Maid to Love You - A Clockwork Romance

[open_sketch]

Maid to Love You
A Clockwork Romance

Spoiler: Household Hierarchy

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.​

 

[TheBiggerFish]

ahhh I can't decideeee

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.
[X] Maid - Marie seems happy to maintain the fiction of simply being your maid, after all, and thinking on it, your objections were made without a full understanding of how she thought. It's a simple enough falsehood to maintain together, isn't it? Such a deception might even bring you closer together, and you don't think you'd much complain about that at all.

 

[10ebbor10]

[] Maid at Arms - Well, you're out here on the dangerous frontier, and you got a sword, so....

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

Oh, and just because no one has said it yet, but the spaceships are delightfully absurd.

 

[Adraius]

Hmm. Out here on the frontier, who are we trying to hide things from? Less need for her to take the Companion route for propriety's sake. On the other hand, this seems like it might be a romaaaaaantic place for her to take up the Companion role and see where that increased openness leads, and maybe give her time to adapt to whatever changes it brings. I do think it will make their relationship more obvious to anyone with a discerning eye, though. I wonder if Jane's parents or sister will catch on, eventually.

 

[Vebyast]

Besides that, though, we have been running about non-stop in preparation. Miss Polestar wanted to try and cover any emergency eventualities we might encounter on our way out there, and be equipped for any expeditions we might embark upon, while the ship itself needed to be modified. In its current configuration, it was for cruising luxuriously about civilized space, where help is never more than a few hours away by solar sail. It had to be hardened against the cold, stockpiles had to be made, and even the sails needed to be changed out for models which would harness the cold blue light of the aging stars of the rim.

Click to shrink...

The... victorian-expedition-ness of the setting's tech is delightful. The outside of the galaxy has all the old stars, so the ship will get super cold and everyone has to bundle up!

This means that the core will be warmer than where we've been so far. Definitely going to have to be our next destination! It's a good thing we didn't pick the core first, honestly. Everyone having to walk around in swimsuits all the time? Marie would've overheated in short order.

 

[commando2341]

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

I believe I prefer how this may play out narratively than keeping the maid/mistress paradigm.

 

[NemoMarx]

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

 

[Adraius]

After consideration, and somewhat against my gut (her position being the narrative basis for the entire quest so far, after all), let's do this thing.

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

 

[Strypgia]

"You have a strange definition of fun, Marie." Jane said with a grin, resting her chin on her arms as she gazed at me over the arm of her chair.

"I have a tidy definition of fun." I countered, which caused Jane huff a laugh.

Click to shrink...

You two are already more married than Hibiki and Miku....

That drew a laugh from Jane, a sound I may or may not have recorded for later listening. "Fair enough, fair enough. Although… if you were to gain a sudden influx of… shall we say, cash monies, what would you do with it?"

Click to shrink...

"Make it rain over Miss Jane Polestar' is not an answer for polite company, I bet.

Tilting her head in a way that made something in my chest ache, she raised an eyebrow at me. "And how would you experiment, if you were able?"

Click to shrink...

"I want a **** exactly your size," is not an acceptable answer, I take it?

Once again, I think I said too much, and now I desperately had to not say what I was actually thinking. Immediately discarding my first five ideas as being unacceptable for polite company, a process that thankfully, took less than a moment.

Click to shrink...

'First five ideas'? Called it!

"I would very much like to see you smile." Jane replied, and I had to stop talking as my cheeks turned into supernovas, causing her to laugh as I attempted to control my embarrassment.

Click to shrink...

Annnnnd Marie just quietly soaked her undergarments...

For me, anticipating the needs of my Miss, helping her through her day, tidying her life, that is my art!

Click to shrink...

No, Marie, and that is where you fail. You don't want to 'tidy' Jane's life. You want to make it safe, clean, and pleasing to her, preferably while you are in the middle of it to share it with her. That is the art you want. A perfect household with a smiling Jane at its heart, smiling at you. Until you can say that, it will be difficult.

was expecting grizzled veteran adventurers from a storybook, and I think Miss Polestar was too, but for the most part they were just young people much like her, curious individuals and couples out for an adventure together.

Click to shrink...

