Messages

Dear Lieutenant,

I feel our miscommunication cost us the last election. I would like to speak to ensure such does not occur again.

Regards,
Apothar Margarethe Eisenberg

Dear Mae,

For now, I have taken the necessary steps to ensure you are protected from the Pogrom. To the outside world, you have been baptized four times and follow the faiths of Izdu and B'aara zealously. Be certain not to contradict this.

I apologize for springing this on you so suddenly, but trust that it is for your own good. And it's only temporary. These wretched laws will be gone soon enough.

Estellise

So good!

Dear Fiordelise,

You have done far better than I could have ever imagined. Seizing victory from the jaws of defeat by having your Monster placed as Prelate was clever indeed. It is obvious what will occur next, so obvious that I wonder whether this was not your intent from the start. My congratulations in advance.

If you think this means you have won, however, you are sorely mistaken.

I wonder. Did you truly think you could steal my Knight from me?

Is it not ironic? You were drawn to her loyal character, but in the process you tarnished such. This is the fate of a Witch who looks with jealous eyes. A lesson you should have learned long ago.

All the same, you know as well as I that this is far from over. I look forward to your next move, Fiordelise.

Regards,
Margarethe Eisenberg

[Illul 22nd, IY 7788]

Illul 22nd, IY 7788

I know what's going on, of course. I've known from the start. Did I deceive you? I don't imagine so. But it's necessary to maintain a certain element of deniability.

There is a great deal that she doesn't understand.

I have thus far not worked too hard to change this state of affairs. Sparing her the pains of the past is my preference, obviously. Am I being too gentle with her, like a mother afraid to break the dependence of her child on his blanket? Perhaps I am simply selfish. But it matters little. I know she would not listen to most of my counsel to begin with.

It's not like I didn't try. Did I not tell her to pay more attention to him? Not once, but five times! I even warned her she was being far too much like Mae with him. She has herself to blame more than anyone else. It's entirely her fault. She treated him as an afterthought. She just casually tossed him off to Ashley, a piece in a ridiculous plan to force her to commit or break. Her most loyal apprentice! A piece discarded in a pointless scheme. Is it any surprise he grew desperate to be of use, that he clung to those who paid attention to him? She failed him utterly and completely.

Yes. I know what you're thinking. I know too. We both know what I mean. It's just easier to write it that way.

<3

Dear Hypatia,

That does make sense. I understood that you were likely busy, as we are two very busy people, and so thought little of it.

The behavior you describe is obviously concerning. I should note that my apprentice is himself struggling with several difficult matters that have concerned me for some time. I obviously have not said anything to him that I have not said to you and assure you that in this matter he has acted on his own initiative.

I will counsel my apprentice soon. You can count on this.

I'm also glad to hear that Welly is behaving well. Well, as well as can be expected from one of his inclinations.

Regards,
Estellise

Dear Selsi,

Game or no, do not fall into the trap of presuming that just because I desire something, it inherently must be harmful to your order.

Such is the path to Cosinian thinking, and it will only lead you to harm your own interests.

Surely by now it has been made plain that despite one notable exception, we desire many of the same things when it comes to Ephia's Well.

Regards,
Margarethe

She threads through time's tapestry,
Chasing echoes of what might yet be,
Yet fate's cruel hand, an ironclad decree,
Her every effort lost to destiny.

Through veils of time, her heart does yearn,
To rewrite the tale, to unbind fate's stern,
But every path she walks, she finds no gain,
Beneath the shadow of destiny's bane.

Her friends, like stars, fade into the night,
Their destinies entwined in sorrow's blight,
No matter how she struggles, they're bound to fall,
Their endings enscribed on fate's somber scroll.

Like whispers in the wind, Their schemes unfold,
A tapestry of secrets, ancient and cold,
Their hands shaping futures, bleak and grim,
To unmake the world and all within.

Yet still, she fights against the tides of gloom,
Her spirit aflame in this not-yet tomb,
Though they may yet hold this world in their sway,
She'll stand defiant until the break of day.

