Hmm, as I was finishing my organizing of the thread today, I noticed that Confessions #12 and #26 seem to be exactly the same:
This sure isn’t regular paper - more like cloth. Stripes of black and white cloth, weaved in a way that suggest a chess board. The ink seems pretty normal, yet it smells like wax. The handwriting is careful, but a bit messy.
I started my ascend in it in order to understand it, and perhaps, to end it when my knowledge rise up to the challenge and my capacities allow for it. Yet, it seems one (or at the very least, this one I’ve become) is incapable of it. I grew to love the role, or rather I grew to become the role. There is not much else of me besides it and the mask… and I whole heartily love it just like that.
Love and fear of this truthful lie is what I’ve become. And here, in these steps, I linger.
This sure isn’t regular paper - more like cloth. Stripes of black and white cloth, weaved in a way that suggest a chess board. The ink seems pretty normal, yet it smells like wax. The handwriting is careful, but a bit messy.
I started my ascend in it in order to understand it, and perhaps, to end it when my knowledge rise up to the challenge and my capacities allow for it. Yet, it seems one (or at the very least, this one I’ve become) is incapable of it. I grew to love the role, or rather I grew to become the role. There is not much else of me besides it and the mask… and I whole heartily love it just like that.
Love and fear of this truthful lie is what I’ve become. And here, in these steps, I linger.
So, if these are written by the same person, we should eliminate/disqualify one of the entries. That leaves us with a total of 31 confessions, 9 of which have been successfully guessed, and 22 left to still be guessed. edited by Lady Taimi Felix on 11/17/2018
I must confess, I hadn’t expected my confession to generate much interest, but after reading all your kind responses, I feel I should come forward as #18. That would be Balzac Thibault.
To be honest I had intended to post and ghost, as it were, just to get some things off my chest in a semi-autobiographical fashion. I’m not very active in the forums and as a full-time writer I rarely have the energy to roleplay properly, but I’ve loved kind of observing from afar and thought participating in Ivory Door this year might be fun. But your responses made me feel really good. Unfortunately, unlike Balzac, I haven’t a Neath to escape to; I live in one of the most homophobic/transphobic countries in the world and it does tend to wear on me after a while. But it’s nice to know I have yourr support, delicious friends. Believe me, it really does make a difference.
Balzac is largely an inactive character, but please feel free to connect with Dr. Emmaline Anders instead. I’m happy to respond in roleplay, provided you don’t mind a couple of days in between responses. Oh, and Emmaline was #5.
Thank you all, and especially Lady Sapho Byron, for this thread! edited by Louffles on 11/20/2018 edited by Louffles on 11/20/2018
[quote=Aberrant Eremite]18 could be Somerset Maugham! He’d be in his mid-twenties, I think. Keynes would be too young, and Turning hasn’t been born yet.
Plus he has an attraction to the working class, and a meekness that doesn’t wholly compromise his dignity … Yes, this is my guess, #18 is Somerset Maugham. edited by Aberrant Eremite on 11/15/2018[/quote]
This is actually a brilliant guess? Hadn’t made the connection myself, but now that you’ve pointed it out, I can’t unsee it. Might I be so bold as to take this as a compliment? I’m deeply flattered by the comparison!
Balzac Thibault’s confession moved me because while I do live in a country where people are free to marry whoever they wish, I have people close to me who are struggling with their sexuality and faith and a million other issues, while the world outside is very concerned with other issues (though some of those issues are important as well).
Speaking mostly for myself (and Lady Byron a little bit, but only because she really is the sweetest person imaginable), you always welcome with us, Loulou, in character or not, whatever makes you the most comfortable. I’ll offer you virtual hug, or a sympathetic ear, or just some words between friends who live in different corners of the world and may or may not actually wish they were in a cave a mile below the surface. edited by Vivienne Thursday on 11/20/2018
So, I may have enjoyed myself just a bit too much, because I had another quiz to give, and I dipped back in the same well. This time, the sentences had structural problems they were supposed to identify and solve, so sanity won’t allow me to give you the originals. However, I have got to say that it was a wonderful delight every time I gave credit for sentences such as "We drove through Veilgarden, Wolfstack, and Watchmaker’s Hill" or "Maria chased Spike around the market, which caused a mess."
