Entry 201; Day 473

[misterblackbird]

[Filtered from DELILAH || Unhackable]
So that's two curses I've seen before that have missed me again, first the handcuffs and then this one for the duration of the weekend. I'm still trying to piece out what happened over the weekend, since it seemed a combination of amnesia and uncharacteristic action. Somewhere on the Network, I read an idea that it was a sort of variation on a theme, that it was what might have been or could have been traced out to its ultimate end.

And that end was more than a few peculiar posts on the Network, that's for certain.

Still, for certain people I knew, it was both unsettling and interesting to see how things might have been for them. I sometimes wonder if I'd like some of them as much as I do if they'd ended up differently. Even after that curse, I'm still not sure.

After having to endure that stupid curse with the bizarre pictures and misspelled words, I should be glad I've been missed by these last two.

And now this one today, because there's undoubtedly a curse today if the Network is anything to go by. I remember this one too, and it's another one that can swing from good to bad. The last time it struck, I recall that there were some who were more than happy to seem older than they were, and equally many--perhaps even more--who weren't happy.

That's nothing new with curses, though, really.

Riff, I hope you're not aged beyond recognition or use today. But, then, you're not so old, not even by comparison. Still, I had to put up with this once before, and it's neither comfortable nor enjoyable.

[Private || Unhackable]
In my case, it was far worse than simply finding myself aged, and with no false memories of having aged, either.

All those times Uncle Neil had said I looked like my father came to pass. To look in the mirror and see his face looking back--I can't explain the horror of it. It was like a bad dream, to suddenly find oneself looking like one's worst enemy. The only parts of me that seemed myself were my eyes, and despite how much I hate them, that was an odd comfort. I was not him, though I might look like him. My eyes proved I was myself. Even if my eyes are, in part, his doing.

If that's the inevitable, then I'll promise myself again that I'll undo him, and then undo the horror of seeing his face for my face. If I can claim it for myself, then I can grow old easily.

I'd always thought I more resembled my mother--so I'd been told the other half of the time. I suppose it's little surprise I might resemble them both.

I'm more than glad it's missed me this time around again.
[//end filter]

[Private to Crehador || Viewable to Riff || Unhackable]
I must speak to you, and soon. If it isn't yet safe, then don't respond, but know that I must speak to you. With luck you're not turned into a old man, or worse, a pile of bones.

There are more than a few people following after the evidence you gave me. I don't doubt that the police will follow the letter of the law, and how unsatisfying that would be.

I must know some clue as to where he is, Crehador. I must get to him first.
[//end filter]

I wonder if the carousel isn't representative of the curses too, since certain ones seem to come around again in cycles. Or perhaps the ticking is the sound of the clockwork mechanism that brings the curses around again and again. Imagine if there were sets of hands, more than on a clock, and certain alignments brought about certain curses--imagine if that were the source of the ticking.

Although, we've been told what the ticking is. Whether that's true or not is, as always, up for debate.

Miss Himawari, I'm glad you enjoyed the ghost story last night, though I don't think I told it as well as I could. Still, it does show that ghosts in my world aren't often ghosts, but they can be something far stranger.

I hate to walk about like youth and beauty incarnate today, but I'm sure I can't help it. Just remember that it will end by midnight, and then, hopefully, you'll not have to endure it again for many years.

~C.

[ooc: Someone has to be young so the old people can scare him, right??? I hit him with this one last time to great effect, but...wasn't feeling the shooped!Alexis icons this time. Crai, I know. That DELILAH filter can only keep out known members, so, White Owl? Since Cain doesn't know who or what he is, only barely that he's here at all after that violin post, Cain doesn't know to screen him out. Usual exceptions apply: Crehador and Megumi Yamamura.]

Comments

[twin-gunsy.livejournal.com]

Mr. Hargreaves, right?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Lord Hargreaves, to be precise about it.

You seem calmer than you ordinarily do, Miss Noki. Affected by the curse, then, are you?

[twin-gunsy.livejournal.com]

It would seem that way. I almost forgot about this place. It has been so long since I was here.

[notrlyjesus.livejournal.com]

This curse didn't hit me either. But now that you mention it, clocks go around too, they just go forward in time.

....what would happen if we tried to make the carousel go the other way? Other than likely having trouble doing that in the first place.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

We seem to be among the fortunate few.

Aside from the ending of it probably being as spectacular as the attempt to crash through the walls surrounding the City, I've no idea. Wouldn't it wind it back up, if the carousel is connected to the ticking, the Clock we all talk about?

When I first arrived here, the Network had a few notes and comments on it alluding to a time just before I arrived when the Clock had very nearly run down, and all the worlds had very nearly ended. But the City was tormented for days and weeks, and the clock was wound back up again, and it seems to still be going.

[audio]

[foolishviolin.livejournal.com]

Not everyone can be victim to every curse that occurs in this City, am I right?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I suppose technically that is true, though there seem to be some curses that strike more people than others, and there seem to be some people who are stuck by more curses than others.

[lightnovelsftw.livejournal.com]

...So that curse over the weekend has happened before?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

As far as I can remember, it did. It's peculiar how certain curses seem to come around again and again.

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

You've thought this through, haven't you?

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Thought what through? The curses? There's only so much else one can do in this place.

[monochrome-mind.livejournal.com]

As a person who's only been in the City for a few months, I guess it's impossible for me to know when a curse is repeated. Although, I have noticed an obnoxious trend when it comes to getting cursed. This week in particular seems to enjoy playing with the hands of time.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I hadn't noticed it, but now that you point it out, these last two curses do seem to relate to time and age. First what might have been, and now what might be.

Are you affected by this current one, Mr Nein?

[princess-crow.livejournal.com]

We remember everything. My Prince, Fakir and Ahiru are as relieved as I am of the path we actually chose.

And it seems that I'm cursed again. I'm older than last time.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

I have to wonder if the curses aren't meant to teach us something after all, in that case.

Are you well, despite being cursed?

audio; brb wtfing at your flirting with lucy

[treadingdawn.livejournal.com]

...

Not a pedo, damn it! >(

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

...

[ourdenouement.livejournal.com]

Stupid stupid cuuurses~

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Tired of them, Kaoru? I do sympathise.

[filtered]

[frimeur.livejournal.com]

You're looking for that man, then - I assumed as much.

It'd be far better to accompany someone to the location. You'd not want to be lost in the darkness with rats, now, would you?

[filtered]

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Of course I am.

No, I would not. Darkness and rats makes me think he must be in the Underground, as I assumed. I've been down there before, more than once, and it's never been a good situation. Yes, I'd prefer a guide.

But can I trust you not to hand me over to him?

[missfortunately.livejournal.com]

No, Cain, I thought you did a very good job. It was a great story! I haven't heard anything like it.

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I guess I'm not used to thinking of myself as a storyteller. I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

filtered; unhackable

[roseblooms.livejournal.com]

Cain. Alexis has a message up on the network. Access my codes, and keep an eye (http://maitre-de-carte.livejournal.com/15916.html) on what he's saying.

I baited him and he revealed that he's definitely kept more informants than myself. And there's a new member as well... update your codes accordingly, if you haven't already.

filtered; unhackable

[misterblackbird.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Megumi.

I'm not surprised he'd have others he's using for information. But that means they can still see my entries, and I don't know who they are in order to lock them out.

I've met that new arrival. You can see our conversation in this entry if you like. I was suspicious of him the moment he said my name--before that, even, since I heard him playing his violin on the Network. Believe me, he'll be locked out from now on.

I've spoken to Crehador just tonight. He's agreed to show me where my father is hiding in the Underground. I'll keep you informed as to what's going on--you'd want to know anyway.