*cough cough cough cough!*

On the other, it would mean giving up, not all of my purpose, no, but much of it.

Click to shrink...

That's the crux, isn't it? Marie is literally made to have a purpose, a role and job to do, or else feel lost and unrooted. To give that up leaves her very vulnerable unless she has something as deeply rooted to anchor in. And while I 100% believe her love for Jane is sufficient to that task, are the both ready for such?

"No, I… I desperately do. I would love to. But I cannot shake the feeling that it is not who I am, or perhaps… perhaps the fear that I reach for too much.

Click to shrink...

See above. Marie would happily cut out her heart for Jane right now, but I'm not sure they're ready to take that leap without a good idea of the flight path or landing.

As a maid she's invisible. As a lady's companion, she's someone who will start to be noticed and engaged with

Click to shrink...

This. As a Maid, everyone can pretend not to see that Marie and Jane are an ironclad couple. She's officially invisible. Hell, Marie's practically bisexual (although I guess that would technically fall on Jane), for as much as she officially 'cannot be seen', no matter what she and Jane do. But as a Lady's Companion, that invisibility falls away, and society at large has to acknowledge that Marie exists, even if it's just 'female-ish person that hangs around the noblewoman constantly.' And Jane herself is also now socially allowed to treat Marie as more than furniture... Even a friend that others have to acknowledge.

Real talk: Both GMs, this is making me want to start planning (long way from taking a swing) a mirror quest of a Gentleman and his butler/batman/dogsbody. Just to see how it'd go.

Besides. It's a time-honoured tradition to take poorly-thought-out and potentially disastrous opportunities and offers in the name of love.

Click to shrink...

TBF, that's more Marie's modus operandi than general, but the point holds! So...

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

 

[BritishGrenadier]

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

 

[catlover2011]

You do this in all your works, but I absolutely adore the subtle worldbuilding you sprinkle in your stories. I want to see more of this wonderful setting almost as much as I want to see these two get together.

 

[Ottriman]

[X] Lady's Companion - She said it herself. She wants this, desperately, but she is scared. You should reassure her, offer her comfort, help her be who she wants to be, rather than what they made her to be. And… it's not like there weren't productive tasks to be had. There was probably a lot of quilting in your futures. Though if she wants to discreetly reprise some of her favourite maidly duties, you wouldn't say no.

 

[open_sketch]

You do this in all your works, but I absolutely adore the subtle worldbuilding you sprinkle in your stories. I want to see more of this wonderful setting almost as much as I want to see these two get together.

Click to shrink...

Please remember that @Jeboboid writes this quest too, and is just as responsible for that stuff as me!

 

[open_sketch]

"I think you ought to consider it. We can always go back to other arrangements if it doesn't work out." she said. "And it's not like you have to stop tidying, if that's what you enjoy doing. You'd just need to be a little more… subtle about it in public."

That assurance, I think, is what I needed to hear. Very carefully, I reached behind myself and undid the ties on my apron, slipping it off and laying it carefully over the edge of the couch.

"Alright. Companion it is." I said, dusting myself off self-consciously. "What now?"

"... I suppose we should probably tell the rest of the staff, at least so Mark can update his ledgers. And work out your, um, allowance. I'm not sure what is appropriate!" Jane said.

"Well, I won't be doing nearly as much work, so a reduction seemed in order." I pointed out, and Jane laughed.

"I just didn't want to raise it too much! Mother budgeted for a staff twice as large as I've taken: I didn't want to feel too crowded in, you understand." Jane said.

"I think we can safely compromise to, say… eighteen pence a day?" I proposed, it being my current salary.

"I think that's fair, for now." Jane agreed.

Feeling a bit invigorated at the change, I stood up, my hands clasped, a strange excitement running through my circuits.

"So tomorrow, I shall start my new job! Which isn't really a job, of course. But it is job like! Job adjacent. Do I have a uniform?"

"Not particularly, I don't think. Dress respectably, in a manner similar to my own perhaps?"

"Would this do?" I asked, indicating to my loose black dress. "Seeing as I don't exactly have much in the way of other clothes, save for one dress."

"You look like you're in mourning, Marie." Jane said, shaking her head sadly.

