Smiles :)

- @mcolemanusher

aheheh… oh,,, found me indeed… i didnt realise we were playing some hide and seek… should i go and find you next??? :) aheheh,,, i kid!!! how strange a turn of the tables this is… you wont stare too hard from your little question box,,, will you???

i am not wholly prepared for guests,,, even in a manner like this… maybe i should redecorate to be more… welcoming,,, for you???

I can't make any promises about staring. I really do try to be polite, but I can't be... not what I am, if that makes any sense. And you really do make me so curious! But I am trying to be nice. I'm going to be nice.

of course aheheh,,, i understand!!! that is plenty reasonable--- there are some things about us that cant be avoided… of course i can afford you some leeway,,, Archivist :) you have been nice thus far and so it is only fair i return the favour!!! the screen serves as a wonderful shield anyway aheheh…

Elliot is a good boss, particularly as... our industry goes. Haha. I've heard that what goes on in London or at Usher West is... uh, different. Different seems like a good, diplomatic way to put it.

yes,,, that certainly is a way to put it aheheheh!!! Different… strange… unfamiliar… Meddlesome… though of course i have only seen from the outside--- whether its all actually true from the inside of that wretched building--- i wouldn't know… im certainly content to keep it that way!!! :))) self---preservation is an important tool… and there are plenty enough--- different to deal with in my own circles aheheh…

It's fine, though. We have our own defenses, but I'm more of a lover than a fighter, haha.

aheheheheheheheheheheh!!! yes of course of course aheheheheh!!! though it certainly is amusing--- it is as though you wish to remain… strangers,,, in a way??? :) aheheheheheh!!! but even strangers can be friendly to one another,,, aheheheh!!! :)

and as disappointing as that is--- i can accept that,,, and most definitely forgive,,, of course… you have been plenty forthright indeed and it would be hypocritical of me to press you for information!!! but whenever you do feel comfortable sharing i will always be glad to provide an ear aheheheheh… :) i have plenty to spare after all aheheheheheh!!! :)

- @mcolemanusher

aheheh… oh,,, found me indeed… i didnt realise we were playing some hide and seek… should i go and find you next??? :) aheheh,,, i kid!!! how strange a turn of the tables this is… you wont stare too hard from your little question box,,, will you???

i am not wholly prepared for guests,,, even in a manner like this… maybe i should redecorate to be more… welcoming,,, for you???

I can't make any promises about staring. I really do try to be polite, but I can't be... not what I am, if that makes any sense. And you really do make me so curious! But I am trying to be nice. I'm going to be nice.

of course aheheh,,, i understand!!! that is plenty reasonable--- there are some things about us that cant be avoided… of course i can afford you some leeway,,, Archivist :) you have been nice thus far and so it is only fair i return the favour!!! the screen serves as a wonderful shield anyway aheheh…

Elliot is a good boss, particularly as... our industry goes. Haha. I've heard that what goes on in London or at Usher West is... uh, different. Different seems like a good, diplomatic way to put it.

yes,,, that certainly is a way to put it aheheheh!!! Different… strange… unfamiliar… Meddlesome… though of course i have only seen from the outside--- whether its all actually true from the inside of that wretched building--- i wouldn't know… im certainly content to keep it that way!!! :))) self---preservation is an important tool… and there are plenty enough--- different to deal with in my own circles aheheh…

It's fine, though. We have our own defenses, but I'm more of a lover than a fighter, haha.

aheheheheheheheheheheh!!! yes of course of course aheheheheh!!! though it certainly is amusing--- it is as though you wish to remain… strangers,,, in a way??? :) aheheheheheh!!! but even strangers can be friendly to one another,,, aheheheh!!! :)

- @mcolemanusher

aheheh… oh,,, found me indeed… i didnt realise we were playing some hide and seek… should i go and find you next??? :) aheheh,,, i kid!!! how strange a turn of the tables this is… you wont stare too hard from your little question box,,, will you???

i am not wholly prepared for guests,,, even in a manner like this… maybe i should redecorate to be more… welcoming,,, for you???

