+ The Moral of the Next Chapter +

[pig_and_pepper]

Eat! Devour! Swallow! Consume!

[ The Duchess' announcement sounds loud and fierce, from the mansion's very rooftop, and any device that would listen. But no sooner does her last scream ebb away, than her voice and face alike turn into a picture of quiet melancholy. ]

Would that we could leave it all behind. Alas, such matters make poor resolutions, for what certainty is there, truly, that we could become the hunters, and not merely food for another?

[ She looks towards the forest and lingers thus a moment longer, lest her silent dignity should inspire an artist to paint her greatness. Then she turns with flourish, and embraces the presence of her dearest audience at last. ]

Oh, oh! I do promise we shan't dwell on it a moment longer than we must! [ Her hands clap together with excessive cheer. ] You've all conducted yourselves rather splendidly, and did I not tell you that matters would resolve just as you all deserve? I am so very pleased with you today, and I should like to share a moral thought:

[ Cue the dignified pause for effect. Then: ]

Year's end is no end, yet neither is it beginning. 'Tis a continuance, with all the wisdom instilled by experience.

[ She smiles very, very warmly, and parts with her final thought: ]

Try to avoid the teeth this time, won't you?

Comments

( video )

[lucency]

[ Belle can't lie: the entire address leaves her - well - unnerved. Some ledge between nervous and empty. Despite the cheer, there's not much relief to be had, from her viewpoint. Her eyebrows furrow, and she shakes her head. ]

Teeth?

There's - something else, isn't there?

( video )

[pig_and_pepper]

Why, a great many of them! Teeth and those who bear them alike.

[ The Duchess shakes her head empathically. ]

The decorations will help, I suppose, but I would have wished you all a much nicer celebration. You do deserve it, you know. For once.

( video )

[lucency]

For once?

After we've been - been dragged here against our wills, thrown to a ravenous beast and who knows what else before, we just now deserve something?!

[ awhereitgoes.gif ]

( video )

[pig_and_pepper]

[ She waves her hand dismissively. ]

Well, you were really quite rude about it all.

( video )

[lucency]

Which part, the kidnapping or the torture?

( video )

[pig_and_pepper]

Yes, those. Both indeed!

[ She flicks her hair back lightly. ]

But we mustn't dwell on your dreadful shortcomings any longer! I've forgiven you, and that is all that matters.

( video )

[lucency]

You - you can't forgive someone for something that isn't their fault. Our shortcomings? Are entirely your projections.

[ She's so bewildered by that statement that she honestly forgets to be angry. It's an automatic switch to being puzzled. ]

( video )

[pig_and_pepper]

Anyone can forgive things that are a person's fault. It takes true greatness of character to forgive things that are not.

[ The Duchess ventures another bright, if slightly impatient, smile. ]

And you are most welcome for it.

( video )

[lucency]

We...

[ How does she even begin. Yeah, that impatience is detected, but there's also a point that's apparently not being. ]

We didn't do anything. We never asked for this, or to even be here.

( video )

[pig_and_pepper]

You needn't always ask to receive, it really is quite simple. [ She sighs. ] You'll thank me later, I pray that you do.