8:11
The Tombstone Museum

Indoors
Whatever age the "Storm" may hurl her museum into, the commissions never stop coming.
A commission letter arrives together with the two strange tombstones.
Necrologist, entrusted with managing the belongings of the dead, does not deal in worldly gold or silver. She tends to other rarer things.
A lonely ghost that refuses rest, or a chatty storybook in an attic—it is those things that she gives new value.
For now, the task is to understand what these two gentlemen of stone desire.

Talk with Mr. Mueller.

Talk with Mr. Smith

Smith's tombstone is in a terrible state, and the spirit dwelling seems positively haggard.
Necrologist: "Mm ... Given Mr. Smith's current state, I think we'd better return to your commission for now, Mr. Mueller."
Necrologist: "Your wish, your unfinished regret—what is it?"
Mueller: The tombstone pauses. "I appreciate your earnestness, Ms. Necrologist. But I doubt you can fulfill my regret."
Mueller: "I had a zeal beyond words. Designs of impossible grandeur."
Mueller: "To make my country's might supreme, no matter the sacrifice."
Mueller: "But ... I fell on the battlefield. I died in the war that would end all wars, having won neither honor nor glory for my nation."
Dust and grit flake off as he speaks.
The grinding sound drowns out Smith's lonely murmurs.
Mueller: "Ms. Necrologist, what year is it now?"
Necrologist: "1920, Mr. Mueller."
Smith: "1920 ...?" Smith asks, shivering at the sound of the words.
Smith: "Is it still there ...? The sea monster ... the really big one ..."
Necrologist: "Mr. Smith, is there something that bears on your mind?"
Necrologist: "Could it be that your life's regret has something to do with this creature?"
Smith: "Y-yes, it was huge and gray ..."
Mueller: "Enough of your babbling, Englishman." Mueller interrupts.
Mueller: "1920 ... then, is the Great War over?"
Mueller: "I must be returned to my home. I was meant to be laid there in honor."
The weeping spirit is cowed by Mueller's outburst, going silent once more.
Necrologist immediately surmises the best path forward.
If she wishes to bring peace to this fallen soldier, she must go to Mueller's homeland.
Necrologist: And a skilled mediator always knows when to steer the topic. "As you wish, Mr. Mueller."
Thanks to your decision, you've grown more determined.

Open your eyes to see the future that we know?

She Who Hears the Dead

Display Settings