Quest 095
[Private//Hackable by Friends]
Dear Daddy,
I know this letter isn't going to reach you anytime soon, and perhaps never at all, so perhaps it's a bit silly that I'm writing to you. But I suppose I'm allowed to be a bit silly every once in a while, and perhaps it's just old habit, writing letters to keep correspondence with visitors that have recently left. I'll write more often once I find a way to get these letters to Daventry, I promise, but for now, this will have to do, I think.
I've always known that I was fortunate to have a father as wonderful as you, but I don't think I ever realized how fortunate until that curse the other day. You were always there for me when I was growing up--answering questions, teaching me, setting examples for me to follow. You and Mother both did everything you could for me, and you taught me how to do the right thing, how to make hard choices, how to be good. You taught me to believe in myself, and to keep my chin up, and to see things through to the end, even when it's harder than anything in the world to do.
But so many people here, Daddy...they didn't have fathers like you. And I knew, of course, that all the fathers in the world couldn't all be like you, but I never really thought about it enough to realize...just how awful it could be for a child, and just how fortunate I was that you weren't that way. I always knew what was waiting in my future, of course, and it's true that I didn't have a choice about that. But it's different, too, because...because while you always taught me that it was a responsibility, you never made it seem like a burden. I never felt trapped. And it's because you taught me how to do the right thing.
I wish...that everyone could've had a father like you, Daddy. I wish that all of my friends could have had a father they weren't afraid of, a father they would've welcomed seeing. I wish they could have a father that cared about them the way that you cared about me, that listened to them and believed in them and worked to do what was best for them. And I wish I could give them that, somehow, but I can't. We can't change who our parents are. And we can't--
I spoke with Kurama, after the curse--you remember Kurama, don't you, Daddy? I pointed him out to you--and we talked about how I felt so guilty, that I had such a wonderful day because I was able to see you, and everyone else around me seemed to be suffering. And I said the same to Cain--that's the one you wanted to help, that I was talking to when I asked you to let me speak in private for a few minutes?--and he suggested that perhaps I'm too self-sacrificing. I'm glad you didn't overhear that part, Daddy, because I think you would've said the same thing, too. And I know it would've upset you, even if you hadn't showed it, because the dragon was months ago for me now, but it's still just like yesterday to you. But...those are the hard choices you taught me about, aren't they? And you've always understood me when I've made those choices, even if it hurt you to understand. So I know you would've understood, if I'd had a way to give up seeing you in exchange for saving everyone else the misery of seeing their own fathers. I think you would've said that it was the right choice to make, even if it would've hurt you. I know it would've hurt me.
I do feel guilty. I shouldn't, I know, but I still do, a little. Maybe it's not that I feel guilty about having a wonderful father when others don't; maybe it's that I feel guilty that...that they were suffering and I couldn't save them from it. That really does sound self-sacrificing, though, doesn't it?
But that's how you taught me, Daddy. That when it's the right thing to do...no matter the consequences, it's worth it.
I'm glad you came, though. That was the silver lining in a day of dark clouds--getting to see you, getting to show you where I live and who my friends are and tell you everything I've worried about for so long, getting to hear your voice and see your face and hear you say that yes, it's okay, I'm going to be okay and you'll all be waiting for me whenever I get home. And...Daddy, you don't know how much it meant, hearing you say that as long as I'm happy here--that you're happy, too. That it really is okay. That having me be happy...that's always what you and Mother wanted for me. I always knew it, but...but I needed to hear you say it, Daddy.
I'm not scared anymore. You believe in me, and I believe in myself, too. And now that the dance competition is over and the play is over and things will be settling down...it's all right. I'm ready. It won't go wrong this time, I know it won't. I can do it.
I love you, Daddy.
Forever,
Rosella
[/Private]
[Video//Off-Network]
[The video begins with a close-up of red fabric--Rosella's shoulder, a little too close to the camera, obscuring the view. The image wiggles, as though the camera is being adjusted, and then she steps out of the way. Visible now is a table with an assortment of odd items lined up on the surface: a small pile of what appears to be dried mistletoe, a box of salt, a bowl, a spoon, a mortar and pestle, a small box with a lock and key, a book with worn binding, and a pendant necklace on a thin chain.
Once Rosella is satisfied with the image, she walks over and steps behind the table, facing the camera, and regards the items carefully. She draws a slow breath, glances toward the camera, and then turns her attention to the tabletop and opens the book.
The picture seems to distort a little as she works through the steps: grinding salt in the mortar and pestle, adding mistletoe and grinding that together again, lowering the pendant into the bowl and covering it thoroughly in the mixture. She wrinkles her nose a bit as she raises the pendant and places a firm kiss on the face of the stone, then holds it gingerly in one hand as she recites:
"With this kiss, I thee impart,
Power most dear to my heart
Take me now from this place hither,
To another place far thither."
Reaching into the box, she produces her magic wand and waves it over the pendant. For a moment, she seems to hold her breath, and then a slow, slight smile tugs at the corners of her lips. She puts the pendant down and sets about putting her items away--locking the wand away first, then carefully disposing of the mixture of salt and mistletoe, then stacking the remaining items to be cleaned and put away later. Finally, she closes the book, and the odd distortion seems to disappear.
