008 - Accidental Video (forward-dated to Tuesday 6/28)
[The feed opens to show Juliet on her hands and knees, scrub brush in hand, a bucket of soapy water beside her. She doesn't notice the little light on the PCD that indicates recording.]
I believe we are making good progress. Do you agree, child?
[Bubbles skates by, a scrub brush tied to each foot.]
We're doing a really good job, Juliet! Especially since there's only two of us!
[She plops down next to Juliet and starts untying her scrub brush skates.]
[Juliet smiles at the girl.]
That is quite clever you know. It makes it seem as though we had more hands at the task. [She sighs.] Would that we did. There are still several more rooms once we've finished in here.
[Bubbles nods.] I always helped the Professor keep the house clean back home, but it never got THIS dirty! If my sisters were here, they could help us a whole lot...
Your father the Professor must have been very grateful for all of your help.
[She dips her scrub brush back into the bucket of soapy water.]
Were my Romeo here, he would certainly help us.
[Bubbles blinks and stares for a moment. Romeo...? Ooh! This might be interesting!]
Juliet! Juliet, who's Romeo?
[She glances around, making sure that Tybalt is nowhere to be seen, then grins at Bubbles.]
Romeo is a dashing young man from Verona. And I will tell you of him if you promise to keep it a secret.
[Oh my goodness, a secret!!! Bubbles loves secrets. She leans closer to hear the story.]
I can keep a secret, Juliet! I promise! I'm really, really good at keeping secrets!
Then I shall tell you of him. [She's wanted to for awhile now, in case Romeo should appear in the city.] Romeo is of the house of Montague, another fine family in Verona. And of the family, he is the most noble. He is very handsome, very charming, and he dances even better than Tybalt.
[Tybalt had managed to find dry wood a lot easier than he'd expected to, and had just set a load outside the door and is about to ask if Juliet and Bubbles needed help when he catches the end of Juliet's words. Someone, a better dancer than he? He pauses in the doorway. Both girls' backs are to him, so he can just listen for now.]
[Bubbles gasps.]
Even better than Tybalt? But he's such a good dancer... Romeo must be the best dancer ever, Juliet!
[She smiles at both the praise for her cousin and praise for Romeo.]
I believe he is, certainly. The best dancer in all of Verona, aside from Tybalt. And I would not have known, had he not sneaked into a ball my family hosted. But, a lady should think her husband is the best dancer of all, should she not, child?
Oh, I think so, Juliet! She should think he's the best at everything, or else she... she...
[Wait a minute. Bubbles leans in even closer. This secret's turning out to be a really good one!]
Is that what he is, Juliet? Is he your husband??
[Juliet leans closer to Bubbles as well, a faint blush tinging her cheeks, and she smiles more brightly than she has in days.]
Indeed. We fell in love at the ball, and he asked me to marry him that very night! It was most romantic....
WHAT?!
[The word escapes before Tybalt's even given thought to it, and he's halfway across the room before he realizes Bubbles is there and checks his temper, hard. His next words are clipped and cold.]
Bubbles. Perhaps it would be best if you go to Riku's for a bit. It seems Juliet and I have something to... discuss.
[Blink. Blink. Blink. Tybalt looks VERY grumpy all of a sudden.]
Tybalt, why do you look so mad?
[Juliet freezes at the sound of her cousin's voice. She turns slowly to meet his gaze, then looks to Bubbles, forcing herself to seem more cheerful than she feels.]
He is jealous that I have told you my secret first, that is all. But, he is correct, we do have much to...discuss. [Because she knows very well this won't be a "discussion" Bubbles should hear.] Come, let us pack you a bag, and get you ready to visit Riku. If we leave the packing to Octi, he may forget something important.
[She stands quickly, more quickly than she'd intended, and hurries from the room. She grabs her PCD on the way, still unaware it's recording. Best to have it close by right now, she thinks. The picture from here-on is askew.]
[Grown-ups sure are weird sometimes! Bubbles floats up and follows Juliet into her room.]
Juliet...? Are you and Tybalt going to have a fight?
[Juliet is already folding dresses for the child when Bubbles enters. She forces another smile onto her face.]
We are going to talk, that is all. Tybalt arrived here immediately following the ball I had spoken of, and so did not know. I must simply tell him what has happened. I - I imagine once he has had the chance to hear the full story, his mood will be much improved. [She hates lying to Bubbles, but she doesn't want the child to worry.]
[Well, Bubbles can understand that it would be a big surprise to find out something like this. She smiles a little.]
Okay, Juliet! Then I'll go to Riku's and stay there until Tybalt gets less grumpy. [She folds up her favorite blankie and puts it in the bag Juliet is packing, then gathers up Octi.] Maybe I can help Riku make things nice again there, too!
I am sure Riku would be most appreciative of your help.
[She gathers a few of the toys Bubbles received at her party and places them atop the blanket before closing the bag.]
Have you everything you would like to bring?
[Bubbles nods, then floats up and huuuugs Juliet.] I'll miss you lots! I'll go say goodbye to Tybalt now, too!
[She floats back out to where Tybalt is and smiles at the grumpy, grumpy man. He doesn't seem like he might want a hug right now, so she hangs back a bit.] Bye bye, Tybalt! I'll see you soon, okay?
[Tybalt's mouth twitches in the barest ghost of a smile, but it's quickly gone.]
Go have fun Bubbles.
[After she hugs the girl back very tightly, Juliet follows Bubbles out into the main room and watches the exchange carefully. She notices the smile, and is fairly certain it will be the last he shows for a while.]
Yes, have fun, child. We shall see you soon.
[Bubbles waves and flies out the door, heading for Riku's.]
[The feed times out as Tybalt turns back to Juliet.]
[OOC: Replies will be much later, after Juliet and Tybalt have had their "discussion", so tags will be slow.]