Maid to Love You - A Clockwork Romance

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  • Informational
    • Maid to Love You
    A Clockwork Romance

    Miss Jane Eleanor Polestar
    The player character. An 18 (nearly 19!) year old woman, next in line to the County of Polaris, wandering the galaxy in search of love aboard MSY Mercury. You vote on her actions, but her perspective here is limited.

    Mark Butler
    Miss Polestar's robotic butler, and head of the servant staff. He is tasked primarily with management, but also acts as valet to any male visitors.

    Marie Lady's Maid
    The viewpoint character. A newly activated robotic servant who acts as Miss Polestar's lady's maid. Though witty and sharp, some quirk of her construction has intensified both her physical and emotional sensitivity. Is inexplicably French.

    Pierre Chef
    Miss Polestar's robotic cook, responsible for the kitchen and larder. He is noted to have loose association with many lovers in many ports.

    Tom Mechanic
    Miss Polestar's robotic handyman, who also helps to maintain the other machines.

    Tessa Mechanic
    Miss Polestar's robotic handywoman, who is hired later in the story. She has greatly modified her own body, and has a complicated history.

    Hans Messenger
    Miss Polestar's robotic messenger, who manages the mail, prints newspapers, delivers messages, and manages the property of guests. Is inexplicably German.

    Amber Housemaid
    Miss Polestar's robotic housemaid, who keeps MSY Mercury clean and tidy. Noted to have two large, orange headlamp eyes. Is inexplicably American.

    Polly Kitchen Maid
    Miss Polestar's robotic kitchen maid, who assists Pierre in making food. Also the head of the serving staff's union, a position she does not take very seriously.

    Content Warning
    This quest is an erotic romance. There will be sexual content, and it will not be separated from the main text or spoiler tagged. You have been warned.​
     
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  • Informational
    • [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
     
    [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
     
    [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
     
    open_sketch said:
    I even entertained the thought of quitting
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    Oh, good. Marie could hypothetically quit. Wasn't sure if she was under contract or some kind of indentured servitude until she paid off the cost of her own purchase.
    open_sketch said:
    they truly did not make female mechanics
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    Huh, well that answers some questions and raises some others. Interesting.

    [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
    Yes! Fun with fics!
     
    ancusohm said:
    Oh, good. Marie could hypothetically quit. Wasn't sure if she was under contract or some kind of indentured servitude until she paid off the cost of her own purchase.

    Huh, well that answers some questions and raises some others. Interesting.

    [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
    Yes! Fun with fics!
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    Nah, if you commission a robot and then mistreat them, that shit's on you.

    A good way to think about this society is that its like the Rogue Servitors from Stellaris: the humans think they are in charge, but the framework of society was entirely cooped by the robots centuries ago. The robots like the humans because they give their work context, and because humans are nice and cute and soft and really can't be trusted to run their own affairs. Besides, if you took away the humans, then the maidbots would be out of work and they'd be sad...
     
    [X] It turns out he is a fan, discreetly, of the same series of truly awful romance novelas, a series of sometimes quite controversial books that you have rarely been able to talk about with anyone else. And he has such a lovely reading room with some cozy loveseats...
     
    [X] Whilst Haragrem-2 is owned and maintained by the Lovelace family, it is a holiday destination for some, and thus, there is a small down only a shuttle ride away! Mister Lovelace has therefore invited you to go shopping with him, and it only seems appropriate that you use the opportunity to find some clothes that will catch his eye.

    Romance novel date in a cozy private reading room is... even worse than a beach trip 'with no chance of interruptions'. Shopping might jog Miss Polestar's mind on seeing things Marie might have liked to see, too.
     
    [X] Whilst Haragrem-2 is owned and maintained by the Lovelace family, it is a holiday destination for some, and thus, there is a small down only a shuttle ride away! Mister Lovelace has therefore invited you to go shopping with him, and it only seems appropriate that you use the opportunity to find some clothes that will catch his eye.

    Strypgia said:
    Romance novel date in a cozy private reading room is... even worse than a beach trip 'with no chance of interruptions'. Shopping might jog Miss Polestar's mind on seeing things Marie might have liked to see, too.
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    Agreed. That said, is it wrong that I'm kind of hoping that "quite controversial" means "very gay"? >_>
     
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    Is it just me, or are things getting kinda repetitive? Like, the whole formula of "direct Jane Polestar's romance with random wealthy guy before it inevitably fails" thing. I thought that we had escaped from this inevitable pattern at update XV, but it just comes right around to bite us in the back.
     
    0th Law said:
    Is it just me, or are things getting kinda repetitive? Like, the whole formula of "direct Jane Polestar's romance with random wealthy guy before it inevitably fails" thing. I thought that we had escaped from this inevitable pattern at update XV, but it just comes right around to bite us in the back.
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    We aren't trying to be repetitive with our writing, but Jane is out here, journeying about, for a very specific reason. That doesn't just go away the moment she's out of her mother's eyesight. I will, however, say that we are drawing towards the end of Act 1, though it might be more accurate to call it "Book 1" at this point, the document we use for writing has over a hundred A4 pages.

    You can expect a major change in the dynamic relatively soon.
     
