[Locked to Luceti Residents]

[malnosso]

My dear people of Luceti --

An invasion, all under the guise of a fantasy. What’s been done will not be forgotten. Certainly not by you, and not by the denizens of a dozen other enclosures who suffered similar attacks at the same time. As we speak, programmers and engineers hard at work combing through the barrier’s nuts and bolts. If the Cultists and his Lordship exploited some natural weakness in the dome, they will find it. Patch it up. Curious, isn’t it, that the Count chose yours to invade with his own two feet?

But there are other matters to discuss. I spoke with some of you only a few months ago. Let me announce more completely what I, back then, only intimated. I’m Carol, and I intend to spend some time in our little town. If you like, you can consider my resolve to continue my work here a sign of good faith. I remain unarmed and -- I assure you -- wholly peaceable. In this way, I hope I may have faith in you as well. After all, we are kin in a strange kind of way.

It is my duty -- as well as my pleasure -- to be Luceti’s liaison with the Organization. You must have many questions, concerns, and many many curses. Bring them to me, and we’ll see what can be done. We can talk here. But if any of you find the journals distasteful, you can also come have a seat with me at the sweet little tea shop. I’ll be there for the afternoon.

[As usual, this voiced post has a neatly typed 'written' section as well.

A thread with CJ can be found here.]

Comments

[liaising]

...Perhaps you aren't familiar with the man they call the Count? I'm afraid he was uniquely positioned to plan an attack such as this, having once been a very prominent figure in the Organization.

[yourfononsarewhack]

You're referring to the man who was Lord Mayor of that delusional dream-land? [Zompano. The man who killed Jade. Or would have, were it not for his fake daughter's tears.] I've read what little the Guide has on him. However, him being associated with the Third Party would be news to me.

[liaising]

...It was news to us, too. It was news to me.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I suggest that your corporation keeps better track of its former employees. Am I to assume that it's because of his involvement that the Malnosso were unable to send us any cavalry within an entire week or has that half of question officially been dodged?

[liaising]

I suggested much the same, Colonel, upon the discovery of the Count's changed allegiances. [ ... ] As for the delays? The answer is hauntingly simple. Luceti was not the only enclosure targeted.

[yourfononsarewhack]

Ah, yes. So they couldn't quite pick an enclosure to help first over all that time. If I recall correctly, you mentioned on the journal that they were all subjected to a fantasy similar to our own.

[liaising]

Decisions must be made. Luceti, you may already know, has proved herself over and over again. There were younger enclosures involved in the attack with less of a chance for survival. [Her sweetness and diplomacy here -- for just a moment -- turns wry. As if she sees some nature in this man to which she can appeal.] Luceti is in the midst of great growing pains. Hold her hand, and she clamours for more freedom. Let her be, and she demands to know why she was not saved first.

[yourfononsarewhack]

[He raises an eyebrow and gives his own wryness.]

Oh? Am I the entire enclosure, now? And here I thought those reckless days of adolescence were far behind me. Of course, I'd classify my statements as inquiries rather than demands. And I admit that said decisions sound tactically sound. We were able to pull through by ourselves, after all. At the same time, I only would have been comfortable with this independence to fight the Cultists if I was in my proper state of mind. My altered self... [He frowns dismissively.] well, he couldn't quite make the cut in terms of an effective counter-strike.

[liaising]

You mistake me, Colonel. I speak of those who have already spoken to me. It is, it seems, a common opinion.

[yourfononsarewhack]

It sounds like it could be. I can't deny that a number of the populace could slot into that opinion. [He folds his hands together.] Still, I take it that your own opinion is of a more positive nature?

[liaising]

I would not be here if it wasn't. Luceti is -- ah, let's see. I'm very fond of the place, you see.

[yourfononsarewhack]

That's mildly flattering. How long have you been here?

[liaising]

In this world? Twenty years. Since I was a little girl.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I see. Nearly your entire life, then. It must have been quite the upbringing. [He says without any hint of joking or teasing - perhaps something close to sympathy.]

[liaising]

Eventful, certainly. But I'm grateful for all it gave me.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I'm sure that your autobiography would be a fascinating read. [He says with a light shrug.] But it certainly takes time to obtain a position in the Organization, doesn't it?

[liaising]

It can do. It depends an awful lot on the individual. And his or her enclosure, of course.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I see. May I ask what enclosure you hail from? [He dismisses how disturbing it could be considered - that at some point one's enclosure is treated as their point of origin instead of their home world.]

[liaising]

We are sitting in it, you and I -- [She answers with such ardent fondness.]

[yourfononsarewhack]

Oh my. I felt that may have been the answer. In any case, I certainly understand your pride in your home. [He pauses and sips his tea.] Perhaps there's even a chance that I could be recognized someday.

[liaising]

Is that would you would like, Colonel?

[yourfononsarewhack]

Perhaps. It certainly seems like the primary way that I could put my skills to use while we're all trapped in this predicament.

[liaising]

Putting your skills -- and the skills of your fellow villagers -- to use is exactly why I'm here. It takes time, though. When I lived here, it took a few years after our liaison showed up before I assumed my first position with the Organization.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I see. Well, time is certainly a luxury that we have in abundance here, is it not? Disbarring of course, the chances of spontaneous returns home. [Which Jade had to hear secondhand that he's experienced several times in the past.]

[liaising]

...For which option are you most hopeful, Colonel?