parallaxes | saltburnt inbox

[ A photo of a plant grown in his tent, unlike any she's seen before — unlike anyone's seen before. It's growing out of an eyeball inside a glass bottle. ]

[Hm. Gross.]

An unusual choice of substrate. Necessary for the species?

[ Oh. Oops. ]

I think it is. This is the very first of its kind. Possibly the last, unless the source allows me to extract another seed from his body. Forgive me, I must have sent this photo by mistake.

Our environment may be disrupting communications, much as it has disrupted other things. Or perhaps it was fate.

Do you commonly grow such flora?

I'd like to think it was fate, then.

[ Fate split itself in half to make him and Sullivan, after all. ]

Only when I'm gifted with it. This was a present from someone who loves me. Both the seed and the eye.

[Given the timing:]

A sacrifice made to the maze? Or to you?

To the maze, at first. He didn't quite know what to do with it once he was done, so it was given to me. What do you think of its new purpose?

I think it's not a purpose which would occur to most. I imagine there are many who would find it grotesque, and deeply unsettling.

Are you one of the many?

Would you prefer if I were? Do you seek to unsettle others?

Not at all. It's a joy to find someone who can see beauty in the grotesque.

Then fate was in your favour. But I would find its beauty greatly diminished, if you hadn't disclosed that it was a gift.

[ Unironically loves it when someone brings up fate. Doki ]

You're not a fan of thieves?

Thieves, or unnecessary and unwarranted cruelty.

No reason to worry, then. Cruelty is never the point.

[ When you're delulu and believe all the pain you've caused was a blessing. ]

Perhaps not. But as a consequence, do you avoid it, or continue your pursuit regardless?

Miss Mara Sov,

I hope I am not bothering you, but I wish to thank you again for your help in the search for evidence the other day. It was greatly appreciated.

I hope that you are doing as well as one can be in these circumstances.

- Harry Goodsir

Would you ask that to a hurricane? To a hungry animal?

Neither have the capacity to know they are inflicting harm or causing suffering, nor that it may be avoidable. As such, they are not truly capable of cruelty. It is unique to intelligent beings - those who are able to make a choice.

So, no, I would not ask them. But I would ask you.

Goodsir - I apologise for the delay in response. I found it necessary to take some time away from this competition. It has been a very long time since I lacked the authority to call things to order, and I cannot say I have ever experienced such reckless internal anarchy.

I have seen your general missive on the matter of the bodies. Thank you for your rationality and impartiality in the face of such horrors. You are an example many should learn to follow.

If you find yourself in need of my assistance in future, do not hesitate to ask.

P.S. - My correct title is Queen, but you may address me without.

Queen, oh my goodness. I am sorry.

And thank you for your kind words.

No apologies are necessary; I took no offence.

Truth was my aim, more than kindness, but if they have provided such then I am glad for it.

[ There is no text, no saucy photo: just a series of clips of Deolinda sent from his phone to Mara's inbox. Sometimes Dom is heard exclaiming, especially when she does a little parkour, or laughing when she puts her nose right up against his camera. ]

[Oh. Cute.]

I don't believe I was the intended recipient of these, but I appreciate them all the same. Is she enjoying the snow?

[ Thank god it was just Dee. He lives in fear now. ]

Sorry Yea she really likes it Her name is Deolinda

There's no need to apologise, it was not your doing.

Of course, she was born for it. I'm sure there are many of us who would be jealous of her fur right now, especially how well insulated her paws are.

A lovely name. Does it mean something in particular?

I guess so Do u know a lot about snow leopards? My moms said if I was a girl I'd be called Deolinda so I gave her a name that reminded me of them

No, not specifically. I have a fondness for cats, so have passing knowledge of many subspecies. It's delightful to see one so directly.

I'm sure they would appreciate that, and that you have her with you where they cannot be.

That's cool I didn't really look into it until I got her I wanted to know what she eats and stuff What she likes to do

[ Etc. ]

U can meet her if u want We've been hanging out outside a lot Bet my moms would never let me keep her tho

Then perhaps our paths will cross.

My understanding is that they would not have a choice in the matter. You are bound, correct?

Yea we are At first I thought it was gonna be too weird but IDK I like her and she always wants to be with me It's pretty cool

Do you think you could describe how deeply the link has established itself?

[A request which likely comes across as clinically curious, an attempt to examine him, which is not her intention. She hesitates, for a moment, then adds,]

Your words have reminded me of my brother, is all.

I think I slept in. Is breakfast still on or shall I call for a maid?

Peony.

[Relief colours her voice, full and undisguised.]

I'll bring you something shortly. Things are much changed from when you'll last remember, let me prepare you before you venture further.

Everyone seems very grumpy.

Did someone die again? More wolves?

[ what did she miss now? ]

A small group of guests attempted to breach the barrier. They angered the entity within the house, and pleased the one outside. Some of the communication revealed that there were those amongst us who had been holding potentially relevant information for quite some time, without disseminating it. This caused some predictable outrage.

[A sigh.]

It was all very tedious.

People always hide things. It's in the nature of mortals to guard information when there is no currency. It becomes one of its own.

Do we need to appease the entity, or is the matter resolved yet?

saltburnt inbox | @rega

photo, un: magazine (cw: eye and plant body horror)

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@goodsir

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1/2

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misfire, un: dom

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un: :) (forward dated to the end of the month)

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