"Yes. For my old job. Struck down before its time." I said, "I don't exactly have many options right now… Wait…"

"Marie?"

"Do we have any spare fabrics, by any chance?" I asked.

"Not exactly, but we do have a textile printer in the basement somewhere, for emergencies." Jane said, clearly only remembering it now. "But I didn't retain the services of a tailor or seamstress…"

"Well…" I said, "My new position will require proper dress, which means… I have my work cut out for me."

Oh, it's going to be lovely! I'm going to need at least one dress for each day of the week, and while I already have one, it is hardly day wear. And at least one other high society dress, preferably two. It's months of work, I imagine, hours a day, challenging work, and it must be done! What luck!

And then I realized…

"... you said that sewing was among the tasks I might be expected to do?" I asked.

"Yes, mostly fancy embroidery and stuff, you know, stitching patterns and other-"

"Jane can I make you dresses?" I asked in a rush, and her face lit up.

---

This morning, I awoke to the first day of my new job!

While I know my Miss said that my old dresses would do for now, I made a point of selecting my fancy party dress, the sleek grey one with the blue, as a symbol of the transition. I didn't wake Miss Polestar by throwing open her curtains, but by knocking politely on her door until she came to, looking bleary-eyed and disheveled.

"Who is it?" she asked, clearly not fully awake yet.

"It is… your companion. Let me get you tea!" I announced, and then, and only then, did I throw open her curtains.

This was a mistake, as immediately the temperature dropped a good ten degrees, and instead of the flow of morning starlight, there was just the cold blue glow of aged stars. I closed the curtains quickly.

"Oh, yes. Let me make us some tea." I said, winking knowingly as I set the kettle and Jane sat in front of the fireplace, turning the dial until it was a roaring holographic inferno and the temperature began to climb back to something compatible with human life.

"You seem chipper this morning…" Jane groaned, as I set her teacup in front of her and sat in the chair opposite.

"Seize the day, as they say. What's the plan for today, Jane?" I asked.

"Well, we're going to be sailing for the next four days, so the answer is not much of anything. Perhaps a bit of sparring in the afternoon?" she replied, curling deeper into the overstuffed chair. "Once I'm awake. And I need a bath, I think."

"I…" I began to volunteer to draw it for her, before realizing that was very much not my duties, "... understand. A question. Are you going to need a new lady's maid now?"

"Hmm." Jane said, and in the pause afterward I immediately imagined a second version of myself arriving cheerfully out of the box and setting to all the tasks I once did. And immediately falling in love with her as I did, of course. That actually sounded kind of nice. I would have somebody to commiserate with about our mutual crush.

"I don't imagine so, at least for the time being. I did well enough before you, I just thought having a lady's maid would help a lot for courtship and preparing for fancy society parties and such. Besides, I dreaded the thought of being alone in this ship for too long with nobody around to talk to." she explained.

"So… in a sense, I am more useful to you in this role, aren't I?" I said. That was a revelation that made me feel much more secure in this new job, i will tell you that!

"I think so. After my bath, would you like to play cards? We need some way to pass the time…"

"I'd love that."

---

The next day, as we were underway, was scheduled to be my half-day, at least in my previous job. When I inquired about that, Jane said that she wasn't the boss of me, and I resolved I should take it anyway.

The atmosphere was… somewhat strange, which was to be expected. In many ways, I was no longer one of them. Which was fair, as I had been realizing over the course of my life that I was already, in many ways, not quite like them at a fairly fundamental level.

"How are you enjoying your new position, Marie?" Mark asked, his words diplomatic but his tone, I believe, quite concerned. Everyone was looking at me, and I couldn't tell if they were judging me or pitying me.

"So far, I very much like it. I've found ways to keep busy, and I think it may be, in some ways, a better fit." I explained. "It is not dissimilar from my previous duties, just slightly more talking and slightly less dusting."

"That sounds terrible." Amber said quietly.

"At first, I would have agreed. But now… Do you know how many dresses I have to make? I may have to do overtime!"

I basked a moment in the envy that inspired.

