Entry 157; Day 363

[misterblackbird]

The Network is fascinating today: it seems people are saying too much again. At least the zombies are gone, but we've been hit immediately afterwards with a curse. That's City timing for you, yet again. I think this one, or some variation on it, has come around before. It's one of the more tiresome ones, and requires far more mopping up after the fact than some others. That is, if things go wrong.

There's a lot to be said for tact and politeness--two of my favourite tools, or weapons, as the case may be. One can say nearly anything without lying if one knows how to go about it. But from what I've seen of the residents of the City, it seems tact is a lost art in most worlds. Granted, a curse could make one blunt, but it seems like some citizens are like that most every day. And the ones who aren't are invariably schemers.

I suppose there's a difference between being blunt and being honest. One may be a blunt liar, or one may be blunt and still keep secrets. Still, there's a fine art to simply not saying something while still being perfectly honest. It's a shame it's not a better practiced art here.

For example, I can say to you quite honestly that I have done extensive, though not entirely scientific, experiments in chemistry. I'm no chemist, but I've dabbled in it. I've also assisted the medical community of the City on a few occasions with that chemistry.

In my own world I had quite the reputation and I'm both relieved and saddened that it hasn't followed me here. I am truly and sincerely concerned for both Merry and Riff and thoughts of them occupy my mind most of the day. I am likewise concerned for the other residents of the Opera Abandoned, but mostly that they should not get themselves entangled in my confused affairs: they are my concerns and I don't want anyone else harmed by them--which makes me consider moving out of the opera house quite a bit, but the barricades and protection we've arranged for one another are far better than I could establish in a flat of my own. I miss London, but in part because I miss the amount of power I could wield there--reputations do wonders, as much as tact can. I miss the things reputation could garner me.

I have greater concerns than petty day-to-day City business. I am bound and determined to kill my father in City and trap him here. Then Merry, Riff, and I will escape back to London and abandon him here. I've had this plan for the better part of a year now. Perhaps the final battle is getting closer. I still hate the smell of roses.

I also like getting the last word, better if it's a witty one.

~C.

[ooc: He's reading the Network, hoping for an opening. Maybe someone will drop some information. Oh wait, he's cursed too, and doesn't quite realize it yet! Come ask him embarrassing questions :3 Work demands my soul soon, but I will tag as much as I can before, (during,) and after.]

Comments

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

You'd actually kill your father?!

((OOC: ...Someone is very behind on City gossip.))

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Yes, I absolutely would.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine that...even when my father and I disagreed, I never wanted to kill him.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I can't believe you didn't already know it. Things are a good deal more complicated in my family than I suspect they were in yours.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I did before. It's hard to tell since I've lost my memory...it's disconcerting, really.

...I don't think I'd call my family simple, although perhaps things weren't as complicated in mine as in yours.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

You know, I forget sometimes that you don't remember what happened before.

I wouldn't know. How complicated were things in your family?

1/2

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

I wish I could forget. Except I did forget. I suppose I mean "remember".

Well...my mother left Father when I was about seven. He told me she was "gone on a trip" but after a while you start realizing that she's not coming back, no matter how young you are. I wasn't stupid, I knew they were arguing, it was easy to figure it out.

And my father was--he was--how do I put this--he wanted to make sure I'd claim my birthright as a Story Spinner, so training for it was...my life.

Of course it wasn't my birthright--no, it is, I just have to train more, that's all.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

....!! Wait--what--I didn't--I didn't mean to say any of that!

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

That is a bit complicated. I see now.

If you'd prefer, I could forget it all too. It is a curse, after all.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

...Yes. Let's just...forget I said anything.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

As you prefer it then.

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

What's your problem?

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

I just...can't imagine killing my own father.

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

I can...

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

...Rue...did something happen?

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

I killed the Raven with my Prince and he was like my Father.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

The Raven was...?

B-But that's different! You're a girl, he was a monster. He wasn't really your father.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

If I may interject: my father is likewise a monster. How is her situation any different than mine?

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

He's human, isn't he? The Raven was an actual Raven the size of several buildings.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

His humanity doesn't make him any less of a monster.

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

Personality-wise, yes. But just take one look at Rue--it's obvious she's not the child of a Raven. She must have known somehow.

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

Even worse... The Raven... was created to be that way. He had no choice.

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

He raised me, Autor! I have his blood coursing in my veins. He was my father as much as I denied it. He was a liar and a monster, but I struck him down and he was the only parent in my life!

[freakyfanboy.livejournal.com]

He was your father neither by birth or in his role. He disowned you. It was only right that you should disown him.

I don't want to be harsh to you. But it doesn't make any sense to mourn for someone that wouldn't mourn for you.

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

Because he couldn't feel love doesn't mean I don't. I am not a raven, that's why I loved him.