By now, Heidi was looking noticeably tired. Thank you mistress, she told her, I will work on some of these invitations, then retire for a while, then rise to complete the work as much as I can. I must admit however, I am a little less skilled on meals for parties. I don’t recall the master ever throwing them that much, he always said they were rather, how did he put it, frivolous, and a waste of valuable resources yes, that is how he said it. He stated that money could be much better spent, which is why I am surprised to learn that you love parties so much. Oh and by the way, when do you want this party?
If I may say so, Doctor, Mary Beth began, I think that we should keep him on liquids for now, until we can get him fully awake enough to sit up on his own, we have sat him up before, so that he can drink liquids, but I really think now that we should wait on solid foods until he is fully awake and able to support himself. This man is very ill.
God loves you.
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 12:31 AM, Ishamael Moridin <ishamael13@...> wrote:
Ludwig nodded at Mary Beth's request, with a smile
he thought should pass for polite under most kinds of scrutiny, considering that
it would natural for his normal bearings.
?
People have come to expect some gruffness from him
and he rather enjoyed. Bethany did not mind the gruff exterior, and when he
showered her with affection, the contrast was always in his favor, which to his
mind, was the main thing he would have in his favor.
?
A good thing Bethany was not too picky, or else it
probably would not be enough for her, but it was, by all lucky stars. Just
thinking of that, mad his smile that much broader.
?
"Should we get something for the patient, do you
think?" Dr Van Hoff wondered, half talking to himself as if entertaining a heavy
dilemma. "We have injected a few substances, but I really did believe by this
point he would try some solid food as well. How unfortunate, that he
didn't.?It is your impression that?he would appreciate some Oriental
food? We have all the necessities here but...oh well, probably less relevant at
present," the doctor spoke with a distracted kind of regret.
?
****
Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction. "Well done. Now
we just need to get ready. So many things to have done. Sitting arrangements,
flower arrangements, not to mention a proper meal that would not shame people of
higher station.
?
I swear, so much to be done. But I suppose," the
young mistress of the house tiredly rubbed at her eyes, the motion of her right
hand getting slower.
?
"We can do some?preparations at a later stage.
You may retire now," she graciously allowed, realizing she could still catch up
on some sleep.
?
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2021 6:00
AM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet
Dreams
I suppose I am rather famished, Mary Beth reluctantly admitted,
then she turned to the footman and kindly inquired, please bring me some of
the Oriental food when you have time? She took another look at the patient,
thank the powers, he seem to be sleeping at present, the argument at least for
the moment, subsided.
Heidi feverishly wrote, R, E, N, f...,?Soon all the names mentioned
by Elizabeth were neatly written down, row upon row. Very well mistress, I
will get these sent away to the appropriate recipients as soon as possible;
meanwhile, will there?be anything else? God loves you.
On
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 3:08 AM, Ishamael Moridin
<ishamael13@...> wrote:
"Well, my dear Mary Beth. After a very short time, you already seem to
know more than either Ludwig or I. I am grateful that you have chosen to
work with me, I really am. In the mean time, would you perhaps be interested
in some fortifications?
?
Our cook had a few experiments lately, something inspired by her
encounter with Oriental men. I am sure she would be delighted to let you try
it out. And Ludwig would be only too happy to bring it to you, just ask him
for anything. Isn't it right Ludwig?"
?
Van Hoff eagerly inquired, making the footman grunted in
acknowledgment. Ludwig supposed his time could be spent better with Bethany,
but it won't do to mention that, he?knew better than to argue with the
Master.?
?
*
"I think...it is pronounced Renfield. Yes, that sounds right,"
Elizabeth mused, remembering Keres mentioning a few names, some of them all
mixed up in her head just then.
?
She distinctly remembered her new friend talking about several people,
but precisely which needed to be invited was beyond her.?Nonetheless,
Elizabeth supposed there would be no harm done in including a few more
people.?What was a good party after all, if not for meeting many
promising people.
?
"I think, there was somebody else, but as I cannot remember them yet,
it can wait. We will start with those, dear Heidi," Elizabeth happily
suggested, all the more gracious for her words were not called into doubt,
did not seem to garner any objections or require clarifications. She
consequently ?felt pleased with Heidi, their earlier exchange
notwithstanding.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 9:48
AM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet
Dreams
Thank you Doctor, Mary Beth replied with a smile. How could
she resist, especially when he called her such endearing names. He…, He
appeared earlier to be having some sort of argument, I would surmise that
perhaps it is with his wife, apparently some sort of struggle had been
going on before hand, although of course I am not sure of the subject
matter of this. That’s about all I know for now. But I will try to listen
later when he awakens, assuming of course, that he is coherent enough for
me to hear and understand what he is??saying.