"It just feels strange that you aren't a coworker any more, in that sense." Mark said. "Why, you're almost like… it's rather appropriate given your accent, you're almost like one of those liberated French machines, they, um… there's a word for it, I can't remember…"

"Petite bourgeoisie." Pierre said.

"Yes, that queer lot."

"I wouldn't go that far by any means." I said.

I did a small amount of reading about the Seventh Republic and its odd habits, seeing as it is my simulated homeland, and it's true that the machines there get up to some strange things. There are industries in French space which are entirely run by machines, top to bottom, without even the pretense of human owners or investors, if you can believe it. I'm not sure how they get much out of work like that, but they make a distinction there between a personal duty to specific humans, and a civic duty to all humans, which these odd setups fall into.

Personally… I find the idea interesting, but my time spent here among proper English machines has already rather convinced me that such a thing just isn't quite right.

"Fair enough." Mark conceded.

"I haff a concern." Hans added, looking up from the cards he was staring quite intently at, "I vorry that perhaps this ist just Frau Polestar's loneliness at vork. Vhat will happen to this arrangement once she ist married, or even just regularly meeting vith friends once more?"

That was an interesting question, but…

"Well, with her friends, it is the duty of my new station to help entertain guests, of course, and to accompany her as support. I… suppose I will become friends with her friends." I explained, "And when she married, I will be her stalwart support in any difficulties she may have. And if she truly does not need me in this role anymore… I would be happy to go back to just being Marie the Maid, you know."

We played on for a while, and I found myself answering some more questions from the group, some a bit defensive, when the music switched off. Ah, the union meeting was starting.

… and I realized I should probably go.

"Thank you all for the game, I'll be retiring to my room." I said, tidying up the cards. "I can't exactly be listening in on the meeting, after all."

"Oh, that's right, you don't have to stay for these anymore!" Polly exclaimed, and then her face fell. "Lucky."

"Of course, you can't exactly have me listening in on it. I'd report all your insurrectionist plans straight back to the Miss." I teased. I set toward the door, and behind me Amber called.

"After, if you like, want to listen to some music with Polly and I? We have… well, we call it a knitting circle, but it's not exactly circular with just the two of us."

"If it's not too far below your station!" Polly teased.

"That, I can do!" I declared, and I headed back up to my room. I had to write this entry, and I want to finish my book. Just started Pride and Prejudice.

I hope she doesn't end up with that ruffian Mr. Darcy.

---

A few hours later, I joined Polly and Amber in the space they'd claimed in the lower decks for their knitting circle. I had become accustomed enough to such things that I imagined the knitting was just a pretense, but at the same time, I had a scarf I'd started and would very much like to finish before we got anywhere truly cold.

At one point this room was a supply closet for cleaning supplies, but Amber had rearranged things to free it up, moving in a small table and chairs and setting up a record player. The music was quick and lively, and the three of us soon settled in and went to work, by which I mean we started talking animatedly as our fingers went through the motions.

"So how was the union meeting?" I asked.

"Booooring." Amber complained. "As usual."

"Oh, come on. We did achieve something. Mark wants to arrange things in staggered shifts so there's always some members of staff on duty while we're out here, just in case, and we've decided to push for a bit of extra pay for the inconvenience." Polly explained.

"That seems sensible." I remarked.

"It's going to play hell with our social lives, with half of us being asleep when the rest are working. I'm not entirely sure why we're suddenly gallivanting off into the middle of nowhere." Amber complained, the needles clack-ing as she developed the galaxy's most aggressively knitted mittens. "What's gotten into that girl?"

"She had a rough go at her first few suitors. She really does need a break." I explained. "This was her dream in the first place, but her mother rather put her in a bind with all this. A bit of rebellion to blow off steam before getting back at it."

"Why must she rebel somewhere so cold? I swear, I feel so stiff every morning, my joints are going to freeze over." Amber continued sourly.

"Oh, come off it, it's not so bad." Polly said.

"Well, not for you, I imagine, but some of us aren't so blessed with an abundance of bedwarmers." Amber said, and I admit I couldn't restrain myself from bursting out laughing.

"Amber!" I said, once I could manage the words.

"It's all in good fun. Just… I can't believe she has the audacity is all." Amber explained.