I can't make any promises about staring. I really do try to be polite, but I can't be... not what I am, if that makes any sense. And you really do make me so curious! But I am trying to be nice. I'm going to be nice.

of course aheheh,,, i understand!!! that is plenty reasonable--- there are some things about us that cant be avoided… of course i can afford you some leeway,,, Archivist :) you have been nice thus far and so it is only fair i return the favour!!! the screen serves as a wonderful shield anyway aheheh…

Elliot is a good boss, particularly as... our industry goes. Haha. I've heard that what goes on in London or at Usher West is... uh, different. Different seems like a good, diplomatic way to put it.

yes,,, that certainly is a way to put it aheheheh!!! Different… strange… unfamiliar… Meddlesome… though of course i have only seen from the outside--- whether its all actually true from the inside of that wretched building--- i wouldn't know… im certainly content to keep it that way!!! :))) self---preservation is an important tool… and there are plenty enough--- different to deal with in my own circles aheheh…

- @mcolemanusher

aheheh… oh,,, found me indeed… i didnt realise we were playing some hide and seek… should i go and find you next??? :) aheheh,,, i kid!!! how strange a turn of the tables this is… you wont stare too hard from your little question box,,, will you???

i am not wholly prepared for guests,,, even in a manner like this… maybe i should redecorate to be more… welcoming,,, for you???

I can't make any promises about staring. I really do try to be polite, but I can't be... not what I am, if that makes any sense. And you really do make me so curious! But I am trying to be nice. I'm going to be nice.

of course aheheh,,, i understand!!! that is plenty reasonable--- there are some things about us that cant be avoided… of course i can afford you some leeway,,, Archivist :) you have been nice thus far and so it is only fair i return the favour!!! the screen serves as a wonderful shield anyway aheheh…

Elliot is a good boss, particularly as... our industry goes. Haha. I've heard that what goes on in London or at Usher West is... uh, different. Different seems like a good, diplomatic way to put it.

yes,,, that certainly is a way to put it aheheheh!!! Different… strange… unfamiliar… Meddlesome… though of course i have only seen from the outside--- whether its all actually true from the inside of that wretched building--- i wouldn't know… im certainly content to keep it that way!!! :))) self---preservation is an important tool… and there are plenty enough--- different to deal with in my own circles aheheh…

- @mcolemanusher

aheheh… oh,,, found me indeed… i didnt realise we were playing some hide and seek… should i go and find you next??? :) aheheh,,, i kid!!! how strange a turn of the tables this is… you wont stare too hard from your little question box,,, will you???

i am not wholly prepared for guests,,, even in a manner like this… maybe i should redecorate to be more… welcoming,,, for you???

I can't make any promises about staring. I really do try to be polite, but I can't be... not what I am, if that makes any sense. And you really do make me so curious! But I am trying to be nice. I'm going to be nice.

of course aheheh,,, i understand!!! that is plenty reasonable--- there are some things about us that cant be avoided… of course i can afford you some leeway,,, Archivist :) you have been nice thus far and so it is only fair i return the favour!!! the screen serves as a wonderful shield anyway aheheh…

G00d t0 pR0p3rlY m33t At laSt, HaUnt3r! always nice to drop by, though, check in on our kin, see the new products. h0W hav3 Y0U B33n? dwelling in some good shoeboxes, i hope? 3h3h3h3h3h3h…. 1 br0UghT mY g1ft, Fr13nD. i do hope you enjoy it- i made sure to pick the shade so carefully!

{ a glimmer of red, offered up towards it, free for taking. a vibrant shade, the light reflecting off it smoothly. Long and winding, single-colour. Simple, but elegant. }

{ @smiling-stranger :) }

Ah! Smiles! How lovely to finally meet you! I have had some rather excellent haunts recently, yes!