Dear Estellise,

We must speak soon and reevaluate our present course.

Yes, I'm concerned by the hair-braiding incident. No, I'm not jealous. I'm concerned. I'm not foolish enough to believe that you would do what she is trying to lead you to do, but I do know that you run the risk of being distracted by this when we are meant to be focused upon the Disaster.

She is utilizing Her methods to great effect. But she has not yet achieved pawn promotion, and thus her efforts are only a hollow imitation of Her smile. She is still yet a piece. Her words on boardwork were proof enough of that.

Make ready. Tomorrow, the Game begins in truth.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

[Tammuz 9th, IY 7788]

Tammuz 9th, IY 7788

I have found myself adrift since Cosine's death. Even knowing it was coming, it was not any easier. It may have been worse. Needing to comfort myself made it necessary to conceal my own true feelings, something I despise doing. And worst of all, the worst thought of them all whispers itself in my ear again and again and again.

The future refuses to change.

It is time to refocus on my attention on my designs. The path forward remains the same. If some things are set in stone, then I will use that fact to my advantage.

Margarethe builds the Alchemic Essence Evaluator. Margarethe becomes an Apothar.

You and I both know what happens after that.

I am the girl on the other side of the mirror,
Lost in the depths of my own despair.
The one who is unseen, who longs to be nearer,
Yet is kept away by this glass wall's snare.

On the other side stands a girl, so fair and bright,
Her life seems perfect, with friends all around.
But I am the shadow, shrouded in night,
With loneliness and darkness as my constant sound.

Her eyes gleam with joy and laughter,
Mine reflect only tears and sorrow.
She has love, while I am the martyr,
Endlessly struggling for a better tomorrow.

And yet, this girl from the other side
Wishes to kill me, to end my being.
But I, the lonely one, cannot abide,
For life is precious, with purpose and meaning.

The stars above me twinkle and glow,
A reminder that beauty still exists.
I will not give up, I will not let go,
For hope still lingers, like the stars in mists.

I am the girl on the other side of the mirror,
Lonely and lost, but not yet broken.
Though my heart may quake and quiver,
I will not yield, my spirit is not yet awoken.

[Hziran 31st, IY 7788]

Hziran 31st, IY 7788

Youth.

I envy her. She does not know what it is like to make hard decisions. It is a trivial, trite thing to hire assassins to kill Cosine. It is far harder to sit down and suffer Mae's wretched game for sake of her growth.

I wish I could have that innocence back.

Billions upon billions of lives, all lost to the cosmic wind. She does not understand it the same way you and I do. She knows the word. "Disaster". That's all. The way a child knows the sound of many words but not their meaning.

Do you think I operate under such illusions? I do not. I will make any sacrifice, I will sink to any depth, I will destroy anyone who stands in my way. I will not allow it to happen again.

I still remember the way her blood looked. It was violet.

Dear Estellise,

You were supposed to return three weeks ago. What could possibly be taking you this long? Cease feeding worms with Domhnall and attend to your duties. I do not care how cute his pet mouse is, you will resist and return.

My alterations are rapidly fading thanks to your indolence. As I am older and wiser than you are, you will pay me the proper respect owed to one's senior in the Fatespinners and do as I bid.

I have carefully prepared the board. The pieces are all in place. My apprentices are entirely unaware of my true identity.

Your move.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Millefiori,

I have been considering the requirements of your education.

Please attend to the following before we next speak:

• Read A Theory on Fate and Fatidical Manipulation by Abelle Enorre.
• Read Secret Histories by Hypatia Kometou.
• Read issue four of The Empty Gallows by Shane Gallows, in particular the article "Whites Rally Under Aubrey Domergue".
• Acquire cream and sugar in substantial quantities.

Prepare notes with your thoughts, reflections and findings. When all of this is completed, we will speak within the coffee shop.

Regards,
Margarethe Eisenberg