XXXII.

[hellshaped]

There are a lot of people leaving right now. And a lot of stuff happening all at once. It seems like it's one thing after the other. Like maybe the castle's getting desperate about something. Or for something.

That other castle we found out in the Dead Zone ... the notes they left. The castle suddenly started breaking down and its magic stopped working. But what happened before that? Were there any warning signs? They seemed to like their castle. Maybe that one fed on positive emotions... and maybe it kept throwing good things at them in desperation.

We seem to have the opposite problem.

[He's still reeling from that nightmare poison thing in October...]

How long do you think it'll be until something else awful happens?'

[Speaking of that thing in October. He hesitates for a long time because he doesn't really want to do this, but it's probably better than leaving it alone.]

( Filtered to Sayaka, Lucrezia, Jo, and Amaterasu. )

[And then he's going to make a new filter immediately to get his mind off that one, yeah!!!]

( Molotov Cocktease )

quarante-et-un ° written

[signedlefthanded]

A very festive day.

Most seem to be talking about Thanksgiving. There are other holidays coming up as well. Hanukkah less than a month away, too. You see, last year was enjoyable. Everyone seemed to get into the spirit. Celebrating holidays, any holiday, seem to go over well here. I was just wondering this year if there are any plans?

I'd like to biuld a manorah this year. Perhaps invite some over to light it.

Just an idea.

ooc: the code isn't actually bolded. it flows with the rest of the message, but every thirteenth word reveals a question to a certain someone.

[Dictated]

[deductiongeek]

Oh? I guess it has been a long time since I used this. Is everyone doing okay?

[The voice coming from the journal today is cheerful and innocent. All of this is a lie, Conan had been avoiding the journals recently because there were quite a few people he didn't want to talk to.

Not that that had helped much. One of the drawbacks of living in a contained are. Even one as large as the castle was. It was very difficult to avoid someone for long.]

But I do have a question! What is everyone's favorite mystery author? I've been reading Doyle and Christie and Poe a lot recently. I-

[And his comment is suddenly interrupted by a loud garbled screeching at several different tones at once, almost like the feedback into a mike.  But in dozens of different voices at once.]

In which the princess Cimorene discovers that she is no longer within the Mountains of Morning

[chiefcookandlibrarian]

 Oh, bother.

[From the journal comes the sound of an irritated sigh.]

This is clearly a magical castle. Another one, I should say.   And considering I don't remember leaving the cave?  I suppose I've been carried off.

No one is going to lock me in a tower, right? Or expect me to prick my finger on a spindle or eat a poisoned apple?   It might be traditional, but I've always thought that they sounded like very boring kinds of adventures.  

Besides, I don't have the time for such things.  I was supposed to be making cherries jubilee for a party of six dragons tonight, and I'm already behind schedule.

Now, can anyone tell me how far I am from the Mountains of Morning?

19

[heal_theworld]

[Martel wasn't exactly worried about Seles, but she still didn't want to leave her alone for a long time in the castle. Because Zelos would most assuredly have something to say about that and people can get into all sorts of trouble in the castle while exploring. And Seles seems like the exploring type. She'd hate for her to get lost somewhere or in trouble. She was supposed to watch out for her and help her get in trouble. So, sitting in the lobby with a reading book and a cup of tea, she filters to Seles.]

( Filtered to Seles )

[She sets her journal aside, and goes back to reading her romance novel book.]