A place for forgotten things

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

A black cloak hanging on the wall. A breeze through an open door. A soft swirl of dust.

[faery-osha]

A black envelope rests on the ground.

@the-shadows-behind-the-scenes

Aislinn carefully picks up the envelope and opens it.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Inside is a sheet of paper, with words written in dark ink that looks as though it is still yet to dry despite being perfectly un-smudged.

“To whom it may concern,” it begins.

“I understand that your forest seeks to protect you. I understand that you have suffered, and as such, you fear what could happen if you are not protected.”

“I can help you.”

[faery-osha]

Aislinn can’t read English so they are just staring at the paper with confusion.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change and shift, sifting through languages until they find one that they can read.

[faery-osha]

Once is shifts into an old dialect of Irish Gaelic, their face changes to one of concern.

Who is this and what do you want?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change again, staying in that language.

“I seek to grant you safety from that which you fear.”

“We can discuss what you may call me later, if we do end up striking a deal.”

“What if I told you I can make it so your forest can be with you always? That you would never have to be separated again?”

[faery-osha]

Wait, really? How?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

“I can’t go giving away all my secrets, now can I?”

“It wouldn’t be an immediate change of course, it would take a bit of time for the whole thing to be able to go with you. But you would always at least have a piece of it with you, everywhere.”

[faery-osha]

That sounds amazing, why would you do this?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

“I’m sure we can come to some sort of arrangement if you insist on repaying the favor, but the act of doing it is more than enough to satisfy me.”

A faint, wispy, almost smoke-like fog is just barely starting around the area.

[faery-osha]

A black envelope rests on the ground.

@the-shadows-behind-the-scenes

Aislinn carefully picks up the envelope and opens it.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Inside is a sheet of paper, with words written in dark ink that looks as though it is still yet to dry despite being perfectly un-smudged.

“To whom it may concern,” it begins.

“I understand that your forest seeks to protect you. I understand that you have suffered, and as such, you fear what could happen if you are not protected.”

“I can help you.”

[faery-osha]

Aislinn can’t read English so they are just staring at the paper with confusion.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change and shift, sifting through languages until they find one that they can read.

[faery-osha]

Once is shifts into an old dialect of Irish Gaelic, their face changes to one of concern.

Who is this and what do you want?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change again, staying in that language.

“I seek to grant you safety from that which you fear.”

“We can discuss what you may call me later, if we do end up striking a deal.”

“What if I told you I can make it so your forest can be with you always? That you would never have to be separated again?”

[faery-osha]

Wait, really? How?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

“I can’t go giving away all my secrets, now can I?”

“It wouldn’t be an immediate change of course, it would take a bit of time for the whole thing to be able to go with you. But you would always at least have a piece of it with you, everywhere.”

[faery-osha]

A black envelope rests on the ground.

@the-shadows-behind-the-scenes

Aislinn carefully picks up the envelope and opens it.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Inside is a sheet of paper, with words written in dark ink that looks as though it is still yet to dry despite being perfectly un-smudged.

“To whom it may concern,” it begins.

“I understand that your forest seeks to protect you. I understand that you have suffered, and as such, you fear what could happen if you are not protected.”

“I can help you.”

[faery-osha]

Aislinn can’t read English so they are just staring at the paper with confusion.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change and shift, sifting through languages until they find one that they can read.

[faery-osha]

Once is shifts into an old dialect of Irish Gaelic, their face changes to one of concern.

Who is this and what do you want?

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change again, staying in that language.

“I seek to grant you safety from that which you fear.”

“We can discuss what you may call me later, if we do end up striking a deal.”

“What if I told you I can make it so your forest can be with you always? That you would never have to be separated again?”

[faery-osha]

A black envelope rests on the ground.

@the-shadows-behind-the-scenes

Aislinn carefully picks up the envelope and opens it.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Inside is a sheet of paper, with words written in dark ink that looks as though it is still yet to dry despite being perfectly un-smudged.

“To whom it may concern,” it begins.

“I understand that your forest seeks to protect you. I understand that you have suffered, and as such, you fear what could happen if you are not protected.”

“I can help you.”

[faery-osha]

Aislinn can’t read English so they are just staring at the paper with confusion.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

The words change and shift, sifting through languages until they find one that they can read.

[faery-osha]

A black envelope rests on the ground.

@the-shadows-behind-the-scenes

Aislinn carefully picks up the envelope and opens it.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Inside is a sheet of paper, with words written in dark ink that looks as though it is still yet to dry despite being perfectly un-smudged.

“To whom it may concern,” it begins.

“I understand that your forest seeks to protect you. I understand that you have suffered, and as such, you fear what could happen if you are not protected.”

“I can help you.”

[spooky-osha]

After Lucerna finishes feeding all the kids, she rests in the chair behind Spook’s desk. She closes her eyes, her breath slows, and she tries her best to relax.

Lucerna is pretty successful at first.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Then she feels a presence in the room, and the flutter of papers.

[spooky-osha]

Her eyes snap open and she falls backwards, knocking the chair over and crashing to the ground unhurt but startled and anxious.

Sitting in the “To Do” bin is a stack of paperwork. In the center of the desk near the bin, there’s a letter sealed with wax as black as midnight.

She brushes herself off, notices the letter and goes to open it, her hands a little shaky as she slides the paper out of the envelope.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

“To whom it may concern,” it reads.

“It has come to my attention that Mx. Spook Stoker is currently indisposed and unable to fulfill the duties of their position as head of the department.”

“It has also come to my attention that one Ms. Lucerna Shelley is currently filling in for Mx. Stoker. Ms. Shelley is to be informed at once that she is expected to maintain the Cameră Roșie, the Panza de Paianjen, and the Liar’s Garden until Mx. Stoker returns.”

“If these duties along with any others are not fulfilled to satisfaction, Mx. Stoker’s time in my employ will be terminated.”

There is no signature.

[spooky-osha]

After Lucerna finishes feeding all the kids, she rests in the chair behind Spook’s desk. She closes her eyes, her breath slows, and she tries her best to relax.

Lucerna is pretty successful at first.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

Then she feels a presence in the room, and the flutter of papers.

[the-shadows-behind-the-scenes]

You can give something I want. You want something I can give.

Let’s make a deal.