Heidi quickly took out parchment and Quill, and began writing. Rena…,
And, Henry…, Hide, from London. All right, I have those names, she stated,
wondering where the mistress had met these people, seeing as she did not
know them. Next please?
She held the quill,?poised to write the next
names. God loves you.
On
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 9:53 PM, Ishamael Moridin
<ishamael13@...> wrote:
"I was wondering about that, but could not glean what he is saying.
Can you, dearest Mary Beth? Rest assured, it is no requirement. You have
been indispensable to all of us," Van Hoff sincerely complimented.
****
"Oh good," Elizabeth muttered distractedly, subsiding more
comfortably into her bed, relieved that she did not need to explain
herself further.
?
"So, the names are..." the young woman started, paused for a second
to consider and continued, as the names flowed into her mind. Even
trying to think of where she knew them from, made her entire body
shudder from head to toe with increased fever. While not thinking about
it, allowed her body to relax instead.
?
"The names are...Rena and Henry Hyde...from...London, no less,"
Elizabeth concluded, with an embarrassed chuckle. She did not know if
the girl would voice an objection, and fervently wished she would keep
such objections to herself. As Elizabeth had no strength, nor
inclination, to argue about that.
?
?
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, March 7, 2021 12:24
PM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate]
Sweet Dreams
Marybeth nodded, I’ll do all I can doctor. She turned
her attention to the patient then, placing a gentle hand on his
shoulder. They’re there now, there now, Mr. Victor, everything is
going to be all right. He struggled, but gradually began to calm down,
she turned back to VAN Hoff, he appears to be having some sort of a
mental argument with someone.
Heidi also blinked, a party, mistress? Yes sure I know how to
prepare for a party, but I will need the names of those whom you wish
to invite, so that I may send out the proper invitations. And you have
a feeling that he’s going to be well soon? Well that is wonderful, I
am??most certain you??will be glad to have
him?back with you again. She looked concerned however, that he
might not be quite well enough to attend a party yet.
On
Saturday, March 6, 2021, 11:09 PM, Ishamael Moridin
<ishamael13@...> wrote:
"Heidi. I know it is late a bit..." Elizabeth passed a tired
hand over her feverish feeling forehead, right below the
comfortingly loosened hair.
?
She realized with a start that perhaps her idea might not find
immediate understanding with the occasionally obtuse girl.
?
"You see, Heidi. I know it may sound strange, but I have a
feeling...that Victor will be well soon," Elizabeth prevaricated,
clutching onto a semblance of something reasonable even if she did
not care one bit how Victor? felt.
?
"And he will need to be cheered up. You must start making
preparations for a party, as soon as you can. I trust you know how,"
Elizabeth remembered to inquired, blinking her eyes furiously as if
in an effort to chase away a dark mirage?from her dreams.
?
It was trying to intrude into her conscious mind, but she
resolved to not let it show. At least as much as possible. And with
it being suprisingly shapeless, more like a voice incessantly
demanding from her to do something,?she hoped she had a good
chance at succeeding to banish it entirely.
****
"Yes Mary Beth, I called for you. I am sorry to have bothered
you so soon, but as you can see, the patient can find no respite and
he needs to sleep peacefully enough for full recovery.
?
Being fully sedated as he is, I am reluctant to give him
anything stronger, lest it affects him?in unpredictable ways. I
was hoping it would be a woman's gentle touch that is necessary to
put him at ease. Yours especially, because of your soothing
presence," Van Hoff explained his decision, some regret
at?disturbing his assistant evident in his
voice.???
?
?????
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, February 25,
2021 1:05 PM
Subject: Re:
[A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams
As the argument in Victor’s dream continued,
Mary Beth was soon on the scene. You called for me, Doctor? She
began speaking to and making shushing noises to Victor, trying her
best to soothe him. There?there now, it’s going to be all
right. I’m certain your dear wife will come to see you soon, for
now, you must get some much-needed rest. Her voice proved to be
quite helpful. She also tried to hold a sponge with warm milk to
his lips. He was able to swallow some, and this also seemed to
have a soporific effect on him. Soon, he was sleeping once more.
Heidi was soon knocking softly on Elizabeth’s door. Once inside,
she bowed and asked, you sent for me, mistress? What is your
bidding this night?
