-233- [Return from a Long Absence]

[impure_tale]

[The sound of happy barking in the background.]

It would seem that I took an unexpected leave of absence. My apologies to everyone I did not speak to beforehand, and it is my sincerest hopes that I did not give you a fright.

To the many new arrivals that have come in the time I have been gone: Welcome, and enjoy your stay.

To all others: Happy New Year? 

Comments

[heavenlymisandrist]

'Enjoy your stay'. You are joking, I hope.

[impure_tale]

Only a little.

[heavenlymisandrist]

I thought the world of man was despicable. This place is far worse.

[impure_tale]

In some ways it cannot be helped. The floods are unpredictable and we have little choice in where the ship stops. However, in the times between I prefer to look to opportunities to make my home a little more enriching.

So how might we enrich you, cheri?

[heavenlymisandrist]

By returning my Hagoromo to me and letting me be free of this place.

[ Hagoromo is an item from Japanese myth, the robes that allow a heavenly maiden (not quite an angel) to return to the heavens. ]

[impure_tale]

I'm afraid I do not have your Hagoromo.

Is there nothing that pleases you aside from release?

[megamind]

Ah, welome back Marquis. Did you have a lovely holiday?

[impure_tale]

To be perfectly honest, I cannot remember being gone. I simply didn't want to alarm anyone.

[megamind]

Oh. Well. That's disconcerting.

[impure_tale]

You see? This all might have been avoided.

[megamind]

What? What might me avoided?

[impure_tale]

A joke, dear. I said I did not wish to worry anyone.

[strangehistorian]

Hello, Marquis! It's good to hear from you.

[impure_tale]

And lovely to be heard, dear.

[tentacruelest]

So. Yeh aren't dead yet.

[impure_tale]

Oh no, I've been dead some time, now. Simply not gone for good.

[tentacruelest]

Imagine my disappointment.

[impure_tale]

I don't think you are, so it's difficult to imagine.

How was your December, captain?

[tentacruelest]

Terrible. I murdered a boy and my warden took offense. Now he dogs my every footstep.

[impure_tale]

Why did you murder a boy?

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It's good to meet you. I am called Scorpius.

I am led to believe you and I share adjoining quarters.

[impure_tale]

Lovely to meet you, Scorpius. The Marquis de Sade, at your service.

I apologize in advance for the noise.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Yes, what is that in the background behind you? Some sort of alarm?

[impure_tale]

My dog. She's hungry for a walk.

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Your animal eats...walks?

[brb checking to make sure his translator microbes are working properly]