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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Apr 30, 2011 10:28:52 GMT -5
Chapter Eleven
‘What is taking Carmelita so long?’ Esmé asked. ‘Natalie, go check.’ Natalie shook her head, and held Nathan’s hand tighter. Esmé frowed. ‘I can’t send both of you. Gah. Sometimes you are really useless!’ Esmé scolded the two creepy siblings. ‘Watch her. I’ll go check on Carmelita.’ Saying this, Esmé left the study. Violet was left alone with Nathan and Natalie. ‘Enjoying your time with Esmé?’ Violet bitterly asked the twins. The two looked surprised that she decided to talk to them, and then reverted back to their creepy smiles. ‘Oh, yes. We learned a lot from Esmé and Felix. Specially Felix.’ Nathan said. ‘You could learn a lot too, if you came to work with us. It would make things easier for you, and for us.’ Natalie said. ‘No, thank you.’ Violet said, standing up and looking at the two siblings. ‘Seems fortunate to me that your mother did not live to see you become two villains.’ Violet said. Nathan and Natalie suddenly looked very angry. ‘Do not speak of our mother!’ The Finch siblings hissed in anger. Violet felt like further provoking them, but reminded herself that she was better than that. Violet sat on a nearby chair, while thinking about all the things that had gone wrong since her and her siblings’ arrival at Burton Bazaar. More than anything Violet would like to escape with Klaus, Sunny, and Beatrice, to a safe place, far from Esmé, far from peril and far from anything having to do with V.F.D. These escapist thoughts were, of course, a waste of time. I myself have had many escapist thoughts while trapped in an underwater facility in the north, without means to escape, until a very good friend came to my rescue in her submarine. While escapism is a refuge for those under captivity, Violet was of a practical disposition, and like so, she preferred to think of ways to actively escape any sort of unfortunate predicament as opposed to escaping merely through thought. This time, however, Violet did not have time to think of a way to escape. While Violet’s eyes were distracted staring at the floor, a noisy thud was heard. When Violet turned her head, she saw no other than Desmond Fulfillment standing above the unconscious Natalie and Nathan Finch, holding a croquet mallet Violet recognized from Ed’s prop set, back at his store. ‘Quickly, Violet. We have to get your brother.’ Desmond was distracted and did not see Cindry, but he noticed her upon walking towards Violet. ‘Cindry!’ Desmond shouted in surprise. Cindry did nothing, merely eyeing him. ‘Violet…I read something in Helena’s library…It seems the amnesia from an electroshock therapy overdose wears off with time. But the process can be accelerated.’ ‘How?’ Violet asked Desmond. To her grim surprise, Desmond swung his mallet and hit Cindry with it. The girl fell unconscious immediately. ‘Desmond! What did you do?’ Violet was shocked. Desmond crouched on the floor next to Cindry. ‘I’m sorry, my dear.’ Desmond whispered in Cindry’s ear. ‘I’m so sorry it had to come to this…I had to do it.’ Desmond picked up Cindry in his arms. ‘Let’s go Violet. We’ll awaken Cindry once we’re out of the Bazaar. Let’s go now. Pick up that mallet, please.’ Still not recovered from the shock of the scene, Violet Baudelaire followed Desmond out of the study after picking up the mallet. ‘I heard a bludgeon to the head might jump-start Cindry’s memories. I never hit my daughter before, and I never will again…But I need Cindry to be normal again. If things go wrong, she’ll need to be her full self when the time comes. Brutal, I know. But it had to be done. Forgive me if I shocked you.’ Desmond whispered to Violet as the two walked their way to the interior area of the Burton House, where Violet had not been before. ‘Wait, I thought you said we were going to get Klaus and my sisters!’ Violet said. Desmond stopped walking. ‘Yes. I’ve already secured them. I entered the house soon after I noticed you had gone upstairs. I immobilized Felix in the kitchen, and Esmé, in the living room. My partner will be waiting for us at the opposite end of the Bazaar, at Hyde Place.’ Desmond said. ‘You’ll like to see her. She’s been dying to reunite with you.’ Violet frowned, intrigued. ‘Reunite with me? Who is she?’ Violet thought of several possibilities, but Desmond said nothing. With a nod, he commanded Violet to follow him. Soon, they arrived at a hallway with a strange marking on the wall. ‘There’s a door here. It will lead us to where your siblings are.’ Desmond said, nodding towards the square marking. Violet pressed her hand against the wall. She heard a click, and the door opened. ‘I left it unlocked. Let’s go now.’ Violet and Desmond entered a dark hallway with led to a descending spiral staircase. From what Violet could tell, they were no longer inside the house, but inside the building behind the house. Small holes provided light to clear the dark passage, as they descended further and further into what seemed like another of the secret passages the V.F.D. volunteers used to employ. Arriving at the bottom, Violet breathed with relief. Klaus, Sunny, and Beatrice awaited. ‘Violet! He brought us Earl Grey. Ed. He was Felix. Desmond dominated him.’ Klaus said. ‘What about Esmé? Where is she?’ Violet asked. ‘I don’t know. We didn’t see her. ‘If Esmé disappeared, it can only mean one thing. They are here.’ ‘ They who?’ Klaus asked. ‘You best not know for now. We must get out of here. Let’s go!’ Desmond shouted, and headed into the darkness, Cindry in his arms. Klaus followed, holding hands with Sunny, while Violet carried Beatrice. ‘I expected another showdown with Esmé.’ Violet commented. ‘Don’t worry. Our allies of the Bazaar will keep them for some time. Our only concern is getting to Hyde Place. From there, we’ll head to my house in Thriller Park, and stay there until it’s safe to move. Understood?’ Desmond sounded very sure of himself for a man wandering in a dark underground corridor with his unconscious daughter in his arms and four unfortunate orphans in tow. Violet did not know if they could consider themselves safe, but she knew one thing; whoever they were, she was not interested in finding out at the moment. The clock was ticking, and the Baudelaires were running for their lives. They just hoped they wouldn’t have to continue to do so for much longer.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Apr 30, 2011 11:34:45 GMT -5
Awesome chapter! The exchange between Violet and the Finch siblings was wonderful, even though I did find it a bit insensitive of Violet to speak of Agnes the way she did. But I guess that has to do with my love of Nathan and Natalie. And I do understand how difficult it can be to bite your tongue in the presence of someone who's helped make your life miserable for so long. It looks like Cindry is going to recover after all! Who knew that mallets could come in handy for something other than playing croquet? *performs an amateurish Carmelita-inspired tap-dance* I loved how Desmond was so determined to make it clear that he would never do anything to hurt his daughter. A determination that is merely strengthened by his shower of fatherly love and devotion to her in Violet's presence. And the Baudelaires will be meeting a long-lost friend! Who is an associate of Desmond's! Ooohhh...I wonder who it could be? Is it a canon character, or someone we've met before in YASoUE? The possibilities are endless! And there are only two chapters left! The finale is vast closing in!
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Apr 30, 2011 11:44:06 GMT -5
@emmz: The character they'll be meeting is an YASoUE character, as she has appeared before. ^^ Chapter Twelve out later today (it's already written)
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Post by Dante on Apr 30, 2011 12:18:55 GMT -5
Wow. Desmond doesn't mess around. I wasn't expecting something so swift as a mallet to the head. Especially given the literary precedent within Handler's oeuvre. I also suspected Desmond of actually being Felix in disguise... perhaps he still is?
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Post by Hermes on Apr 30, 2011 14:48:19 GMT -5
Ho! More and more exciting. I have a suspicion of who Desmond's associate might be (though until you wrote that last bit, I had a different idea).
Although I agree that Desmiond's behaviour is a bit supicious, I don't think he can be Felix, since we know that Ed was Felix, and Klaus saw him and Desmond together.
