inside_yourmind | Letters to the Phantom

Letters to the Phantom

[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.]

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[Christine has... a lot of thoughts about that letter. She's not sure when she ever displayed a willingness to kill someone. There's been times she was angry, of course, but...

And how could he say that she wouldn't believe in him if she saw him? She never lets appearances get in the way. And she already knows the Phantom had suffered a defect, she knows how hard it was for him to grow up with that.

But before she can pen a proper response, she finds that note, and... well, maybe she'll just put all her questions aside for now, because this seems to be some sort of opportunity.]

You're very welcome! Is there something else that you'd like me to make for you? You probably don't get a lot of chances to cook anything, I'm sure.

No.

[Back to the normal fine penmanship!]

[Well, that's! That's fine and all! Especially after a little more time passes, and Christine gets one specific item from the merch booth, and. And now she might sort of understand why the Phantom was so harsh with her.

So she delivers another note, this one with a platter of almond cookies.]

I'm sorry I didn't understand what you meant before I did what I did.

I should have tried to think of another solution. I was emotional and desperate to get Jeremy back, but that's not an excuse for being so cruel.

You shouldn't be treated like a monster, just because you have different ideas of how the world works. I know we can find a way to come to an understanding of each other.

I would be so happy if you could please forgive me and give me another chance.

-Christine

P.S. I do have to ask, and this doesn't excuse me using it, but why was Mountain Dew Red even available? Stephen said the SQUIP was working with you.

I will admit that I did not expect an apology. I do not believe that I am the appropriate person to apologize to; nonetheless, I may be your best remaining option.

Should we ever meet face-to-face, and you still care to apologize, I will receive it then. For my own part, corresponding with you is a part of my duties here. My own personal feelings will not change that.

I did not bring the Mountain Dew Red here, nor did I plan to release it. I would not have broken our deal. But what is done is done.

[Clearly added later:]

P.S.: Are you serious

[Though this letter arrives after Christine's lair adventure - where there was no sign of her cookies - it comes along with the empty plate. A short note, similar to the previous one, is attached:]

Very good!

Dear Phantom,

It seems I have a lot more to apologize for now. I would like to apologize for what Riley did, for the harm she caused. I want to apologize for sneaking into your room.

I'm sorry for not doing enough. I'm sorry for not knowing what I'm supposed to do to make this better.

I'm sorry that I have to ask this of you again. Would you please speak to me face-to-face? I promise I won't do anything. Mephisto can tell you for a fact I never want to break my promises.

All I want to do is apologize for the way you've been treated, and for the way I've made you feel worse.

Christine Canigula

I know full well who is responsible for your presence in my home. This is exactly why we instituted a rule against summoning demons.

[But he also knows that they didn't summon him for that one, so there's really no one available to punish for it.]

If you are truly so eager, I will speak with you from behind the mirror. Name a time.

[Now that's... weird. Does he mean Beetlejuice is responsible for them being here? Or another demon?

Maybe it's something to bring up when they meet. Christine is practically holding her breath as she writes:]

Dear Phantom,

Can we speak this Monday? If you aren't busy, that is. I would like to speak to you in the evening if it's possible. Probably once the kitchen is closed, if that makes it easier for you.

-Christine

Fine.

[The Kitchen is really not that relevant, but whatever - he'll come along at that time, then. He does not appear dramatically in the mirror or anything like that; there will just suddenly be a voice.]

What is it?

[She just wanted to pick a time when people weren't out and about! They could have just met in her room, but. When she hears his voice, she pauses.

...There's a platter of almond cookies on the table, again. Just in case. Christine fidgets with her skirt and just mumbles quietly.]

I'm... I'm really sorry for what happened. To Spinel. I know she meant a lot to you.

And I'm sorry I haven't tried harder to see things from your perspective. I kept taking for granted that I was a good person, but if I was, y-you wouldn't have picked me for this.

[She exhales, slowly. Okay, she can do this.]

I don't understand everything that's happening, but... If there's any way I can help you, I want to try. If there's something I can do to make up for the mistakes I've made, I won't, I won't rest until I finish it.

[There's a moment or two of silence.]

You...are volunteering to become a mole?

[HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO MAKE OF ANY OF THIS]

[So... she might have been a little naive to have thought that the Phantom would change his mind about this the second he lost one person he enjoyed. Christine takes a step back and shakes her head.]

I was volunteering to help you accomplish whatever you wanted to do with this game, so it could end. So no one else would, would have to die. I thought... I'm sorry, I thought with what you said about the SQUIP, you didn't want anyone dying either.

[...]

The deaths are...not necessarily required for what I want to achieve. This...show, if you will, was one requested by my patron. I will have my full payment when it is complete.

Then... who is your patron?

[That's maybe not as important. Whoever they are... they're the real evil here. Christine knew that was the case.]

And if you want to achieve something, I'll help you with that. Without the deaths. Maybe, maybe we can work out a deal, so you don't have to put on this show.

You can't help me.

[Yeah, we're just gonna brush past that patron question.]

And you shouldn't make offers on things you do not understand. Someone might hold you to them someday.

I don't mind that. It's... not exactly a promise. It's just that if I can help, outside of causing harm to someone, I'm willing to offer that.

...then I will keep that in mind.

Thank you. That means a lot to me. I don't think you're as bad as everyone, or as you, say you are.

As bad as I say I am?

Yes. I know you say you're only doing a job, but I'm sure you feel a little guilty about keeping us here. And I know well enough that when someone gets shunned, they start to wonder if they secretly deserve it.

I did not deserve what happened.

[he's never done anything wrong, ever in his life!]

You missed the first part. You feel guilty about what we have to go through.

Do I?

I think you do. Or else you would have already denied it.

That's an interesting perspective to take. Nana believes that I feel sad.

...You can be both sad and guilty. And still be stuck taking part in this. Like we are.

I... think you're as trapped as we are in this. And that's not fair to you.

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