Any comments or critiques on how I play Juliet? Please comment here! Feedback is a good thing!

I - I fear the answer will not be one I wish to hear, but I shall ask in hopes that I am wrong.

Has anyone seen or heard from Spike of late? I have asked after him on the little machines, and received no reply. I worry that he may have come to harm in the fires, or that he may be lost in the Wastes, but....

[But things wouldn't 'bounce' if that were so.]

I - please. Please someone tell me he is safe.

[From the picture in the feed, it's clear Juliet isn't at home. It's far too dark for it to be home. The glow from the PCD shows her shivering in a corner, hair singed and covered in ash and dirt, with a large bruise on her forehead. She's trying her best not to cry and failing spectacularly at it.]

I - I just w-wanted to check on th-the peaducks....

[A creaking sound above her makes her jump, and she looks up with wide eyes.]

A-are not cellars m-meant to be s-safe? It - it is not burning h-here, and the p-pond lets me d-drink something. B-but the house above.... If - if it falls, will - will the f-fire come down the stairs? O-or will it - will it b-break through the ceiling....

[An odd honking sound, followed by a hiss, catch her attention, and for a moment, the panic in her voice gives way.]

Carina! Leave them be!

[The creaking is heard again, and she glances back at the ceiling before she presses the yellow button on her PCD.]


[OOC: Juliet had gone yesterday to check on the peaducks at the Durocs old house, to gather some eggs before she was going to ask for help getting somewhere safe, but ended up trapped in the basement, unconscious, thanks to part of the house collapsing in the fire.]

Lord Jones, I have finished with your book. When would be a convenient time to return it to you?

[She glances down at the copy of the play in her lap.]

This has been a - a most insightful play. Inaccurate in regard to details, but accurate in spirit, I think. Though I can but hope Lord Shakespeare has misrepresented my Romeo's actions near the end of the play. I see no reason why he should have killed Count Paris. The gentleman may have been unpleasant to mine eye, but if the ending of the play is true, it was sweet of him to visit my family crypt to pay his respects. It is more than I would credit him with as I know him at home. And I do hope that the Prince is fair in the end - though he claims there will be some pardoned and some punished, I feel that there has been punishment enough in Verona.

[She shakes her head.]

And I weep for poor Benvolio, though I know him hardly at all. If this is his fate, it will be a lonely one.

[Juliet is sitting primly near her fire, and looking straight into the camera on the PCD. Today, she intends for it to capture her words.]

Lady Alexia spoke yesterday of the library, and of books missing from its shelves. There is one such book missing that I would like to read, and thus I ask if anyone should have it in their home, that it be returned, at least for a short while, so that I may have the opportunity to do so.

[She takes a deep breath.]

The book is a play, written by a man called Shakespeare. I know not the exact title, but my own name, and that of my Romeo, are used for characters in the play. I wish to read the play and see for myself the accuracy of this Shakespeare's words - whether he has used names he found in records somewhere to create his own story, or whether he knew something of mine.

If you have this play to hand, I would be most grateful if you would allow me to read it. I thank you in advance for your help.

[The feed points upward in the early morning light, and not at an easy angle to see all that is going on. But the trunk of the memorial tree is clear in view, as is the crown of a head of blonde hair.]

How - how dare they. Knowing what becomes of him.... Have they not taken enough?

[What starts out harsh changes to sadness as she speaks. With a choked sob, the head falls out of view, revealing a knife stuck into the bark of the tree, just to the right of the letters "TY" - a "B" is partially carved where the knife's point meets the bark.]

[Juliet is working on some sort of sewing project, sitting by the window in the main room of the Capulet house. She concentrates fully on the purple fabric, not looking up to speak.]

It has been six months since I arrived to this city. Six months to the day. During such time, I have gained and lost family, made very dear friends, and found myself in more peril than I ever could have imagined in my room in Verona. It has been nothing if not eventful in Adstringendum.

[She glances out the window for a moment, then sighs.]

Such a pity the apples have all gone from the trees. It was most pleasant to see them hanging down from every branch. I can only hope that what we have picked and chosen to store will last the winter months and not spoil.

[She turns her attention back to the little project in her lap, proceeding now to stuff it full of fabric scraps and bits of multi-colored wool.]

Winter could be very difficult here, or very mild. I know not how such things will go, and therefore it is best to prepare for what one thinks is the worst, is that not so? Has anyone any pelts of fur they would be willing to trade for needlework, or for laundering? I would like to see about making fur-lined boots, at the least, although I will admit to being no cobbler. If someone here is able to create such things, I would be glad to trade services for such as well.

[She falls silent a moment as she finishes stuffing the thing in her lap. A few more stitches, and she holds up a small, purple octopus to show to the camera.]