The best questions, however, are the sentence fragments. It’s effectively grammatical Mad-Libs (or as I like to think of it, a written Rorschach test), and you never know what you’re going to read. There were two fragments on the quiz, and the best by far was "Written on the back of an infernal contract." Many, many things got put on the back of that contract–I don’t think I saw the same answer twice–and most of them were amusing-yet-innocuous answers like "a secret message." One, however, was particularly concerning: "my mother’s signature."
[quote=Loulou ]
This is actually a brilliant guess? Hadn’t made the connection myself, but now that you’ve pointed it out, I can’t unsee it. Might I be so bold as to take this as a compliment? I’m deeply flattered by the comparison![/quote]
I’m so glad you liked it! Yes, by all means do take it as a compliment. I think that the fact that your confession moved so many people shows that it was powerfully written. And the fact that I had so many guesses about the character from just a few lines also speaks well of it.
I had only been thinking of a fictional character, though, not that his troubles might be yours to some extent as well. I am sorry to hear it. Please do accept my intention of a comforting hug. (And I won’t let Lee punch your shoulder! Sorry, she’s unruly.)
[quote=Aberrant Eremite]
I’m so glad you liked it! Yes, by all means do take it as a compliment. I think that the fact that your confession moved so many people shows that it was powerfully written. And the fact that I had so many guesses about the character from just a few lines also speaks well of it.
I had only been thinking of a fictional character, though, not that his troubles might be yours to some extent as well. I am sorry to hear it. Please do accept my intention of a comforting hug. (And I won’t let Lee punch your shoulder! Sorry, she’s unruly.)[/quote]
Not to worry, I’m actually in a comfortable partnership and quite happy with my romantic life! Balzac is far more maudlin than I, with a tendency to be dramatic. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Your hug is appreciated nonetheless and I’m sending a strong one back! Balzac would probably really like Lee. If he’s ever active again I’ll be sure to drop her a line.
[quote=Vivienne Thursday]
Speaking mostly for myself (and Lady Byron a little bit, but only because she really is the sweetest person imaginable), you always welcome with us, Loulou, in character or not, whatever makes you the most comfortable. I’ll offer you virtual hug, or a sympathetic ear, or just some words between friends who live in different corners of the world and may or may not actually wish they were in a cave a mile below the surface.[/quote]
I have no words for the gratitude I’m experiencing. Thank you, Vivienne. From my corner of the world to yours, I’m sending love and hugs and appreciation. Messages like this make it much more bearable than I can describe. Please consider me your friend, both above and below the surface
Balzac Thibault’s confession moved me because while I do live in a country where people are free to marry whoever they wish, I have people close to me who are struggling with their sexuality and faith and a million other issues, while the world outside is very concerned with other issues (though some of those issues are important as well).
Speaking mostly for myself (and Lady Byron a little bit, but only because she really is the sweetest person imaginable), you always welcome with us, Loulou, in character or not, whatever makes you the most comfortable. I’ll offer you virtual hug, or a sympathetic ear, or just some words between friends who live in different corners of the world and may or may not actually wish they were in a cave a mile below the surface. edited by Vivienne Thursday on 11/20/2018[/quote]
I would say more, but I can’t improve on what Vivienne has written. I will only add that #18 was extremely touching and my favorite confession of this year.
[quote=Siankan]
"Written on the back of an infernal contract." Many, many things got put on the back of that contract–I don’t think I saw the same answer twice–and most of them were amusing-yet-innocuous answers like "a secret message." One, however, was particularly concerning: "my mother’s signature."[/quote]
Thank you for sharing … us with your students and vice-versa!
Also, you should send the author of "my mother’s signature" a link to FL.
[quote=Lady Sapho Byron]
I would say more, but I can’t improve on what Vivienne has written. I will only add that #18 was extremely touching and my favorite confession of this year.[/quote]
I am truly, truly honored. Thank you, Lady Byron!
