38 pm)
Agent Winter - we need you to fill out the form as soon as possible. Tonight, if you can.
-roxann
(September 30, 2020 - 4:04 pm)
See Roxann's comment. I don't think that she is recognizing Eric G. as a guest and the spot is still yours.
(September 30, 2020 - 8:17 pm)
Oh, ok. Sorry, I was busy today, so I didn't see this. Apologies for any inconvenience!
Name: Agent Winter
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 13
Itemized list of things you’re bringing: Katana, throwing knives, phone and headphones, sketchbook, tablet, dog threats (because you never know when there will be a random friendly doggo)
Personality (described in five words or less): Energetic, witty, kind, creative
Any special needs? If so, specify: Idk. I like food.
(September 30, 2020 - 10:16 pm)
Chapter One
“A Day for Surprises, Part One”
Barnaby sighed. “It’s very rude to stare, you know, but I’ll forgive you. I am, after all, the most forgiving robot on earth.”
QueenOfWolves still gaped, her jaw slack. “You’re… a…”
“Robot, yes. Now hop in, I’ve spent much too long in the rain already and we’ve still more Chatterboxers to pick up. It’ll be a miracle if I make it out of this unscathed…” Barnaby picked up Queen’s suitcase and tied it with brown twine - the same brown twine that tied the invitation to the pigeon’s leg - to the side of the carriage.
“Are you sure that’s safe?” Queen asked.
Barnaby sighed yet again. “QueenOfWolves-”
“You can call me Queen.”
Barnaby bowed with a roll of his eyes. “With all due respect, Queen, I’ve done this plenty of times, and I think I know how to keep your luggage secure. Or does your majesty have another idea?”
The door of the black carriage opened and Quill leaned out. “Everything okay out here?” she asked.
“Yes, we’re fine,” Barnaby grumbled. “Hop in, your majesty.”
Quill made her mouth into a flat line like Barnaby’s and mocked him as he hopped onto the front of the carriage. Queen laughed and clambered in. The carriage was a little shabby and a little musty, but it felt very cosy with all the rain and wind outside. Queen sat next to PygmyOwl and Nyx, and they all chatted happily as the horses - jet-black to match the carriage - made their way along neighborhood streets and country roads, making their way to each town that the invited CBers lived in. Darkling, Kitten, Spirit, Mary, Winter and Luminescence soon joined, and the mood in the carriage soon reached a peak of exhilaration and excitement.
“Any idea who Lady Ellingham is?” Mary asked, popping a dried apricot (provided by Spirit, who had packed everything Mary thought to bring, and several things she hadn’t) into her mouth.
“Not a clue,” replied Lumi. “I went to the library as soon as I got the letter, and they had nothing on her. I checked online, too - zip, zilch, nada.”
“Weird,” Kitten mused.
“Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! The manor! The manor!” cried Winter.
The CBers all crowded to the left side of the carriage for their first glimpse of the manor and collectively gasped. It was made of blue stone, and had a lot of tall windows. The peaked roofs seemed to brush the sky. The lawn had not been trimmed in a long time, so the long grasses rustled in the wind. In the distance was a grey glittering lake. The sky was a beautiful gray, not like the stormy sky they had left behind, but the beautiful gray sky that appears after the sun has just set. The girls were so absorbed in the beauty of the manor that they didn’t notice the crack of the carriage’s axle, or the fact that the carriage was leaning dangerously to the left until the carriage landed on its side with a sickening crunch. There were screams, groans, frightened whinnies (from the horses) and muttered curses (from Barnaby). followed by several seconds of quiet.
“Does anyone see an earring backing?” Luminescence asked.
“Oh, no, we don’t! Hear that, everyone? Don’t worry about broken appendages! That bleeding gash in the side of your head - it can wait! We simply must find Lumi’s earring backing!” Nyx said, her voice becoming angrier and angrier with each word.
Lumi looked hurt. She tearfully muttered a ‘sorry’.
Kitten was just about to scold Nyx when the right-side door was thrown open. An enormous silver egg-shaped head with shiny black eyes poked into the doorway. The CBers held very still
“Is everyone alright?” asked a low, gentle voice.