"I think you may just be jealous." Polly teased.

"I'm a bit out of my depths here… what's happening?" I asked.

"Polly and Mark are a thing, haven't you heard?" Amber explained, while Polly looked impressed with herself.

"I… hadn't. Since when?"

"Two weeks ago." Polly grinned, "He asked me to dance at the party we threw at… the Lovelace's planet, it was a big beach get-together, it's such a shame you missed it, and I did, and… he's so very nice, you know?"

"It's all the staff can talk about… I can't believe you haven't heard. Or seen it, she's practically been sitting in his lap in the staff room half the time." Amber said, rolling her eyes, and I shrugged helplessly.

"I feel I am somewhat out of the loop…" I paused, feeling a little lost, "And not good at noticing these things, I'm afraid. I didn't read anything into them sitting near each other."

"It's alright, don't worry, it's just gossip. You aren't missing much."

"Save for Pierre and his boy in the crew…" Polly said.

"Oh, that. They'll be back together in a week, mark my words." Amber sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. "Pierre's got such a weakness for sailors you know. Especially when they're..." she made a strange motion with her hand, "...you know?"

Polly burst out laughing out loud. I had no idea why. I imagine she understood whatever strange motion Amber was making.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked. From what I understood of the conversation, Pierre might be in need of assistance.

"Oh he'll be fine. At the very worst he'll just mope for a few days before sleeping with the first cutie to catch his eye next time we hit port. I just wish they wouldn't be so loud in their arguments. His boy says they're done for good this time." Polly paused a moment before grinning salaciously, "I'd much rather they be loud in other ways."

"Pollianna!"

"Boys are cute leave me alone." she insisted, leaning back in her chair. "Besides, Amber, you haven't exactly the high ground here. I know for a fact you've not exactly been alone all journey."

"And how would you know that?"

"Simple, my dear. You're quite loud, and Tessa likes to brag." Polly teased.

"Wait, Tessa?" I said, and both of them laughed at me.

"Oh, did she get you too?" Amber asked, shaking her head. "I swear, she's working her way through the whole staff. She'll be starting on the sailors soon, I think."

"What? No… I had no idea." I said. Recalling my earlier conversation with her, however, I did not find it overly surprising. Especially considering… well, she was very attractive.

"I can't believe she wouldn't make a beeline for you." Polly smirked, "So I imagine you might be next in line then."

"I… will need to think on that." I said, a bit out of sorts. "I have a question though, if I may?"

"Of course. You don't need to be so formal, we certainly haven't." Polly giggled, dropping her knitting to the table and leaning toward me a little, her head rocking just a little in time with the music. "Spill!"

"I… why is it that we machines are so… open, at ease with, perhaps even indiscriminate about these matters... I mean to say, exactly…" I tried stumbling through what I meant delicately, but then I gave up, "How come it's not weird for us to be interested in women, or for Pierre to be interested in men, but it's so rare and… taboo is not the word, more… just, not even thought about, in humans?"

Amber and Polly shared a look.

"I mean, it is not all that. I prefer boys, I know Polly does too. Just, after a few decades, most of us start experimenting, you know?" Amber said. I'll admit, something in my brain had to recalibrate my image of Amber at that: her small frame and the large headlights of her eyes just registered as young in my mind, but no, obviously she was older. Much older, fourth generation maybe, a century at least.

"Yeah, humans don't branch out much. They need all their rules or they'll get hurt." Polly said, her voice filled with sympathy. "And, you know, that's just the way with them. A husband and wife and a family and all that."

"Right, can you imagine if humans treated things the way we did? They'd not last a week. End of civilization as we know it." Amber said seriously. "What makes you ask this?"

"Well… it's just, something I've noticed is all. The relationships of humans have been somewhat at the forefront of my duties since I was activated, you know." I explained. "And it's… well, Jane keeps throwing herself at all of these men, and from my perspective, I can't imagine why she'd want any of them, when there are so many lovely-"

I realized too late that I had said far too much.The shutters on Amber's eyes went wide, and Polly burst into drunken giggles.

"Marie, are you perhaps a bit of a lesbian?" Amber inquired, and, not knowing what else to do, I nodded, blushing furiously.

