So, you're dead. Shame, that.
But on the other hand, it's actually kind of nice.
When you "wake" in some odd version of it, you'll find yourself lying on a rather plush bed. It's cozy and warm and just soft enough to tempt anyone back into sleep. The room is equally nice, if small, and when you turn and open the curtains to look out the window, you will see... wait, is that the town?
It is, actually. The town is laid out quite simply across the window and no matter how many times you may bang or wave through the window, no one seems to notice you. If you're smart enough to give up the venture and leave the small bedroom, you will notice that, of course, you are on the train.
The train that, is actually pretty fancy.
Moving through it, past the sleeping cabins and through to the main carts, you will find a dining car with fine dishware and meals of all kinds made at a push of a button or a request given to the air. They'll appear, freshly made and ready to eat at the table of your choice with any drink you could want. There truly doesn't seem to be any limits when it comes to the luxury of the meal.
There is also a bathhouse car with private bathrooms and saunas to fit up to four. Even one rather large room containing a small pool/hot tub of sorts is available for just about anyone to take a dip. It's kind of outlandish, honestly.
Then the lounge car, with its library and plush armchairs and couches. A pool table, a darts board, even a small area dedicated to painting. There's a bar too, fully stocked and ready for anyone who needs a drink. All it would require is a request from the bartender who... looks surprisingly familiar?
The Sheriff is there, much cleaner cut than his counterpart outside of the train. He looks up mildly at any arrivals, giving them a nod of greeting before going back to organizing bottles or setting cigars out for a smoke. He doesn't seem to be surprised at all by anyone who appears. Just... ready to serve them, whatever they may wish.
It all sort of seems okay for a moment, until you realize you're just here to wait for the game to end. Awkward. |
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sheriffexe) wrote2017-01-13 11:14 am
WEEK SIX
HANNIBAL LECTER
Est-ce que tu souviens ce m'as demandé? Ils sont mort.
Veuillez agréer, Docteur Lecter, l'expression de ma considération distinguée,
Chane Laforet.
[ It seems she never got out of the habit of signing letters with her maiden name. ]
----
Translation: I am dead (for the most part), but I continue to guard your secrets. I hope you will guard mine.
Do you remember what you asked me? They are dead.
I hope you accept my distinguished greetings*,
Chane Laforet.
(*basically "sincerely".)
ASH
I spent lots and lots of time thinking about what to say in this letter, but it's okay! The jerkface who sniped me is here now, so I can handle things on my own. Thanks for nothing!
I really hope you die soon, so this can really be less boring around here But even if you don't, I guess it wouldn't be so bad if you were the winner. So don't screw it up!
XOXO,
Nui ♡
PS. Saw you kiss the emo kid. Totes hot.
WILL GRAHAM
Thank you.
ZACHARIAS BARNHAM
There is little I can say that will explain myself, so I will not bother wasting my words.
When I told you to give up, it was because of this. You are a good man with an inclusive heart. For that reason, it will be broken again and again. I suspect you have some idea of what I mean now, even if you didn't before. No one is blameless and there are things you brought upon yourself, knowingly and despite my advice.
You will die a shell of yourself. That is not what I wanted, even if it appears that I had a hand in it. Though I did once, I no longer believe in your ability to win this game.
I hope I am wrong.
Be well,
Chane Laforet
[ The last two words, her birth name, are signed with an artistic flourish that's clear habit. ]
SHINNOSUKE
I'm not much of a letter guy, but I felt like writing to you. You're a real weirdo, you know that? But I don't mean that in a bad way. Actually, I don't even think you're a bad person. But seriously, have you ever cried? You're still just a kid, so you can do that.
Anyway, thanks for all those times we talked. You made my time in jail a little less boring.
Oh yeah, I guess you can't read any of this. Sorry about that. Well, maybe I'll tell you in person. After all, no one escapes the Rail Tracer. I could already be standing behind you.
~"Sherlock"
XION
I told Chane that you miss her and she made that cute face like she always does. I hope you miss me, too. It's nice to be thought of like that. Anyway, thanks for talking to me on Friday even though I scared you. You said some things I needed to hear.
