text;

[toys_with]

[A letter written in curvy, elegant loops appears on the vine this afternoon. It bears no signature, but the handwriting and words are somewhat distinctive.]

For those of you who have experianced this place's more [there are ink droplets here, as though the writer paused while choosing her words.] unusual property, that of returning from death, I

Comments

[Text]

[alchemistsquery]

I think I may have died before I came here, or been close to death. But I get the feeling that's not what you mean, perhaps?

[Text]

[toys_with]

I am interested in all experiences with death, both outside and within the Gardens. If it is not too bold, may I ask you for more detail?

[Text]

[alchemistsquery]

I guess there's no harm in telling.

Everything around me was falling apart. Being torn to pieces. I was scared. But I was able to accept it. I was dying. There was pain. And then I couldn't feel or see anything.

I woke up in the gardens after.

[Text]

[toys_with]

That sounds rather similar to what I have heard. It seems as though the Queen brings many of us here while on the brink of death, and keeps us alive while we remain here.

Thank you for telling me of it. It was most helpful.

[Text]

[alchemistsquery]

Why does she spare us? Do you have any idea?

You are welcome. I am glad that I have at least one unique experience that could be useful to someone.

[Text]

[toys_with]

I'm not yet certain, but it probably goes back to her main goal. Keeping us here would do very little good if we died off by ourselves when she still needs us. It could also be to give us a sense of gratefulness and debt. We won't fight back or try to leave if only death awaits us and the person who can save us is here, will we?

Her motives are too unclear to be sure of anything just yet.

[Text]

[alchemistsquery]

Why does she need us so? And I don't know her, so it's hard to be grateful, but [There is a pause for a few seconds] she has given me another chance to figure out who I am. I don't know if I'm in her debt, because [another pause] I had accepted death.

This queen. I do not understand her at all.

[Text]

[toys_with]

The only ideas that I have about why are both equally absurd, but they are all I have to go on. One is that she enjoys seeing us suffer, which is likely considering how often she allows monsters to roam among us. The second is what she claims to want: women to fall in love with one another.

With such motives with actions that don't quite match, I don't think any of us can understand her.

[Text]

[alchemistsquery]

Seeing us suffer. Or wanting women to fall in love. Both are very strange and I do not understand why she would want either.

I think you are right. Understanding her seems impossible.

[Text]

[toys_with]

She is a rather... eccentric woman, and she hardly ever gives straight answers. If you ever have the chance to meet her while you are here, you may have a better chance of understanding her than I have.