Chewing thoughtfully on her lip, she picks up the pendant by its chain and moves to fasten it around her neck--but then stops, quickly, and sets it back down, shaking her head. She reopens the box containing the wand and places the pendant inside, shutting the lid and locking it. Then, shaking her head, she walks over to the camera and leans over it, red fabric obscuring the view once again.
A moment later, the feed ends.]
[/Video]
[Filtered from Alexis Hargreaves | Blue's Codes | Unhackable]
Well, if there's one thing I regret about this whole weekend, it's that I wasn't able to find the time to go ice skating while we had all that snow! I've never seen snow falling in the middle of June before, save for perhaps up in the mountains where it's always cold, and I would've liked to enjoy it a little while it was here. Still, I don't regret it that much, particularly not when everything else went so well!
Goodness, it was certainly a busy weekend, though. First was the dance competition, of course, which I'm sure that everyone enjoyed. I know I certainly did! Though I do think I'm a bit spoiled, now, because I've had so many wonderful partners to dance with. Let's see, and then Saturday...well, Saturday was a whole different kind of busy, trying to run around and make arrangements to put on the play in the middle of all that snow--but we managed it, didn't we? And then Sunday was the play itself, and that whole day almost feels like a dream, itself. First getting to see Daddy, and then hurrying around to calm down everyone else that saw their father getting everything ready for the play, and then really, truly acting in it after all this time, and then attending the party afterward...what a whirlwind of a day!
I suppose it's rather a shame that things will likely be settling down now, after such an exciting string of days, but at the same time I don't mind it, either. It'll be nice to get back to the usual routine, pick up the projects I've been neglecting ugh, salt and mistletoe, and take some time to just sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather. It feels like summer again, now that the snow is gone, and it makes me want to get outside and go exploring and have fun while it lasts!
…Or…perhaps not so beautiful. Was that thunder? I hope there’s not another a storm coming…
[Private to Sam]
My necklace is finished and enchanted, and all that's left to do is test it out to see if it works; my plan is to try it on Friday, barring any curses that might get in the way. And this time, I used my device to make a video of myself while I did the spell, so I could check in advance for any mistakes I might've made.
I'm going to watch it tonight. Would you...like to watch, with me?
[/Private]
[OOC: afoaishf most tl;dr post ever, sorry--loose ends to tie up and all that. King's Quest canon says the process of working magic has the side effect of slowing down time (which in practice means the game clock pauses while you're casting a spell), hence the "distortion" in the recording of the video. And the link is not IC, obviously.]
Dear Daddy,
I know this letter isn't going to reach you anytime soon, and perhaps never at all, so perhaps it's a bit silly that I'm writing to you. But I suppose I'm allowed to be a bit silly every once in a while, and perhaps it's just old habit, writing letters to keep correspondence with visitors that have recently left. I'll write more often once I find a way to get these letters to Daventry, I promise, but for now, this will have to do, I think.
I've always known that I was fortunate to have a father as wonderful as you, but I don't think I ever realized how fortunate until that curse the other day. You were always there for me when I was growing up--answering questions, teaching me, setting examples for me to follow. You and Mother both did everything you could for me, and you taught me how to do the right thing, how to make hard choices, how to be good. You taught me to believe in myself, and to keep my chin up, and to see things through to the end, even when it's harder than anything in the world to do.
But so many people here, Daddy...they didn't have fathers like you. And I knew, of course, that all the fathers in the world couldn't all be like you, but I never really thought about it enough to realize...just how awful it could be for a child, and just how fortunate I was that you weren't that way. I always knew what was waiting in my future, of course, and it's true that I didn't have a choice about that. But it's different, too, because...because while you always taught me that it was a responsibility, you never made it seem like a burden. I never felt trapped. And it's because you taught me how to do the right thing.
I wish...that everyone could've had a father like you, Daddy. I wish that all of my friends could have had a father they weren't afraid of, a father they would've welcomed seeing. I wish they could have a father that cared about them the way that you cared about me, that listened to them and believed in them and worked to do what was best for them. And I wish I could give them that, somehow, but I can't. We can't change who our parents are. And we can't--
I spoke with Kurama, after the curse--you remember Kurama, don't you, Daddy? I pointed him out to you--and we talked about how I felt so guilty, that I had such a wonderful day because I was able to see you, and everyone else around me seemed to be suffering. And I said the same to Cain--that's the one you wanted to help, that I was talking to when I asked you to let me speak in private for a few minutes?--and he suggested that perhaps I'm too self-sacrificing. I'm glad you didn't overhear that part, Daddy, because I think you would've said the same thing, too. And I know it would've upset you, even if you hadn't showed it, because the dragon was months ago for me now, but it's still just like yesterday to you. But...those are the hard choices you taught me about, aren't they? And you've always understood me when I've made those choices, even if it hurt you to understand. So I know you would've understood, if I'd had a way to give up seeing you in exchange for saving everyone else the misery of seeing their own fathers. I think you would've said that it was the right choice to make, even if it would've hurt you. I know it would've hurt me.
