"I doubt the language on the controls matters much. Have you considered skipping labels altogether?" In the Baron's experience, advanced tech tended toward the whole 'form follows function' philosophy, and, the language on labels seemed a very minor point. He was of the opinion that much of the Earth tech he encountered had ridiculous controls- excessive buttons and labels everywhere, where a few well-positioned buttons with intuitive multiple functions might have served just as well. "I would like a demonstration very much. Mopsy!" The house-elf jumped to attention immediately. "Have this modified iPad device fetched for the Master."
Although Mospy was indeed cowed, that the Baron treated her slightly different that house-elves that were not personally assigned to him was clearly evident. The dish towel she wore was red, trimmed with gold on the edges, and, like many a slave who'd found themselves in a position which seemed slightly elevated over the rest, it had gone to her head a bit where the other house-elves were concerned. Vladimir had of course counted on this in his treatment of Mopsy- it meant he only ever had to explain anything to one house-elf, ensuring efficiency whenever her brethren were required on a task. It also ensured that she'd be liable to perform to the best of her abilities, knowing that she could easily have her fancy little towel swapped for a dingy old brown one at any moment- while finding herself beneath a house-elf that she may well have recently bullied. Or, perhaps she'd find herself a subject for Valentine's little chemical experiments. In any case, the manipulation of social order was often a better tool for keeping slaves in line than the whip, especially for a house slave. There was little point to bothering with anything other than the whip where pit slaves were involved- expandability was the whole point, there. That Mopsy's training had been extremely effective was swiftly proven, as she utilized her house-elf magic to port in a somewhat confused, and far-more-cowed house elf, who seemed nearly as terrified of her as she was of the Baron- needless to say, the elf did not linger to ask questions upon receiving his orders.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-12-31 11:24 pm (UTC)Although Mospy was indeed cowed, that the Baron treated her slightly different that house-elves that were not personally assigned to him was clearly evident. The dish towel she wore was red, trimmed with gold on the edges, and, like many a slave who'd found themselves in a position which seemed slightly elevated over the rest, it had gone to her head a bit where the other house-elves were concerned. Vladimir had of course counted on this in his treatment of Mopsy- it meant he only ever had to explain anything to one house-elf, ensuring efficiency whenever her brethren were required on a task. It also ensured that she'd be liable to perform to the best of her abilities, knowing that she could easily have her fancy little towel swapped for a dingy old brown one at any moment- while finding herself beneath a house-elf that she may well have recently bullied. Or, perhaps she'd find herself a subject for Valentine's little chemical experiments. In any case, the manipulation of social order was often a better tool for keeping slaves in line than the whip, especially for a house slave. There was little point to bothering with anything other than the whip where pit slaves were involved- expandability was the whole point, there. That Mopsy's training had been extremely effective was swiftly proven, as she utilized her house-elf magic to port in a somewhat confused, and far-more-cowed house elf, who seemed nearly as terrified of her as she was of the Baron- needless to say, the elf did not linger to ask questions upon receiving his orders.