Two for the Show 1

Okay, a disclaimer before we begin. This is a revenge story taking place in a small college/university. All of the characters are at least 20. This story does have abuse in it; some of it is implicit because I didn't want to get too graphic for the peers that originally read it. They didn't mention having a problem, but I've made changes since then, and I know depictions of abuse can affect others. It's less than 10 parts, so if you decide to skip, you won't have to wait long.

                       -Rose B.

Two for the Show

1

    The couch I'm sitting on is an ugly yellow, I would bet money that the color is the reason it's been relegated to the basement. The music playing in the living room upstairs is so loud I feel my bones resonating with the bass. I came down here to avoid people, but I already can't see anything but partygoers. A couple has started making out on the other side of the couch, and I don't doubt there are plenty more throughout the house. An image of me pouring the contents of my solo cup on the couple flashes in my head, but I ignore it. Hopefully, Erica had enough foresight to lock the doors of the rooms. She doesn't want less exhibitionist couples to enter. I stand up and push my way through the mob of people filling the basement, aiming for the stairs.

    Not for the first time tonight, I wonder why I'm here. I didn't even want to come. I planned on having a quiet night in my room playing the online game my little sister recommended or maybe watching Netflix. I hadn't even had the chance to make the decision when Becky burst in declaring that we were going to Erica's party. I tried to convince her to let me stay at home, but she was dead set that this would make me feel better.

    I step around the drunks on the stairs, and one boy who I suspect is high. If weed is being passed around, then it is definitely time for me to leave. No need for my parents to get called by some cop breaking up the party. The main floor is even worse than the basement, the music is louder, and everyone is yelling over it to be heard. Luckily, the amount of people is about the same. I navigate towards the kitchen. As soon as I find Becky, I'm going home no matter how much she begs me to stay.

    I stop walking as a giggle reaches my ear. Ahead of me, through a sea of classmates, I see a couple that is no different than any other couple here. The girl is leaning against the boy in a low cut, slightly too tight shirt trying too hard to be liked. The boy has his hand on her waist, but his brown eyes keep dipping towards her shirt. The girl only encourages him by getting closer. The boy smiles in return and my lip curls. Maybe I should pour my drink on them, but it was Alec, not the girl, that deserved it.

 

 

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Our Condolences end

Our Condolences

final letter

28th day of Lorenier, 953

To Mr. Samuel Wick

    We regret to inform you that Mrs. Angeline Wick was killed while doing a great justice to her country. The country thanks her for her sacrifice, she dies a hero and will be remembered as such as we continue our fight. We have sent along all personal effects, which may not arrive at the time of this letter. You can rest assured that she will receive a full honors burial, just send a reply of where you would like to lay her to rest and we will make sure it happens.

    Our Sincerest Condolences,

                 Offices of Elect Leader J. H. Rume

 

 

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Our Condolences 17

Our Condolences

seventeenth letter

27th day of Lorenier, 953

My Dear Sammy,

    I am grateful for your unwavering hope in this troubled time. I love you and my little Albert more than words can describe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our Condolences Finishing, New Story Starting

Alright, Our Condolences has only two parts left. Originally I was just going to publish them about a day apart, but it makes more sense to me to publish them both at once. The next story I'm going to do it titled Two for the Show.
For those of you that are interested in the world of Our Condolences, the months come from the names of gods, and I'll share the notes I have about them:

• Samth is the goddess of the weather, time, and age.
• Tutala is goddess of chaos, war and battlefields. Which includes anyone on or dealing with them.
• Matlyth is a minor god (is a horse) over travel and correspondence. Because he is known for his speed, he is prayed to when anything needs to move or get done fast.
• Thuren is the god of life and nature. Partner of Samth, they are primordial gods that rebirth themselves every so often. So Thuren is the god of all life (including the other gods) but also the god of nature (life cycle of earth). The cycle of these two gods destroys and recreates the world and is part of the apocalypse of humanity (the apocalypse of the Parthenon deals with the destruction of these two).
• Sumin is the god of knowledge, learning, and curiosity.
• Seryn is the goddess of the wild, parties, and hunting.
• Yemth is the goddess of the night, shadows, and what dwells within them (assassins, thieves, nocturnal animals).
• Rarin is the goddess of the sea, water, and fishermen.
• Nurth is the god of the dead, and Thuren's brother. He's more like the keeper of the dead. He makes sure they move from the mortal plane to the afterlife and he's responsible for making the dead get the well wishes of the ones they left behind (The god of death, famine, and disease is Morath. Morath has a twin sister, Culora who is the goddess of deceit, cunning, and lies).
• Chael and Lorein are King and Queen of their pantheon, together they are the gods of family and marriage.
  - Chael is the goddess of children/childbirth and mothers. She is thought to be kind and warm, but when angered or threatened, she can be vicious.
  - Lorein is the god of love/lovers (which includes those who have had they love taken from them [widowers] and the heartbroken). This includes the dark/hurtful side, as well. He is considered to have two sides/selves: the one that is the romantic (Lorn) and the other that deals in vengeance (Nier).