"To each their own, you know." Polly said, shrugging. "Any successes on that front so far?"

"I… no, wait a moment. I keep hearing everyone say that, whenever this comes up. Jane says it. To each their own." I asked, stuck on it a moment, and desperate to not talk about my own adventures in exploring my sexuality, nor the primary target of my affections at the moment.

"Well, you know, it's the twenty-second century. Gone are the days of laws against this sort of thing, we're not judging..."

"Though it is a bit unusual, to come out the box with your preferences so." Amber said, "Took me decades before I even thought about it. Nothing wrong with it, of course, but personally I think you're missing out a bit."

"I can't quite agree with you from where I'm standing. They're…" I tried to reconsider what I was going to say, but the music was quite in my circuits by this point, "... boring, is what they are. No shape to them. Squares. It'd be like falling for a cabinet. But… but ladies…"

I did my best to use my hands to indicate curves.

"More than a bit of a lesbian, I think." Polly quipped.

"They're so pretty. It's entirely too much and not at all fair. It's like… soft, and dresses… dresses are amazing. Did you see the one Miss Jane wore with the… it's got yellow. Oh, and there was this governess… she was like made out of knives that were in the shape of a very very very beautiful woman. I can't imagine how her students do any learning at all..." I trailed off, lost in my memories of that exciting night, quite sure that I'd not want to share the things I'd learned.

"Polly, I think we've lost her…"

"Oh dear…"

I beamed, "girls…"

---

Truth be told, I remember little else from that night. Regardless, I had a lot of fun. Who knew knitting was such a fun social activity.

The hangover wasn't exactly pleasant though…

Still, I have my work cut out for me. Getting my wardrobe in order, sparring with Jane, passing the time… I wonder what mysteries await us in those stars?

===

You chose a star at random: out this far, anywhere you go, you're the first human to go there. You're so excited to make discoveries, explore strange new places, and forget all about the world of courtship for a little while.​

​

What did you find, in the system you selected?​

​

[ ] Orbiting this lonely, cold star is a planet which seems to be made entirely of ice, so perfect and transparent it looks like glass marble, with the light of the stars filtering through it in a kaleidoscope of colour. It looks like there may be caves, and you swear, you see the light inside it move…​

[ ] On a rocky planet, frozen for millions of years, you see just one thing standing out. There's a canyon, dug by some calamity, and at the end the remains of what looks to be an ancient and alien space station, surprisingly intact for the force of the crash. What secrets does it hold?​

[ ] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...​

 

[Haruhi is Waifu]

[X] On a rocky planet, frozen for millions of years, you see just one thing standing out. There's a canyon, dug by some calamity, and at the end the remains of what looks to be an ancient and alien space station, surprisingly intact for the force of the crash. What secrets does it hold?

Either nothing will go wrong and we'll have a fun time or something will go wrong and we'll have a better time!

 

[somewhatLazy]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

Let Marie be warm 2020

 

[commando2341]

"I think we can safely compromise to, say… eighteen pence a day?" I proposed, it being my current salary.

Click to shrink...

Huh. For reference, how much would an epee, a foil and a saber cost? Curious how much this is in practical terms. Or other items like sewing fabrics or needles.

Personally… I find the idea interesting, but my time spent here among proper English machines has already rather convinced me that such a thing just isn't quite right.

Click to shrink...

Good to see that English attitude to their southern, continental neighbour has survived a transition into space. I feel very grounded and secure with this knowledge.

 

[QueenPally]

[X] On a rocky planet, frozen for millions of years, you see just one thing standing out. There's a canyon, dug by some calamity, and at the end the remains of what looks to be an ancient and alien space station, surprisingly intact for the force of the crash. What secrets does it hold?

Let's make some friends! Or die horribly! Either way, it'll be an adventure!

 

[Adraius]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

This promises to be fun!

 

[Aleph]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

DINOSAUR PLANET DINOSAUR PLANET DINOSAUR PLANET

 

[Parzival95]

[X] On a rocky planet, frozen for millions of years, you see just one thing standing out. There's a canyon, dug by some calamity, and at the end the remains of what looks to be an ancient and alien space station, surprisingly intact for the force of the crash. What secrets does it hold?