[A long hand emerges from the box, collecting the ribbon. The creature itself has propped up beneath the slightly open lid. The hand collects the ribbon, and retreats into the box]

Wasn’t quite sure what to offer you. You didn’t exactly reveal yourself beforehand, but I felt this trophy from a former Divine Host fellow would do nicely! It itself isn’t marked, but its closeness to those fools is enough to make it very interesting!

[The clawed hand withdraws again from the abyss of the box, this time holding the aforementioned watch, which depicts the symbol of the Divine Host]

{ as though contemplating, its' head… changes. gone and replaced by another and another, as though it were searching for a suitable option, cycling through a variety all-the-while. different faces, swapped out quickly and suddenly until it landed back on the one it had originally appeared with }

0h W3ll...- 1T's gR3aT t0 M33t y0u pr0p3Rly, Sh03b0X Cr3aTur3, f3lL0w haUnt3r! i'm so glad to finally be meeting you properly and its nice to hear your haunts have gone well, what great news! mAy Th3 LuCK C0nT1nU3, Fr13Nd. for the both of us! 1 h0P3 y0u l1K3 Th3 r1Bb0N, 1t WaS 0n3 0f mY faV0uR1t3s!

{ once it grabs hold of the watch, it holds it with both hands, looking down at it, sculpted smile appearing fond } { certainly too big for their hands, but still something it will treasure nonetheless. }

This ribbon does certainly look tasteful! I shall be sure to secure it in a special place amongst my trophies - a token of kinship between haunters deserves all that and more!

i'm glad you enjoy it, then, your watch has certainly earned itself a top spot amongst my trinkets.

aNd 0f C0uRs3, 0uR l0v3ly Fr13nD, 3h3h3h3h… That makes plenty of sense, yes, they really are quite useful, isn't she? wH3tH3r H3r 0Wn 3fF0rTs 0r n0T! How lucky that we found our way to her… d3f1n3Tly W0Rth k33p1Ng Cl0s3 1f P0Ss1Bl3.

{ they're looking at it once more with glassy eyes } { what a lovely companion they have found }

G00d t0 pR0p3rlY m33t At laSt, HaUnt3r! always nice to drop by, though, check in on our kin, see the new products. h0W hav3 Y0U B33n? dwelling in some good shoeboxes, i hope? 3h3h3h3h3h3h…. 1 br0UghT mY g1ft, Fr13nD. i do hope you enjoy it- i made sure to pick the shade so carefully!

{ a glimmer of red, offered up towards it, free for taking. a vibrant shade, the light reflecting off it smoothly. Long and winding, single-colour. Simple, but elegant. }

{ @smiling-stranger :) }

Ah! Smiles! How lovely to finally meet you! I have had some rather excellent haunts recently, yes!

[A long hand emerges from the box, collecting the ribbon. The creature itself has propped up beneath the slightly open lid. The hand collects the ribbon, and retreats into the box]

Wasn’t quite sure what to offer you. You didn’t exactly reveal yourself beforehand, but I felt this trophy from a former Divine Host fellow would do nicely! It itself isn’t marked, but its closeness to those fools is enough to make it very interesting!

[The clawed hand withdraws again from the abyss of the box, this time holding the aforementioned watch, which depicts the symbol of the Divine Host]

{ as though contemplating, its' head… changes. gone and replaced by another and another, as though it were searching for a suitable option, cycling through a variety all-the-while. different faces, swapped out quickly and suddenly until it landed back on the one it had originally appeared with }

0h W3ll...- 1T's gR3aT t0 M33t y0u pr0p3Rly, Sh03b0X Cr3aTur3, f3lL0w haUnt3r! i'm so glad to finally be meeting you properly and its nice to hear your haunts have gone well, what great news! mAy Th3 LuCK C0nT1nU3, Fr13Nd. for the both of us! 1 h0P3 y0u l1K3 Th3 r1Bb0N, 1t WaS 0n3 0f mY faV0uR1t3s!

{ once it grabs hold of the watch, it holds it with both hands, looking down at it, sculpted smile appearing fond } { certainly too big for their hands, but still something it will treasure nonetheless. }

Why hello there, friend!