God loves you.
On
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 11:28 PM, Ishamael Moridin
<ishamael13@...> wrote:
Elizabeth found her body getting restless She had to do
Something. Right now. It just seemed imperative.
?
"Abby, Abby, where are you? I need you. You must fetch
Heidi back. We have an urgent party to attend. Abby? No I am not
asleep. I don't think," Elizabeth reassured with a shaky smile.
?
****
Dr Van Hoff carefully regarded the patient, trying to move
him to a better side, with the intention to have him relaxed and
go back to sleep. It seemed to have worked for a second, but
then the argument continued.
?
"I cannot keep doing this all night," Van Hoff muttered and
though he could not swear to it, he found himself surprised at
possibly hearing Ludwig agreeing with him.
?
"How long has Mary?Beth been asleep? I worry
that?she does not get enough, yet she has such a nice
touch.?With the patient of course, is what I mean. Perhaps
she can succeed where I cannot.?But I fear it is imperative
for the patient's recovery that he gets good sleep. Ludwig, can
you check with Mary Beth if she is able to resume her duties
now,?with myself akin the next shift?
?
By then I will have studied everything I was supposed to
have learned about possible solutions. Thank you Ludwig, there
is a good chap," Van Hoff complimented not truly waiting for the
man to offer any kind of an answer.???
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February
22, 2021 10:00 AM
Subject: Re:
[A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet Dreams
Victor had indeed been tossing and turning in
his sleep, or lack there of, whichever One might choose to
call it.?in his dream, he had seen Elizabeth, laughing,
looking happy, but taunting him, even as she ignored him. He
had also heard her accusing him of, something,
?though?he could not figure out what. ?his
argument was of course, highly intelligible, sounding like the
moans of a very ill patient, but in the dream, in his own mind
he was saying, I was never unfaithful to you with anyone. He
was telling her that she had basically no right to accuse him
of such ridiculous occurrences.
In his dream, he seemed to hear her planning something,
but what it was he did not know. He could only assume it had
something to do with the ghost of a memory playing at the
edges of his mind, some sort of activity, some sort of, party?
What had?they been planning. He wondered, the pain and
chills were coming back to him, as was the fever. It had left
for a while but was now rampant in him again. God
loves you.
On
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 1:03 AM, Ishamael Moridin
<ishamael13@...> wrote:
Dr Van Hoff has been perusing an intriguing volume by
James Esdaile, which despite containing numerous discoveries
of the mind and the?body connections, read at times as
a fantastical novel with the protagonist who happened to be
a medical explorer of sorts.
?
Carefully observing the peculiar table of
correspondences between a Hindu acolyte's sleep cycle and
the perceived physical injury painstakingly described by
Esdaile, Van Hoff started wondering if he began noticing
a?pattern or if he was merely seeing one due to his own
physical fatigue.
?
At least there was something useful at any rate about
the Dark God's?priests and their unusual healing
methods, Esdaile was as right about those as he was about
the permanent ways in which the acolytes of the Dark Goddess
solved their problems.
?
The heavy steps?in the library instantly drew his
attention away from the fascinating treatise. The foot
man?was a bigger man than most, rumors circulating of
his one time?participation in the boxing ring and the
general interest in pugilism, which to Van Hoff's mind was a
welcome addition?to the household and its sense of
unassailable safety.
?
Before he had to cajole the man into speaking, as was
their way, Ludwig unexpectedly volunteered his own
explanation.
?
""It's the patient, M'Lord. He is moving in his sleep,
turning, as if in pain and talking to somebody. I could not
make it out, but?me thought he was arguing," Ludwig
added.?
?
Unsurprised by his lack of details, as well as by his
inappropriate?form of address that Van Hoff had tried
to eradicate, since he was not Nobility, not even minor one,
the doctor motioned for the footman to lead him on.
?
He could have found the room easily himself, but every
time he ignored propriety with Ludwig, the man was going to
be worse the next time, as Van Hoff well knew.?
?
****
Elizabeth did not sleep as soundly as she had expected
that night. Something kept nagging at her, and though she
could not remember exactly what, when she woke up, her mind
starting planning a party of its?volition.
?
It was dark, and she did not want to think about it,
and thought Victor would not be?in good?shape for
her to plan a party, but she was not able to stop herself.
Going over and?over the details ahead of time, and
smiling in anticipation of the pleasant introductions to new
friends that were
sure?to?follow.?????????
|
