The Ramblings of a Janitor

[Folian]

You know, I’m not quite sure how it always ends up like this. Here I am, yet again talking to myself like some sort of madman. Am I truly this deprived for human interaction, or is it just another way to try and silence the voices?

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Either way, that’s irrelevant, as my ramblings are quite important to me. You see, I've still been wondering to myself why exactly I tolerated working as a janitor for almost half a decade without being paid. Was it the ‘friends we made along the way’ that were the real payment? Not really, because a fair portion of them seem to hate me nowadays anyway after I became a traitor. Can’t say I really blame them even if I sincerely believe what I did was the right thing. Though, at the very least the ones that have stuck with me are people whose company I hold in very high regard.

...You know actually, maybe the reason they never paid me was because of the fact that instead of actually doing my job, I’d just kind of sneak off and go fishing for weeks or even months at a time. 

                Nobody seemed to make mention of it.
                Nobody complained.
                Nobody seemed to notice or actually care.
                Maybe it wasn’t actually that bad.

Even today, despite the world being consumed by war and the odd pointless conflict, I sometimes wish to return to those cliff-side days spent fishing in deep meditation for hours at a time. If anyone dared to try and interrupt I could always just thrash them with the fishing rod until they went away.

They were truly simpler, more peaceful times.

-- Julian Sodynym, 1826 A.C.

[Folian]

Julian
1797 - 1828 A.C.

"No hard feelings, buddy."

The final words spoken by Captain Julian Sodynym to Dallan as he stood strapped to the pyre in the Osrona arena.

In life, he held many titles:
"Captain Shovel"
"Archsanitarian"
"Janitor"
"Friend."

His life was long and arduous, but at last he finds peace.

Upon entering his house, a pile of short letters would be found in one of his cupboards, addressed to various people he had cared about dearly in life:

Undelivered and half written around the time of his final promotion to Captain, they are spread about as part of his final will.

Niffty,
I still remember when we first met. How I naively walked right into Achyon and 'admitted' I was from Osrona. It's funny looking back on it how Ryker saved my ass from you, pulling the whole gun out and all. You've been a good friend Niffty, and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Commander Ryker,
I still owe you a proper thanks for all those years ago when you stopped Niffty from shooting me. The war has been going rough, and the family has my condolences, but I know in the end we'll accomplish our goals. I should really try talking to you more often... I swear half the time it's just you shouting at me about some stupid shit I've done. To be honest, can't say I haven't deserved it.

P.S. Whenever I go and kick the bucket, my stuff is yours. Though I doubt anyone will try to stop you anyway, Boss.

Celicia,
I'll be frank... I still don't quite know what to think of you. You're fucking insane, and a traitor to the Empire. Yet, there was still something that kept our conversations flowing on and on. Don't you dare think for a second I was joking when I said I was gonna break your legs with my shovel. Maybe I can undo whatever that Aertas bastard did to your head.

Piper,
You've always been a strange one. I remember when you tried to break my neck the first time we met up at Ryukyu. Unfortunately I'm not that great of a fisherman nowadays but I'm glad you've stuck around. You're nice for the odd chat, as uncommon as they are. By the way, what's the deal with the whole [REDACTED] thing?

Haruki,
Phew... how many years has it been since we've spoken now? Must've been at least since I joined the Achyon military, though I'm sure you've heard all about my exploits since then. Already a Captain now... I doubt you're very proud to hear that given your own history. I believe my True Flame has finally shaped into something more solid, tangible and radiant. I've at last found passion serving the Empire again.
Thank you, Haruki.

P.S. Wanna have another drink together some time? I miss the taste of that old Sheng sake of yours.

Natasha,
I have to say, I don't think I could've asked for a better person to call my daughter. It seems every day you go on and make me proud, no matter how many defeats you take along the way. Use that strength of yours to persevere, and I know we'll defy that fate Haruki claims you're condemned to. I hope you'll long outlive me, because I don't think I could bare to see you go.

Love always, Dad.