{ a voice speaks- it doesn't sound to have come from any particular direction, and the living-lifeless-real-fake doll doesn't so much as twitch but yet- who else could possibly be speaking? }

Haha, sorry, I hope this is a good time? I felt this meeting was perhaps a bit overdue- and, of course, I wanted to check in on you- as any good friend should! You've been through quite a stressful time after all- and I mean stressful, I never did say 'paranoid' you know! Though you did refer to me and my kin as 'freaks' so even if I did, well, I suppose we'd be even. But enough of that! The past is in the past and I truly am sorry if anything I ever said did hurt your feelings like that, I'd never mean to do such a thing you know! I just worry, is all.

As I said, I wanted to say hello- properly! And see how you are, considering the Elias thing, and then that most recent delivery- at least it seems to have been better than the last one. Italy has some lovely houses- did you enjoy your time there at least? And regardless- are you alright?

{ @smiling-stranger :) }

I- SMILES?

Hello… You’re actually here?

I would say sorry for the freak thing, but I try not to make a habit of lying and you’re a talking… I really want to say doll, but I honestly can’t tell. This isn’t some kind of trick to stuff me into something, is it? If it is, trust me when I say I can kill you first.

Oh, you’re- I… Might have overreacted. You’re just here to say hello? Don’t worry about insulting me, I’ve heard worse things. Hell, I used to host a YouTube channel.

It’s nice to… See- hear- talk. Talk to you in… The flesh. What the fuck am I supposed to say here?

I’m… I’m managing. Fighting against the chaos that is slowly consuming my life.

Italy wasn’t bad. Went to Venice which was beautiful but it’s definitely a city made more for tourists than actual human people trying to live. I mean the food was cheaply made but expensive and when it rained I had to pay €20 for my umbrella.

The hotel was… Good enough, surprisingly good for the price I suppose. I- I wasn’t really thinking about the experience of being in Italy, so much as everything going on with Elias.

I’d tell you about the delivery, but it sounds like you know about that. Somehow.

{ when Melanie blinked- the doll's hands had lifted to display empty palms } { and there they stayed, motionless beneath her gaze for a few moments more, until suddenly, in a blink they were resting in its lap once more }

But yes, all around I've been having a lovely time myself! I'm glad to be seeing you in person too- and even more glad to hear things went alright. It's been so long since I visited Italy myself, perhaps I'll check it out sometime? Venice… it sounds brilliant! I suppose it helps that I won't have to worry about the costs myself, haha… And I'm not one for knowing- I only know that you're still breathing and, as far as I can tell, not suffering any further 'ghost bullets' or 'dog bites'! And far less shaken than you were about that package for the Viscera. Even if I did know, though, I wouldn't be against hearing it in your words. You have a pleasant voice, has anybody ever told you that?

Oh, it really is so very nice to speak with you properly! Good weather for it, too. You seemed just rattled from whatever it is Elias did- a true shame we couldn't have him disposed of, but I'm just happy that you're okay.

If ever there's anything you wish to get off your chest or talk about, know that I am here for you Melanie, alright? Friends look out for each other!

Aside from an anon giving me quite possibly the worst headache I’ve ever had, Jon is back, and he’s talking to Elias with Daisy I think.

But I can talk for a moment, say hello to a… A friend. Thanks for the compliment, I suppose, and it’s nice to hear you’ve been… Having fun?

I- I would like some tea. The break room is employee-only only and apparently, I’m “not a real employee”. Thanks, Stoker.

Awfully rude of that Stoker person, though… But that's to be expected from The Eye's lot, I suppose. I sure hope whatever those three are discussing doesn't result in making things too much worse for you. What a horrible workplace that must be… At least you have us and The Trophy Room. Friendlier, quieter, much nicer, truly- a good crowd.

Though I do hope you have had some time to yourself outside of all your work- indulge in your hobbies and all that.

