Journal of the Marquis de Sade

My beloved readers, my Inmate has finally defied the expectations of his peers, of his enemies, and of the standards of literature, and graduated -- no small feat for any person that sets foot on this mysterious ship. As of the fifteenth it was two years that he was in my care. Congratulations are in order, for him especially, and as I offer my own, with deepest pride in the man he has chosen to be.

[Friend Filter - Ask if you don't know if you're on it -- the list of names in the last entry really doesn't count]

I bear no intentions to make this about myself, but I would like to every last one of you if I denied I did not have my personal doubts. It is not that I ever believed he would fail, but because when I accepted this position, it was a challenge to prove that good could come of my philosophies, that my ideas of right and wrong are sound and not simply the machinations of one mad canary who flits in disorientation from cage to cage and stabs its beak at every curious onlooker that passes. I am a grown man, but for much of my life I did not act one. As an Inmate what weighed me was my influence on others, that I refused to own. The actions of others are their responsibility, but there are times when I have deliberately incited, times where my influence swayed innocents onto dangerous roads, and I would not marry myself to those consequences -- all for some higher notion of the freedom of ideas.

I graduated officially over two years ago, but I had not graduated, truly graduated, because I had not yet proven to myself that my influence could create good. I feel that I have accomplished this, at long last, and it is high time I had some reward for that.

[/Friend Filter]

Like my Inmate before me, I shall be departing the Barge -- very briefly. With my hands suddenly free, I feel I deserve a little holiday before another eager soul causes my Warden item to pulse (often at the most inopportune times and in the most interesting of places). I shall be visiting perhaps with Henry and the good doctor, eventually...among other places, but first I made a promise some time ago to pay a visit to the macabre and luxurious Sanitarium Island.

Until then, my dear readers, I must bid you a fond (and ever-so slightly suggestive) adieu.

OOC: The Marquis is going off-barge until either late tomorrow night or the next day. Of course he'll feel he's been gone for much longer, but he's got some exes to playfully harass and MAY decide to go back home and troll a few people.

[The Marquis sounds most tired and his voice sounds very labored.]

Such a lovely dream last night. I wish that I hadn't woken this morning.

Wardens please be advised that Iago has returned and is presently in Level 0.

I will also require someone to walk my Renate for me today. I am...somewhat under the weather.

(ooc: Naomi and I are assuming Pavi arrived last night and slipped in while the Marquis was sleeping. He woke this morning alone and assumed he dreamt the whole thing and did not show up to meals today :| Because he's moping in bed. We'll be backdating spam :3  ALSO ANY DOCTOR THAT WANTS TO VOLUNTEER, I'D LIKE TO ASSUME HE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HIM AFTER HE CAUGHT HIM.)

Pere Noel,

Compelled to write to you though I very well may be, I realize you are the only source most of us have for these silly traditions of gift exchange -- and while I never professed any love of Christianity, I have never been averse to the familial aspects of the season when it has been my opportunity to enjoy them. For this reason I am resisting this a good deal less than I did last year. I am terrible at choosing gifts, however, so I will do my best.

( If it's behind the cut it's not visible to the public. The rest is, though )

Finally -- for myself. I should like a dog. I know not what specific breed you should bring, but it must be an active sort, but also very loyal, intelligent, and most importantly protective.

I trust you to handle things.

-M. de Sade

(ooc: Simm!Master's gift? A beard trimmer. Haha, Marquis. The breed of dog he'll wind up with: A Groenendael.)

It might serve to surprise some of you that I did not, in fact, write this most recent distribution, and those of you that have been keeping track ought to be ashamed; you should find my style distinctive by now. Know also that I have never written myself into a story, and that should have been your first indication. The second would be that despite my use of real people at times, I always change their names.

EDIT (after seeing Snape's entry): And honestly! I tell someone to grow thicker skin after a much tamer story, and everyone shakes their heads and scolds. It's because I'm French, isn't it?

Rehearsals are canceled tonight; I'm in need of some rest.

( Private messages to the Abbe, Angel, West, and Pavi )

If my Inmate is where I think he is, there is going to be Hell to pay.

[Private to Pavi Largo]

Imagine my surprise, pet, upon looking into that chest of mine to be certain I was cleared of all mirrors, only to find that that statuette was missing, and nothing else.

[Private to Dr Mccoy]

I am concerned for Pavi Largo's well-being. While normally I would have taken this up solely with him before, if this seemed less severe, but I am still aware that you are his Warden and do not wish to interfere in any efforts you are making toward his recovery.

[Private to Iago]

How are you faring in your excursions, cherub?

[Filtered to Pavi]

Paviche? Tell me you had the good sense to get your door locked.

[Filtered to West]

Are you and the good Doctor safe?

Also, I think I have something of yours. I shan't be braving the halls to bring it to you, but I have it.

[Filtered to Claire]

Cheri...?