And we're all adrift together through the cold mist, 'til we're lifeless together

[dokkalfheimr]

[The preparations hit differently this time.

Last weekend was at least an attempt at being festive, even with the light supplies they have; at being joyous, at giving people at least one nice thing to look back upon before things inevitably took a turn for the worse. And now two people are dead, and instead of trying to figure out structure placement and how best to keep everyone entertained and occupied and well-fed, the preparations now are given to much more practical purposes.

Large amounts of bottled water from the machine. Bagels and bread and muffins, light starchy things to avoid forcing anyone to keep meat or seafood down after seeing a corpse. Fruit for the sake of providing energy. Avoiding including bananas for any reason. Quietly pulling aside one of the first people she sees with any experience in the matter and asking them to help her make tea.

Once she's got one of the tables at the party zone set up and the tea is on its way to being prepared, she'll set around letting people know; the invitations are simple, written in Freyja's broad, elegant handwriting:

I think another gathering tonight would be beneficial. Not to celebrate, but to remember; perhaps more importantly, to ensure that no one is alone if they don't want to be.

Tonight is hard. There is nothing further to do but get through it.]

Comments

[bonesorter]

[Despite the subject matter, Lorna seems intrigued.]

Oh? I've never heard of this book before... who was this murderer you speak of?

[leaveittomother]

Neither did I, there are many about this person, though.

[She smiles gently.]

A person called Jack the Ripper, who sought out victims in the mist choked streets of London.

[bonesorter]

What a terrifying name... did they ever catch this man?

... Or, um, have you not gotten that far yet?

[She asks, upon realizing that they might not have read this one before and thus don't know yet.]

[leaveittomother]

The real Jack the Ripper? No, he was never caught though he did stop his crimes--maybe that's why he's so infamous.

[She smiles gently. An actual smile, this time.]

In the book, I don't know. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. There are many books based on trying to figure out who Jack the Ripper was.

[bonesorter]

Oh, I see... I suppose that helps keep things interesting for people, rather than reading about the exact same events over and over again in different books on the subject?

[leaveittomother]

Exactly. That's part of the appeal, honestly. There are so many theories.

[bonesorter]

Really? I wonder why it is that they never caught this man, if there's so many theories... at least one of them could be correct, right?

[leaveittomother]

One of them could have been right, yes. It could be that they didn't seem to care that much about doing so since he seemed only to prey on the least fortunate. I can't say for certain.

[bonesorter]

Oh... that's awful, if true.

[Hopefully that isn't the reason why Jack never got caught...]

[leaveittomother]

I know of one theory well, thankfully, and that wasn't the case... only that the culprit was caught but since they weren't human the public just never found out so a panic wouldn't be caused.

[Thankfully!]

[bonesorter]

Not human? Then... what were they?

[leaveittomother]

I think the best way to describe them would be calling them an evil spirit.

[bonesorter]

[At that, Lorna somehow manages to turn even paler than normal.]

A--an... evil spirit?

[leaveittomother]

Ah--I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you but yes, an evil spirit.

[bonesorter]

But... how? Was it someone that was possessed by one somehow, or something else?

[leaveittomother]

[Well, time to put down her book and stand up for a stretch. This is going to be a thing.]

Mm, I can't say anyone was possessed. Do you know about how the ghosts of the dead can linger on after death?

[bonesorter]

I am aware of things of that nature, yes.

[Unfortunately.]

[leaveittomother]

Well, there was a class of people in that large city that wasn't treated very well. They died often and--I'm not sure how to explain this. They lingered and their anger created an evil spirit. A not very strong one for someone who was used to such things but for an unsuspecting person? Deadly.

[She pauses. I'm so sorry Lorna you don't deserve the Jack explanation.]

Trying to strike back at the world even though it took everything from you... There's something to admire there.