(( - ))

The following posts (which are entirely in italics) are re-posts, or, the background of this story, written in pieces from 1999 to 2000. The whole story had three titles, first "A Sinner Of The Fifth Kind," then "The Pernicious Progeny," but together it was wrapped up under the title "Deliverance," which I believe Mike came up with.

This one's for Mike, for creating evil characters, and teaching me how to be evil, though you wouldn't know it from the way I wrote these. Thanks for finding me on Facebook.

This one's also for Tara, and her eternal patience, because my flightiness sucks, and I know it. You always got the ball rolling for me. I love you.

And this is also for the 16 year old girl who wrote these, who swore she'd never stop writing, and I'm sorry that I ever let her down.

This story will be continued sporadically. Look for all the neato foreshadowing in other posts that I've written and will write. It's all connected. I just hope it turns out somewhat interesting.

(Author's Note: Mike wrote this one!)

Title: "A sinner of the fifth kind. . ." Part Two (DelockDh)
Written: 8/14/1999

Stalking forwards into one of the pits of his fiendish catacombs, Delock Death came to a stopping point. His destination quite clear, an incredibly large room. The ceiling at least six or seven meters up. The gushing sound of water flowing could be heard clearly. Though certain parts of the room seeming oblivious as it was a very dark abode. However the cold feeling obtained from the solid stone walls was the most obvious of things present.

The girl; Viki following along side of his lead. Shivering somewhat as they came to a halt. More maybe from the fear of the unknown rather than from the cold temperature of the room. Taking no time to waste in worrying about what could be down here, more for fear of what conclusion he could make on her if she took time to look. For that was the biggest thing on her mind; him. What he was going to do to her.

Delock wasted no time in starting on his work. Immediatly moving across the room to a small table. Several vials of black liquid lined up on it's surface. One of course being snatched up within his finger tips. Before then he turned back to the girl. His voice quite harsh within it's command,

"Take off your clothes."

Viki blinked within thought of what he was going to do to her. Though before she could bring herself to question his motives, she slipped the top of her PJs up and off of her form. Before then continueing on with her bottom, allowing it to slide down to her ankles, exposing her girlish curves to the cold air of the room.

Delock's gaze seemed to flicker slightly as he then looked over towards one end of the room. A stone slab was centered within it. This was the destination that he intended her to take as he then pointed towards it, and gave his second command,

"Sit."

Viki could only nod, and do as he told. She turned, showing off her bareness with no shame. For if she was the alleged slut that he had refered to her earlier, then she'd have to play the part. Though that mattered little as she relunctantly moved her way across the floor over towards the stone slab to sit as she had been told.

Delock too made his way across the floor over towards the slab to meet her. Black tendrils ever so present about his form hung to his flesh. Almost like living plants growing out of his flesh they flickered, and snapped about his flesh even more as he approached her.

His eyes were, as his tendrils were, completely black. An oblivion one might call them. His pupils as black as his retina. Making it hard to determine what he was looking at. This gave a bit of confusion to the girl as he looked down upon her. For she did not know exactly what he was looking at. Though what was obvious was that he was looking, and this alone amused her a bit more than embarressing her.

Though, these very few moments of amusement, and embarressment were only that, a few seconds or two as he approached her. His voice then as sinister and as harsh as ever as he gave his next command,

"Lay back."

She could really do nothing for fear of death. So she did simply as she was told, and sat back. Her eyes drifted upwards to meet his, wherever his might be, and she shivered laying there.

Though now she took the moment to question him, as the curiousity of his motives was very clear, "Are you a vampire?"

Delock paused for a moment, looking down upon her, before replying. A simple reply, yet down to the point, "No."

"Yer not goin' tae kill me, are you? You would've already done it. You wouldn't be answering my question."

His gaze for that mere instant darted upwards to meet hers. An un-nerving feeling came from this, and she shivered even more. For then, his response was a bit different than before,

"I am going to kill you.."

She immediatly jerked up, sitting upright in surprise. Her flesh paling before his eyes, her blue-green eyes going wide open, and her voice coming clear into the open air; timid, and fearfull,

"N-nno. Nau yer not."

Delock almost sneering to her response gave a reply of his own. His voice seemed to repeat off as an echoeing into the darkness as each word came free. Those completely black eyes flashing for that mere moment an insanely blood red color,

"..Sit back.."

Almost falling back within a whimper, the girl layed there again. Her gaze turning almost pleeding to him as she spoke, "You can't kill me! You jus' can't!"

