From the Neath

[avevale_intelligencer]

My friend Balthasar Burblings writes from Fallen London:

"My dear friend (I would follow the common usage down here and say "delicious," but I have, alas, tasted your cooking),

I find myself in amaze. Can it really be but two short years since I crept out of New Newgate prison, with nought but the manacles in which I stood, to make my way in this eery and shadowed new world? Truly the Neath is a land of opportunity sans pareil. From a penniless convict, I am now become a celebrated figure about town, courted by Society and sought out by the most illustrious personages. My town house, while not the height of luxury, is perfectly adequate for my needs, and the library I have recently acquired would afford me hours of pleasure were I not so constantly occupied. My wardrobe contains an outfit for every occasion, whether convivial, combative, covert or criminal. Pedalling my new ratwork velocipede between the University, where I hold a modest teaching post, the Docks, the Foreign Office in Wilmot's End and the archaeological diggings in the Forgotten Quarter (all of these places whose existence was quite unknown to me when I first began), I oftentimes reflect on the glorious diversity of my current existence. True, this world is not without its dangers, and I have died once or twice and been mad more times than I care to recall. Devils are for ever beseeching me to part with my soul, a thing I am firmly determined to avoid, and (though as you know I am no man of my hands, preferring to rely on my wit to extricate me from any imbroglio) I have of late become something of an exponent of the duel, barely escaping with my life from many a harum-scarum encounter, and have even gained some kudos at the shroom-hopping races. There is talk of scientific expeditions to be undertaken to the islands across the Unterzee, and the possibility of getting in on the ground floor (or I suppose here one might say the sub-basement) in the burgeoning newspaper market.

"All in all, I find myself content with my lot and eager to explore new challenges. Should any among your acquaintance tire of the life of the Surface and wish to join me here below, I can assure them that there is definitely room for swift advancement if they but apply themselves.

I remain as ever your friend and humble servant,

Burblings."

(Echo Bazaar is a game played via Twitter or Facebook. Details on the site here.)

Comments

[fleetfootmike.livejournal.com]

...where you'll also find me, Rika and a number of other familiar filk-type-folk.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

fun!