VIII: Baggage

Bought new luggage today.

What do you mean it's too soon to pack?

VII: Spa Day

Because I make it appear so effortless, people rarely realize how much work it is to look this pretty. My hair appointment isn't for another two weeks, but I did drop in for some personal grooming.

There I am on the aesthetician's table.

I'm sorry? You're going to put what where, exactly?

Yes, well, maybe some other day.

In the meantime, I do have to wonder about Americans' habit of eating and drinking in very large portions.

That is what counts as a medium. A large would have swallowed me whole.

VI: Royal Wedding

I appear to be moving up in terms of the local social circles. I was invited to a Royal Wedding. Photos weren't allowed at the ceremony, but we got a few snaps from the reception after.

As you see, I was not the only one from England to attend. Ms. Eliza Doolittle was also there. I didn't understand half of what she said, but took it all to be exceedingly charming.

The prince and princess hail from Maldonia and New Orleans, respectively. Evidently they met and married under extremely bizarre circumstances, though it seemed impolite to ask for details. But I suspect the fact that "Fireflies" seemed to be on permanent rotation held some significance.

Here I am with Czarina Alexandra of Russia and Empress Julia of Rome. I am lucky that I excelled at Latin in school. Less lucky that I was unwittingly standing on the Czarina's train.

Never caught this young lady's name, but she reminds me a bit of Irene. I hope to see her around the place.

V: Kero-chan? Check.

Haven't yet mastered riding this thing, but am brushing up on my rusty Japanese.

IV: Day of Knights

This morning they woke me up early and forced me into a car without even doing me the courtesy of letting me drive.

Just because I don't have a license.

They told me I would feel "right at home" at this faire. I suppose that's because of the accents? As it stands, this is what passes for knights in these parts:

Not a bad-looking horse, though, so I met up with him later. His name is Luke.

And aside from his tendency to nibble my hair, we got on quite well.

Got a look at someone calling himself King John, though I overheard rumors he was nothing more than a trumped-up prince. He had someone called Maid Marian with him, and a lackey styling himself the Sheriff of Nottingham.

And then I was strong-armed into visiting some kind of fortuneteller.

She told me I was represented by the King of Wands, which I think sounds rather rude. Not that I trust her anyway.

As we were leaving, we were assaulted by a sort of caterwauling that turned out to be something that considered itself a band.

Though I must say, that more than anything made me feel at home, mostly because it reminded me of John. (He knows why.)

_____________________

Much thanks to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire for their hospitality.

III: Tea

I have been offered tea, but I take exception to the cup in which it was served.

II: The Giant Cat of Sumatra

There was early evidence of some kind of beastly creature having been on the premises...

Tracked to its source, it became clear that the people here actively encourage the animal to inhabit their space, or at the very least make it easy for it to do so by making food and water readily available:

Awful, messy thing. (And yes, I am aware that John has been known to say the same of me, but at least I don't stick my entire face in a bowl of water when I need a drink.)

My first look at the beast:

I took care to hang back and approach slowly, but it quickly became obvious that the beast is far too lazy to put forth any effort in catching me. Rather like Mycroft in that respect.

So I got a bit closer.

(It occurs to me to wonder why I have no shoes . . .)

We seem to have come to a truce of sorts. We've made decidedly unspecific plans to meet next week for tea, though the creature's mention of a Mad Hatter has made me uneasy.

I: Arrival

The first and last time I allow John to make my travel arrangements. I don't care how economical it was, he could at least have paid the extra fee for air holes.