A soft cry filling her lips as she rolled over to her side. Her eyes going shut as she mumbled off into the distance once more, "I dun want tae die.. "

However annoying she was to him, Delock did not seem disgruntle towards her actions. Those digits of fingers softly being placed upon her side, cupping the flesh before then turning her back into the position upon her back. Her eyes fluttering open once more to look up upon him as she whimpered free another plea.

"Dun . . Dun kill me."

Though, as she looked up upon him, and as he looked down upon her; their gazes crossed in with each other; and something deep inside of her told her that nothing she could do or say tonight would avoid the inevitable. For now, all she could do is deny it, and hope for it all to go away like a bad dream in the night.

In the end, however, it would all come clear to her. As once the night, and all that would happen within it, has passed - The dew of morning would be an awakening to a dream come true...

Title: "A sinner of the fifth kind. . ." Part Four (VikiChylde)
Written: 1/10/2000

she shines
in a world full of ugliness
she matters
when everything is meaningless

It had been months since Jonathan Parker Chylde had heard from his sister. The last time, she had fallen into some trouble with a slaver's guild. Of course his sister knew the hazards of her occupation, but Jon had always stuck by her. She was his twin, and she completed him. It was he who took little Saoirse from the realms when she was an infant to care for her when Viki couldn't. Viki's other three children, Eric, Catherine, and Lily, accompanied him as well. He was busily training them in the art of his craft, for sorcery was a difficult but extremely useful art.

Stephen and Gerard Chylde, Viki and Jon's two younger brothers, were fine mages already. They still had many years of training in their own realm before they could match the skill of their older brother. Jon was rarely studious, except when it came to magick. He believed an accomplished sorcerer could achieve anything. Never did Jon think he would have to test his theory so soon. . .

***

fragile
she doesn't see her beauty
she tries to get away
sometimes
it's just that nothing seems worth saving
i can't watch her slip away

It wasn't very often that Jon visited the realms. He preferred his own homeland, his place of birth. But when Viki hadn't sent word for almost a year, Jon grew worried. It wasn't like his sister to leave her children for that long. Finally, he decided to make the trip. He gathered the proper supplies for a portal spell, a spell he hadn't used since Saoirse left him. He packed his bags, and his family, and headed into the brilliant white blaze. . . His destination? The Valir Family Hall.

***

Eric, Catherine, and Lily Chylde were distraught. They hadn't visited the realms since their father, Gabriel, had left. They didn't look forward to reliving old memories, but news of their mother's disappearance alarmed them. Hand in hand, the three walked after their uncles.

"Goddess, protect us all."

i won't let you fall apart. . .

(Author's Note: Lyrics from "the fragile" by nine inch nails.)

Title: "A sinner of the fifth kind. . ." Part Six (VikiChylde)
Written: 1/15/2000

as black as the night can get
everything is safer now
there's always a way to forget
once you learn to find a way how

Luck was with the small band of wizards and children. It wasn't long before they spotted Viki. Jon's chocolate pools widened with horror at the sight of his beloved sister. There she was, walking the main road, stick in hand, but something was horribly wrong. Viki's oddly colored aquamarine orbs grew dark. A strange black fluid filled the whites of her eyes. Her once soft, delicate chestnut curls now hung loosely at her waist, unkept for days.

Tattered silks clung to her swelling frame. She was always so vain about her appearance, but now. . .

Jonathan Parker crouched behind several bushes off the main road, beckoning the others to do the same. His expression remained both perplexed and appalled as he stared on at his sister. What could have done this to her?

"She's not alive," whispered Stephen to his brother. "There's no life in that one, except maybe for the creature that grows within."

A mighty fist made contact to the soft cartilage of Stephen's nose. Gerard leaped upon Jon, restraining him. Jon simply hung his head in shame. He couldn't bare the thought of losing his sister . . . Saoirse, all the while, clung to Khrystian, who was happily cooing against her, oblivious to the entire situation all together.

"We shall get her back uncle, you'll see." Eric calmly patted Jon's shoulder as Catherine and Lily administered to Stephen's bleeding nose. "Everything will be all right . . . "

Jon shoved Eric and Gerard aside. He wouldn't let the hope of the youth blind him from the actual problem. He looked on at his sister, his cherished twin. Oh the secrets they had shared with one another in their own childhood! They, outcasts in their own homeland for their cross of genes, found acceptance in one another. He brushed away a strand of silver as a single tear rolled down his cheek. He would not desert his only sister.

