( o51 )

[gevurah]

[ tobias | private ]

[ She takes a deep breath, then exhales slowly. ]

Hey, kid.

Been a long time since we spoke, but it’s better this way. I’m not going to beat around the bush; being here was never good for you... or any of the other kids. I think Charlie might have disagreed with me, but I don’t care. This place did a number on you, Tobias. [ A weak laugh. ] Still, you were one hell of a fighter. The things you went through and you still –

Like my father taught me. We soldier on, Tobias.

... I really do miss you. Didn’t think I could learn a lot from a kid, honestly. You made a mistake, yet you made up for it. You reminded me that people can change if they want to. Heh, I wish you could have shown the others here that.

But I am sorry I failed you, Tobias. Not just you... all the other kids. I swore that I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. I’ve been beating myself up on that for too long, though. Then I think about how you would tell me it wasn’t my fault and... [ Christ, where is she going with this? ] You were able to move past your mistakes. So, I’ll do the same. No more kicking my ass about this, okay?

God, I hope you’re doing alright wherever you are. Paris, your home... just be safe, Tobias. You and Rachel.


[ While strumming her guitar in the music room, Kate’s left the journal open as usual to listen in on whatever’s going on today. After a while, she decides to speak up herself: ]

A library that stocks up on new material every month, yet with people from countless worlds, I never have much luck finding books that tell me about these other places. A lot of the myths I’ve read about I’m familiar with already from my own world – the red string of fate, Castor and Pollux, golems, et cetera.

In the past several months, Paradisa’s been trying to be more open-minded about holidays. Haven’t seen much diversity in its library, unless it’s working on that.

Comments

Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

...have you asked it?

[Not his usual menacing self today. Possibly because he's discovered for himself just what the castle will cough up if prodded.]

dictated

[gevurah]

[ Any strumming of the guitar stops when she hears this voice. ]

The castle?

dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

The library is a part of it.

[This makes sense. He's sure of it.]

dictated

[gevurah]

[ A beat. ]

I don't really make it a habit of talking to buildings.

Dictated forever

[mal_addict]

I'll only be impressed with Paradisa's efforts if the Soul Cake Duck or the Hogfather show up.

[gevurah]

Soul Cake Duck?

[mal_addict]

Yes.

It's a duck.

That lays eggs.

[:3]

[gevurah]

Ducks normally do that, Mal.

Kate

[gottaknockhard]

[With the way he's eavesdropping, you'd think he cares about a library he's been in once (and then didn't pick up a single book) -- but apparently he has his reasons.]

You can't have everything.

Spike

[gevurah]

[ A snort. SHE KNOWS YOU'RE WATCHING. ]

Funny, I thought that was in Paradisa's package.

Kate

[gottaknockhard]

One reason never to trust the advertising.

Spike

[gevurah]

The FTC would have a field day here.

what if i just spammed you, also dictated

[ex_avenged224]

It could be that some places do not have their legends written into books.

♥

[gevurah]

Oral tradition was fairly common. Probably still is in other worlds.

[ A pause. ]

Yours?

[ex_avenged224]

[A slight smile is evident in her voice.]

No. We have books. [beat] Some of the races may not, though. I cannot imagine trolls having much in the way of literature.

[gevurah]

[ Trolls... ]

They aren't as civilized in your world?

dictated

[hellshaped]

I found a couple books in there about Aselia. But you're right, it's mostly Earth stuff.

♥♥

[gevurah]

Aselia?

Wonder what Paradisa's got against non-Earth material.

[hellshaped]

Aselia -- I never heard of it before, either. One of the residents is from there; I guess it's a different planet with elves and things like that. [not that Earth doesn't have elves, but they're different ...]

I heard some people theorize the castle might just go along with what the majority is.

let's switch it up with some action!!

[samson]

[LOOK IT'S BROCK he's coming into the music room with a bass guitar case, check that out ......]

Oh, hey. I didn't know you played ...

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HEARTS EVERYWHERE

[gevurah]

[ She looks up from her acoustic and drums her fingers against the surface with a tiny smile. ]

I even teach a couple of people here.

AWWW YEEEE

[samson]

Ha. I didn't think you'd have the patience for that.

Sometimes I teach Judo to some kids here and I can barely take it ...

dictated

[adorbs]

What's Castor and Pollux about?

dictated

[gevurah]

They were twin brothers.

dictated

[adorbs]

[hmmm] Is it a good story?