I think you're good at that, giving others hope in a place like this. It's why they want to protect you. I think a few of them see hope in themselves if they protect your innocence, but that's their crap and not yours. Everyone makes their own choices here, don't let them make them for you, too. You have a brain and a heart, and lots of courage to boot! Like those guys from the Wizard of Oz. That's how great you are, you're one person worth three. Cool, right?
Give a "woof" to Pluto for me, too, okay?
Be strong!
~Rail Tracer
MILLA
You're some woman, you know that? Up until now, the only other person who managed to engrave their existence in my heart was Chane, and then you come along and stab me right in it. Seriously, if I wasn't married to Chane, I'd be in love with you. Don't get the wrong idea though, I still love Chane more than anything. You've seen what happens when she's taken away from me. From this point on, the only way I could ever love someone else is if I went back in time and somehow never met Chane at all. I wouldn't like that though. She's perfect for me
Anyway I had to stop writing for a moment to kiss her, but I'm back now. I can't remember what I was saying.
Okay, I've re-read everything from the start so now we're back on track.
What I wanted to say was that you're pretty good with a sword. It's a shame we couldn't fight it out, but that really would have complicated things, so it's better this way. If you still want, we can fight the next time we see each other, but I'm the kind of guy who would bring a gun to a swordfight because while I'm strong, I'm not an idiot. Just letting you know ahead of time.
Are you really gonna name your pet Felix? That's so cool! I hope Chane and I can name a child after you. Not a firstborn, though, that one is reserved for your roommate. She says hi, too!
~Rail Tracer
ASH
Don't "die".
~Rail Tracer
ZACHARIAS BARNHAM
Hey,
Knowing you, you're trying to hold the town together, which is great. Also knowing you, you're trying to hold yourself together, which is probably harder without your favorite lady instructor there to dispense wisdom and motivation and beer and... stuff.
But! I wanted to let you know that I'm fine, apart from the whole dying in your chest thing. But thanks for volunteering for that, seriously. Felix or Rail Tracer or Chane's husband thought it was super romantic-- HA you just sputtered, right??
Anyway, hopefully you don't need me to tell you this, but make sure you sleep. Drink a beer every so often for me. Pet your dog, I hear that's therapeutic. If you make me and Russell worry about you, I'll punch you as hard as I can, and you don't want that.
Speaking of Russell, though-- he had some things he wanted to say to you, but he also wanted my help so we're sharing a letter. Here he is.
[ Russell's part begins with a scribbled out 'I'm sorry'! Who wants to bet Sara told him to cut saying that shit. ]
Thank you for listening to me on Thursday night, Mr. Barnham... You don't have to blame yourself for what happened because I'm happy you decided to support me anyway.
Uhm
I never written a letter to anyone so I don't know what to really say... You've been seeming really sad lately, so please take care of yourself. There are other people... Other than Ms. Sara and I that really like you and need you too, so seeing you sad makes us sad too and I know you're a strong man... So -- like you told me on the first day we met "keep your head up high, and have hope."
I was afraid to die and Ms. Sara told me that means I'm learning how to value myself . . . . . That's a good thing, right?
You're a really strong man, Mr. Barnham, if we ever can -- I really want to learn to have more hope like you, too.
[ At the bottom of the letter, in crayon, Russell drew a picture of Constantine!!! He looks happy! Yes, it definitely looks like a 14 year old drew it, there's an arrow pointing to Constantine and it also says "I'm still kind of afraid of dogs... But can I try petting him if I ever get the chance?" ]
PERCY JACKSON
I haven't run into your lover yet, but I did have a very productive conversation with Russell.
Let's just say that he knows exactly how painful burning flesh can feel and he'll never want to be near fire or gasoline again. He's very sorry.
I hope that makes you feel better. Live well!
~Rail Tracer
PAPIKA
Hey, Papika! I really hope you haven't had to punch Shinnosuke multiple times this week, but if you have...
I'm sorry, I DID say it was a tall order. Do your best and if punching him doesn't work, just sing about friendship or something at him. That'll probably do the trick just as well.
Cheering you on from here,
Sara Valestein.
MILLA MAXWELL
Milla,
When you said 'look after Yuna', I didn't think that meant 'get a two-hour-long lesson on flowers' because I made the mistake on saying something about her bookmarks. I now know way too much about really dark roses and five hundred (or five I GUESS) colors of carnations judging you for life choices and nasty
sorry, nasturshums? Nastershuns? Whatever, I'm sure she gave you the flower lesson too and you can pronounce the damned things a hell of a lot better than I can. Our flowers back home are simple things like lino flowers; they were starting to bloom again before I got dragged here, but don't tell Yuna I really don't know what they represent.
