misterblackbird | Entry 448; Day 705

Current Location: Opera Abandoned

Entry 448; Day 705

Need I even remark on the events of the past weekend? By now, I hardly think I should, not after all the news at the time, and all the talk hereafter. Word traveled fast enough in the confines of that train every time a new victim was found, and the connection between the passing chaos and those deaths was easy enough to connect, though it seemed unlikely at first. And just as unlikely, despite the idea being passed around, that the entire ordeal was the fault of the train itself and not any person or creature on the train. I suppose the 'deities' and their leaflets made the connection proper. A donation of blood. I suppose they got what they wanted. That was the one connection that linked all of the deaths: blood was spilled. I suppose that's the case in most deaths, but perhaps not in all. Consider a poisoning, for example, or if a person is strangled. There'd hardly be any blood there, at least in most cases. Still, in that regard, with the examination of the ordeal after the fact and those leaflets, at least we know why they put us through that ordeal. I'd rather not give my blood to the cause, all the same. ~~It's filthy and cursed regardless--I doubt even they would want it--~~

Still there's a handful of other unexplained details that remain. For example, has anyone truly decided why one person was chosen over another? It could, of course have been random, but the victims were so often alone or isolated at the time of their demise. I maintain that that depended on one's ticket, somehow. Why else would there be a veritable obsession with them in the course of this ordeal? And, as I understand it, there were some particular attacks made on the tickets held by those who perished in the course of the weekend. It suggests something, so far as I'm concerned. Likewise, while we've all agreed that it was the train's fault, somehow, that doesn't entirely explain the events. Some of the Network entries do seem as though some unknown assailant was at fault, but others are somewhat more unusual. If I've a moment, I might go back at look at them again, even if the answer is known.

It's a lovely trick of the City to make something as commonplace as traveling by train suddenly seem extremely displeasing. It will be no small mercy that I'll forget this place as soon as I'm at home again.

And, from what I've heard, this ordeal has left everyone far more interested in the celebrations to be held Thursday. Curse or no curse, most people seem quite set on it. And I certainly can't blame them. I react rather the same way after most curses. So I think I'll move from talk of nightmarish trains to talk of plans for gatherings this week. It's not such a far leap, I don't think. After all, Merry and I discussed Jack the Ripper at the breakfast table once, as I recall. So to talk about the Thanksgiving Day holiday now seems quite ordinary. I am looking forward to it.

[Private to Merry and Riff || Unhackable]
So are we decided, then? It's to be a sweet potato pie? I hope the two of you know best how to make one. I'm sure I've rarely, if ever, seen one. And, if we do mean to go and search for a recipe, you know Rosella works at the library, so we'll have to be careful.

And, what's more, she's told me that she apparently has supporters, in the same way that the two of you are my supporters. I'm not sure I think that's entirely fair, but since her supporter is one who said we weren't being fair, I suppose I can't say anything.

So, curse or no curse, we must have this pie ready by tomorrow evening. I think we can manage that. And I rather think we can win handily. Rosella says I win too often in these little games we play against one another, but I think it would be a shame to break such a streak of successes. Besides, it won't be just me, but all three of us.

So, I suppose it's to be the kitchen for us tomorrow, until evening.
[//end private filter]

Rosella, I am quite looking forward to dinner tomorrow, in particular. And to the pie you're making, too, of course.

~C.

[ooc: Awww yeah, pie contest. Forget scary trains (except when they're amusing). Pie! Also, no, he isn't cursed. Also, I would like to apologize for the lateness of this post. I'm at my folks' house for Thanksgiving and am kept a bit busy being, you know, social and fed (it's kind of awesome).]

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You remember the last time they asked for donations from us, don't you? And then a few months later we had a hair monster come and give it all back again, just the same.

And it's going to be a spectacular pie, too, no matter how much today's curse interferes with my plans for it.

Yes, I do recall. But that was the only one of the four donations they demanded that turned on us, if you'll recall.

Is there a curse today? I'd not especially noticed.

The others were things we had to do, though, weren't they? Tasks to perform. It was only the last one that really took something away from us.

Well, now I don't want to tell you what it is, or you'll laugh at me.

We did have to deliver a cup of sugar borrowed from our enemies once.

You could explain it without telling me how it's struck you, you know.

Oh, that's right. I don't think I did that one, actually, since I couldn't think of any enemies at the time.

Mm, I suppose that's true. In that case, I think it's somehow keeping us away from the things we like best, or something like that.

I remember that I did, because my father was being held in the prison at the time.

I see.

Oh, er...I see.

And it's making things terribly difficult, too.

I hope it isn't keeping you from preparing for our contest.

Only in that I can't get near the sugar without it jumping away from me.

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I'm certain I can manage to find a recipe, my lord, without Miss Rosella finding out.

[ Sneaky Riff is sneaky. :|b ]

I am quite looking forward to this dinner as well. It is nice to have something to look forward to after the incidents on the train.

Well, I suppose if anyone can, it's you, Riff.

Indeed, it very much is. Perhaps I'm dwelling too much on it, but no one seems all that forthcoming with the ordeal of the train. I need something to think about.

I can understand that, my lord, and you can hardly be blamed for dwelling on it. It was perfectly awful...

And yet fascinating all at the same time. That's the way of the City more often than not: awful and fascinating, both at once.

It isn't [cough] something I'm particularly fond of, I'm afraid.

Still... it isn't miserable all of the time.

It's not really something to be really fond of, I shouldn't think.

And I suppose you are right: it isn't miserable all the time.

I can't say I'm glad we must be stuck here, particularly, but-

[cough cough--] Sorry--

But if we are to be thankful for something for this holiday, I am glad to be able to be by your side, Lord Cain. Even here.

Thank you, Riff. I wonder if you're as grateful as I am that you're here.

And I'll also thank you to have that cough looked at if it persists. I'm glad to have you at last. I won't lose you to a fever or a cough.