Welcome Back
Welcome back, my friends! It’s been a long time, indeed. 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 had 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!”
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 hussy. I’ve read all about her in the papers, hoping from one party to the next.
“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.
“Mummy didn’t want to come into town today.” Clementina replied. “So, she said that we could go.”
Now I’m intrigued. Lady Cadaver was not one to shy away from the spotlight. I wonder why that is.
“Well, I’m sure Lady Erma has a good reason for not showing her rather disagreeable face in polite society. I hope nothing bad has happened to her, though.”
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. Spoiled little sluts, they are.
“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 what this place was all about before going on our way to grab a late breakfast at Tombstone.” said Karoline. “I’m dying for some Are you coming, as well?”
“Of course. I am absolutely famished.”
Tombstone was an exceptional place, though I must say that the menu is a bit less extravagant than that of the other cafes 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. I order that and cup of maggot tea. I was never one to eat so heavily at breakfast.
“Have received an invitation to Lady Vomiter’s tea 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. And she’s increasingly dull!”
“Did you hear about what happened to Lady Erma?” Karoline asked. “I heard that she’s penniless.”
“How so?” I asked.
Karoline looked about the café, hoping no one was looking. Thankfully, everyone was busy their own conversations to even look their way.
“The word about town is that Lord Cadaver had been embezzling money. I heard the most delicious rumor that he has spending it all on his mistress. If the news got out, the Cadavers would be shamed.”
“That would explain the parties.” I replied. “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. Imagine the ruin of that traitorous 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 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 seems the ideal place to have the Cadavers sent there!
“Oh, my dears, that’s lucky for me!” I exclaimed. “Finally, a story that, like us, won’t rest.”
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