Rose: Be the bearer of bad news

[fluthlu]

[Late Monday afternoon, just before dinnertime, a simple message appears in the journal in neat, purple cursive. It’s unsigned, but clearly recognizable to any who know her.]

I regret to inform you that John Egbert has left Paradisa.

[She doesn’t write that he was sent home. She doesn’t even dare think in those terms, because she knows that there is no home for any of them, not now and not anytime soon. The castle has sent him back to a lonely battleship, as far from home as he could possibly be. And that pains her almost as much as the fact that, after two long years with him, the most important person in her life has left.

The next messages are written in the same level script:]

[Filtered to Aradia Megido:]

If it isn't too much of a hassle, I think I would like to take you up on what we briefly spoke of before, and come stay at the outpost for a bit. Personal reasons.

Thank you.

- Rose

[Filtered to Dave Strider and Jade Harley:]

I feel I should let you know that I’ll be moving out of the castle shortly, to live with Aradia at her outpost if possible. I will still be reachable by journal, of course, and you can visit using the transportalizer that has been set up. For quite some time I've felt the need for a change of scenery, and at this moment more than ever. I hope to see both of you soon.

- Rose

[For several hours after this entry, Rose can be found up on the rooftop, perched on her velvet pillow with a half-emptied wine glass in one hand and the other absentmindedly petting a rabbit, of all things. As the night's gone on, her mood has morphed from devastated to pensive. Any interruptions, welcome or otherwise, would be best received in this window of relative calm. She will almost certainly not bite.]

Comments

rose

[psych0p0mps]

oh noooo that really sucks :(
hadnt he been here the longest of any of us

but yes you are more than welcome to stay at the outpost
you may find it a bit deserted at the moment as i am on expedition
and i didnt have a chance to get the power hooked back up before i left

Aradia

[fluthlu]

Two and a half years, if not more.
It does, indeed, suck quite a bit.

Ah, that is quite alright.
It is not an urgent matter, and can certainly wait.
... I've been considering it quite seriously since we last spoke.

rose

[psych0p0mps]

well i sure wouldnt turn away the company
and im sure ruu would be happy with it too
i will try and get the place back up and running as soon as i return :)

Aradia

[fluthlu]

Thank you, Aradia.
I greatly appreciate this.
Just let me know when you're prepared.

rose

[psych0p0mps]

ok! and no problem

Aradia

[fluthlu]

[ :D ]

Are you enjoying the expedition so far?

[psych0p0mps]

yes quite!
we stopped at paradisa town a couple days ago
its actually pretty nice

rose lalonde

[nukeoleptic]

[ Jade's print - in bright green - is likely just as recognizable as Rose's own. ]


rose?
where are you now?

Jade Harley

[fluthlu]

I'm on the roof.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She doesn't write a response. She will, however, soon be phasing right through the roof, seeking Rose out. ]

Hi.

[fluthlu]

[Rose looks over at her, just a tad alarmed by the sudden voice. But her alarm fades into a small, drawn smile.]

Hello.

[nukeoleptic]

So John is really gone? You're sure?

[ She moves to seat herself next to Rose, folding her knees up in front of her as she does. ]

[fluthlu]

[Rose slides off of the pillow, moving it to the side along with the glass, then gives a grave nod.]

I'm certain. There's only one reason the castle ever removes a nameplate.

[nukeoleptic]

[ She is not oblivious to the wine, but she won't acknowledge it just yet. ]

Maybe it'll send us back next.

Filtered to Rose

[cyan_maid]

[That's...

Jane didn't expect to read that in the journal today.

If she were in the castle, she'd probably run up to John's old room to check if this was true, but she's out and about on the expedition. To hear that he's left...it hurts.]

Is he really gone?

Jane

[fluthlu]

Yes, unfortunately.

[A pause. She knows that Jane still doesn't belief all of the blood-relative stuff, but she feels sad for her nonetheless.]

I'm sorry.

Rose

[cyan_maid]

[She doesn't, but...there's definitely a sort of kinship there. What with the game, and all the crap it puts people through.]

Are you...going to be alright?

Jane

[fluthlu]

I'm fine.
Just a bit caught off guard, is all.
Each of us leaves eventually.

Rose

[cyan_maid]

Right.
Of course.
That doesn't make it smart any less for the rest of us.

Jane

[fluthlu]

... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound as though I was invalidating your feelings.
I suppose that I am taking this a bit hard.
John is immensely dear to me.

Filtered text to Rose Lalonde

[onlythefishiest]

I know we )(aven't spoken muc)(, and I )(ave never spoken to Jo)(n at all, but I am sorry to )(ear t)(at! I am sure you will miss )(im a lot! 38(

If you want to talk I will try my best to be a friend like my past self was!

Feferi

[fluthlu]

Thank you very much, Feferi.
That's very kind of you to say.
I'm not sure what else can be said, but I do appreciate the offer.

[text]

[shenunigans]

i got a pokemon

[Saying nothing and everything at once there, Dave.]

[fluthlu]

I got a bunny.
And no, I am not looking to trade.

[shenunigans]

who the fuck said anything about about trading
i have a pokemon
10 year old me is so psyched right now

[And present you is shitty and bitter, what's new?]