All the months except Lorein's end in "ir", which means "month of". Lorein's month is different because he has two sides; to show respect to both, it became Lorenier. There's probably more lore as to why his is the only one that's different, but I haven't figured that out yet.

Our Condolences 16

Our Condolences

sixteenth letter

22nd day of Chaelir, 953

Dearest Angel,

    Keep your chin up love. As long as you come back alive it doesn't matter what those Loyalist bastards are doing. When you are home all you have to worry about it Albert insisting we get another dog. You only need to sit on the porch and watch the sunsets with me, while Margie sits at our feet. We can visit Beth and watch our son grown into a fine young man. We'll never have to fear seeing that black car again and we can thank Tutala, Chael, and Lorein for getting you home safe.

    Albert is missing you a lot lately almost every day he pulls your letters out of the box I have stored them in and reads them in silence. He hugs Rosey close and occasionally whispers in her ear. While I can't tell what he says I know he is sending you his love, even though it's not in a letter.

    Lovingly,

                Sam

 

 

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Our Condolences 15

Our Condolences

fifteenth letter

9th day of Samthir, 953

My Dear Sammy,

    They've been pushing us hard lately, and they do not seem to care about our complaints. Their attitude only lends credibility to the rumors. No one brushes them off as just rumors anymore, and they become more accepted with each passing day. With the higher-ups making such awful decisions that kill so many of our comrades, how can we not? Just as we make headway they rotate us farther away from the front, every time we rotate people die from ignorance. I'm beginning to suspect they are doing so on purpose to hinder the progress we make as much as possible.

    Why must we be the ones to die for their pride? Why must we fight their battles while they sit in a tent at a safe distance? When they strut through camp, eyes filled with anger follow them. The anger seems to keep us alive when the anger is gone we are left only with defeat. Opal is the only one who still cares and we do our best to hush her up so the anger is not turned on us. I tell myself I only need to get home safe and that seems to keep me going.

    Forever Yours,

                 Angeline

 

 

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Editing

Alright! I finally got some time to sit down and edit Purple Moon. Hopefully, I fixed everything, as I didn't have much time, I was only skimming and using an editing software. The software wouldn't catch everything or would ask me to unnecessary changes. This is all to say I probably left in some mistakes and if you see them just leave me a comment. I'll get to them when I get more time.

-Rose B.

Our Condolences 14

Our Condolences

fourteenth letter

11th day of Rarinir, 952

Dearest Angel,

    My heart aches, as I think of your troubles. I would gladly tell you of home: it is springtime here, the trees are blooming a beautiful pink, and when the wind blows it scatters the petals like snow. Albert loves to play hide and go seek with Margie in the tall grass. It is a humorous sight, Margie will bark and Albert will call out to her; it continues on like that until Margie finds him or Albert gets bored.

    For your sake, I pray that the war ends soon. Albert misses you dearly and, in truth, so do I. There are days when the house feels so empty; during those times, when even Albert can't cheer me up, I turn to the horizon and pray my wishes and love reach you. When you find yourself losing hope, turn to that horizon and know I am thinking of you.

    Lovingly,

                Sam

 

 

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Our Condolences 13

Our Condolences

thirteenth letter

14th day of Serynir, 952

My Dear Sammy,

    I hope this finds you in good health, or at least better health then I am in. This war has been going on for so long that I can hardly remember anything else. I struggle to see anything besides the blood and dirt. Every time I close my eyes and recall the green of home, the lingering sounds of screams overpower my memories, turning it into a nightmarish scene. Minnie tries to keep our spirits up but she is looking less cheerful by the day, Opal has started to see the world for what it is, but Rosanne is barely functioning. The rumors are gaining traction and many of us have begun to lose hope. We see no end to this war and only wish to return to our families. I did not mean to make this letter so depressing but I would appreciate hearing of home.

    Forever Yours,

                 Angeline

 

 

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Our Condolences 12

Our Condolences

twelfth letter

23rd day of Suminir, 951

Dearest Angel,

    I can not calm your doubts, but I can tell that those of us waiting and praying at the temples have not forgotten you. Several weeks ago an Elder told me they had seen how dedicated I was to you and they would pray for your return as well. Now every time I go to the temple they tell me they've prayed for you.