It's funny, the things you miss though...
Anyway, Yuna and I are fine, but maybe shove some flowers in the mailbox next time? She can't pick any here, and she's pouting.
Don't worry-- I'll keep looking after her. You stay strong on your end, too. And make sure to have a drink for me.
Cheers,
Sara Valestein.
NOCTIS
You should really shave or your facial hair might stab Ash if he tries to make out with you again.
Then again, that might be what you're going for, and in that case, an extra layer of defense couldn't hurt.
That aside, no matter what, believe in your friends. Which is cheesy, I know, but I've come to learn it's the one lesson that hasn't let me down yet and I thought I should probably end this letter with SOME teacherly advice.
Besides the first bit. I'll be looking out for you.
Fight on!
Sara Valestein.
PERCY JACKSON
Percy,
did you put a sandwich on my grave yet? I just now figured it'd be kind of a waste so you can go ahead and give it to your beautiful lady.
Your dog, I mean.
We're hanging in there. Keep your head up and don't go two to three days without sleeping or I swear I'll find a way to kick your ass from here. You won't like that, trust me. And I'll tell your girlfriend, too. Sleep! Properly!!
Love,
Sara Valestein.
JASON TODD
There's a lot that I could say about the place where I am now, but It would probably be censored. It isn't so bad, though. I can walk again Now... which is really nice.
It's probably Obvious by now that I can't say that I'm sorry for what I did, nor can I say that I wouldn't do it again. After all, I got exactly what I wanted out of it. Is that callous of me to say? It would probably be more callous to say that having spoken with Mister Keyes now that he has decided to act fully as himself, I Regret it even less, but it's the truth. I think all of you are safer without him on your side.
I am sorry for not being honest with you, though. I should not have let you comfort me when I was only crying because of guilt that I deserved to feel. Please Don't be fooled by the others... I fear there may be more skilled actors than me still left alive.
I'm not certain of what I'll be able to get past the censors, but I'll certainly capitalize on any opportunity I have. Please look after Miss Xion, Mister Percy, and Shinnosuke for me, and do a better job of doing what's best for them than I could have. There may be hard choices that you must make, but you're a strong person, and I'm sure you'll do what's necessary no matter what it Entails.
I truly believe that Miss Xion, Shinnosuke, you, and Mister Percy can figure out a way to free all of us from this game. If you Receive information from us, please share what you receive with them. I hope that they will also share what they receive with you.
I and all of the others on this side will be relying on you.
Seizaburo Kamiya
XION
I've been trying to write this letter since the day of the stampede, and I still don't know where to begin. I know that I'm running out of time, though, so I hope that this is enough.
The first thing I want to say is that I'm so very, very sorry. I didn't want to leave you. If something like that was possible to survive, I would have done everything in my power to do so. You deserve to have people who will support you wherever you are - and now the best I can do is try to support you from here.
The second thing I want to say is that... I'm sorry, again. By now, I'm sure you and EVERYONE else knows that I was a bandit. You were right that you and I both wanted the same thing, but the methods I've employed have left blood on my hands, whether I was the one to pull the trigger or not. In participating in such a thing, I feel as though I have let you down.
You have no reason to listen to a request from me after what I did and how I left you, but please, if possible, do whatever it takes to survive without bathing your own hands in blood until the very end. It would be gratifying to know that it's possible for someone to win this game without taking someone else's life.
To do this, please stick close to the others. I believe that Mister Percy, Mister Jason, and Shinnosuke will be the best support possible for you now, and together, I believe that you, Shinnosuke, Mister Jason, and Mister Percy can capitalize on whatever information you'll able to find to bring an end to this. If you can provide them with any information you receive, you should do so, and I hope that they'll also share what they learn with you.
I hope that we'll see each other again someday. And when that time comes, it is my fervent hope that we can both greet each other with a smile.
Seizaburo Kamiya
PERCY JACKSON (+SHINNOSUKE)
I'm sorry I didn't make it To our training session. Practicing swordplay was always One of my favorite things to do before we were brought here, and I feel like I had a lot to Learn from you. Maybe someday we'll meet again and be able to spar for real.