“What do you think, Magnus?” Everyone recognized Barnaby’s shrill voice. “The carriage is overturned, the guests might be hurt, I definitely have a dent right here-”
The carriage suddenly began to tilt. The girls, who had been tangled in a pile on the carriage’s left wall, slowly separated and dusted themselves off as the carriage was gently put onto its wheels again. No-one, to Barnaby’s relief, had been seriously injured, and the girls stepped out onto the gravel road. Their luggage was everywhere, the bags and suitcases burst open, clothes, books, and several weapons strewn about. The owner of the enormous silver egg-shaped head was there too - a robot, like Barnaby, but much stronger looking.
“Is everyone all right?” he asked again.
“Yes” came the answer.
“Right, then,” said the big robot. “Since the carriage is a bust, I can take you up to the manor to meet the Lady.”
“Magnus,” whined Barnaby. “what about the carriage? I can’t take care of it myself.”
“I’ll come back and help you, of course,” Magnus said patiently. “Now will you shut it and start cleaning up this mess?”
“Here, let me help,” Darkling offered.
“And me,” said Quill.
“Count me in,” chirped Spirit.
“Are you sure?” Magnus asked.
“We’re sure,” said Darkling.
The three CBers immediately started packing up their things. Soon, everyone had joined in. Magnus left to take the horses to their stable. Nyx headed to pick up her GoPro camera. Kitten sidled up alongside.
“What was that all about?”
Nyx stared blankly. “What?”
“Insulting Lumi like that. Why’d you do that?”
“I’m sorry,” Nyx said, dusting off the GoPro. “I’m worn out and hungry.”
“So am I.” replied Kitten. “So are we all, so let’s give everyone a bit of a break, okay?”
“Sure thing,” said Nyx guiltily.
Kitten walked off to pick up her saxe knife. Nyx watched her for a moment, and then got back to her work. She might have been very interested to see what was going on on the other side of the carriage.
“It’s ruined,” sighed Queen as she picked up her now rather flat suitcase.
“That stinks. Sorry,” said PygmyOwl, putting the sheet music for Here Comes the Sun into her backpack. “This isn’t altogether an auspicious start to our stay, don’t you think?”
After a few moments without any reply, Pygmy said, “Auspicious means lucky, by the way.”
“Did you pack grapefruit?” asked Queen.
“No, why?”
“There’s crushed grapefruit over here.”
“Perhaps Spirit packed it.”
“Maybe,” said Queen, and ran over to the other side of the carriage. Pygmy went over to examine the grapefruit. They laid on the gravel with a mesh bag. Trying not to touch the squashed grapefruit, Pygmy picked up the bag. D-lites! Grown in Florida! Great Source of Vitamin C! it read. Pygmy turned it over. Was that a price tag? Eighteen dollars for what looked to be… four grapefruit. Where were these bought? wondered Pygmy.
Queen ran back, panting. “Spirit didn’t pack grapefruit - she says she doesn’t like them. No-one has, in fact.”
“I thought there was kinda a lot of luggage for ten people on the carriage,” said Pygmy.
“Hey, Barnaby!” called Queen. “Whose grapefruits are these?”
Barnaby waddled over, looking rather comical in his coattails. “They’re the Lady’s, of course,” he replied. “Now please stop bothering me, I’ve-”
“Why are there grapefruits? Heck-” here Queen pointed at an enormous pyramid of paper bags Barnaby had gathered together “-why is there the contents of a shopping cart over there? Were those on the carriage the whole time? Could this-” now she held up her destroyed suitcase “-have been avoided if there were room on top of the carriage?”
Barnaby’s face turned as red as his coattails. “I’ll have you know that I only go shopping for the Lady every three months! It’s very important to make sure that she has everything she needs, because we have to limit our contact with-” The short, stout robot stamped his foot and walked away.
“Limit our contact with what?” PygmyOwl wondered.
Soon the CBers had collected their things, and following Magnus, who was carrying six suitcases on his enormous shoulders, they made their way up to the manor. The manor was even more impressive near to, and after making their way through an overgrown hedge maze, they came to the manor’s large oak front door. The owl with the spears was there again, carved into the wood, watching the CBers as they made their way up to the door. Magnus knocked with a silvery hand. There was the sound of rushed footsteps, some whispering, a loud smash, and then the unlocking of what sounded like twenty or thirty locks. The door opened just wide enough to let Magnus in (which was quite wide). The door closed again. There were more footsteps, more whispering, and then the doors finally swung open.
Magnus walked slowly down the stairs, his smile wide. “And now, I present to you - Lady Ellingham!”
There was a moment of silence; the CBers all looked round.
“Over here!” cried a voice.
The CBers looked ‘over here’ - and gasped.
(October 1, 2020 - 11:26 am)