    I can at least distract you with tales of home. Albert is slowly coming along in his studies, he was not happy with his teacher in the beginning but he has come around to see her wisdom. I am constantly thankful he has managed to make new friends and shows no issues socially. I wish I could show you how he's grown but I don't want to take the chance that my letter might not get to you. So my descriptions will have to do.

    As I have written before I will gladly take a trip to see Rosanne's husband if it would help calm her heart. Your platoon is already in my prayers but the next time I visit the temple I'll bring an extra offering for Rosanne's well being. As for the others, I can only hope that Opal will cause you fewer problems and be grateful none of you have died.

    Lovingly,

                Sam

 

 

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Our Condolences 11

Our Condolences

eleventh letter

26th day of Yemthir, 951

My Dear Sammy,

    It has been too long since I have been able to write. I'm currently writing this in the infirmary, while Minnie's bullet wound is checked. She was shot in the shoulder so there was no fear of death, but she is not allowed to use her gun for at least several more days. Opal's leg is almost completely healed, despite her constant attempts to rush back into battle. It would not surprise me to learn those attempts are the reason it has taken this long to heal. At the rate Opal is going, Minnie will be back in action before her.

    The mood around camp is becoming worse and the rumors are increasing. Rosanne is taking them the hardest and I worry she might try to run back home. Minnie has been trying to cheer her up but nothing seems to work. It's not just the rumors, somewhere along the chain of command someone is holding off on making decisions and it's getting us killed. Some are using it as proof that the rumors are true, but I don't want to believe that those in charge are so cold. Surely there aren't people whose hearts are so frozen, they sacrifice us for their own gain in this world.

    Forever Yours,

                 Angeline

 

 

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Our Condolences 10

Our Condolences

tenth letter

19th day of Chaelir, 951

Dearest Angel,

    Even though you have to be in the turmoil of the front I'm glad your safe. The other day I found myself thinking of that day you were called to war. You were holding little Albert and making him giggle. I was wondering how it was possible for me to love you more when you looked out the window and spotted that black car. All emotions drained for your face and the happiness left the room. You handed little Albert to me and went to face your fate, You left with only the clothes on your back and a small engraving of Chael and Lorein that I gave you when we got married. I didn't realize I was staring into the ether until Albert got my attention.

    Albert was excited to see a letter from you today. He has been upset lately, but after reading your letter he told me he will be brave so you can come home without worry. He did not explain further but I suspect it has something to do with the girl who moved in down the street. She's the same age as Albert and the first child he's been interested in since you left. I hope that she will be able to draw him out of his shell. Even though you are far away, you still inspire Albert through your letters. So not lose hope, if your courage stretches all the way to us, then those nearest you must certainly feel it too.

    Lovingly,

                Sam

 

 

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Our Condolences 9

Our Condolences

ninth letter

1st day of Thurenir, 950

My Dear Sammy,

    The front is worse than I imagined. I never want to get used to seeing so much death, even the earth around us seems barren. We are lucky that our platoon is still whole but we have our share of injuries. Most are nothing serious, but Opal was too reckless and broke her leg trying to be a hero. Beth and I had to drag her back to camp while Edith, Rosanne, and Minnie covered us. Edith scolded her for almost getting herself killed the whole time she was getting medical attention.

    Rumors are circulating that we are being lied to, that this war is not expected to end, nor does the government plan to end it. In response, they have sent our representatives to tell us what we are fighting for. The only one who believes his honeyed words is Opal. Luckily her leg will prevent her from doing something stupid in the near future. The rest of us just think of those we left, who pray for us and wish our safe return. Your letters of home give me the determination to keep me going.

    Forever Yours,

                 Angeline

 

 

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Our Condolences 8

Our Condolences

eighth letter

21st day of Nurthir, 949

Dearest Angel,

    I know you may not have many chances to write at the front, but I am always willing to help as much as I can from here. Even if the only thing I can do is listen. I'll take an extra offering to Tutala's temple and make an extra prayer for your safety tomorrow. With how often I've been going I've learned a lot about the other people that go regularly. Most of them are praying for loved ones in the war, but there are a few Elders who are there to pray for everyone else. When little Albert comes with me he watches the others in the room. He stays close to me and keeps quiet. Even after we leave he remains quiet and subdued. I don't like seeing him like that so I try to take him when there are as few people as possible. That is becoming harder, as there have been more people at the temple lately. There are some days when there are so many people that I can hardly get in the door. I suspect you are not the only ones being sent to the front, but at least I can say that those of us here have not forgotten about those who are fighting.

    Don't worry about us, Albert and I are doing what we can. Know that little Albert and I think of you daily, and stay strong.

    Lovingly,

                Sam

 

 

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