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on Apr 30, 2011 15:02:20 GMT -5
Chapter Twelve The dark corridor the Baudelaires now found themselves in was very long, as long as the one connecting their burned home to the building at 667 Dark Avenue, and just as full of twists and turns. However, just when they thought they’d walk forever in darkness, they reached a door. It was locked, however. ‘Violet, now is the perfect time for you to use that mallet I gave you.’ Violet nodded and approached the door. It was padlocked, and taking a step back, Violet swung the mallet and hit the padlock. She had to try as many as three times before it broke; it was very old, apparently. The door also suffered a great deal; it broke and fell with a metallic noise. The Baudelaires and the Fulfillments were now at an alley; under the sky. ‘Quick, this way.’ Desmond said, heading in one direction. The Baudelaires followed him. ‘Desmond, eventually you will have to tell us what exactly is happening…Who are they, who Esmé is working for…Everything you know.’ Klaus said. The Baudelaires had grown more than weary of people who concealed information from them, even if they were mature enough to handle just about anything, it still angered Violet and Klaus to be treated like children. They hadn’t been children for quite some time. Life had taken away their childhood and adolescence, like it did to many volunteers before them, myself included. ‘I’m sorry, Baudelaires. We will talk, eventually. But not now.’ Desmond replied. The group made their way in the alley, which was full of twists and turns as the dark corridor they had just been inside of. ‘Where exactly are we?’ Klaus asked. ‘Not far from Hyde Place, as far as I can tell. My partner will be waiting for us in a disguised truck outside. She…’ But whatever Desmond meant to say after that was lost, as an alarm sounded in the distance, interrupting him. ‘An alarm…Is that coming from Burton’s Bazaar?’ Violet asked. ‘I’m afraid so. The bazaar must be on fire right now.’ Desmond said. ‘What? We have to go back! Ed, Jack, Sally, we left them! They’re in danger!’ Klaus protested, stopping in his tracks. ‘No, Klaus. They knew what they were getting into when they agreed to help me. I convinced them to join V.F.D. I explained everything, and they accepted. We can only hope they all survive today.’ Desmond said. ‘No! What about Vincent and Lydia? They are kids!’ Violet added. Desmond smiled, which angered the Baudelaires. ‘Vincent and Lydia might be younger than you are, but trust me, they can take care of themselves better then I can take care of myself.’ Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice were not convinced. ‘If you go back now, you’ll put yourselves in unnecessary risk, and by extension, me and Cindry. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go back. We need to get to my home in Thriller Park. Once there, we’ll be safe for some time.’ Desmond said. ‘Alright. We’ll go with you. But you have to tell us everything, Desmond. Everything.’ Violet was adamant. ‘I’ll try. Now let’s go.’ Desmond said, turning around, and heading down the alley. The Baudelaires followed him. ‘Where did they take Ms. Burton and Augusten?’ Violet asked Desmond. ‘I don’t know, Violet, I’m afraid.’ Desmond replied. ‘But the Burtons are a intrepid kind. They will not go down without putting up a fight, trust me on that one!’ After they ran for some more time, Klaus stopped. ‘What is it, Klaus?’ Klaus looked at Desmond. ‘I just realized something. The rubber duck. There wasn’t any, was there?’ Desmond smiled. ‘There was, but it’s not what you think it was. It was a decoy, planted with deceitful information meant to confuse our enemies. We planted it in the hopes it would make them go away. By now it must be with Esmé.’ ‘If we want to survive, we too, must resort to such diversions. If they follow the lead concealed in the rubber duck, they’ll arrive at quite the dead end.’ Desmond explained. ‘I have to ask for your forgiveness for putting you through all of this. Our real objective all along was to separate traitors from allies between the salespeople of the Bazaar. The traitors would give the rubber duck to them, while our allies would help us along the way.’ ‘I should have known. Whatever was in that rubber duck would never be as important as the sugarbowl.’ Violet said. The sugarbowl, of course, was inside Violet’s backpack which she had grabbed just before exiting Burton’s House. ‘You’re right. It’s amazing you managed to hold on to it for so long. I think you broke a record there.’ Desmond said. ‘Tell me about it.’ Violet said in return. The group resumed their walk towards the end of the alleyway. ‘There.’ Desmond said, after a while. A wall was on the opposite end of the alleyway, covered in ivy so thick it was hard to distinguish the door that was there, unless examined from up close. Again, Violet made use of the croquet mallet – which had the drawing of a cricked on both sides – to break open the padlock. Pushing the door, the group of volunteers arrived at a large place, under a light pole. A truck rested under the light pole, with the engine running. ‘She’s here already.’ Desmond said with a smile. Approaching the truck, the Baudelaires had no idea who was behind the wheel of the truck, but when Klaus opened the door – because Desmond had his hands busy what with carrying Cindry – they were truly and completely surprised to see a woman they had seen not long ago. Yet this time, she was barely recognizable, without a doctor’s white jacket. Her auburn hair was soft and healthy now, and the dark circles around her eyes, gone. She wore light make-up which enhanced her beauty, and sophisticate, expensive dark glasses. Removing them, she eyed the Baudelaires and smiled. ‘Long time no see, Baudelaires.’ Said Audrey Addams. Saying nothing else, she got out of the truck and hugged them. For some reason, the Baudelaire orphans started to cry after being reunited with a true friend, which they truly felt as if they hadn’t seen her in the longest time.