On two unsteady feet, Jon managed to rise as Viki passed the patch of bushes where they hid. Carefully, he stepped out onto the road behind her. So overwhelmed with emotions, he didn't see the actions of his other brother, Stephen, who was advancing further toward Viki with a stone in hand.

"Victoria."

Viki turned suddenly. Her eyes narrowed, recognizing the young man that stood before her. Her walking stick transformed itself into a dangerous weapon as she thrust it out in the direction of her twin. Alas, she could not defend herself from the rock that crushed into her skull as well.

Stephen hovered over his fallen sister. He only meant to knock her out for a short while. He didn't mean to hit her so hard, but he was worried for the safety of himself and his family. What foul action would Viki inflict upon them? One look at Jon's angry face told Stephen that Viki wasn't the only one he had to worry about.

***

in the blur of serenity
where did everything get lost?
the flowers of naivete
buried in a layer of frost

They had retreated into the nearly vacant Valir Hall. Viki was strongly bound onto a bed in the attic of the Hall. All three brothers lingered about her, looking concerned. The magick they had concocted to aid her labor didn't seem to be working. But the child, if it was a child at all, was coming. . .

Viki stirred for but a moment or two before being lured away by the magick of her brothers. Their spell had kept her conscience at bay for some time now. Jon didn't want to deal with the creature that Viki had become and Stephen was only happy to help. He didn't want to invoke the wraith of his older brother a third time today.

***

the smell of sunshine
i remember sometimes

The first cries of the newborn were all the clues young Eric, Catherine, and Lily needed. The newest addition to their family had come. Although they were anxious to see their mother, their uncles had forbid the children to enter the room where their mother gave birth, for their own safety of course. Perhaps they all feared the demon Viki would bear by the end of the night.

Pensive, Saoirse sat, with Khrystian in her lap. She knew, at her tender age, that the real danger did not lie at the hands of the newborn, but the creature who aided in its creation. Whoever her mother's Master was, he had to be hunted, and destroyed.

***

thought he had it all before they called his bluff
found out that his skin just wasn't thick enough
wanted to go back to how it was before
thought he lost everything
then he lost a whole lot more

It was Jon who delivered the devil-spawn, though he wasn't quite sure the child was so corrupt at first. Being a student of the light, he naturally wondered if indeed the child would have a clean slate. After all, all beings were born innocent and vulnerable, or so he thought. Protectively, he wrapped the shrieking baby in a large blanket and laid it in a basket. He'd tend to it as soon as his sister woke, if she ever did wake. . .

***

"Come, come help your mother," whispered a drowsy Stephen through the attic door. All five children sprang to their feet at once and raced to their uncle's side. If indeed Jon had trained young Eric, Catherine, and Lily well enough, they could use their skill. They needed all the help they could get to revive Viki.

***

A flow of crimson had washed over the soft white sheets where Viki slept. Jon, Stephen, Gerard, Eric, Catherine, and Lily formed a circle about Viki's bed. They each pooled their energy together to gather the healing forces needed to complete their task. Desperately, they tried to blood to Viki's veins, color to her cheeks, and breath to her lungs. For nearly an hour, they chanted and prayed, their auras filling the entire room with a blind white light.

***

a fool's devotion
swallowed up in empty space
the tears of regret
frozen to the side of his face

Saoirse looked on in amazement. The power the six summoned was all too unreal for her to understand. Her attention was so focused on the astonishing sight before her, she hadn't noticed little Khrystian crawl away toward the basket. . .

***

Deep blue eyes peered over the rim of the basket where the newborn lay. A happy giggle burst past the lips of the little boy as he watched the baby. Curly blond locks bounced over his forehead as he leaned into the basket, waving softly at the creature that stared back at him.

"?Lo!" Khrystian announced, with a bright smile. Those dazzling little eyes remained glued to the infant as he scooted his chubby body closer.

***

A fearful, high-pitched scream interrupted the spell completely. The circle broke, and all three brothers immediately ran to Saoirse's side. The little girl was completely frozen, looking on in horror as the thing that lay in the basket had her brother by the throat.

***

Khrystian's mouth dropped as he began to gasp for air. An unseen tendril attached to the newborn's body had encircled his little neck, choking him. Five more black tendrils, identical to the first, snapped about, reaching for Khrystian, drawing him further into the basket.