    0th Law said:
    Is it just me, or are things getting kinda repetitive? Like, the whole formula of "direct Jane Polestar's romance with random wealthy guy before it inevitably fails" thing. I thought that we had escaped from this inevitable pattern at update XV, but it just comes right around to bite us in the back.
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    Not... really? Like, yes, there's this little cycle of "New planet, new guy, meet guy, do stuff, guy turns out to not be The One, cool off while in transit" and each cycle has its own dramatic arc, but that little cycle is part of a very definite arc of Miss Polestar Going Out For The First Time and Attempting Romance and another arc of Marie Learning How To Emotions. The dramatic structure for that overall arc hasn't progressed to a peak yet, but with Marie's love problem becoming visible and known to her compatriots it's definitely headed in that direction. The structure feels much more like a TV series than a movie, but instead of a monster of the week (and the characters steadily learn more about and gear up to fight the arc villain) it's a guy of the week (and Marie and Miss Polestar figure out... something romance-related that corresponds to the arc villain but that I haven't figured out precisely yet because we're only halfway through the season).
     
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    Vebyast said:
    Not... really? Like, yes, there's this little cycle of "New planet, new guy, meet guy, do stuff, guy turns out to not be The One, cool off while in transit" and each cycle has its own dramatic arc, but that little cycle is part of a very definite arc of Miss Polestar Going Out For The First Time and Attempting Romance and another arc of Marie Learning How To Emotions. The dramatic structure for that overall arc hasn't progressed to a peak yet, but with Marie's love problem becoming visible and known to her compatriots it's definitely headed in that direction. The structure feels much more like a TV series than a movie, but instead of a monster of the week (and the characters steadily learn more about and gear up to fight the arc villain) it's a guy of the week (and Marie and Miss Polestar figure out... something romance-related that corresponds to the arc villain but that I haven't figured out precisely yet because we're only halfway through the season).
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    They figure out they're both lesbians, Vebyast. Obviously. (</sarcasm but not really sarcasm but like, ironic sarcasm>)
     
    XX - Sympathetic Ear
  • Threadmarks
    • After my talk with Tessa, I came to a realization of sorts. The fact of the matter is, I do not control Miss Polestar's life, nor what she does with it, but I can control my own emotional reactions if I give myself space and time to. I need to carve out aspects of my life that I can enjoy without Miss Polestar, and I decided to start with the reading room.

    At random, I picked a book from the shelves, quite deliberately avoiding the romance section. Seating myself in an overstuffed armchair, I tried to allow myself to relax as I reread the name emblazoned upon the cover; "The Mutiny of the Hispaniola". Opening the cover, I allowed the blurb to project itself from the front page. In essence, the book was an adventure following the young explorer Jim Hawkins, set in the early days of space exploration, back before machines sorted out human society and finally put an end to the systemic problems leading people to pursue lives of piracy.

    I settled into my chair, sinking pleasantly into the cushions, and began to read, but I was soon interrupted. I was no more than a hundred pages in when Hans leaned in from the hall, looking a bit concerned.

    "There ist a Miss Lovelace here, asking for you. Specifically." he said. Urgh. Urgh. This was neither something I expected, nor something I desired, but duty calls. I saved my progress and went to meet her in the sitting room, where she was waiting in a massive, poofy dress in orange, yellow, and red. I imagine there must have been some sort of purpose to it, but to me, she resembled nothing more than an ambulatory campfire, enhanced, of course, by her bright red hair.

    Unlike her rather… energetic choice in attire, her face was a mask of something I could only identify as an attempt at sympathy. Something within my chest seemed to snap, and I can only be thankful that the walls were thick and the doors were closed, because if anyone had heard what followed my entrance into the sitting room, I feel I might simply explode.

    "Miss Lovelace, what brings you here? I imagine you have plenty of other duties and guests to attend to." I am not proud of it, but I had to struggle to maintain my composure. Jane's best friend she may be, but the young lady Lovelace has not endeared herself to me.

    "Oh, nonsense. Many of them have already gone home, it's just a bit of an informal get-together now, my staff has things well in hand." she said dismissively. "I wanted to talk to you. We got off on the wrong foot, I think."

    "How do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice as neutral as possible.

    "I was terribly presumptuous, and much to forward in any case. I should not have put you in such an uncomfortable position, and for that I wish to extend my deepest apologies." she said, clearly sounding as though she had practiced saying it on the way over.

    I was not sure what to make of this: I thought it was genuine, though I have learned that I am ill-suited to reading human emotions. But moreover, what she had apologized for and what had hurt were very different things.

    "Miss Lovelace, I appreciate your consideration." I said, unable to really think of anything else to say.

    "And now it seems you and I share a very similar circumstance, waiting ever so patiently in the wings for dear Janey to disentangle her head from her ass."

    At that moment I'm afraid I rather lost my composure. Before I had even realised, I was standing, and my voice was steadily growing louder.

    "I doubt the similarity of our circumstances very much, Miss Lovelace." My voice was sharp, and before she could muster a reply, I continued. "Do you think my feelings a game? Some amusement with which you might pass the time?"