I can walk again, so if we do meet, I'll be a much better practice partner.
I'm sure you're wondering why I wrote to you out of Everyone I could have chosen. I'll be the first to Admit that although I greatly admired both you and Miss Annabeth, we unfortunately weren't as well-acquainted as I would have hoped. The truth is, I'm still hoping that we can be friends, even if the only way we can talk now is through these letters.
Will it bother you Very much if I keep sending them until the game is over?
Aside from that...
Please do not worry over anyone who's on this side. I know that I can't tell you not to worry about Miss Annabeth, really, but this place is much nicer than I believed it would be, and we aren't suffering. Of course we would all prefer to live and go home, but we'll be alright until the outcome of the game is decided.
And to that End, I should tell you that I believe in you. There will undoubtedly be people on this side who are trying to pass information to you. Should you receive any, I hope you will share it with Shinnosuke, Miss Xion, and Mister Jason. I also hope that they will share anything they learn with you as well and that you will all capitalize on that knowledge. My advice to you would be that if you notice anything strange or out of place, you should pay attention to it... but be careful!
I really do believe that Miss Xion, Shinnosuke, Mister Jason, and you can save us.
We'll be waiting to see all that accomplish. We trust you.
Seizaburo Kamiya
P.S.
If you wouldn't mind it, I'd appreciate it if you could read the next paragraph to Shinnosuke. Please feel free to imitate me as much as you would like, up to and including giving him a little smack if he acts like a jerk. Thank you!
Shinnosuke, you're a real jerk, you know that? Calling Me a moron. I'll admit that running into a stampede was Utterly stupid of me, but did nobody teach you not to Speak ill of The Dead? I would hit you, If I could do that from here. I'll do what you suggested, but only if you promise to be nice and cooperate with Mister Percy, Miss Xion, and Mister Jason, Even if you get the urge to be rude. You could really stand to learn to let people in, you know? Share with them. Let them share with you. I know you don't like other people, but I think Miss Xion, you, Mister Jason, and Mister Percy could be a good team if you capitalize on every resource you have. Write to me again, please. It's nice to see your words, even if I can't hear your voice.
MILLA MAXWELL
If you were here, and we could try out different food together. I get to do that here, but I don't have much of an appetite. Could we see eachother again? Could you come to see me? That's probably quite selfish. But I'd rather be honest in a letter for now.
Whatever you do that you'd go after without fear of what may happen, I'd like to encourage it. You are a strong person.
HANNIBAL LECTER
I hope you're doing well out there. I'm also doing well, where I am.
Your treatment was so effective that it seems my leg has grown back!
(That was a joke. I'm aware that such a thing would normally be impossible, and that the only reason I have it now is because of the whims of whoever is in charge of this game.)
Nevertheless, thank you for the time you spent trying to help me. There's no denying that you saved my life, and you've saved many others, as well. I'm sorry that my own stupidity ended up getting me killed despite what you did to save me before, but perhaps this was how things were meant to be. I've been told for years that my recklessness will be the death of me, after all - those who told me so here were hardly the first.
Sometimes there is no fighting fate, no matter how hard we struggle against it.
...that being said, you are a man of many talents, some of which are known only to yourself (and to your soulmate, I'm sure. Say hello to him for me!). In a situation as dire as this, I can't help but think it is imperative that you make use of all of your talents. Those who remain on your side are counting on you, as are we on the other side.
Thank you for the work that you did, the encouragement you gave me, and the things that you did not say although you could have. I'll write to you again next week, if you would like that.
富永 セイ
ZACHARIAS BARNHAM
I suppose I owe you an explanation.
When I said that I fell asleep near the baths by accident, that was a lie. In truth, I stayed there on purpose, hoping that someone would see me so that they would back up my alibi. That someone was you, and though you said what you believed to be true, my dishonesty forced you to support a liar.
Worse than that, you even comforted me when I was overcome by my own guilt. I might even have confessed if not for you... Mister Auditore might still be alive, if so. I used you not once but twice.
I know you've no reason to believe me when it is common knowledge by now that I helped commit a murder, but I swear, I did it because I wanted to save everyone. In this, I believe we can find some common ground. I would like to help you, no matter how little it is I can do from this side.
