[two notes posted separately]

[skeletonenigma]

[large, block letters]

If anyone happens to dream tonight about a living skeleton dressed in a well-tailored suit and likely wearing a hat, do not attack him. He's friendly, charming, and will probably even lend you a hand if you ask nicely enough.

Not a literal hand. He needs that.

~~

[different handwriting, flowing and cursive]

I'm sorry to inform friends of the Scarecrow that he was killed last night. Mr. Howard, according to the nurses. He didn't manage to hurt anyone else.

Comments

[reply to first note]

[ever_loyal_dog]

Is it common for patients to dream about such things? Have there been many other skeletons? Larger ones perhaps?

[skeletonenigma]

I haven't been here long enough to know if it's common. I doubt it. Are you thinking of certain larger skeletons in particular?

[ever_loyal_dog]

I appreciate your help. The one I am looking for is commonly known as a Gashadokuro. Probably close to thirty feet tall from waist to skull. Female.

[skeletonenigma]

You mean the Japanese Gashadokuro? Giant mythical skeletons made from the bones of people who've starved to death? You know one?

[ever_loyal_dog]

Yes. She is a friend of my master.

[skeletonenigma]

Well, I don't think you'll find any of those here, female or otherwise. Sorry to disappoint you.

[ever_loyal_dog]

[The above string of notes have been removed]

No need to apologize. Thank you for your time.

[two separate notes, both with the same pretty flowing handwriting]

[impudentsongbird]

If he stuffed a glove, he could probably offer both. He was okay by the end of the dream, then, yes?

~~~

I never met him, but I'm sorry to hear that. Is anyone else involved going to be okay?

[skeletonenigma]

Depends on what you mean by 'fine.' Physically, he was a skeleton. Mostly intact. Frustrated and angry, but that was understandable. How did you fare?

~~~

Yes. Eventually.

[impudentsongbird]

As 'fine' as could be in the circumstances, I imagine.

I dreamed I was attacked again, and that a friend had forgotten what was real and what wasn't.

~~~

If any of them would like some help, or even just to talk, would you let them know I'm available? They can ask for Gabe.

[neat anonymous print]

[ryuuzaki]

Several days ago, someone mentioned an inquisitive skeleton. Is this the same?

[skeletonenigma]

A skeleton detective, yes.

[ryuuzaki]

I'd say that it isn't good to advertise something like that, but people can hardly say you're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. It also seems extremely unlikely that soft tissue wounds are a concern.

[skeletonenigma]

Not soft tissue wounds. But pain, apparently, is. And no one likes being attacked regardless of the damage it might do, even without the added insult of being immediately judged based on appearances.

[on second note, unsigned but handwriting undisguised]

[toxicspiderman]

Did you kill him?

[skeletonenigma]

Yes.

[toxicspiderman]

Going to call it self-defense?

[skeletonenigma]

Not really.