    "To the contrary, I wish she could come to terms with herself, and you with her. I think it tragic-"

    "Tragedy is theatre, Miss. Tragedy implies that there is hope for a happy ending before it is snatched away, though I suppose it is fitting then, that you have done nothing but spread false hope. You think this is the only obstacle we would face? What of our stations, our different natures? Her obligations? Mine?"

    "I have seen the way she looks at you, and you at her. Love finds a way."

    "Whatever hack wrote that was delusional. In any case, it is not merely considerable hardship that would lie ahead, it would be a capitulation. Both of us would be abandoning everything! It is because I love her with all that I am that I could never ask such a thing of her!"

    Immediately upon saying it I knew I had made an error. I had never spoken my feeling aloud or with such conviction, and having done so I wished that I could somehow reach out and snatch the words from the air before they reached Miss Lovelace's ears. Instead, I sunk back into my chair and fought the urge to curl up and disappear. I averted my eyes, unable to watch Miss Lovelace react to my hasty words.

    Instead of speaking, though, I heard the rustle of her skirts as she came to sit beside me, and felt, very gently, very hesitantly, a hand on my shoulder. My aversion to being touched was overwhelmed by my need for any kind of closeness, and I relaxed a little.

    "... Will he make her happy?" I asked.

    "My brother?"

    "Yes. That's all I truly want for her." I said. Instead of the response I was hoping for and dreading, Miss Lovelace shook her head.

    "My twin is a lovely person, but he's going through a very confusing and difficult place at present. I don't think he is much ready for anything to come from a surprise kiss at a party. You see, much like my dearest Janey, my little brother is something of a complete disaster."

    "O-oh." I said, a bit numbly.

    "Last I saw of them, they were reading different books on opposite ends of a sofa and blushing intensely, so when this falls apart, and I say when, it is going to be difficult for all of us. And I know you will want to be there for her."

    "I… I told her not to do this. She ignored me." I explained.

    "Well that wasn't right of her at all, and believe me, I'll set her straight-"

    "Please don't tell her!" I pleaded, gripped by utter terror at the possibility. "Please."

    "Marie, please. The key to being a good gossip is to know when to truly keep your mouth shut, so people keep trusting you with their drama. And believe me, I am an excellent gossip. I shall keep both the extent and reason for your distress entirely under wraps, but if you give me ten minutes I will have her begging for your forgiveness. So; do you trust me?"

    "... No."

    "- I was not expecting that response. However, fortunately, while you can tell me not to do what is best for you, I do not have to listen." she said cheekily, then she swept out of the room.

    Stunned, I sat there as she did.

    ---

    You were having a wonderful afternoon reading with Toby when, unfortunately, he was called away and soon replaced with Tabby, who impressed upon you just how insensitive you've been to Marie. At her order, you have asked her to relay your apologise for the sudden exit to Tody, and have made your way back to the guest estate. Where do you find her on your return?

    [ ] You find her in the sparring room, angrily taking out her feelings on the air with a practice blade. Perhaps you ought to give her a more fitting target for her frustrations.​
    [ ] You find her in a sitting room, where apparently she has sat motionless for the last half hour. The poor dear is clearly beside herself, and you simply must comfort her.​
    [ ] You find her in the library, buried in a book and studiously trying to ignore the world around her. You will have to do your best to be honest with her.​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] You find her in the sparring room, angrily taking out her feelings on the air with a practice blade. Perhaps you ought to give her a more fitting target for her frustrations.

    Lesbian Sword Fight! Lesbian Sword Fight! Lesbian Sword Fight!
     
    [X] You find her in the library, buried in a book and studiously trying to ignore the world around her. You will have to do your best to be honest with her.
     
    [X] You find her in the sparring room, angrily taking out her feelings on the air with a practice blade. Perhaps you ought to give her a more fitting target for her frustrations.
     
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    [X] You find her in the library, buried in a book and studiously trying to ignore the world around her. You will have to do your best to be honest with her.
     
    [X] You find her in a sitting room, where apparently she has sat motionless for the last half hour. The poor dear is clearly beside herself, and you simply must comfort her.

    Marie.exe has crashed, please reboot. : 3
     
    [X] You find her in the library, buried in a book and studiously trying to ignore the world around her. You will have to do your best to be honest with her.
     
    [X] You find her in the sparring room, angrily taking out her feelings on the air with a practice blade. Perhaps you ought to give her a more fitting target for her frustrations.

    Sometimes, clearing the air and talking things out requires doing your level best to seriously injure each other.
     
    [X] You find her in a sitting room, where apparently she has sat motionless for the last half hour. The poor dear is clearly beside herself, and you simply must comfort her.
     
    [x] You find her in a sitting room, where apparently she has sat motionless for the last half hour. The poor dear is clearly beside herself, and you simply must comfort her.

    someone help all of these poor disasters
     
    [X] You find her in a sitting room, where apparently she has sat motionless for the last half hour. The poor dear is clearly beside herself, and you simply must comfort her.
     
    [X] You find her in the sparring room, angrily taking out her feelings on the air with a practice blade. Perhaps you ought to give her a more fitting target for her frustrations.
     
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