To those of you who knew Bubbles, is it a good likeness of her Octi, do you think? I had originally planned to sew her a twin for Octi as a Christmas present, and found myself wanting to make one still, even though she is no longer here. He will serve as a happy reminder of her time here, I hope. I will be able to look upon him and smile.

[Private to the Doctor]

[Juliet is glaring at the feed, trembling slightly in an effort to keep from lashing out.]

You are a horrible, cruel, and insensitive man. I would not have thought you such, based upon our conversations previously. But you have acted in a manner that is beyond the pale, sir.

You have harmed a dear friend of mine, and those of Capulet blood do not take kindly to those whom we consider ours being harmed. Should we meet, you will see exactly how we of the house of Capulet deal with men who threaten and harm our kin.

[End Private]

[Having seen Raven's post, and caught the reference to her Spike, Juliet has flown through the house, looking everywhere for him, in case the young woman was mistaken. Because he would not have gone out during the day without leaving a note. She knows this. And she can find nothing, save a folder full of poetry, written in his hand, which she has tucked in with her own belongings. So when she turns the PCD on, she is visibly shaken.]

It appears what Raven said is true - Spike is gone from the city entirely. I - should anyone need a home in decent repair, they are welcome to contact me for coordinates to this place. I will not remain here on my own.

( Private to TybaltCollapse )

[After an entire day of trying to sew in water, Juliet has given up and "borrowed" one of Spike's t-shirts, which she has tied off at her midriff, in order to keep her upper torso covered while she's stuck for a week. And by 'stuck', she has a long finned tail (mostly pink scales, with a few blue ones here and there) instead of legs, and is *still* having difficulty using it, as is evidenced by the odd contortions she's doing in trying to make it work. Mermaid Juliet can't swim.]

For goodness' sake, this is madness! Fish are able to do this without thought. If I am now part fish, it stands to reason I should be able to as well.

[She tries yet again, and only succeeds in flipping over in a sort-of somersault. And as she turns, she realizes that her PCD is recording.]

Oh, of course. [Sigh.] As everyone has clearly seen my lack of ability in regard to swimming, would it be possible for some kind soul to teach me? And quickly?

[Juliet has pulled her hair completely away from her face, this evening. She looks a little shaken, a bit paler than usual, which only makes the words burned onto her neck stand out more. She angles the device so that it gets a clear view of the text. "The game's afoot: Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry! England and Saint George!"]

S-someone marked me with this today, for what purpose, I know not. I do not understand its meaning. Perhaps someone else here will? I hope so. It - it seems quite strange that a person would decide to brand another with a statement of this sort.

( Private to Lord DurocCollapse )

( Private to Lord SaxonCollapse )

[OOC: Juliet is apparently a clue to the bomb plot! Hopefully those who work(ed) to solve the case find this helpful!]

[With filters still not working, Juliet has decided to speak in her Veronese dialect of Italian over the machines. Yes, there are people who know Italian here, like Fran, but this is as private as she can make a network post, and she feels that she's waited long enough.]

Cousin - may I speak with you?

[Juliet is still not trusting herself to video, not after what happened yesterday. Her voice sounds tired and a little shaky.]

I must apologize to everyone whom I have met here. I have been introducing myself to you all as Juliet Capulet, and Capulet is a name I can no longer claim. I - I had my reasons, but it does not forgive the lie. If you please, my name is Juliet Montague, wife of Romeo Montague. I -

[She cuts the feed before she can say anything else, because she's afraid of rambling too much.

[Filtered away from Bubbles.]

[Juliet is smiling brightly as she adjusts the position of the PCD. She's in her room at home, door shut, to keep certain adorable five year olds from catching this message by accident.]

I would like to officially invite all of Bubbles' friends to a party in her honor, to be held three days hence, at mid-afternoon. I am hoping to keep it a surprise from the child, so if perhaps she could stay the evening before with you, Hanna, Riku? It would be most helpful.

Should anyone wish to contribute to the party, please do let me know. I am planning light refreshments of fruit and fruit-flavored water, and games suitable for a child's party.

Please let me know if you are attending, so that I may plan refreshments accordingly. Thank you all.

[Juliet is outside at the back of the Capulet house, enjoying the nice weather. She's draping wet clothes over a rope and humming to herself - some people might recognize it as the song that followed her around for that week.

She glances over at the PCD as she puts up the last of her laundry.]

Does anyone know where fresh fruit may be found, if anywhere here? Should the fruit belong to anyone, I will happily trade my skills for it, and should it be wild, I would be most appreciative of knowing where it grows.

Also, is there honey in this place at all? I've not seen any bees, but I've not ventured very far myself. And having honey as a sweetener for certain foods would make cooking much more pleasant.

[Then, more to herself.]

I think I shall bring my sewing outside today. It would be a shame to waste the sunlight.