Letters to the Phantom

[inside_yourmind]

[You may now write letters to the Phantom!

Each of you will find plenty of stationery in the drawers of your vanities, along with candles, a block of sealing wax, and a stamp with your initial on it. You can use these to seal your envelopes in style!

Letters may be dropped into the flap at the Box Office at any time. Replies will appear in your dressing rooms, occasionally quite quickly. Sitting in your room to keep watch won't let you see how they're brought; they'll just appear whenever you happen to leave or fall asleep. Yes, they can be delivered overnight. Probably don't think about it too hard.]

Comments

[inside_yourmind]

[There is no letter in response, but a small cup of Mountain Dew Red will be left on Christine's vanity.]

[heathencall]

Use you in the way he uses us, then. Is that better terminology?

And what does he see? Surely we've earned some answers, after taking part in this bloody dance for so long.

[inside_yourmind]

Is that not what employment is? Using someone to achieve a goal? The only novel part is that I am being compensated.

I do not see it, either. I find him esoteric at best on the subject. If anyone in this place understands him, it may well be the other demon. However, I will remind you that summoning him is forbidden - I have been rather lenient on this matter, as I did not expect typing the name on a computer to work either, but rules are rules.

[heathencall]

And just what is he offering you? What does he have that's so enticing that it has convinced you to partake in this game. You've killed people you seem to enjoy the presence of, if Spinel is any evidence of that. What makes it all worth it?

And, since I'm in the realm of making inquiries -- what is the punishment for breaking such rules? A slap on the wrist? Or something more in the vein of what our friends face for taking you up on your inane offers?

[holyspit]

Opera Ghost,

You're being really

I can't think of the actual word, but it's when someone's being really picky and literal about what words mean and using that to not answer the actual questions being asked and stuff? You're being really that.

I meant that if people as rigid as White Diamond can even try to change then so can you and I'm pretty sure you knew that.

-Steven

[A short while later, before Steven's received and answer, a second letter appears.]

OG

Pedantic. Pedantic is the word I was trying to think of. You're being really pedantic instead of just answering.

-Steven

[inside_yourmind]

I will attend to the dead myself. It is unfortunate that they had to experience that, but I would be unable to do anything for anyone if I did not do this.

It seems that the nature of a punishment would be up to our discretion. In this specific case, I believe it would be death. The Wizard has already killed Beetlejuice for coming here.

[inside_yourmind]

You want an answer? Very well. I cannot do anything other than this. Are you satisfied?

[heathencall]

You speak as if you have plans to help us. I don't know what I am meant to make of that. So, let me ask you this plainly, Phantom.

Are you friend or foe?

[madgiganticfeelings]

[This note is a bit different than the others, written hastily, folded up in a tiny square, and tucked in between some cookies on a platter she leaves, in the hopes that she'll reach whoever is impersonating the Phantom.]

Dear Sir,
Thank you for helping us, whoever you may be. If you can manage to help us more, can you give us the wi-fi password?
If you ever need to talk, let me know. We can help each other get out of this.
Love,
Christine Canigula

[inside_yourmind]

[The reply, when it arrives, is in the Phantom's perfect penmanship.]

Miss Canigula,

I regret to inform you that my patron is not taking letters. While I understand why you may have thought otherwise, he does not wish to correspond with you or the others at this time.

OG

[inside_yourmind]

I have always had plans to help you. It does not matter to me how you perceive me; I will do so in the end. All of this murder business is merely an unpleasant necessity.

[heathencall]

A necessity you plan on... rectifying?

Pardon me if I don't believe you.

[madgiganticfeelings]

[Shit shit shit shit-]

I'm sorry for the trouble, Monsieur Phantom!

If that's the case, may I please ask you for the wi-fi password?

-Christine

[inside_yourmind]

You are pardoned. As I said, it does not matter to me whether you believe in my intentions or not. They shall remain the same.

[inside_yourmind]

It is not your fault. He should not have persisted in leaving little notes if he never wanted them to be acknowledged.

Wi-fi?

week 6, Thursday

[musacal]

[ Underneath the pile of chocolate banana macarons left at the box office, Nana has placed a note: ]

Hello! This message is for the one who gave me the cupcake and hot chocolate.
I would like to talk to you more. Could you please write me back? I'd like to thank you and get to know you better.

[ She has no idea who will be responding to it, Phantom or someone else but it's worth a shot. ]

[inside_yourmind]

[Judging from the penmanship, it would appear to be the Phantom!]

I regret to inform you that he does not want to write you back. It is understandable that you would wish for a further correspondence, but I do not believe he expected his contributions to be noticed.

If it helps, I believe he regrets the most recent choice of motive.

OG

[musacal]

[ She's a little disappointed when she sees it's the Phantom replying but the message itself tells her a lot more than she was expecting. ]

So it is someone else. I thought it was you this whole time.
Is he your patron?

[ She pauses just before sending it though, and then quickly adds: ]

Also in that case I regret losing my cool, so we're even.

[inside_yourmind]

I will pass that along.

He is my patron, yes. I believe he intended for you to believe it was me - although in truth I do not know what he was thinking.

[musacal]

Could you tell me anything else about him?
I really am grateful. For the little things he's done for me.
Especially with my birthday. I was always alone before coming to Seisho so that meant a lot to me.

[inside_yourmind]

He was the first person to show me kindness, as well. To date, he is still the only one who has done so while actually knowing me.

His desires are contradictory. He wanted this murder game, and he wants it to continue to its ultimate conclusion. He also wants to continue believing that he is a good person, when in truth he is just nice. His concern for you is genuine to a degree, but he will not spare your life.

[musacal]

I see.

That's unfortunate. I was hoping maybe we could talk about all this and come to an understanding. Figure something out. Maybe even become friends.
But if he's determined to see this whole thing through I guess it isn't possible.

Regardless, thank you for telling me this. I know you didn't have to, or even have to bother replying, so thank you.

[inside_yourmind]

You're welcome.

Would you have been friends with him, were he less adamant?

[musacal]

You mean about this whole murder game thing?

[inside_yourmind]

Yes. Is that not what you meant?