To Enoch… He Lives Here

Lord van Zieks, do you do ballet?

-⚙️

To ⚙️,

I am rather surprised that you were able to pick up on such a trait of mine. It does depend upon how you define 'doing' ballet. My father would never let a son of his take any sort of lessons in something like ballet. It was below us, something a man should not be able to do.

However, every now and then, I would walk in on my brother dancing. His poses were graceful and difficult, showing off the power in his legs. He told me that it was ballet, though he never did tell me how he learned it.

It was something we bonded over. He showed me how to warm up for such dances, do careful stretches, how to perform leaps and lifts and other such things.

I do have an idea how he learned, but... that's long passed. Perhaps I can hire a private tutor for these lessons. I think it would be quite fun.

Lord Barok van Zieks

*a letter was left in Strongharts cell this time with a pencil and paper*

Dear Mr. Stronghart,

How are you feeling? I know it must not be the best but it is a formal thing to ask. I was the one who had given you the carved wooden bird and I was wondering if you liked it. I'm by no means an expert on wood carving, but I like to do it when my older brother is busy so I'd like to think I've gotten good at it!

Sincerely,

-T.V.Z.

To T. V. Z.,

I have been living in the dark for quite some time. I long for unbiased news from the aboveground as I rot in this pit of Hades. I am surrounded by the deranged people whom I had the misfortune of knowing in my first life, though I have been blissfully separated from them, as I am at a high risk for being attacked. I spend my time writing. There is quite a lack of things I am allowed to do.

I did quite enjoy the bird you gave me. I am not allowed to have violent instruments such as whittling tools or knives with which to cut my food (if the food were better than the bland slop they feed me). It was nice to see the work that went into it. I ran my fingers down every crevasse, feeling the mistakes, the details, the knots within the wood.

It has given me something to do, and I have noticed that my fingers are so often on the bird that the natural oils produced by man have begun to naturally weather the wood into a smoother texture, far more pleasing to the touch.

Signed, Mael Stronghart.

P. S. - I notice your unusual initials. Would you, perchance, be related to the van Zieks family?

to Benjamin- you sound very fond of Barok. What made you want to get back in contact with him after ten years?

Dear Uniquartz,

You are quite the astute observer! I am rather fond of Barok... The two of us were very close friends in our years at university. He is the closest friend I've ever had! One of the only friends I've ever had...

Oh, my... I can think of only three friends... well, that is to say, three human friends... that I have ever had. That is rather worrying. Perhaps I should get out more. (Not to mention one of those friends tried to ruin my dreams...)

That being said, I had missed him greatly. He invited me to visit him in his home and I could not turn down such an offer. I have struggled with money in the past, and he is helping me to save my pennies. As I said, he is a very, very kind man. I care deeply for him.

Best, Benjamin Dobinbough

Dear Mr Stronghart,

I do not care much for my parents since I was abandoned to an orphanage at a young age, and I don't normally use that surname but it is the only one I know of, as for if Mr Van zieks know about me....I don't think he does...

Signed,

T.V.Z.

To T.V.Z.,

Ah, such a sad fate he has bestowed upon you. I apologize for his foul treatment of you in this way, and I am not surprised that a woman who had a child by this married man would not want such a source of shame hanging over her head. It is impressive that you have managed to hone such skills in knifework despite your poor upbringing. You are clearly stronger than I had expected.

Signed, Mael Stronghart.

NARUHODOU ALERT: THE GIRLS (asougi and van zieks) ARE FIGHTINGGGGG!!!!!!!

Augh!

I have done all that I can to prevent such a thing from happening, and have received countless letters already detailing how precisely Asougi feels about the man. He tells me both of certain incidents that have happened as well as how his personality grates against everyone else's.

He had told me that van Zieks is in a much brighter mood as of late, though, so hopefully the fighting should stop soon! Though I will admit I do not know the contents of this fight in particular.

Thank you for letting me know! Naruhodou Ryuunosuke

*leaves a present with a hand carved wooden bird inside the box in strongharts cell*

To the anonymous gift giver:

I must say... this is an immaculately crafted carving. While such talents should be used in more proper forms of carpentry, beautiful ornate furniture and the like, I cannot deny the beauty of this simple object.

I would like to while away my hours with whittling, though I have been put under immense isolation and careful watch. I argue that I am not a dangerous man, and yet they will not allow me tools for woodworking. I will treasure this.

Mael Stronghart.

Dear Kazuma

Never gonna give you up

Dear anon,

I appreciate the sentiment, though I am confused as to what you could mean by such a thing. Give me up to what?

Signed, Asougi Kazuma

Catch me being as self indulgent as possible…

Hey Rosie! What’s up with Enoch?

[modverse, not canon verse]

Dear ace-chaser,

I have been keeping an eye on my brother, and I find it quite entertaining that he simply lives there now. He is thriving with his close friend Benjamin, creating all sorts of ridiculous contraptions together and having great fun.

It is wonderful to see him like this.

Thank you, Rosie

Barok, what are your feelings on Benjamin?

Anon,

I find it hard to say what a profound difference my friend has made on my life. He made me feel like a normal person in a world that I simply could not comprehend. He showed me that, despite being different, despite my constant and unshakeable sadness, I am still someone worthy of being cared for.

I do not know how he feels about me. I do not know if he is aware that he changed my entire life. He makes me feel warm, and cared for, and like I can be a better person. I know that I have been prejudiced and terrible in the past... he makes me feel as though I can do better. I want nothing more than to be better. For him. I want to be a man I... we. Both of us can be proud of.

Hello there I’m the one who asked about the Benbaro twin question and right now I wanted to ask what Barok and Albert think?

Sorry that my art is bad.

To childrenofozstory,

This art pierced through my heart. It is utterly wonderful, a delightful idea of what could be in an ideal world. I myself have never wanted to have children, but the thought of raising these two children with my lovely partner is... incredibly appealing. I adore the idea that Heather takes after her father in science, and I am a large fan of polka dots. (Additionally, Iris has been teaching me how to braid hair.)

As for Henry, I do quite like his hair. The mix of Albert's and mine, and the volume and texture of his hair... I know that Benjamin is quite a fan of his particular look, and I cannot help but feel the same.

Life with these two would be an absolute dream. These twins will be on my mind for... quite some time now.

With fondness, Lord Barok van Zieks