IC Contact for midnightsyndicate

[colorofthesky]

text ~ audio ~ video ~ action

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baaaackdated to like the day after vine shenans

[showmeyourwreath]

[ A letter arrives in Zack's mailbox. The paper is made of thick, rich card stock and the writing is in a flowery script. ]

Dear Zack,

I write to you not out of cowardice but because I don't imagine mine is a face you want to see right now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Zack. Please believe me that I would never do what I've done. I'd never force anyone as I did, especially not you. The Maeve really got into my head, I didn't even realise there was anything to fight. I don't know what else I can say but that I'm sorry.

I don't ask your forgiveness, I just needed you to know.

-Flora

[colorofthesky]

[ A letter is left in her own box a few days later. The paper is plain, and his writing is neat. ]

Apology accepted.

[ That's all. He doesn't really know what else to say. ]

[showmeyourwreath]

[A new letter is left to him soon after, on less fancy paper, but still very good.]

Are you angry with me?

[ She's afraid of the answer, but she must ask. ]

[colorofthesky]

[ An answer comes later that day. ]

No. I'd rather talk about it in person.

I just need a little more time.

[showmeyourwreath]

[ And her reply in kind. ]

Hello,

Take all the time you need, Zack.

-Flora

[ She is, hopefully not going anywhere. ]

Package

[prideinthefall]

[ The tiny package has a four inch piece of polished elm inside. The piece of wood engraved with symbols invoking Ishdra, Masphet, Ganok, and Ordrell. The rest of the symbols are designed to channel the invocation of these gods into protection, a shield against harmful intent for those who know enough of Mokoshian magic to identify them. Each symbol was burned carefully into the wood’s surface to prevent any of them from rubbing off or fading. With the talisman is a note. Keep this with you. – S ]

audio - 8/26, after the network horror

[unworthyking]

[Her voice is thin, worn. It's a simple message.]

Zack, this is Arturia. Did you see that?

[colorofthesky]

I saw it.

[ His voice is tight. He doesn't like this at all. ]

Did you ever meet that girl?

[unworthyking]

Yes.

[She breathes for a moment, then her voice comes more clearly, as though she's sitting up straighter.]

I heard rumors of incidents in the past, but I suspected it was normal activity associated with organized crime. Within a certain expectation of the environment.

[colorofthesky]

I didn't properly know her. I just ran into her a few times.

[ It's still unacceptable. He knows there have been incidents like these in the past, and he's been feeling a bit antsy since the fight with Koltira by the river, but this is different. He hasn't seen this kind of mess since the Neheda was infiltrated. ]

I heard from someone I know that there have been murders in the house before. I think a few months ago.

[ A beat, then- ]

Did you ever go to the festival?

[unworthyking]

She seemed quite kind. It is a difficult loss.

[And absolutely unacceptable on every level. Unnecessary, violent, gruesome, and displayed for all to see. It can't happen again. Saber thought she was somehow going to be spared that horror in exchange for her "services". Now she knows it's not true. Vague notions of prior incidents had reached her, but now she craves--against all hope--information.]

I did not attend the festival. I was informed by Lady Elizabeth that there were creatures that attacked the attendees. Were you there?

[From the water.

From. The. Water.]

[colorofthesky]

I was there.

[ The first part of the party wasn't so bad, all things considered. It was only in the middle of the night when things started to go sour. ]

I only saw one of them, but a friend of mine who fought it with me said he looked exactly like one of the people he arrived with several months ago.

Whether it was really him or not, I don't know.

[ He was all too eager to have a reprieve, time to settle and recover a year with the CDC. Now, he thinks, he's only traded one evil for another; they simply wear different faces. ]

letter;

[cwene]

[The letter is slipped under Zack's door shortly after the festival and before the whole fiasco with the monsters, before they have the opportunity to maybe possibly run into each other at Sephiroth's flat. Inside the lustrous white envelope, sealed with Zack's name written on the front in a bold, architectural script, is a handmade card. Inside the card is a brief note.]

