Leonard "Ralph" Bloom

In other news, I think we need to station an officer on Bungle at all times of the day.

I worry he'll find himself stuck in a tree and no one will be able to locate him. We have more than enough officers to spare, so its worth the investment....

What a calm few days it's been. The beauty of the city of miracles feels brighter than ever.

Sometimes, it feels too bright. Like... I wasn't meant to be in the light. Its feels as if I've intruded on something that wasn't mine to experience. The feeling is unfounded, but I can't seem to shake it.

... Well, best of luck to him indeed.

...Glad to see your spirit wasn't dampened by the crabs. You are lively as always.

You should confer with Inspector Chelmey and Superintendent Carmichael. There is a new plan in effect and you may have a part to play in it.

No. No. No. No.

It is- decidedly Not Interesting.

What purpose could this possibility serve to humanity? What technology is being advanced here? Who could come up with-

No. Not worth it at all.
....How does one even get that large of a splinter? ....Heugh.

There is the potential for criminals most everywhere, I find.

With such a large platform I find it very likely. Oh, and welcome back to the Yard, Inspector. I hope your vacation was splendid.

Hm... so many "subreddits" to peruse. Its fascinating the sheer quantity of data available on this platform.

I've joined the platform for now. Let's see....

This "r/FiftyFifty" looks interesting.

One of our younger officers has introduced me to another social media. It's called "Reddit".

Is it worth making an account there? The broad scope of information available on there seems quite useful.

I am electing to ignore the pointed comments of our superintendent for now.

The Monte d'Or branch hasn't received word of this investigation yet, so it couldn't have been any of our officers. Regards.

I don't know what overcame me yesterday. It's been a long time since I've... sought out physical affection like that.

Must have been a nightmare that set me on edge. Things have felt off today as well, but Monte d'Or remains as lively as always.

... I've never noticed how beautiful it was before.

(The family that chose him,
The family that was chosen in turn,

Affection bloomed beneath the warm sun and melted the frost of the heart.)

(He followed the dredges of a fantastical dream to the station. Faces he recognized, some he didn't. It all felt warm.

Ever spinning, the reels adjusted and slid back into place. A few strands here and there were plucked and attacked to another.

No matter, they were adaptable. They would survive)

(Time rippled outwards and from it dripped a grain of sand. It fell into the desert, returning to a place similar from whence it came.

A young man awoke in the warm sheets of a hotel. Familiar. He'd spent months waking up in this bed.

Same but different, memories shifted but the emotions remained)

What a warm hope. To see them again.

The seasons pass and no summer is the same as the last, but ever-present remains the core. Different versions of that story on a zoetrope.

When it all fades to white, let the core of gratitude hold solid. Let it become our foundation. The rest will fill in.

Then so be it. But my gratitude remains.

We will meet again. I do not take boons for granted. What you have given, even accidentally, will be returned in time.

Even if these memories fade, if i cannot remember what I have gained, I will find a way to repay you.

Safe travels, Dimitri.

This risk is one I'm willing to take. The consequences of this distortion will be mine to shoulder.

Thank you.

For everything.

I wish to return to your world. There is no one who waits for me in mine.

I want to return to the family that built itself around me. To the memories that flicker bright like stars in my heart. To the ones who held me close despite my cold. To Monte d'Or.

I... miss them.

Even so, I would not wish an eternity of silence on the worst of my enemies. That is something no one deserves.

You have formed too many connections already. We cannot let you remain here.

Loneliness was not made for you, Dimitri.

It could only ever be you.

One must repay his debts, and those who act kind will find kindness in return.

There is no fate more cruel than solitude. Your hands will numb and your name will be forgotten. You will disappear completely.

You once tried to save your world-
Now, you will held by the worlds of others.

I see you. I still see you. I will hold your hand.
I made a promise. I promised to myself. I promised to all that are and will be.

I'll stay with you.

I love you, I Love you
I love you.

Goodnight.

(A loneliness, all-consuming.

A fear, of being abandoned.

A need to always be the best.

So close to what was desired, yet never allowed to touch it. Alone in life and death. Nothing but a background character undeserving of connection.

It's quiet here. It always will be.)

…

Can anyone hear me?

I am screaming, do you hear me? Do you understand?

We are here, now. Everything is in its rightful place.

Take your place. It is done. Go back to where you came.

I didn’t reach for you. Why did you latch to my hand?

Did you want to escape? Why are you running?

(I can see you. I can't lift you. I'm much too small for that.

I can hold your hand. I can feel your warmth against my fingers.

Promises were made to be kept.)

No one will mind if you take a nap, right?

They’re so far ahead. No one is coming back for you. You can catch up later.

You lay in the snow.

It cradles you. The flurries caress your face. It’s warm now. You look to the sky.

There is only peace with you now. The storm in your mind has passed.

(I'll lay down with you.

The snow isn't so bad. Not with you.)

The snow piles more and more.

You stop moving.

There are no more tracks in front of you. The ones behind are rapidly filling. Where are you to go from here?

It’s becoming less cold. The storm hasn’t ended.

How paradoxical.

You’re feeling rather tired.

(You comforted me once. I remember it.

It feels so far away now, but in my mind, it's with me. It is me. It never left.

You are the stars that I seek.

I like the stars.

I love the stars.)

You are tired. You’re always tired.

When did life become so grey? Where are all the colors?

You reach out. You’re always reaching out.

No sound falls from your lips.

You’re screaming. You’ve always been screaming.

Can anyone hear you? Is anyone screaming back?