[text]

[yep_stilldead]

Dear fellow passengers on the Voidtrecker Express:

I hope today sees you all in good spirits. I have been thinking a certain amount on the subject of birthdays - specifically, my own. The truth is, I don't remember exactly when my birthday was. It's been an awful long time since I celebrated one, so all that's left in my head is that it was somewhere in the spring. That may sound absurd, but if you think so, try spending twoo hundred years in the dark and see how much you remember afterwards.

In short, it is my opinion that at this point, I ought to be able to assign my birthday to whatever day I please. I've already missed out on hundreds of them, so in the interest of getting back on track, I'd like to make it as soon as possible. Incidentally, I do not wish to count those two hundred missed years towards my age, since I did nothing whatsoever during them and accordingly didn't age or mature at all. Furthermore, I don't think that being dead should mean I'm out of birthdays, in part because I'm still perfectly capable of celebrating them and in part because it would be terribly sad.

In conclusion, I would like to declare the 18th of Fiddlesticks to be my fifteenth birthday. Perhaps some sort of small party would be in order, but I'll refrain from demanding much, on account of my somewhat limited ability to help with the proceedings. To be perfectly honest, I would be perfectly happy even if all that happened was a few people dropping by to wish me a happy birthday.

I wish you all a good day.

Sincerely,
Ivy Wakefield

Comments

[alongtailtalltale]

Being dead sure is quite a thing to drop on people from out of the blue. But after being pulled here by an inter-dimensional train with a will of its own, and fighting a transforming robot hedgehog's army over control of a magic space rock, I guess I shouldn't be surprised ghosts are a thing.

But yeah! You rock it! You deserve a birthday same as anyone! Enjoy yourself!

[yep_stilldead]

Dear Ms. Stranger,

Oh, I'm terribly sorry! I forgot all about new people boarding the train; I thought everyone already knew. Nice to meet you, my name is Ivy Wakefield and I've been dead for a terribly long time.

Sincerely,
Ivy

[alongtailtalltale]

It's cool. My name is Tangle, by the way.

So what's it like being a ghost? Can you walk through walls?

[yep_stilldead]

Dear Tangle,

I can walk through walls, and turn invisible, and all sorts of fun stuff like that. On the other hand, I can't eat food, and it's harder to move things around. All in all, it has its ups and downs.

Sincerely,
Ivy

[alongtailtalltale]

You can't eat?! That sounds horrible! What if you get hungry?!

[yep_stilldead]

Dear Tangle,

When I was just recently dead, I did get hungry from time to time. I don't have a stomach, though, so it turned out it was just my imagination. Mind over matter, and all that. These days, I don't get hungry at all, but I do miss food quite a bit.

I was planning to just not ask for a cake at the party, but Mr. Stark suggested that it might be nice to have one that I can appreciate for its elegant appearance, and then the other guests can eat it for me. I hope you'll have some.

Sincerely,
Ivy

[alongtailtalltale]

... Wow, that sounds really generous! I'll totally show up! You sound like a really good person, Ivy!

Also, interestingly enough, you're the second ghost I've run into here!

[yep_stilldead]

Dear Tangle,

Ah, yes! I'm not the only ghost about. Did you meet Danny, or am I forgetting one?

Your friend,
Ivy

[alongtailtalltale]

Yeah, I met Danny!

It was hard to wrap my head around, but apparently he's half ghost? I'm not sure how that works, but apparently he's not sick or nothin'.

Retconned to voice because text posts aren't a thing apparently

[yep_stilldead]

Ah, yes. I don't understand the details of the whole half-ghost thing myself, but everyone has their own circumstances, right?

[alongtailtalltale]

Every time I think about it, my head hurts. So I try not to think about it.

[yep_stilldead]

Well, fortunately, you don't have to worry about anything that complicated with me! I'm one hundred percent ghost.

[alongtailtalltale]

That's a relief! Well, except for the part about you having to be dead, I mean. Though I suppose if you're comfortable with it now, who am I to worry, right?

[yep_stilldead]

Oh, it's no trouble at all. I've been dead for so long that I'm perfectly used to it. You needn't worry over me!

[alongtailtalltale]

Then we're good!

Anyway, happy birthday again. You know, it's kinda cool that you can celebrate it without worrying about getting older.

[yep_stilldead]

Yes... although honestly, after being fourteen for two hundred years, I wouldn't mind getting a little older.

[alongtailtalltale]

Okay, yeah, I guess I can see the problem there. Only fourteen? Wow.