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Post by Dante on Apr 30, 2011 16:01:09 GMT -5
Oh Baudelaires. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt they're about to learn everything. It's only Book the Ninth! In canon we had to wait thirteen books to not learn everything. I guess technically the Baudelaires are in Book the Twenty-Second by now, though. You could throw them a bone.
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Post by Christmas Chief on Apr 30, 2011 16:46:12 GMT -5
Tiago, these chapters have defined "exciting." I'm skeptical about what the Baudelaires are going to learn as well, however. While the prospect is tempting, it seems too much to hope for; but perhaps another thread will be tied to the string of clues made throughout YASOUE.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on May 1, 2011 11:10:32 GMT -5
I'm not sure what it is, exactly, but there's just something totally awesome about Violet wielding a croquet mallet. You definitely need to do a drawing of that, someday. *laughs* She actually made me think of Amy from Sonic: the Fighters. XD
And Dr. Aundrey Addams has returned! OMG! I love her! And I love YOU for bringing back one of my favorite characters from my favorite volume of YASoUE! I look forward to hearing the story of what she's done since resigning from her position at Addams Asylum. Hmm...I wonder how she will react, and how Natalie and Nathan will react, when they reunite?
Reason for Editing: Misspelled a word.
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Post by Hermes on May 1, 2011 11:16:53 GMT -5
Oh gosh! Audrey Addams - I wasn't expecting her at all.
I'm not sure I like Desmond - he seems a bit ruthless: too much given to fighting fire with fire. Well, we will see.
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on May 2, 2011 16:18:44 GMT -5
Chapter Thirteen There is something relaxing about being inside the safety of a vehicle, be it a car, an airplane or a tricycle. For Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice Baudelaire, the feeling they had while in the back of Audrey Addams’ truck was the most comforting indeed. Not only had they just escaped Burton’s Bazaar unscathed – word which here means ‘without a scratch’ – , but their friend, Cindry Fulfillment, had now been reunited with her father, Desmond Fulfillment, who held her tightly in the front seat of the truck while Audrey drove. Turning their heads, the Baudelaires saw a column of rising black smoke from in between the buildings, probably coming from the alleys that comprised Burton’s Bazaar. They had escaped unscathed, but they could not say the same about any of the salespeople that worked in the Bazaar, the customers, or the Burtons. Violet, most of all, feared for Augusten, who had quite grown on her – an expression which here means ‘captivated her’ – since they first met. ‘I’m worried about them.’ Violet voiced her concern inside the truck, breaking the silence. ‘We all are, Violet.’ Desmond Fulfillment answered. ‘I know it’s not easy. But trust me, Augusten and Helena Burton are very resourceful. They’ll find their way out soon enough. We haven’t seen the last of them.’ Of course, Desmond did not know, but had seen the last of one of the Burtons. The Burton in question was alive at that very moment, but I’m afraid that their demise was in close proximity in the chain of events. ‘Audrey…You didn’t tell us what happened to you after we parted in the forest.’ Klaus said, curious about what had happened to Dr. Audrey Addams since then. The last time they had seen each other, Audrey had left the Baudelaires in the Ophelian forest, telling them to seek the assistance of Olive Oakley, Audrey’s friend, who had too, unfortunately enough, met her demise – or so it seemed. ‘After I left you in the forest, and I wished many times I hadn’t done so, I went to the train station and traveled here, to the city. I didn’t know where to go, so I went to Requiem Café. There, I met Desmond, and told him what had happened. We already knew each other but I didn’t know Desmond was in the city at the time, so it was a godsend.’ Audrey said, while stirring the wheel and turning the truck around a corner. It had started to rain outside. ‘Desmond had just been with the Oakley brothers. They had left for Ophelia after Desmond warned them about Esmé Squalor’s trip there.’ ‘Since then, Desmond and I have worked together with the Burtons to try and stop Esmé Squalor and her cohorts when she came, but we failed, at least in part. Now, Augusten and Helena are in danger, and we can do nothing but hope their resourcefulness can get them out of trouble, like it has done before. This is not the first attack to the Bazaar, mind you.’ ‘Yes. Esmé did say she wanted to end the Bazaar for the longest time, but never had the time or the resources.’ Violet said in agreement. ‘But where are we going next?’ Desmond turned his head and smiled at Violet. ‘Violet, don’t you remember? We’re headed for Thriller Park. We are to remain in hiding there until we can figure out our next step.’ And turning around another corner, the truck they were in had found it’s way to the top of a tall hill, the buildings on either side eclipsing the light from the sky. In the distance, below, a mass of trees was visible, the leaves all red, brown and orange, for it was autumn. ‘We’re almost there.’ Audrey said. ‘Where…’ A soft, weakened voice was heard in the inside of the truck. ‘Cindry!’ Desmond said, quite loud, surprised to see Cindry’s eyes open. ‘Where am I?’ Cindry asked, as if awakening from a long slumber. ‘You’re with dad, Cindry. We’re going home. Do you hear me? We’re going home, my little girl!’ Desmond did not hide his tears, as he hugged Cindry. ‘Dad…What happened? Klaus!’ Cindry shouted in surprise, when she saw Klaus and his sisters in the back seat. ‘The last I saw you, I was… I don’t remember…’ Cindry said. ‘I was afraid I’d hit her too hard, Audrey.’ Desmond said. ‘I wish you didn’t have to. I could have treated her back to normal, but my father was of the old school. A blow to the head does the trick sometimes. I am not fond of that method, but if it worked, I’m glad.’ Audrey said. ‘Cindry, you were brainwashed by Esmé Squalor, and you were following her around. You’re safe now.’ Desmond said. ‘Brainwashed?! That’s horrific.’ Cindry said. ‘Do you remember anything?’ Klaus asked. ‘She might have residual memories of her period where she was being controlled. But those memories will only come back with time, if at all.’ Audrey said. ‘Still, if she learned anything, and it’s in her subconscious…If it resurfaces, we could be looking at top secret information from the other side.’ ‘You’re right. But for now, let’s just let Cindry rest. We’re almost at the park.’ Desmond said, hugging Cindry again. Upon seeing Klaus’ face, in the back seat, Cindry smiled, and extended her hand. Klaus extended his and their hands touched. Cindry was back. And for the first time, the Baudelaires truly felt they had succeeded in something. And as they headed with their volunteer friends towards the mass of trees of the park in the distance, the Baudelaires felt more comforted than ever.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on May 2, 2011 16:47:19 GMT -5
Wow! What a splendid ending, and how heartwarming at that. You know, just before I read the part about the Baudelaires feeling as though they'd at last accomplished something, I was thinking "This is the first time in ASoUE and YASoUE that their story has ended on a happy note." Or, as happy a note as can be expected, what with the dangers that Augusten, Helena, and their associates are currently facing. I dread learning which Burton perishes. But finally - FINALLY! - Klaus and Cindry have had a proper reunion! As Jenny would say, good times! Also, I don't know what it is, but there is something very funny about the idea of Dr. Audrey driving a truck. XD Then again, I did consume a fair bit of alcohol today, so perhaps my mood is a bit more silly than usual. Oh, and I very much enjoyed Audrey's psychology speak. And I see you've already got the thread for The Perilous Park all set up. *throws review at you and runs off to check out the next intriguing installment of Yet Another Series of Unfortunate Events*
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on May 2, 2011 16:49:35 GMT -5
Thank you Emmz! I'm glad you found the ending satisfactory. I have to say this is the one book in YASoUE I'm least satisfied with from a self-criticizing point of view, but I'm happy to have finished, and happy to know that you and the others enjoyed it nevertheless. ^^
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Post by Tiago James Squalor on May 2, 2011 16:51:27 GMT -5
EXTRA If you have read The Barbarous Bazaar, I hereby grant you the title of
Sinister Salesperson
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Post by Hermes on May 2, 2011 17:14:42 GMT -5
Well, an excellent conclusion to the story. I. too, am glad that K and C have been reunited; though the burning Bazaar is disturbing - it reminds me a bit of the end of TPP. (On the other hand, their being in a vehicle with good guys is more like the beginning of TPP. I think, Emma, that the end of TGG was quite hopeful, though that didn't last.)
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