***

the smell of sunshine
i remember sometimes

Jon gasped in horror and sprung for the basket. His efforts were followed by Gerard, Stephen, and Eric, as they all tried to wrestle the boy from the newborn's grasp. Gerard had finally succeeded in untangling Khrystian and began to help the little boy breathe. Just as Khrystian scrambled away, all six deadly tendrils vanished behind the newborn's back.

"Tisn't natural Jon, we have to destroy it," Stephen gasped as he hurried away from the infant.

Jon's gaze descended to the floor. He looked up at his sister, still in her lifeless slumber, and then gazed at the demon-child she bore. Somberly, he agreed.

"I'll take the child and destroy it mercifully. Take care of Viki while I'm gone, and try to revive her. . ." His voice trailed off as he swooped the basket into his arms and headed out of the estate.

Each of the remaining family members glanced to one another and shook their heads. What a tragedy this would become if Viki ever knew about it. With this in mind, Stephen lay a hand upon his sister.

"When you wake, you will remember nothing of it. It will be the end to a horrible nightmare," he vowed, and took his place back in the circle. The others followed, only to continue their spell, hoping by some miracle that it would work.

***

i've done all i can do
could i please come with you?

Jon had walked about a mile or so down the main road with the basket and its cargo in his arms. He always believed that all creatures had a right to live. Perhaps this child was something he did not understand. Perhaps a mage would come along the main road and cure it of its wicked ways. Jon shook his head. The chances were not likely, but he could always be hopeful. He could never kill a member of his own family, especially a child of his precious sister.

"Be hopeful little one, I pray for your salvation." His words trailed off as the wind whipped around him. He laid the basked on the side of the road with the stirring infant nestled within.

"I pray for you, my niece." He gave her one last glance before he started up the road, back to his loving sister.

***

"Victoria, Viki, Viki wake up!"

"Mommy!"

"It's not working, she can't hear us anymore. . ."

"Mommy! No! Momma!"

"Wait, no, shhh. . .her eyes, look!"

Daylight bled through the windows in the little attic. Daylight? Viki hadn't seen the sun in so long. . .

Eight pairs of watchful eyes fell upon her, both concerned and relieved. Immediately, she recognized them. She was home, home at last.

***

sweet smell of sunshine
i remember sometimes

Tears gathered in the eyes of Jonathan Parker. He dropped to his knees at his sister's bedside, stroking her hair. A smile adorned the lips of Viki, for she was unaware of the events of the last few months.

"Never leave me."

"Never."

(Author's Note: Lyrics from "I'm looking forward to joining you, finally," by nine inch nails.)

"I like the way colors taste. Except I don't like crimsons...or turquoises...especially when they put their heads into their shells and won't play and when you break their shells to let them out they die..."
-Delirium, in The Wake, by Neil Gaiman

Red Dragon Inn: Two Nights Ago

It was your normal, average, everyday evening. Victoria had decided to make a fort out of musical instruments for her cousin Tara, but because there were no musical instruments at the Red Dragon Inn, Viki had to settle on a blanket. It was Lenika who gave her the idea.

"Viki, what sort of outfit should be worn to Tara's wedding?" Lenika asked as Viki hammered out plans for the fort.

"Ohh. Well. I have a ball gown that I designed and then the people from Tara's documentary thingie redesigned it and tha's where I first saw mirror-girl.." Viki's hands flew to her mouth. She'd spilled the beans about mirror-girl, and now everyone was going to know about her, and everyone was going to think she was crazy! Little did she know, people pretty much thought that anyway.

"Mirror girl?" Lenika was obviously confused.

"Shhhhh. I'll tell you later." She lied.

"All right...is it something I should be worried about?"

"Nah unless yer a demon or somethin'," and then, she added, "or me."

"I don't think I'm any of those things."

"Well I know yer nuh me, unless you really are and I'm you, and then we have a big predicament here, now dun we?"

Tara had returned and plans for the play-fort continued. There was more talk of the weddings and the usual gossip. Lord Ayreg entered and an injured woman followed, though Viki couldn't place her right away. She would later recognize her as Maria, a woman she'd encountered briefly when she and her cousin were arguing. She knew Maria had some association with Talomar, but she didn't fully comprehend the complexities of the vampire-valet relationship. It sounded way more complicated than her own involvement with David Dupres. Ayreg and Maria's condition and conversation held her interest only momentarily before the really interesting stuff began.

"If you don't have a name, what do people call you? I mean, do they just wave and smile, or jingle little silver bells or what?"
-Delirium, in Brief Lives, by Neil Gaiman

Decker's eyes fell upon them, instinctively.