I do feel guilty. I shouldn't, I know, but I still do, a little. Maybe it's not that I feel guilty about having a wonderful father when others don't; maybe it's that I feel guilty that...that they were suffering and I couldn't save them from it. That really does sound self-sacrificing, though, doesn't it?
But that's how you taught me, Daddy. That when it's the right thing to do...no matter the consequences, it's worth it.
I'm glad you came, though. That was the silver lining in a day of dark clouds--getting to see you, getting to show you where I live and who my friends are and tell you everything I've worried about for so long, getting to hear your voice and see your face and hear you say that yes, it's okay, I'm going to be okay and you'll all be waiting for me whenever I get home. And...Daddy, you don't know how much it meant, hearing you say that as long as I'm happy here--that you're happy, too. That it really is okay. That having me be happy...that's always what you and Mother wanted for me. I always knew it, but...but I needed to hear you say it, Daddy.
I'm not scared anymore. You believe in me, and I believe in myself, too. And now that the dance competition is over and the play is over and things will be settling down...it's all right. I'm ready. It won't go wrong this time, I know it won't. I can do it.
I love you, Daddy.
Forever,
Rosella
[/Private]
[Video//Off-Network]
[The video begins with a close-up of red fabric--Rosella's shoulder, a little too close to the camera, obscuring the view. The image wiggles, as though the camera is being adjusted, and then she steps out of the way. Visible now is a table with an assortment of odd items lined up on the surface: a small pile of what appears to be dried mistletoe, a box of salt, a bowl, a spoon, a mortar and pestle, a small box with a lock and key, a book with worn binding, and a pendant necklace on a thin chain.
Once Rosella is satisfied with the image, she walks over and steps behind the table, facing the camera, and regards the items carefully. She draws a slow breath, glances toward the camera, and then turns her attention to the tabletop and opens the book.
The picture seems to distort a little as she works through the steps: grinding salt in the mortar and pestle, adding mistletoe and grinding that together again, lowering the pendant into the bowl and covering it thoroughly in the mixture. She wrinkles her nose a bit as she raises the pendant and places a firm kiss on the face of the stone, then holds it gingerly in one hand as she recites:
"With this kiss, I thee impart,
Power most dear to my heart
Take me now from this place hither,
To another place far thither."
Reaching into the box, she produces her magic wand and waves it over the pendant. For a moment, she seems to hold her breath, and then a slow, slight smile tugs at the corners of her lips. She puts the pendant down and sets about putting her items away--locking the wand away first, then carefully disposing of the mixture of salt and mistletoe, then stacking the remaining items to be cleaned and put away later. Finally, she closes the book, and the odd distortion seems to disappear.
Chewing thoughtfully on her lip, she picks up the pendant by its chain and moves to fasten it around her neck--but then stops, quickly, and sets it back down, shaking her head. She reopens the box containing the wand and places the pendant inside, shutting the lid and locking it. Then, shaking her head, she walks over to the camera and leans over it, red fabric obscuring the view once again.
A moment later, the feed ends.]
[/Video]
[Filtered from Alexis Hargreaves | Blue's Codes | Unhackable]
Well, if there's one thing I regret about this whole weekend, it's that I wasn't able to find the time to go ice skating while we had all that snow! I've never seen snow falling in the middle of June before, save for perhaps up in the mountains where it's always cold, and I would've liked to enjoy it a little while it was here. Still, I don't regret it that much, particularly not when everything else went so well!
Goodness, it was certainly a busy weekend, though. First was the dance competition, of course, which I'm sure that everyone enjoyed. I know I certainly did! Though I do think I'm a bit spoiled, now, because I've had so many wonderful partners to dance with. Let's see, and then Saturday...well, Saturday was a whole different kind of busy, trying to run around and make arrangements to put on the play in the middle of all that snow--but we managed it, didn't we? And then Sunday was the play itself, and that whole day almost feels like a dream, itself. First getting to see Daddy, and then hurrying around to calm down everyone else that saw their father getting everything ready for the play, and then really, truly acting in it after all this time, and then attending the party afterward...what a whirlwind of a day!
I suppose it's rather a shame that things will likely be settling down now, after such an exciting string of days, but at the same time I don't mind it, either. It'll be nice to get back to the usual routine, pick up the projects I've been neglecting ugh, salt and mistletoe, and take some time to just sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather. It feels like summer again, now that the snow is gone, and it makes me want to get outside and go exploring and have fun while it lasts!
…Or…perhaps not so beautiful. Was that thunder? I hope there’s not another a storm coming…
[Private to Sam]
My necklace is finished and enchanted, and all that's left to do is test it out to see if it works; my plan is to try it on Friday, barring any curses that might get in the way. And this time, I used my device to make a video of myself while I did the spell, so I could check in advance for any mistakes I might've made.
I'm going to watch it tonight. Would you...like to watch, with me?
[/Private]
[OOC: afoaishf most tl;dr post ever, sorry--loose ends to tie up and all that. King's Quest canon says the process of working magic has the side effect of slowing down time (which in practice means the game clock pauses while you're casting a spell), hence the "distortion" in the recording of the video. And the link is not IC, obviously.]