first hat (text)

[pokebonnet]

[A series of numbers is written on the top of the paper in loopy old-lady handwriting. It's followed by a sketch of an old-fashioned ruffled parasol and a few jotted down phases, some of which are written sideways.]

“I shield in the name of fashion. I accessorize for one and all. Pursuit of truth is my passion. This I vow by the great parasol.”

“May the blood of the souless keep your own soul safe.”

Puff Bonnet? Ruffled Parasol?

What is the Parasol Protectorate???

[Whoever is writing this doesn't seem to have figured out about the whole network thing yet.]

Comments

[professorwolf]

I've only heard a name or two in my visions, as well. Some fellow named Biffy, and Queen Victoria, specifically. Plus Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.

[He sounds amused, at that last one, if a bit wearily so.]

Quite a name, isn't it? Well, if there's more to tell, please do. Perhaps one of us can make some kind of sense out of it, but I wouldn't hope too much for it. The first ones rarely make any sense.

[Neither do later ones, a lot of the time, but still.]

[pokebonnet]

[Oh dear. There's that odd feeling again.]

Oh dear.

I think you just gave me a pulse, Mr Lyall. Professor Lyall? I just remembered a man named Professor Lyall bringing someone named Biffy to my home! I think he'd just been bitten by a werewolf and needed to recover. Oh dear. All these other pulse thingies made it seem like I was supposed to fight them.

You see, in the one I got when I stabbed myself I was in the other me's home and there was this woman who was my friend--though oddly I don't remember her name, just her code name, Ruffled Parasol--and she was inducting me into a secret society she called the Parasol Protectorate! Those quotes I wrote down earlier, those were part of the oath! And we had to share blood--we pricked ourselves on the spikes of her parasol--and we spun the parasol around and she gave me a code name of my own, Puff Bonnet. And offered to get me a puff bonnet to go with her parasol, which was specially made to fight vampires and werewolves with. I didn't get all of that at first, just the oath, but I've gotten more bits and pieces back as I've talked to people tonight.

So you see, that's why I'm confused. Why would I be helping Biffy the werewolf if I was also helping Ruffled Parasol possibly fight them?

Oh.

And she was pregnant. Ruffled Parasol was definitely pregnant in my memory, it was very clear.

[professorwolf]

[There's a long pause before an answer comes. That's because Lyall just got hit by one of his own, and it takes him a long couple minutes to settle it.]

Apparently we knew each other, Miss Ivy. Or the other people we are collecting the memories of knew each other. Because I just... remembered that incident, as well. The poor pup had been bitten, you're right, his first transformation.

[And he remembers settling him at Ivy's, holding him through the change, and trying to explain the situation. Badly. Apparently his "other fellow" was even worse at awkward situations than he is, or at least that awkward situation.]

[pokebonnet]

Do you think we ought to meet, Mr Lyall? In person, I mean. Maybe it would help with things like pulses.

Were you--or he--very involved with werewolves in the life you're remembering?

[Considering how she was supposed to fight the bad ones, she's curious.]

[professorwolf]

Actually, he happened to be one. As am I, now, I'm afraid, though I assure you I am not dangerous except on the full moon. I cannot even change into a wolf except for then.

If that does not turn you off to the idea entirely, however, I would like to meet you in person.

[pokebonnet]

[Oh dear, there's another pulse again.]

Oh dear. But I thought werewolves should be able to transform at will any day of the month and only have to on full moons. I mean, I know that somehow? Like it ought to be common knowledge.

And yes, I think I would like to meet you. I can always just wear silver jewelry. I mean, presuming that silver would work, since the anti-werewolf parasol spike was silver.

[professorwolf]

[Lyall braces himself when the text comes in, this time, but there's nothing. Perhaps, he thinks wryly, because he already had guessed everything she said.]

I believe that ability will come with time. All this comes piecemeal, in bits and pieces. I got the sense of smell back well before I actually turned into a wolf for the first time. And silver *is* apparently troublesome, though I have yet to actually be troubled by it. Perhaps that will come with time, as well.

In the meantime, when would you like to meet? I work at the high school, so any time after about four is best for me.

[pokebonnet]

After four sounds fine! Do you have any place you'd like to meet? Maybe a coffee shop? Ooooh, I need to figure out when I should meet with Starfire and that nice gentleman with the grandniece too!

[professorwolf]

My, you seem to be quite popular already :)

Choose a day and a place you are comfortable with, and I imagine I can find it and be there. I would rather make certain you are at ease wherever we go.

[Ever the gentleman. Especially since the whole "werewolf" thing.]