Journal the Sixth

[theabjectauthor]

Jane, I would filter to you, but it seems to be of very little use, so I shall instead apologize for any lack of tact, and ask if you would care to meet me in the lobby for a walk and leave your journal behind.

[he has a feeling she might need the company of someone who will not judge her for the shape of her baked goods or whether or not she is related to people. he only heard some of it, and it was all very confusing, but one does not need to comprehend a situation to understand how distressing it must be for someone else.]


As for the rest of you, since I am quite certain you can all hear me? I have a few words of advice:

Learn to speak in code.

I would be willing to give pointers for anyone particularly interested - or there are several useful books on the subject in the library. You would find them on the second floor, in the east wing, under the Dewey Decimal heading 416 - which is, for some reason, in our library, next to several books on the subject of basejumping.

I wish you the best of luck in safeguarding your secrets - unless, of course, they are being kept for nefarious reasons, in which case, sir or madam, shame upon you.

Comments

Dictated to Action?

[cyan_maid]

[Oh Mr. Snicket, it is much more confusing than Jane can even fathom. The fact that you reached out to her at all is some kind of miracle of kindness.]

I-

...I'll be down as soon as I can.

[It takes her some time, but she'll be coming down the stairs into the lobby, looking for you every few steps. She looks exhausted.]

Perfect. :D

[theabjectauthor]

[and he's waiting with his coat on, and two travel thermoses]

Hello, Jane. ... You look exhausted. [he holds out one of the thermoses] I hope that you do not mind tea: this is African honeybush with orange. An acquaintance of mine used to drink it on trying afternoons...

[cyan_maid]

I didn't really sleep much last night. [Embarrassment can do that to a girl.]

I don't mind tea at all. Thank you so much. [She'll take it gratefully and open it to take a look.] It smells nice. Do you mind if I take a sip?

Dictated

[tapshoetomove]

I'd like to hear some pointers!

[Luke's not going to comment on the broken filter thing, but speaking in code? That sounds awesome.]

I mean, if you don't mind, sir.

[theabjectauthor]

Hello, again, Luke. I don't mind at all. But I would hate to be redundant: are there any codes you already know?

[theabjectauthor]

Of course I don't - that thermos is yours. I did, after all, bring two. [it's a pleasant color, almost orange, and smells sweet without being cloying - he thought it appropriate for someone who enjoyed baking]

Written.

[jimfromit]

[Because somebody loves being a smarty pants.]

23-8-5-14 25-15-21 19-1-25 3-15-4-5 4-15 25-15-21 13-5-1-14 12-9-11-5 20-8-9-19?

OOC: He's using this cipher.

[cyan_maid]

I just thought I'd ask. [She smiles a little, and takes a sip.] Mm. Wow, it's really nice.

[She really does appreciate it, she would be much more enthused if she weren't like this.]

[courageous_wit]

Mr. Snicket, it may interest you to know that the current situation we're facing has happened once before.

What are your thoughts on this?

[workaphilic]

[dryly:]

Won't be very good codes if they all use the same books on the subject.

[ensorceler]

You can be quite resourceful.

[theabjectauthor]

[he moves ahead and holds the door open for her] I'm glad you care for it - if you hadn't, I would've gladly waited and let you make something more palatable, though. It seems tea is not only required, but in severe demand, all circumstances considered.

[he'll wait until they've moved outside, and he has shut the door behind them, however, before continuing]

Am I correct in presuming that some of the things that came unwillingly to light were what troubled you upon your return?

[cyan_maid]

[She smiles at what he first says, and quietly thanks him for holding the door open. When they're outside, though, she takes a quick glance around, just to check to see if anyone is around.

A sigh.] You'd presume right, but really, it was only fuel to the fire. It wouldn't have had to be if I'd only...

[Jane fiddles with her tea. It's like the words are caught in her throat.]

[legacydeck]

People are far too quick to trust secrets to paper, I find. Particularly given that nobody here knows how the spell protecting their words works - or doesn't, in this instance.

[theabjectauthor]

["if only"... two little words he knows too well, and is full aware of the pain they can carry].... It does not matter what you could have done, and to say that you regret is enough. I do not require the details if you cannot bear to speak them. .... Is the damage wholly irreparable?

[theabjectauthor]

Foremost, distress. .... How long ago did it occur?

[theabjectauthor]

I am glad that you think so.... It was part of my training, after all.

[theabjectauthor]

Spell or no, extra layers of code are often a safe practice. I use them quite frequently with sensitive messages, myself.

[courageous_wit]

It was years ago. I wasn't here when it happened.

[cyan_maid]

[She looks up suddenly.] But I want to try and explain them! I want to try and explain everything. That's what's wrong. I've been keeping secrets from people who deserve to hear them.

[And then her head dips back down.] I...don't think it's irreparable. It might be on the road to recovery. At least, I hope so. I couldn't bear to lose a friend here.

[ensorceler]

Training...? For what sort of craft?

[legacydeck]

It's fairly typical practice among mages - usually each mage will create their own cipher for their notes, as well as their own encryption spells.

Sorry this took so long, I love this so much though <3

[theabjectauthor]

20-8-1-20 9-19 16-18-5-3-9-19-5-12-25 23-8-1-20 9 13-5-1-14, 19-9-18. 23-5-12-12 19-1-9-4. 1-18-5 25-15-21 1 19-20-21-4-5-14-20 15-6 3-9-16-8-5-18-19, 20-8-3-14?

[theabjectauthor]

I suspect the records would be in those older journals that you told me about after my arrival, then?

[theabjectauthor]

Oh, all sorts. I went to a private school which [trained people to be polite and well read and vaguely talented in a ridiculous variety of skills so that they could help uphold politeness and general Decency] specialized in extensive cross-education.