Repose

[Derek]
[She just got home from closing up, in her pajamas but still with her hair done and makeup on. Texted, even though she's pretty sure Derek is in the other room:]
Hi

On the forums:

[Holly]
i know i'm late to the not-party and i'm sorry i didn't say anything sooner. i heard you got hurt.

[Jamie]
i apologize for our last conversation. i know that one started out as an apology, but it went off the rails and i didn't react right and said some messed up stuff. i don't want you to feel like you have to reply, but i did want to say that i'm sorry.

[Si]
how goes it?

[Hannah]
how are things going? i saw something about you apartment hunting?

[Against her better judgement, Lear]
congrats on the new house.

[And, finally, Seven]
six months and one day.

I suppose it's time that I properly introduced myself.

I've been in town for a couple of months now, but never found time to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Adamson. I've taken a position at the Quiet Home to help those who live there. I do have a home by the lake, though I still need to take the time to settle in.

If there is anything that I can do for anyone, do not hesitate to let me know.

Regards,
Jasper

It would appear that we have a new resident by the lakeside. Welcome, whoever you are.

[Marta F]

I feel like half our relationship is now quarterly check in's. How are you doing, Marta?

[Hugh M]

This is where I pretend that I am at all good at reaching out to people and say hello. I hope your days have been well?

Who: Liam & [Open]
What: A lake encounter
Where: Dock by the lake
When: Tonight
Warnings/Rating: TBD

He was cold.

The world he existed in had no warmth remaining, no light to melt away the frost that seemed to cover everything around him. It shot through him, filled him from his toes to the very top of his head, cold enough that even the air around him was frosty. He sat on the edge of the dock, staring out across the dark lake, the moon reflected in the water.

This was what he deserved, he supposed, after all was said and done. Too many mistakes, too many missteps, and this was where he landed and where he deserved to stay. Better choices could have changed the path he walked, but there was no going back, no rewind button to fix the mistakes he had made. No, there was only this, and his soul ached.

One hand gripped the edge of the dock where he sat, frost spreading out from his fingertips. He hadn't always been this cold, no. At first, there had been hope, or at least the promise of something better in the end, but the months drew on and the light grew dim, and whatever flame that might have been kindled in his heart had been snuffed out, leaving behind only ice.

Anyone who might have come upon him would have seen a dark figure sitting on the edge of the dock, clothes damp with lake water as though he had taken a recent swim. The night air was cool, but the air nearer to him was frigid, the sort of air that made the inside of your nose tighten and your chest hurt.

[Locked to Lear L]
[After this.]

Admit it. Sat around flicking the lights on and off for fun.

I swear the new lakeside resident is trying to be as conspicuous as possible. Lights on, lights off. Any theories?

The Devil. How interesting.

[Harlow J.]
I have some news for you, but not much.

[One of the more modern lakeside mansions is purchased, as is. It had been commissioned by a renowned architecture firm five or six years back, before its original owner opted for somewhere less... exciting. Rumor states it was bought by the man whose sister had owned the photography studio, though little about him is known. If you seem interested or sympathetic enough, some of the chattier Reposians might even go so far as to mention the odd hours the lights are on or the constant coming and going of the Mercedes, and how that all fits into their extensive speculation.

In separate news, there is a small craft advisory for the lake, as the weather whips the waters in a lather lasting a few days. It is recommended residents steer clear of the shores and stay off of the water until the advisory is cancelled.]

Fuck this stupid ass town and its stupid mansions.

[Billy K]
How were the holidays, kid?

[Ethan T]
Good to know old age hasn't stolen your sense of humor.

[Hugh M]
Good year's end?

[Janus A]
How's the housecleaning?

[Lear L]
Can we discuss how I like slumming less than you like slumming?

It was not Death, for I stood up,
And all the Dead, lie down -
It was not Night, for all the Bells
Put out their Tongues, for Noon.

It was not Frost, for on my Flesh
I felt Siroccos - crawl -
Nor Fire - for just my marble feet
Could keep a Chancel, cool -

And yet, it tasted, like them all,
The Figures I have seen
Set orderly, for Burial
Reminded me, of mine -

As if my life were shaven,
And fitted to a frame,
And could not breathe without a key,
And ’twas like Midnight, some -

When everything that ticked - has stopped -
And space stares - all around -
Or Grisly frosts - first Autumn morns,
Repeal the Beating Ground -

But most, like Chaos - Stopless - cool -
Without a Chance, or spar -
Or even a Report of Land -
To justify - Despair.

-Emily Dickinson

I have to admit that I've never lived in a town quite as special as this one.

It certainly keeps one on their toes.

Okay so

to combat this rumor storm going on why don't we post some positive stuff??

For example today a lady complimented my outfit when I was x-mas shopping and I am really grateful sage is my roommate, oh and I made mao's hair look like an amazing viking god this week

so feel free to comment with positive stuff you've seen, liked, heard etc etc etc.

[Locked to Lear]

Do we get a vote on these rumors?

[Locked to Kratos S]
What counsel does your talking head give you about murder?

[It's been a week. A week and a half. Who the fuck cares.]

[Locked to Atticus M]
The mortals are disturbed.

[He knows Lear's last initial from reading through the forums. He's back on the island after the train evening, still feeling under the weather, but feeling marginally better than when he was Lear's guest before the evening on the train.]

[Locked to Lear L]
Sorry to leave without tipping housekeeping.

Are you less fixated on Paradise in the day to day, or is it a rather permanent fixture of your personality?

Did you like being someone else?

Dumb question: Only one coffee shop in town?

Who: Atticus & Lear
What: An encounter
Where: The lake (where Atticus always is), near the statue of Neptune
When: Nowish, fuzzy, late night
Warnings/Rating: ?

Nights were starting to get chilly. Wouldn't be long before the lake was too icy to go out on, and Atticus was starting to get antsy thinking about it. At present, the lake was his only escape. Could row close enough to the shore that he could experience life at a distance. Could hear voices. Could sometimes see people outside. Made him feel less like he was the only person on the planet. Had his computer, too. Had started being social on there, posting on forums, earning Reddit gold, learning about Discord. But wasn't the same as real people in the real world, not to him. Blame the 1999 in the guy.

Which was a wordy way to explain why he was out on the lake in the middle of the night. Dressed warmly, Walkman playing old CCR, foam headphones on his ears.

Was a clear night. Clear and quiet. Too quiet, hence the Walkman. Rowed slowly, unhurried. A beer bottle was sweating on the floor of the boat, between his sneakers and jean hems. Blame the quiet, but curiosity got the best of him; had always wanted to get a better look at that statue in the middle of the lake. Ghosts didn't like the statue, but Atticus wasn't in the mood to heed them. Wasn't a particularly reckless person, but the blame could be laid solidly at the feet of his mounting isolation-cased insanity.