Leave it. His mouth was still, but his voice echoed through their minds. Viki was frantic, bringing her hands to cover her ears as if it would block him. She really didn't need an extra voice taking up residence in her head.

The mental exchanged between Tara and Decker continued, though Victoria would not know it, because she hadn't the ability to intercept telepathic messages.

Stop right where you are, Decker. We want no trouble here.

Instead, Viki saw that Tara was ready for a fight. Her cousin growled, grasping her own weapon.

Surprisingly, Decker did not act, at least, not the way Viki and Tara both thought he would. Since he was a wraith, he flickered in and out of existence, from solid to spirit and back again. He moved toward them, slowly, a growing recognition in his eyes.

"I know you," he said.

Tara turned to her cousin. "It'll be okay, Victoria. Go stand by Miss Len." Then, she returned her attention to the wraith. "Of course you know me." Her eyes narrowed.

"Nuh I won't leave you." Viki called after Tara, summoning the courage to glare at her old foe.

"That wasn't a request, cousin."

"Oh." She moved fast, putting more space between herself and Decker.

Decker was growling, still clutching the hilt of his sword. He was a sorry sight indeed: gashes along his chest, as though he'd just walked off a battlefield, though very much dead.

"Do you..." He began.

"The Assassin's Inn...Murder Incorporated...it's leader Charles was my uncle, though his brother Bard, took me in as his daughter. That was where we first met, Decker. My name is Tara.....Tara Anne Rynieyn LeVey to be precise." Tara finished it for him. Viki was overcome by relief. If he didn't remember anything, then, there wasn't anything to worry about!

Tara. "Ring any bells yet?"

Decker. "Yes, I remember.. Spinner, they thought I killed him."

Viki. "And I'm no one important!"

"Come, I shall buy ye a drink old friend." Tara coaxed him toward the bar. He followed, his eyes flickering to Viki as he moved.

"You may."

"Des! An ale for an old friend!"

"Nobody's creepy from the inside, Hazel. Some of them are sad, and some of them hurt, and some of them think they're the only real thing in the whole world. But they're not creepy."
-Death, in The Wake, by Neil Gaiman

Tara. "My lord, perhaps you would remember if I touched you?"

Decker. "Maybe."

Viki. "Tara, dun touch him, he's leaking."

Tara. "It's okay, cousin."

Viki didn't think it was okay. She didn't understand why Tara wanted Decker to "remember" anyway. Sure, they'd been friends, but Decker was also Viki's enemy. In fact, Decker was probably one of the most dangerous men she'd ever encountered! She sighed nervously.

"I fought many death matches.." He said as Tara touched his hand. Viki flinched. Tara, meanwhile, was showing Decker images of the past: of the FOES battlegrounds, skeletons riddling the ground, of the Dark Lord Grimm LeVey, her father, with his mighty sword, smiling cruelly over one of his fresh kills, of Soulights, and DOOM, the vast armies of soldiers that spanned out for miles...shouting one battlecry after the other...and of the Assassin's Inn....the sleight-of-hand tricks....the laughter....and the raids that followed.

Decker. "What has become of me.."

Viki. "What you deserve."

Tara. "You have been dead a long time, my lord."

Sure, it was sad, seeing him like this, but Viki didn't care. He'd hurt her. He was an evil, evil bastard, and she'd never understand Tara's motives for trying to help him.

"My wife.. dead, my children.. where are they.." He was now slumped in a stool by the bar. Viki half expected him to fall through the furniture.

"I do not know," replied Tara, "But I can find out."

Viki's attention turned to Count Talomar, who was now among the assembled patrons. He looked angry.

"Pardon me, my dear. I hate to interrupt, but have you seen Lord Dupres this eve?"

"No, my lord." Viki sighed. Where was her lover anyway? The exchange between Tara and Decker continued.

"I was not killed in a death match. I was destroyed by a curse."

"I heard differently. You know how the gossip mongers lie, my lord." Seeing the return of her future husband, Tara stepped aside to greet him. Viki took it as a grand opportunity.

"Hey. So. Yer nuh gunna kill me anymore, right?" She eyed him suspiciously. She had to make sure. Of course, she didn't hold his word to any high regard, so she didn't know why she was asking him anyway. She didn't know a lot of things.

Instead of replying, Decker rose and stared at Viki, Tara, and Talomar. Tara had done a splendid job of sending all those memories flooding back, so much so that it affected him physically. Blood was now pouring from the old battle wounds and he looked mad. Viki released a high pitch scream and ran around Talomar and Tara, interrupting a kiss between the couple.

