Lilinoe walks along the river, she tries- I try so hard to focus in the waves. The other day was a... horrible day. Every detail, every sound, -the laughter, the shouting, the bells... I still keep it.
The fliers asked for help. I want to help, always. There were many, many present... A construct, a githzerai, a concerning man with wild eyes, Johnson, the Fox...
We were summoned instead of greeted. The raven, Pitch, rushed to us, delivering another cry for help.
It was awful... Poor Miss Maeve was hunched, hands clasped over her ears. Books upon books sat nearby- many languages and many types. We all were concerned, all trying to help. Miss Alyse was by her side immediately... A dark-haired woman walked away- to cast a spell, I think, as the rest tried to talk to Maeve and Pitch.
A clever, beautiful bird, Pitch said one of the books hurt Miss Maeve. There was something about a pattern... Some of us carefully glanced through the books, while Miss- er- Doctor Alyse and a tiefling tried very hard to help her... I didn't... didn't try...
They spoke to her, through her, and channeled what plagued Miss Maeve. Bells tolled.
There was a fight- I didn't want to look, as the bells continued. The construct tried to analyze. Johnson listened- I started too as well. There was... dots... something... I drew it on the ground.
The Risen Fall. Curiosity Is Punished. Those That Seek Answers Must Fight For Them.
Doctor Alyse could read it- she is so calm, observant... Her magic is beautiful. We... didn't interpret it fast enough... the tiefling picked up a book.
Horrible book. Terrible book. Pale and far too soft.
Mostly, it did not call to him.
We were still rather... concerned.
Pitch said it was found near the ruins by Eight. With Miss Maeve still suffering, the man with wild eyes suggested we join the other group, who've been fighting... air? Doctor Alyse looked rather ill- I was sorry to leave her. She helped us so...
It was odd... Everyone... was just grabbing air. Foul smelling air.
I didn't know what to do- I stood away... I could hear Doctor Alyse speaking under her breath....
/"Perhaps it is time for an intermission."/ /"How does this scene end? How is Maeve relieved?"/
Then... the skull. In the midst of the group, a body appeared. Not a bad one- though it was dressed like a performer. I didn't see how it happened. I didn't keep watching once the man with wild eyes started *eating.* I think I missed something important...
/"When will she die?"/
One day. Doctor Alyse told me one day. How horrible. This poor woman.
Was it 'The Fool'? That is what Doctor Alyse said. I wasn't... I don't know.. I know nothing.
/The Fool knows of the mists./
/Involved in murder. It watches. The show must go on-/
It was the book that hurt Maeve, wasn't it? Not the Fool. It only... it only...
/"This world could hope to fight this plague. How do you repel what is, what cannot be contained? Seek the voice in the fog and make it out alive."/
The Skull's mouth opens as Doctor Alyse -speaks- spoke,
/"The show must go on. The curtain shall fall as we fall."/
The Skull croons, "Alas poor-"
We laugh.
Couldn't stop- couldn't stand- all I could hear- everyone could hear- horrible- it echoes- how could I be so awful? Tried to get away. To stop. ImsorryImnotthisIpromise-
I don't know how they stopped it. Doctor Alyse asked me if I was alright... after the disgusting noise. She invited me for tea...
If we don't know what the book is, she suggested we destroy it. Horrible thing. I tried too.
The Fox helped Miss Maeve- at least she could see again. Doctor Alyse and the dark-haired woman left as the rest helped Maeve about town... Things were so confusing after, my head hurts...
We met Miss Ruby at the library. She saved Miss Maeve and the tiefling, thought the book continued to toll. An omen, Miss Ruby said.
They all rushed away... I just kept following... It's unusual, really, I remember every breathe- yet it confuses me so. It's almost like it didn't happen. We went to the theatre and...
Um...
We went to Eight after. There were ruins on the side- I really shouldn't have gone. They found... skin on the walls... Like from mist monsters... It smelled like peanuts, said the Fox.
/"That thing has struck again,"/ The Fox said. I head them tell of a scout being murdered recently and... impersonated.
They found bloody clothes... Trinkets that were removed... then replaced after blood was spilled. The scouts, five scouts, golden cogs... friends...
There wasn't much more... I tried to ask the tiefling to burn the book. The construct also tried, but the tiefling... He- he was upset... The man with wild eyes also... I- it... He scares me.
They didn't... I don't know what they did with that book. I'm sorry.
I feel like I should have done more... I don't want to know... but I... can't leave things like this.