Zack,

Many apologies if I was too forward with you at the festival. In Eros, in Mokosh in general, few would find my actions upsetting, but if I pushed where I wasn't wanted, I need to apologize and offer you a sacrifice in proportion to what I took. For the sake of justice.

I'm so very sorry if I've upset you. And if I haven't and this upsets you, I'm very sorry for that, too.

Yours,
Regina

letter;

[colorofthesky]

[ Regina will find a handwritten letter returned to her by the end of the day. ]

Regina,

You didn't upset me. I'm still getting used to how things work here so I was a little surprised, but nothing you did made me angry or unhappy.

I did enjoy it so there's no need to apologize.

I would still call you a friend and spar with you anytime you like.

- Zack Fair

[cwene]

[A maid knocks on Zack's door the next morning. This, of course, is Maggie, the maid that typically follows Regina around. She holds a box wrapped in beautiful, rich blue wrapping paper, shimmering with silvery blue circles. A thick white and gold ribbon wraps once around all four sides of the box and comes together in a full bow on top. The whole thing fits neatly in Maggie's palm, and she hands it to Zack when he opens the door, along with another card.]

Zack,

I'm so relieved. Please, accept this gift? It's a charm for luck and protection. Wear it close to your heart, against your skin.

Yours,
Regina

[Inside the elaborately wrapped box is a little token carved from white antler. It is engraved with runes and has a hole at the top for a chain or a leather thong so it can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. It thrums softly with energy, calm and soothing, and should Zack take it to someone else to investigate it (she wouldn't blame him), he'll find it is nothing more than a simple protective charm.]

[colorofthesky]

[ Why so cute, Regina?? Gosh. ]

Regina,

Thank you for the gift. I appreciate it more than you know.

I'll keep it close.

- Zack Fair

letter;

[cwene]

[The handmade card arrives the day after Cloud gives Regina her locket back, delivered by Maggie, who stands by Zack's door. "My lady said to wait for your reply," she says, and at his door she remains for as long as it takes Zack to reply.

As usual, there is a note in the card. Unusually, the writing is in a flourishing script instead of Regina's usual, architectural hand.]

Zack,

As you helped in the retrieval of my locket, I owe you much thanks. Please, tell me if there's anything I can do for you, anything at all. You have but to name your favor, and I will see it done.

Yours truly,
Regina

letter;

[colorofthesky]

[ Zack is a little surprised to receive the letter, honestly. He reads it, and of course, having a maid standing there waiting for his response does him make feel a little put on the spot.

Still, he writes something back, on plain paper, as usual. He isn't very good at letter-writing and never has been. ]

Regina,

As far as I'm concerned, you don't owe me anything at all. I helped because I wanted to, and knowing that having it has made you happy is reward enough for me.

I honestly can't think of a favor I could ask for right now, but I appreciate the thought.

If I think of something, I'll let you know.

- Zack Fair

Christmas~

[deilur]

[Come Christmas morning, there will be a small round present on the table, labeled with Zack's name. Sitting in a box is a leather dog collar, plus leash. Looped through the ring at the front is a ring, which should be a familiar enough symbol by now that even without the little card on the paper, he would know who gave it.

Merry Christmas, Zack :3]

1/20 / post ritual. text;

[deilur]

I'm taking Aerith to the temples. We'll meet you back home. Just letting you know so you don't worry.

[colorofthesky]

Thank you.

I should be back sometime later tonight.

[deilur]

We'll be waiting for you.

[colorofthesky]

[ There's a slight delay before he answers. ]

Cloud. I know this isn't the best time, but once this is over, we should talk.

[deilur]

[He pauses before responding.]

Yeah. We should. A lot's happened.

Letter, dated 2/8

[(Anonymous)]

[The letter arrives at the Arena, the envelope and paper itself nondescript. The handwriting is familiar, but looks like it was written in a hasty hand. To the casual observer, it is a most boring account, a melancholy woman describing in great detail her trip out to the country. It isn't even signed...]