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This is Echo’s observational record.Master Vincent has instructed Echo to record information in this book. He said that this will now be a necessary part of Echo’s job because he is not interested in doing it himself. Echo is to write down “important” observations.
How is an echo qualified to determine what makes an observation “important”? Master Vincent never explains his orders properly.
It is quite vexing.
In order to most thoroughly follow these vague instructions, Echo has determined that the best course of action is to record as much information as possible.
Gilbert Nightray Observation Log #3:
7:33 A.M. - Gilbert is leaving his apartment.
7:35 A.M. - Gilbert is running back to his apartment.
7:36 A.M. - Gilbert is leaving his apartment again. He is now wearing a hat.
7:59 A.M. - Gilbert is arriving at the market square. New observation position needed.
8:25 A.M. - Gilbert is purchasing one head of cabbage, two onions, three large tomatoes, six carrots, and a bag of potatoes (quantity unknown).
8:30 A.M. - Gilbert is surrounded by a crowd of women in the market. Prepare to intervene if necessary.
8:40 A.M. - Gilbert is returning to his apartment. The crowd of women are whispering amongst themselves but do not appear to be a threat. Returning to original rooftop position.
8:55 A.M. - Gilbert is smoking a cigarette on the balcony. He does not notice Echo.
10:57 P.M.
Echo was carrying out a mission and did not have time to write down live observations. The day is over, but Echo wishes to make a report regardless.
Today Echo met Master Oz of House Vessalius. He greatly interfered with Echo’s mission and was a significant nuisance. Echo warned him numerous times to not get involved, and yet he insisted upon following Echo and putting himself in danger. Philippe West was the only target Echo was ordered to capture, and there is no evidence to suggest that Oz Vessalius would have any connection to him. His behavior was incomprehensible.
In the end…Oz Vessalius only hurt himself by interfering. The contractor was killed by Master Vincent’s hand, just as planned. Echo’s objective was completed.
Now that he is working for Pandora, it is likely that Echo will cross paths with Master Oz again. It would be unfortunate if tonight’s events place undue stress on future interactions.
11:25 P.M.
Echo is just an echo. An echo is a response to the whims of another. An echo does not act independently.
And yet, Echo disobeyed Master Vincent today.
It would not have done to allow Lady Sharon to die. Xerxes Break would have certainly killed Master Vincent in retaliation had the antidote truly been destroyed. It is Echo’s sworn duty to keep her master alive. Therefore, Echo’s decision to intervene was objectively correct.
However, at that moment…Echo was not thinking of Master Vincent’s life. Echo simply did not believe Lady Sharon should die.
Echo wanted Lady Sharon to live.
Perhaps these observations should be for Echo’s eyes only. Master Vincent must not know of these doubts, or else Echo may endure greater punishment.
Even now, Echo can still feel the unpleasant taste of poison.
Today is St. Bridget’s Day. Master Gilbert returned home today, so Echo would only be a nuisance to Master Vincent if she were to stay in the manor. Therefore, Echo decided to observe the holiday festivities in Reveil.
Festival Observation Log #1:
2:26 P.M. The crowd appears to be a sea of blue. Echo has never seen so many people in the town square at once. To the left, there is a stand giving away blue feathers with every purchase of overpriced meat kebabs. To the right, a man is handing out balloons. Supposedly, they are shaped like animals, but that is beyond Echo’s comprehension.
2:43 P.M. Echo has acquired a Jyanta plush doll. This is a rare and valuable item that will only be sold during the festival today. It is quite strange that there were not more people in line to purchase one. Perhaps its value is not widely understood. If Master Vincent takes his scissors to Jyanta, Echo will be…displeased.
3:07 P.M. A strong wind suddenly blows, and the wig of a man who appears to be in his early thirties is blown away.
3:14 P.M. A couple begins quarreling by a wall. The woman delivers a right straight to the man’s face, garnering her an explosive victory. That was a good punch.
3:29 P.M. There is a long line of parents and children in front of a stand that is selling candied fruit. Two children fought over a piece, but sadly it fell on the ground. What a waste.
3:50 P.M. A strangely bored Master Oz Vessalius appears. He called this observational record a “diary” after calling Echo by the wrong name again. Echo made certain to correct him on both accounts.
…
7:05 P.M.Master Oz told Echo to “experience” the festival amongst everyone else instead of merely “observing” it. However…Echo still wishes to record these observations.
This will preserve Echo’s memories even ifThis is how Echo recalls the events of the remainder of the day:
By the rules of the festival, Echo was given permission to be someone other than Echo. This allowed Echo to wear different clothing, speak freely of negative feelings, and…forget herself.
If only Echo did not have to return to being an echo. Maybe then
At the end of the festival, Echo received a blue feather from Master Oz. He claimed not to be aware of the implication of this act. It is possible, given that he has not been around for a decade, but even Echo knows that giving a blue feather to someone on Bridget’s Day is…
It will do no good to dwell on this. The thought makes Echo feel uncomfortably warm.
Today was an interesting experience. Echo is grateful to have been a nuisance.
8:44 P.M.
