Welcome Back
Welcome back, my friends! It’s been a long time, indeed, since that last time we've talked. Where shall I start? Well, for starters, everything is all sixes and sevens here in the grand old city of Geisterwelt. The city has flourished in the months that have passed. I supposed that this is the work of my human friends trying to get as many of the dead here as possible. Shortly after the ball, they've have returned to the Surface to help find more survivors. I do miss them very much, though (Don’t tell anyone I said that). They were such a lively bunch. But yes, they are not here. It's been over a year since they have left. Nevertheless, it just isn’t the same without them. However, it’s not all bad, though. It’s nice to see many a new corpse strolling about in town. They've opened up shops, schools, restaurants, practically anything one could ever want or need. A good few became some of my new neighbors. It’s so grand to see more of one’s own class, though I’m not sure if they are my social equals.
I became a mother for the fourth time. I didn’t think it was possible. I mean I am dead, after all. But it happened, remarkably enough. I delivered a son this time. We named him Frederick, after my dear Paul’s father, but Freddie is what we call this dear little chap. He’s such a jolly little creature, too! The girls adore him, especially little Alicia. She’s always walking down the halls, holding him as if he were one of her dolls. Nanny wouldn’t let her hold him for long, for she was afraid that she would drop him. But Freddie himself is a powerhouse of energy wrapped inside of a tiny body. He just recently learned to walk with lightning speed, much to Nanny's dismay. It was becoming increasingly difficult to catch him sometimes. The girls didn't mind. Chasing him throughout the house was something they thoroughly enjoyed.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, there are some things that will never change. The Cadavers haven’t let up with their wild, lavish parties. Ever since the ball, Lady Erma has taken it upon herself to make my every waking day a living hell! The parties at her house became bigger, the music she played was more boisterous! Half the city could hear them go on well into the night and into the next morning. I've tried everything I could to silence her, but it doesn’t matter what anyone does, it won’t stop her. And for what?! All because the Duchess showed more favor to me than to her that night at the ball. Sour grapes are all it is. Sour grapes, indeed!
I have half a mind to knock her silly, worm-filled head against a brick wall, but I am better than that. I will try to not let that odious family across the way get the best of me... at least this time around. I mean, I actually had the misfortune of seeing her and her daughters, Clementina and Dionysia in Madame’s Degoutant’s dress shop. Those simpering, stupid girls were running Mr. Stein ragged with their ridiculous demands and requests for new frocks. It was horrific yet satisfying, th. I, too, find him to be immensely irritating.
“Lady Josephine, is that you?”
Oh no! I’ve been spotted...by Clementina, no less! If the word frivolity had a physical form, it would come in the shape of Clementina Cadaver. And as always, her dead-eyed slut of a sister had to follow. Such a ridiculous creature Dionysia is. A salacious, duplicitous little flapper. I’ve read all about her in the papers, hopping from one party to the next until she is photographed being drunkenly dragged into her car. And here she was wrapped in bright pink cocoon coat. Outrageous!
“Hello, Clementina.”
Dionysia impatiently tapped her foot upon the marble floor so much that the insufferable noise echoed throughout the store. And to make matters worse this stupid girl had the nerve to clear her throat as she placed both hands on her hips.
Hello, Dionysia!” I said begrudgingly. Dionysia only rolled her eyes before a smug grin graced her upper lip. Her bottom one dangled off the side of her mouth. I had half a mind to rip it off and throw across the street.
“Are you here with your mother?” I asked without throwing up.
“Mummy didn’t want to come into town today.” Clementina replied. “The damnedest thing, it was. She claimed she was too ill to move. So, we decided to go.”
"Yes," I replied, "more often than what is normal."
Now I’m intrigued. Lady Cadaver was not one to shy away from the spotlight. I wonder what that hussy contracted.
“Well, I’m sure Lady Erma will gets better soon (Though, I secretly wished she didn't).
"I will tell her that I ran into you." Dionysia replied.
"Please don't!" I exclaimed. "That is to say I do not want whatever latest infection she has."
Clementina and Dionysia didn’t take kindly to their mother being insulted but were too proud to defend her so-called honor. They only had their various bags and boxes put into the car and drove off. Finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief.
“Odious little whores, aren’t they?” I turned to see Karoline and Scarlett.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Scarlett and I decided to pop in to see do some last-minute shopping before going on our way to have brunch at the Tombstone.” said Karoline. “I’m dying to get a taste of grilled buzzard and poached crow's eggs. Are you coming, as well?”
“Of course!" I exclaimed. "I am absolutely famished!”
The Tombstone was an exceptional place, though I must say that the menu is a bit less extravagant than that of the other cafes and restaurants on Casket Avenue. But no matter. The moment I stepped in the door, my milky eyes made a beeline to the dessert counter. The tadpole croissants were practically screaming at me. My I order that, a slice of cockroach cinnamon swirl cake, and cup of maggot tea. I was never one to eat so heavily at breakfast, but this was absolute heaven!
“Have received an invitation to Lord and Lady Vomiter’s holiday party?” Scarlett asked.
I sighed. “Yes,” I replied, “but I do wish that woman would limit the number of people invited. It was quite difficult to move around the last time I was there. Plus, Lady Vomiter is ever-lastingly dull!”
"Honestly, Josie," Karoline laughed, "she's not all that bad."
“Did you hear about what happened to Lady Erma?” Karoline asked. “I heard that she’s penniless.”
Oh, this was better than the food! The so-called "illness" is finally revealed. “Lady Cadaver, penniless? How so?” I asked.
Karoline looked about the café, hoping no one was looking. Thankfully, everyone was too busy their own conversations to even look their way.
“The word about town is that Lord Cadaver had been embezzling money and that he has been spending it all on a mistress. Several mistresses, it would seem. One of them even had the audacity to show her face at one of their parties. If the news got out, the Cadavers would be shamed.”
That would explain the daughters' constant appearances. Push the children out to the streets to save the family from ruin.
“That would explain her sudden disappearance from the world.” I replied. “Though I must admit it has been rather peaceful on our block. Who has he been stealing from?”
“A few of the lords in Parliament, the Prime Minister, and even from the duke himself.”
This was all too thrilling! I wonder who are the women that would be so desperate as to be with Lord Cadaver? Surely not a lady of good standing! But just imagine the ruin of that cancerous family. If guilty, the punishment for such crimes, was exile. I mean, execution is pretty much useless in a place like this when everyone is already dead. However, I’ve been to the world of the living and have experienced what will happen if one is left to one’s own devices up there. I mean, I nearly fed off a human, for goodness' sake! Can you imagine what that might’ve done to my dress? Now that I think of it, it does seem the ideal place to have the Cadavers sent to!
“Oh, my dears, that’s lucky for me!” I exclaimed. “Finally, a story that, like us, won’t rest."
"Any plans for Anno Horriblis?" Scarlett asked. "My children wanted to have a carnival outside in our garden, but Quintin thinks it's a bit too much."
"I say," said Karoline, "you're not having money troubles, are you?"
Scarlett scoffed. "Oh, no," she replied. "We're still hideously wealthy. It's just that the children want an entire Geisterwelt zoo this time."
Karoline rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it." she said. "My boys have our cook going nonstop baking all sorts of cakes and treats. I'm going to have to pay her double for her troubles."