If this is acceptable, and if you do not mind if I write to you again, please let me know.
I'd still like to visit Labyrinthia someday.
Seizaburo Kamiya
XION
DAMIAN
Robin,
You can't be sorry, because it's not your fault. I have to let you know that first! Thank you for writing me a letter, I'm really happy you did! I love the flowers you drew! But you said you were sorry even though you didn't do anything wrong. I can't let you regret the choice that I made. Lots of people told me sorry but I'm telling them all the same thing: even knowing everything I do now, the only thing I'd want to change is that I'd fight harder. I wouldn't undo any of it. That's why I won't let you apologize.
Thank you for checking the Hero Club box! I'm really sad I can't do it myself, but I'm really lucky to have you as part of the club to make up for it for me!
I know you've been working really, really hard. I'm so proud of you! It's really hard to stay this strong for this long. Everything about the way this place and this game was made has been working hard against you, but you've been working harder! It's amazing! Even though things are still tough, we're doing much better than we would be without you. When I think about how tough you've been and how lucky I am to have you in the Hero Club, I feel stronger, too.
Remember: if you're troubled, talk to someone! There are lots of people who want to help you. That means me, too! I'll do the best I can from here, too. You can't do it on your own, because we're all stronger together!
I'm glad you like the bookmark! I hope it's useful. Even though I'm pretty comfortable here, there aren't any flowers, so it's a little sad. Could you put some in the mailbox if you get the chance? You know what my favorite is, but right now, I think I'd like to see nasturtium again. They're really cute! The colors match a red spider lily's but they don't really look alike at all, but I think that just means you can make some really fun bouquets with them! I'd like to see one of those, too!
You're doing so well. I know we'll see each other again!
I love you!
Yuna
JASON TODD
Jason,
The first thing I have to do in this letter is officially take away your right to call yourself a bad friend, or anything like that! You aren't even allowed to think it, because it's just not true! Milla was right. There wasn't anything that could've been done to keep me from staying outside to protect Russell, because a person who calls themselves a hero can't just accept a fate like that without fighting against it. That's why the only thing I regret is that I didn't fight harder, even knowing what I do now. You can't be sorry because you didn't do anything wrong. It was my choice, and I'd make it again. I'm so, so happy you and Milla are safe.
You know, I was really, really happy when you agreed to join Milla and me on our sleepover. I told you, I always knew I could depend on you, but it's not like I ever would have blamed you for not wanting to put yourself in danger. I was really happy that you wanted to keep us all safe, too, and that I got to spend time with you! It was really brave of you to join us. I'm glad you did.
I'm so happy you like the bookmark! I've been thinking about how you said you'd want to see one of the bookmarks I made when we first met ever since I started pressing flowers, so I worked really hard on it. It means a lot to me that you're using it!
Things are really cozy here, but my only complaint is that there aren't any flowers. If you have time to go to the farm, will you get some to put in my mailbox? Everyone here got their bookmarks, too, so maybe I'll get the flowers! There's a project I want to do but I'm going to need poppies in yellow and camellias in red. Cut the stems diagonally with some scissors. I'd be happy with anything you'd pick for me, though!
I know we'll see each other again! In the meantime, when I think about how nice you've been to me and how lucky I've been to have you as a friend, I feel really strong. That's why, despite what happened, I don't feel like I'm going to despair or lose hope. I know I keep saying this, but I'm really happy to know you. I wish I knew some better words, but happy is all I've got.
Hero Club tenet: try not to give up. Do your best! I hope your head feels better soon. I love you!
Yuna
no subject
However, I'm unable to agree with what you and your friends are hoping for. I can't even apologize, or ask your forgiveness for it. Not that I agree with this game anymore. In fact, I might as well say I hate it, and that even here, we must wait for it to end the way it was meant to. Why must it be this way? Why?
Being here for so long gives me a lot of time to think. If I weren't picked as a Bandit, I wouldn't live long, I'm sure. But then, I wouldn't have played. I don't need this reward I was promised. I wouldn't want to lose Imanotsurugi or Hizamaru in my life, but if I did, that's something I should just bear with, keeping up a smile until I could see them again.
I hope it wouldn't be long.
MILLA MAXWELL
SHINNOSUKE
XION
PERCY JACKSON
NOCTIS