Meliora - Extricate - 18.5

[lady_mab]

Author: The Lady and the Ghost

My fellow citizens. Many of us were drawn to this game in hopes of learning truths, when in fact, we have been given little more than half-meaningful riddles to guide us to dead ends. Handbell concerts in cement parks, sinking towers in the middle of the Thames, and clandestine meetings in the middle of the city.

These are not clues. These are little more than a wild goose chase.

The Program Manager hides his face from the rest of us, though rest assured he is watching. Tracking our progress, awarding points, and telling us to jump so that we will leap. This is not a contest: This is a recreational sport for ALICE, and we’re the croquet ball spiraling out of control across the playing field.

We’re afraid to talk of this game to others. Not just the less than fortunate citizens that aren’t “out to learn the truth”. We are afraid to talk to one another. Information is currency in this world, and we’re all in the poor house.

There are few who have a head start. They are naturally more gifted to solving clues and pointless riddles that chase circles around the rest of us. There are some that get lucky with a guess and a stab in the dark. Why should the rest of us be allowed to suffer? Should we not all be given the chance for freedom, a common right given to the basest of men?

Not any more. This city has stripped us of a fundamental privilege, and we are powerless to fight against it. We don’t even know why this is being withheld.

This game was a promise to these truths, but it’s been two months and I have yet to hear any rumors of what is really going on. Nothing from behind the scenes or out in the frontline with us, the foot soldiers, pushing on for answers with no end in sight.

Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to make noise and draw attention. They can’t stop what they can’t control, and we can’t be controlled if we don’t fear them. They are a corporation. They are ALICE, and they led us to believe that they are here to help us.

We pose this question to all of you -- ALICE, the Program Manager, the participants of Meliora: Just what exactly do you expect to get out of this? Just how long do you intend for this to go on before we are left stumbling in the dust of those before us?

Just how much longer do you intend to think that “the truth is out there” is a viable excuse, a worthy carrot on a stick, to string along a bunch of unfortunate, sad sacks who can’t think for themselves?

Stop being afraid. Fear is a tether and they have us hook, line and sinker.

Stop being afraid. The truth is out there, and we should not have to work for it. We have spoken, now let us be heard. ALICE’s golden rule is over. It’s time we took back the crown that we’ve strived for these last few months.

Give us facts, or give us blissful ignorance. Stop trying to act like a benevolent god among men when you won’t even put your participants on the same level.

Let us discuss the truth of the matter. Let us not be afraid to talk to our fellows.

We are the people of Eminence, and we will not be silenced.

---

From: Zoné (school)

aaaaaAAAAHHHHH!!!

From: Jun

AHHHH!!!

From: Jun

Is this another ‘I have to yell but can’t yell’ things?

From: Zoné (school)

Yeah something like that I’m technically still at the mercy of the school also because of this tour going on FOREVER but

From: Zoné (school)

I’ve got to talk to you before I lose my nerve

From: Jun

???? okay???

From: Zoné (school)

Okay

From: Zoné (school)

Ooooooooookaaaaaayfasdlkfj

From: Zoné (school)

Uhhhh

From: Jun

I first need you to use words if I am going to understand you

From: Jun

I can only mildly understand your expressions in person. Text makes it impossible.

From: Zoné (school)

I

From: Zoné (school)

Yeah

From: Zoné (school)

Okay

From: Zoné (school)

I think Glen is participating in Meliora

From: Jun

Oh

From: Zoné (school)

Something is obviously wrong, and I don’t know what. You and I are fine. Lysander’s fine. Lio’s fine. As far as I can tell, my brother and whatsherface are fine.

From: Jun

But Glen isn’t.

From: Zoné (school)

No

From: Jun

I am glad I am not going crazy thinking that he was looking to be in poor health. The others did not say anything.

From: Zoné (school)

Yeah I just… I don’t know if they’ve noticed? Or if they just thought it was a cold? He’s been able to keep up with us well enough he just looks awful.

From: Zoné (school)

I talked to Lysander about it kind of but he wasn’t much help

From: Zoné (school)

He says I just have to do it

From: Zoné (school)

Don’t think about it. Just corner Glen and talk to him about it.

From: Jun

I can help.

From: Jun

I hate to see him like this, and the fact that it could be related to Meliora makes me very sad.

From: Jun

I am lucky to have you, and to have Lysander. I do not want him to look so sad.

From: Zoné (school)

Yeah, same. I don’t know who he is working with, but i don’t think he’s a participant.

From: Zoné (school)

Lio pulled a list of people who got the email and that’s how I found your name.

From: Zoné (school)

And, no offense, if I had seen Glen’s name on that list, I would have asked him first.

From: Jun

I completely understand

From: Jun

You barely knew me when you asked.

From: Jun

And I am thankful that I have had this chance to get to know you better.

From: Zoné (school)

So you’ll help me when I talk to Glen?

From: Zoné (school)

You’re his friend too. I think it will ease some of the pressure if he knows the two of us and Lysander are participating.

From: Jun

I will.

From: Jun

Take your time, and include me when you are ready.

From: Zoné (school)

Will you help me figure out what to say?

From: Jun

If you need me to

From: Zoné (school)

Thanks

From: Zoné (school)

Not just for this, either for… like, for everything over the last few months

From: Zoné (school)

You’ve made this a lot easier for me, and you’ve been a great addition to the group

From: Jun

I’m glad!!

From: Jun

Thank you for inviting me to have lunch with you!

From: Zoné (school)

And in turn we have been blessed with your delicious lunches I think we are truly the winning party here sorry about it

From: Jun

I will have to make peace with the fact I am losing

---

From: L Stavros

Do you want to get coffee next weekend?

From: Little Bird

To be perfectly honest, I am still surprised that you texted me

From: L Stavros

What

From: L Stavros

I said I would

From: L Stavros

I was standing right in front of you when I did

From: Little Bird

Your track record speaks for itself

From: L Stavros

Oh ouch haha

From: Little Bird

You laugh but it’s true

From: Little Bird

It took me a long time to get over the fact that you left

From: Little Bird

Or maybe it wasn’t even the fact that you left so much the fact that you didn’t tell me

From: L Stavros

I won’t say that I’m going to explain myself

From: L Stavros

Because if you know me at all, you shouldn’t have been surprised

From: Little Bird

I was thirteen, I was hurt

From: Little Bird

I thought you were like that to everyone but me

From: L Stavros

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry

From: Little Bird

Alright, that’s a start

From: Little Bird

Coffee next Sunday.

From: Little Bird

We can talk

From: LIttle Bird

And then we can decide what to do

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