Master Vincent has ordered Echo to go away for a while.
I must trade places with her again. Echo is…no longer needed.
This seemed important to record. Echo will not be Echo and no one will write down observations until Echo returns.
It feels lonely, somehow. How strange.
1:02 P.M. There appears to be a loud social gathering outside of Pandora today. Echo happens to be here with Master Vincent, although he is nowhere to be seen at the moment. If Echo is needed, surely he will come calling. For now, Echo will investigate.
1:15 P.M. Many members of Pandora are jovially exchanging small talk. There is an impressive assortment of sweets and beverages available for consumption.
1:27 P.M. Master Elliot, who is supposed to be under house arrest, is drinking tea with his valet and Master Oz in the courtyard. He will certainly be scolded upon his return home for disobeying direct orders.
1:39 P.M. Xerxes Break locked eyes with Echo. He smiled at her, but it was not a pleasant one. Does he know what Echo truly is? If so, why has he not reported this information? His power is fearsome and not to be trifled with, but he is not the type to take drastic action during a time of peace. This matter can be dealt with another day.
1:50 P.M. Master Oz has not yet noticed Echo.
Echo feels…a strange nervous energy when she imagines talking to him again. The image of him smiling during the fireworks has floated to the front of Echo’s mind more often as of late. …This is not an observation. It does not need to be recorded.
...
7:00 P.M.
Once again, Master Oz implored that Echo participate in the event. He also called Echo by the wrong name. It may be a fool’s errand to expect him to ever say it properly. A commemorative photo was taken, at Master Oscar’s insistence, even though there is nothing to celebrate.
Echo thinks…it was a fun day. It would be nice to attend another tea party someday.
12:25 A.M.
Echo is only a reverberation. An echo cannot understand what it means to grieve. But perhaps grief itself is much like an echo ― a reverberation of the love humans feel for one who has died. The strongest of loves produce the loudest of echoes.
The echoes throughout the Nightray manor are terribly loud.
Master Vincent’s new master screams at night. It is painful to hear. It is loud, yes, but the pain is in Echo’s chest instead. Echo doesn’t know what to call this feeling.
Echo knows that Master Oz must be feeling a great sadness as well. Knowing this is even more painful than listening to the echoing screams.
2:36 P.M.
Today’s mission was supposed to be simple. Echo’s duty was to occupy the attention of the B-Rabbit and engage in combat if it was deemed necessary.
But now, Master Oz has been shot by Gilbert Nightray. This turn of events is inconceivable, and yet it is the truth.
He will survive the bullet wound. The more concerning wound is…the one on his heart. Tending to such matters is outside of Echo’s area of expertise, but…who else will go to him, if not Echo? His allies are gone―he is alone.
Master Oz has done so much for Echo. Now it is up to Echo to do something in return.
No matter what he says, Echo knows that Oz is not Jack Vessalius.
Echo has never spoken with Jack.
Jack is not the one who smiles at Echo. Jack is not the one who calls Echo by the wrong name. Jack is not the one who makes Echo believe that she possesses a heart.
If Master Oz is fake, then what in the world is Echo?
His body doesn’t belong to him? Neither does Echo’s.
It hurts. It hurts it hurts it hurts. This pressure in Echo’s chest is too much.
What the hell is this book? Did Echo write all of this? It’s so cute when a doll thinks it’s a human. I’m sure Vincent would agree.
Aww, there are so many pages left! Such a shame that I don’t intend on letting you back out to finish them.
In an instant, Duldee’s razor-sharp puppet strings cut through the notebook, slicing it page by page. What is left of the girl known as Noise lets out a harsh cackle as she dances in a whirlwind of paper, stomping on the shreds as they touch the ground.
It doesn’t bring her the joy she thought it would.
——————————————
??:?? P.M.
In the depths of her mind, Echo fights to remember.
Her purpose. Her conviction. Her heart. She desperately holds them close, even as she feels the fabric of her being fraying at the seams.
She doesn’t know how long she has been alive. The concept of sentiment itself is new to her, and even the most sentimental of humans fail to keep track of how long they’ve owned their tools. For the first time, the limitations of her existence as a reverberation fill her with a feeling beyond that of inevitability.
Echo always knew she would one day disappear. It never occurred to her that she would die.
The fireworks on St. Bridget’s Day are still fresh in her mind. The way they shot up into the sky, loudly asserting their brilliance before fading quickly into fleeting smoke trails, had struck Echo as both beautiful and a little sad. Mere minutes after the finale, there was no evidence to suggest that the wonderful display had even taken place at all.
Is the whole of human existence comprised of such ephemeral moments of joy?
Duldee’s tendrils wrap around her, threatening to submerge her consciousness in a thick, heavy darkness. It would be so easy to give in and allow sleep to take her, to accept the fate that was always meant for her.
In the face of Duldee’s cruel laughter, she hears the echo of fireworks. As the bindings tear at her soul, she feels the soft tickle of a feather behind her ear.
This can’t be the end. She won’t allow that. Not yet.
In the outside world, Oz Vessalius calls her favorite name, and Echo is free.