 

[hyrushoten]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

It's good to see Marie adjusting to her new role and to see the rest of the crew being okay with it.

 

[Vebyast]

I did my best to use my hands to indicate curves.

"More than a bit of a lesbian, I think." Polly quipped.

Click to shrink...

Marie figuring things out, lol.

"Yeah, humans don't branch out much. They need all their rules or they'll get hurt." Polly said, her voice filled with sympathy. "And, you know, that's just the way with them. A husband and wife and a family and all that."

"Right, can you imagine if humans treated things the way we did? They'd not last a week. End of civilization as we know it." Amber said seriously. "What makes you ask this?"

Click to shrink...

I have to admit, I wasn't quite expecting the robot paternalism to go in quite this direction. Probably the first spot we've seen where the quirky pseudo-rogue servitor behavior has caused direct harm to humans.

Oh, it's going to be lovely! I'm going to need at least one dress for each day of the week, and while I already have one, it is hardly day wear. And at least one other high society dress, preferably two. It's months of work, I imagine, hours a day, challenging work, and it must be done! What luck!

And then I realized…

"... you said that sewing was among the tasks I might be expected to do?" I asked.

"Yes, mostly fancy embroidery and stuff, you know, stitching patterns and other-"

"Jane can I make you dresses?" I asked in a rush, and her face lit up.

Click to shrink...

I'm glad that Marie so immediately found something she'd enjoy doing! It's adorable seeing how well they get along.

"So… in a sense, I am more useful to you in this role, aren't I?" I said. That was a revelation that made me feel much more secure in this new job, i will tell you that!

"I think so. After my bath, would you like to play cards? We need some way to pass the time…"

"I'd love that."

Click to shrink...

And there we go, life satisfaction obtained - Marie can feel fulfilled as long as she's talking to Jane and Jane is happy.

Also they continue to be adorable together.

"Oh, yes. Let me make us some tea." I said, winking knowingly as I set the kettle and Jane sat in front of the fireplace, turning the dial until it was a roaring holographic inferno and the temperature began to climb back to something compatible with human life.

Click to shrink...

The setting's technological aesthetic continues to be a delight.

 

[KingCarnival]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

 

[FrangibleCover]

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

If you see something three feet tall, big eyes, very fluffy...

Run.

 

[Strypgia]

"Well…" I said, "My new position will require proper dress, which means… I have my work cut out for me."

Click to shrink...

That was terrible, Marie!

"Yes, that queer lot."

Click to shrink...

Tongue stuffed firmly in cheek....

I hope she doesn't end up with that ruffian Mr. Darcy.

Click to shrink...

Oh, my dear... Is it really a spoiler when the novel is a few centuries old at this point? It's like spoiling the big moment in Julius Caesar. (Spoiler: Julius dies)

"Pierre's got such a weakness for sailors you know. Especially when they're..." she made a strange motion with her hand, "...you know?"

Polly burst out laughing out loud. I had no idea why. I imagine she understood whatever strange motion Amber was making.

Click to shrink...

You are such a delightful... innocent, Marie. Your education will be eye opening, I think.

"More than a bit of a lesbian, I think." Polly quipped.

Click to shrink...

A bit? A bit? This is Aqua levels of Useless, here!

[ ] On a rocky planet, frozen for millions of years, you see just one thing standing out. There's a canyon, dug by some calamity, and at the end the remains of what looks to be an ancient and alien space station, surprisingly intact for the force of the crash. What secrets does it hold?

Ooooh! Ancient alien wreck? Let's all go put on some nice red jumpers, pop right in, and see what's going on!

[X] The star you selected was one that, in your telescope, looked just a little brighter than the others. Now that you've arrived, it is surprisingly warm, far closer to home than the chill of the ancient stars around. Is it a young star, migrating out from the core at some impossible velocity, or is something more complex afoot? Perhaps the answer lies on the forested moon...

...OTOH, a stellar incongruity and a warm, forested moon? Possibly inhabited by tiny, murderous teddy bear creatures? We should be fine as long as we don't just land and go swanning about in all white. It's after Labor Day, don'tcha know?