Sergeant Colmes from Alfred Delafosse

[zerotje]

Dear Sergeant Colmes,

This letter may be redundant as I've replied via Bellows.

But I would prefer to receive your questions and answers in a letter.
So that I may mull over them.

I have no idea what happened in Ephia's Well regarding Velan Volandis.
I regret the man's death like any other.

I've only heard vague rumors about a Flesh Djinn's presence.
And that must be why I am accused as an anchor. Since it was a Flesh Djinn that gave chase to poor Acolyte Amelie.

However, these accusations are baseless, I've nothing to do with it. Nothing in the slightest.
This is a conspiracy to murder me. By those who are grief-stricken by the loss of Pirouette and Loijr.

This Mark upon my body- it hasn't been activated. Meaning it has done nothing.
It is ominous and foreboding certainly and it needs to be removed.

However, the Kulamet intends to cremate me alive with divine fire.
Sure, that will remove the Mark, because I will be dead.

But if it is my dead that is desired. Why was I released from my cell?
Why was Acolyte Amelie's mission carried out?
Why were the lives of Pirouette and Loijr sacrificed?

Are we really going to nullify their efforts with a ''better late than never'' decision to murder me?
I will call it murder, because it will do nothing. My Mark is unrelated completely to the happenings in the Well.

Rest assured that I endeavor to see my Mark removed; pieces are coming together. I require time and I will update you about the progress. But I do not need the Kulamet's murder plot to achieve it.

You must realize that I am incredibly motivated to remove my Mark.
Since it, you know, is probably going to kill me over time and claim my soul.
My soul, Sergeant Colmes, my eternity, my forever, my afterlife. The stakes are infinitely high.

Let me know your questions, demands, thoughts and what have you.
I will answer and reply truthfully as I have always done.

I am at your mercy Sergeant Colmes.

Alfred Delafosse

[Blue41]

Delafosse,

I'm going to clear up a few misconceptions here, because I do have the singular misfortune of having asked a great deal of questions on this matter that may be relevant to you. You may accept my words or reject them as you please.

Jinn cannot be killed in the sense that you and I can, only weakened, banished, imprisoned. Volandis' death, and the nature of his pact, is similar to yours at face value. He wished that those still alive might return unharmed, in exchange for his service to the Jinn for as long as he lived. And though no one else heard it, or could know, Volandis knew these terms were accepted. He found that when he attempted to end his life, and sever the Jinn's hold on him, he could not. This was no longer permitted.

You can see why I believe your attempts will fail, despite your best efforts. Look to your previous letters-- all the letters you have sent to Isabella and Amelie and whoever else you've reached out to for confirmation of the slow shift in your thinking. You asked the Jinn to save your life, and gave that life to it in the process. And now it would have you preserve that life at any cost, to be of use to it.  That was most likely you could not be allowed to join the group to imprison the creature within the Urn. You would have been compelled to act in its preservation, as you are compelled now. The mark is and has been active for some time.

Amelie told me of her intended plan for you. That it would be painful, and leave scars, but her reasoning was that burning the mark away would also remove the Jinn's influence on you. You were not marked at the time of your capture and release, and even once you were, I stayed my hand in the fleeting hope that Amelie's gambit might save you. She could still save you, if you can resist the Jinn's grip on your fears, your mind.

My initial offer stands, as given under the name of the Wroth. You have until the end of the day to decide. But time is not on your side, Alfred.  You're bleeding out, and haven't realized it yet.

Sgt. R. Colmes

[zerotje]

Sergeant Colmes,

Thank you, you have given me new information.

I have not attempted to end my own life. I have no human desire for it, thus I do not know if I am or am not permitted for it.

Please use your mind, Amelie wants to BURN me in Divine fire.
It is my HUMAN decision to refuse this false ''offer''. It will kill me!

My ritual that I am preparing will have a much larger chance to have my Mark removed AND my life preserved.

Velan has made his own Pact. SEE. I have NOTHING to do with the Djinn acting in Ephia's Well.

I am no danger to Ephia's Well. Leave me alone Sergeant.

I beg this of you.

Alfred Delafosse

[zerotje]

Sergeant Colmes,

I ask your permission to meet Acolyte Amelie face-to-face to discuss the details of this ritual.

And an extension of time for me to make my decision.
So I can have this meeting whenever we are actually capable of meeting.

Please, with a cherry ontop?
If there is an ''after'' I will make you and your soldiers some brilliant Nougats.

Alfred Delafosse

[Blue41]

Delafosse,

Provided Amelie doesn't refuse you out of hand, you'll have your meeting face-to-face with her.

As I mentioned in my previous letter, however, time is not on your side. You walk away from Amelie with anything less than a yes, and the Legion will be after you.

Sgt. R. Colmes