"Wha' th' hell?" The Count sounded annoyed.

"Dun.. let.. him.. get.. me!"

Tara tried her best to fill her fiance in. "Decker is an' old friend of mine, he once kidnapped Viki but now he doesn't remember a whole bunch an' she thinks he's going to kill her."

Talomar tried his best to reassure the girl. "You'll be safe, my dear."

And Decker didn't even need to try his best to be an all-around bastard. "Shut it, whore."

"What's the name of the word for the precise moment when you realize that you've actually forgotten how it felt to make love to somebody you really liked a long time ago."
"There isn't one."
"Oh. I thought maybe there was."
-Delirium and Dream, in SANDMAN #43, by Neil Gaiman

Moments are strange. They can be fleeting or they can last for an eternity. Viki never liked the word momentarily because she didn't understand what it meant. Was it a quick thing, or wasn't it?

This moment extended into eternity.

The wraith reached out for Victoria, his hand solidifying as he wrapped it around her neck. Viki struggled, an attempt to wriggle from his grasp, but his hand was steady and his strength returned to him. She gurgled and gasped for breath.

Tara and Talomar were in the middle of a heated argument. They hadn't noticed the attack.

But this attack was more mental than physical.

Decker had plunged into her mind, and while attempting to restore her stolen memories, he had to sort through all the clutter.

Pixies-changing-bodies-stolen-by-a-Lord-Libraries-On-Fire-In-the-middle-of-the-mirror-If-you-go-don't-follow-or-find-confounded-by..

The wraith seemed unfazed. He merely shifted through the chaos until he filled her with truth.

Baby-born-Wedlock-TickTock-I-had-a-lover-named-Delock.

She saw her capture, so many years ago, and she saw her transformation. It sickened her. Tears trickled down her cheeks, running off in rivulets, falling from her chin. She saw everything.

"It's nuh true!" She exclaimed as he released her, the tears flowing freely now.

"Cressida." She whispered to herself. Yes. That was the thing's name. Decker only nodded in acknowledgment. He wasn't lying.

And then, simply because, he tossed her into the bar. Viki didn't seem to notice. The whole experience was too much for her fragile mind to take. She was elsewhere, talking to the stars.

"I should kill you," he might've said, "to keep you from returning to what you were." Later, when she would gain control of her mental faculties, her friends would relate the story to her. They'd tell her of how he held a sword to her neck, a sword which flickered in and out of reality just as he did. They'd tell her of how she simply sat there, slumped against the bottom of the bar, seemingly unaware.

But Viki remembered bits and pieces. She remembered when she had first become aware of the weapon, aware that her life was in fact in danger. She'd come back from the elsewhere only to cry her cousin's name.

"TARAAAAAAAA!"

"Forewarned is seldom forearmed."
Dream, in Fables & Reflections, by Neil Gaiman.

Sitting at David's writing desk, the Princess penned her very first letter in a very long time:

My darling darling Mister Arden Cale, publicist, lawyer, esq.

What does E-S-Q stand for?

Wait that wasn't what I was writing to ask you about.

Did you kiss any cute boys lately?

No that wasn't it either.

OKay this is really important!

I hate writing letters.

Love, Viki

xoxo times infinity

P.S. Because that's what you say when you remember what you originally wrote your letter for but you already wrote it and you can't stick in what you had wanted to write before. Do you think you could possibly get that old trunk of mine - you know the one with the purple-people-eater-stickers on it? No I don't know what a purple-people-eater is, but some boy gave them to me a long time ago, and he sang some sort of song to me, and he tried to teach me the song but I forget all the words. Anyway. I need that trunk because it has a bunch of stuff in it. Don't drop it because it contains memory orbs and if you drop a memory orb they tend to go crunch! But those aren't what I need. Listen. Are you listening? Good. Of course you are because you should be reading this and if you're not then I wrote this letter for no reason and I really hate writing letters Arden! What I really need in that trunk is a bunch of books. Don't open those books because if you open them you could end up in another dimension and I really need to go there, not you! Don't ask me why because it's a really long story and you know I hate telling really long stories.

Okay? I love you to a gazillion pieces.

Victoria placed the letter into an envelope and sealed it with some hot wax she found in David's desk and a button that formerly fastened her dress together. Then, she called for a servant, who happily appeared. Viki told David she liked it best when the servants were happy, so, whether it was accidental or on purpose, the servants were always happy around the Princess.