Not sure I’d call Es Mentiras lovely though… Hell, going mad is terrifying; I’m always scared that I am when meeting up with eldritch creatures to discuss the gods they serve. Even you have to admit this all sounds like some kind of gothic comic book.

Actually, I have one last question—I don’t know if I’ve already asked you about reports of people being stuffed in taxidermy.

But- Well, now I have confirmation that they're doing that, so I would really like to know if there are any plans to… Y’know, stuff me into a deer or bullshit, I don’t know.

And we all have our own opinions! Personally I think the beings of Es Mentiras make for great conversation partners- even if it gets difficult to understand them, at times. I suppose you have a point though, haha. A gothic comic book… When you live that reality long enough, however, it simply becomes mundane.

As for your concern however…

Being stuffed in taxidermy sounds absurd- how can you shove somebody into a skin already filled with stuffing? Not to mention it's simply more effort than it's worth, really rather pointless. Unless you mean someone being turned into taxidermy- skin preserved and insides replaced with something else. Much more likely, that one.

But that happening to yourself? No plans at all, as far as I know. We're a friendly lot, you understand. Even friendlier, if you join properly. Could probably cut those chains tying you to the institute if you did. But, regardless, no. No plans at all for it. Though of course, you might want to be particularly careful with some of the more… irritable, or impulsive members of the circus, lest they change their mind about that or do something regardless. The Ringleader, for one. Great energy, but… Yes, anyways, you're all safe. Potential new member of the troupe- or otherwise just doing as you are now, simply helping The Trophy Room in its operations. There's simply no reason to 'stuff you' into anything, really. No need to worry about a flensing- unless you make some sort of an attack on us first but I know you're better than that, Melanie.

{ in the passage of a blink, Smiles is standing }

Uh- anyway, I think I’ll keep on my way, not sure I really want to worship anything that’s called a dread power. Or anything at all for that matter. Not a fan of… Losing agency.

But I won't preach to you. I'm just glad we can be friends, Melanie. It's truly no problem at all- just take care, okay? We wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen to you. Again.

Don't stress, though. I'll keep checking in as I was before. You can always rely on me! :)

Why hello there, friend!

{ a voice speaks- it doesn't sound to have come from any particular direction, and the living-lifeless-real-fake doll doesn't so much as twitch but yet- who else could possibly be speaking? }

Haha, sorry, I hope this is a good time? I felt this meeting was perhaps a bit overdue- and, of course, I wanted to check in on you- as any good friend should! You've been through quite a stressful time after all- and I mean stressful, I never did say 'paranoid' you know! Though you did refer to me and my kin as 'freaks' so even if I did, well, I suppose we'd be even. But enough of that! The past is in the past and I truly am sorry if anything I ever said did hurt your feelings like that, I'd never mean to do such a thing you know! I just worry, is all.

As I said, I wanted to say hello- properly! And see how you are, considering the Elias thing, and then that most recent delivery- at least it seems to have been better than the last one. Italy has some lovely houses- did you enjoy your time there at least? And regardless- are you alright?

{ @smiling-stranger :) }

I- SMILES?

Hello… You’re actually here?

I would say sorry for the freak thing, but I try not to make a habit of lying and you’re a talking… I really want to say doll, but I honestly can’t tell. This isn’t some kind of trick to stuff me into something, is it? If it is, trust me when I say I can kill you first.

Oh, you’re- I… Might have overreacted. You’re just here to say hello? Don’t worry about insulting me, I’ve heard worse things. Hell, I used to host a YouTube channel.

It’s nice to… See- hear- talk. Talk to you in… The flesh. What the fuck am I supposed to say here?

I’m… I’m managing. Fighting against the chaos that is slowly consuming my life.

Italy wasn’t bad. Went to Venice which was beautiful but it’s definitely a city made more for tourists than actual human people trying to live. I mean the food was cheaply made but expensive and when it rained I had to pay €20 for my umbrella.

The hotel was… Good enough, surprisingly good for the price I suppose. I- I wasn’t really thinking about the experience of being in Italy, so much as everything going on with Elias.

