vampish_aleera | Nostalgia

So, we find ourselves a new influx, yes?

Not long, my friends... Not long before you come to understand the strangeness of this place and the nonsense you must endure.

I miss Verona. It has been long since I had opportunity to speak with one who understands the tongue of my homeland.

Cowboy! What have you been doing? Amuse Aleera with your tales of clanking boots, terror and flintlocks!

Toshiko, it has been long since we spoke... I had hopes for you, eh? Hopes that in finding me my new path, it would help you, also. You are no longer my teacher - you are my neighbour. My friend. Are there things troubling you? Things I can perhaps help with?

Pirate lady! I read of your sorrows! But you still dwell here, I think... I have little to do and many I have known - they have gone from this place. My bloodied sister, too... But you? You do not go. You have strength - even when feeling weak. I should come share your burdens, eh? Or perhaps teach drinking songs!

Sam, the policeman! Prefect! The one who would be called 'Master'! Billy! Miss Parker! And more names than even these! We, all of us, have made this our home. Not always from choice, yes? But a home, still.

Come, be thankful... There are not yet the spinning contraptions of death lining our halls. No winged serpents. No living volcano. No speeches from the Admiral creature of strange waters or land we must go to. And there shall be others new to here. Others who may yet touch your hearts - for good and ill.

'Inmate'. 'Warden'. Titles... Nothing more! No plottings, today, hmm? No grand schemes. These things reflect badly on our honour and achieve so little.

So! It is to you all whom I speak! Let us be friends, if only for a day. Then we can return to being monsters, criminals and petty thieves. Console the nearest you find in sadness.

You cannot know when they shall be you.