misterblackbird | 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).]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So what do you mean to do, then?

[a little sheepishly] I don't know yet... There's a lot I don't understand about the City and how it works, so I'm going to look into the information I've been given. I don't know if poking around will ever amount to anything, but I... I feel like I should try.

Well, then, having been here for three and a half years now, I feel as though it would be inconsiderate of me not to offer some of the information I've gleaned in my time here. Do call on me if you've a question.

[Even after hearing that his cousin has been here for over two years, that's still a lot to think about. Luke himself has only been alive for seven years. Three and a half years-- that's half of his /life/. So there's a good pause before he responds.]

[lamely] T-that's a long time...

Thanks, though. I'll try not to burden you too much.

It rather is, yes. And the fortnight I was allowed home was hardly enough of a taste to satisfy me.

You're quite welcome, I'm sure.

Yeah, I understand that. And seeing people from home can be helpful sometimes, but when you realize that they're suffering it makes it so much harder.

However it goes, we're all in this together.

For good or ill, I suppose we are.

Entry 448; Day 705

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