I’d tell you about the delivery, but it sounds like you know about that. Somehow.

{ when Melanie blinked- the doll's hands had lifted to display empty palms } { and there they stayed, motionless beneath her gaze for a few moments more, until suddenly, in a blink they were resting in its lap once more }

But yes, all around I've been having a lovely time myself! I'm glad to be seeing you in person too- and even more glad to hear things went alright. It's been so long since I visited Italy myself, perhaps I'll check it out sometime? Venice… it sounds brilliant! I suppose it helps that I won't have to worry about the costs myself, haha… And I'm not one for knowing- I only know that you're still breathing and, as far as I can tell, not suffering any further 'ghost bullets' or 'dog bites'! And far less shaken than you were about that package for the Viscera. Even if I did know, though, I wouldn't be against hearing it in your words. You have a pleasant voice, has anybody ever told you that?

Oh, it really is so very nice to speak with you properly! Good weather for it, too. You seemed just rattled from whatever it is Elias did- a true shame we couldn't have him disposed of, but I'm just happy that you're okay.

If ever there's anything you wish to get off your chest or talk about, know that I am here for you Melanie, alright? Friends look out for each other!

Aside from an anon giving me quite possibly the worst headache I’ve ever had, Jon is back, and he’s talking to Elias with Daisy I think.

But I can talk for a moment, say hello to a… A friend. Thanks for the compliment, I suppose, and it’s nice to hear you’ve been… Having fun?

I- I would like some tea. The break room is employee-only only and apparently, I’m “not a real employee”. Thanks, Stoker.

Awfully rude of that Stoker person, though… But that's to be expected from The Eye's lot, I suppose. I sure hope whatever those three are discussing doesn't result in making things too much worse for you. What a horrible workplace that must be… At least you have us and The Trophy Room. Friendlier, quieter, much nicer, truly- a good crowd.

Though I do hope you have had some time to yourself outside of all your work- indulge in your hobbies and all that.

Not sure I’d call Es Mentiras lovely though… Hell, going mad is terrifying; I’m always scared that I am when meeting up with eldritch creatures to discuss the gods they serve. Even you have to admit this all sounds like some kind of gothic comic book.

Actually, I have one last question—I don’t know if I’ve already asked you about reports of people being stuffed in taxidermy.

But- Well, now I have confirmation that they're doing that, so I would really like to know if there are any plans to… Y’know, stuff me into a deer or bullshit, I don’t know.

And we all have our own opinions! Personally I think the beings of Es Mentiras make for great conversation partners- even if it gets difficult to understand them, at times. I suppose you have a point though, haha. A gothic comic book… When you live that reality long enough, however, it simply becomes mundane.

As for your concern however…

Being stuffed in taxidermy sounds absurd- how can you shove somebody into a skin already filled with stuffing? Not to mention it's simply more effort than it's worth, really rather pointless. Unless you mean someone being turned into taxidermy- skin preserved and insides replaced with something else. Much more likely, that one.

But that happening to yourself? No plans at all, as far as I know. We're a friendly lot, you understand. Even friendlier, if you join properly. Could probably cut those chains tying you to the institute if you did. But, regardless, no. No plans at all for it. Though of course, you might want to be particularly careful with some of the more… irritable, or impulsive members of the circus, lest they change their mind about that or do something regardless. The Ringleader, for one. Great energy, but… Yes, anyways, you're all safe. Potential new member of the troupe- or otherwise just doing as you are now, simply helping The Trophy Room in its operations. There's simply no reason to 'stuff you' into anything, really. No need to worry about a flensing- unless you make some sort of an attack on us first but I know you're better than that, Melanie.

{ in the passage of a blink, Smiles is standing }

Why hello there, friend!

{ a voice speaks- it doesn't sound to have come from any particular direction, and the living-lifeless-real-fake doll doesn't so much as twitch but yet- who else could possibly be speaking? }

Haha, sorry, I hope this is a good time? I felt this meeting was perhaps a bit overdue- and, of course, I wanted to check in on you- as any good friend should! You've been through quite a stressful time after all- and I mean stressful, I never did say 'paranoid' you know! Though you did refer to me and my kin as 'freaks' so even if I did, well, I suppose we'd be even. But enough of that! The past is in the past and I truly am sorry if anything I ever said did hurt your feelings like that, I'd never mean to do such a thing you know! I just worry, is all.

As I said, I wanted to say hello- properly! And see how you are, considering the Elias thing, and then that most recent delivery- at least it seems to have been better than the last one. Italy has some lovely houses- did you enjoy your time there at least? And regardless- are you alright?

{ @smiling-stranger :) }

I- SMILES?

Hello… You’re actually here?

I would say sorry for the freak thing, but I try not to make a habit of lying and you’re a talking… I really want to say doll, but I honestly can’t tell. This isn’t some kind of trick to stuff me into something, is it? If it is, trust me when I say I can kill you first.

Oh, you’re- I… Might have overreacted. You’re just here to say hello? Don’t worry about insulting me, I’ve heard worse things. Hell, I used to host a YouTube channel.

It’s nice to… See- hear- talk. Talk to you in… The flesh. What the fuck am I supposed to say here?

I’m… I’m managing. Fighting against the chaos that is slowly consuming my life.

Italy wasn’t bad. Went to Venice which was beautiful but it’s definitely a city made more for tourists than actual human people trying to live. I mean the food was cheaply made but expensive and when it rained I had to pay €20 for my umbrella.

The hotel was… Good enough, surprisingly good for the price I suppose. I- I wasn’t really thinking about the experience of being in Italy, so much as everything going on with Elias.

I’d tell you about the delivery, but it sounds like you know about that. Somehow.

{ when Melanie blinked- the doll's hands had lifted to display empty palms } { and there they stayed, motionless beneath her gaze for a few moments more, until suddenly, in a blink they were resting in its lap once more }

But yes, all around I've been having a lovely time myself! I'm glad to be seeing you in person too- and even more glad to hear things went alright. It's been so long since I visited Italy myself, perhaps I'll check it out sometime? Venice… it sounds brilliant! I suppose it helps that I won't have to worry about the costs myself, haha… And I'm not one for knowing- I only know that you're still breathing and, as far as I can tell, not suffering any further 'ghost bullets' or 'dog bites'! And far less shaken than you were about that package for the Viscera. Even if I did know, though, I wouldn't be against hearing it in your words. You have a pleasant voice, has anybody ever told you that?

Oh, it really is so very nice to speak with you properly! Good weather for it, too. You seemed just rattled from whatever it is Elias did- a true shame we couldn't have him disposed of, but I'm just happy that you're okay.

If ever there's anything you wish to get off your chest or talk about, know that I am here for you Melanie, alright? Friends look out for each other!

Aside from an anon giving me quite possibly the worst headache I’ve ever had, Jon is back, and he’s talking to Elias with Daisy I think.

But I can talk for a moment, say hello to a… A friend. Thanks for the compliment, I suppose, and it’s nice to hear you’ve been… Having fun?

I- I would like some tea. The break room is employee-only only and apparently, I’m “not a real employee”. Thanks, Stoker.

Awfully rude of that Stoker person, though… But that's to be expected from The Eye's lot, I suppose. I sure hope whatever those three are discussing doesn't result in making things too much worse for you. What a horrible workplace that must be… At least you have us and The Trophy Room. Friendlier, quieter, much nicer, truly- a good crowd.

Though I do hope you have had some time to yourself outside of all your work- indulge in your hobbies and all that.

I like smiles. >:}

Smiles, yes. :)

I'm happy to hear! I like smiles too :) and of course I like you too :) Smiles all around, everybody smiles! :) What a lovely world to live in :)

How very wonderful :) Agreements and smiles and smiles and agreements :) The simplest outcome, of course :) the most predictable, easiest! :) but not an unpleasant one :)