tbo canon
A creamy envelope with looping calligraphy, addressed to one Josiah of Roseview, arrives with the post. Josiah often receives missives from other estates, reviewing the gossip that floats around the noble houses. This one, though, was addressed to him in order to avoid a certain man’s eyes.
Mother:
I am sorry for the sudden disappearance. As I’m sure Ping has informed you, elements outside of my control have taken me away from my responsibilities. I am alive.
I promise. I’m alive.
I can’t apologize enough for what father is likely doing to everyone as a result. I don’t know what he would do, but I’m certain it’s wretched. I have news of all stripes. I hope that it at least makes you feel better about my own situation. And you know what I can do when I get back. I trust you will not have to guess.
Firstly, I’ve become involved with the sube. I don’t believe I am allowed to say more than this, but I should have trusted your word more than father’s on it. I’ve been an idiot. And I worry for your safety, should anything happen. Please ask Josiah for help. I know he must have an emergency measure. He is reliable.
Secondly, magic is real. This is as equally baffling as my involvement with sube, I imagine. I can make plants grow, speak to animals, and most importantly: heal. It’s what I always wanted, to be a doctor, but I don’t think I am cut out for this life of being the doctor to…this group I am with. I’m reminded of my worth, which is to say, very…small.
Thirdly: The amount of people who care for me has grown to three. I have met a woman, Thandi Kahsu. She’s a handful at first. I admittedly didn’t like her… she was the one who took me away and forced me into this group. I don’t think that this is necessarily her decision, either. Mother, she is so kind. I asked her to marry me and gave her a betrothal gift. I think you would like her. I feel like she could keep a smile on her face and mine even if we were lost at sea. I hope that if she accepts my proposal in the end, you get to meet her. I’m very fond of her.
Between her and yourself, I think I could manage to stay alive. We’ve spoken at length about my habits and I am sorry to say that they persist. Thandi is an excellent help, of course—she found out rather quickly. She has found a way to calm me without relying on medicinal teas.
Regarding the rest of the group, I am fairly certain I am disliked and even hated. This is to be expected. My personality and proclivities put quite a distance between us all initially. I don’t blame them. I don’t know how to deal with these types. One is the same age I was when I got my medical certificate. They have killed.
Mother, I am sorry, but… it seems that there will be a lot of death in the future. If you could manage to organize the common populace for disaster, I recommend it. There are creatures that have been arriving from Thandi’s homeland. They are feral, in many cases, and seem to exist in opposition to morals. I may end up having to take a life. Or many lives. I hope you will forgive me, but I recommend highly that you organize a contingent of the militia to protect yourself, at the very least.
Prevent fighting if you can. These creatures are monsters, literally. There was a particularly frightening one who took a person and I ended up treating a man who was gutted. The peritoneum was completely shredded. He would have been lost if not for magic.
I wish I could tell you everything that has been going on. I hope that I can get to Cross eventually. For now, I don’t have a way to receive mail from you. I miss you.
Much love.
Charlie1
- Legible version of the script:
Mother:
I am sorry for the sudden disappearance. As I’m sure Ping has informed you, elements outside of my control have taken me away from my responsibilities. I am alive.
I promise. I’m alive.
I can’t apologize enough for what father is likely doing to everyone as a result. I don’t know what he would do, but I’m certain it’s wretched. I have news of all stripes. I hope that it at least makes you feel better about my own situation. And you know what I can do when I get back. I trust you will not have to guess.
Firstly, I’ve become involved with the sube. I don’t believe I am allowed to say more than this, but I should have trusted your word more than father’s on it. I’ve been an idiot. And I worry for your safety, should anything happen. Please ask Josiah for help. I know he must have an emergency measure. He is reliable.
Secondly, magic is real. This is as equally baffling as my involvement with sube, I imagine. I can make plants grow, speak to animals, and most importantly: heal. It’s what I always wanted, to be a doctor, but I don’t think I am cut out for this life of being the doctor to…this group I am with. I’m reminded of my worth, which is to say, very…small.
Thirdly: The amount of people who care for me has grown to three. I have met a woman, Thandi Kahsu. She’s a handful at first. I admittedly didn’t like her… she was the one who took me away and forced me into this group. I don’t think that this is necessarily her decision, either. Mother, she is so kind. I asked her to marry me and gave her a betrothal gift. I think you would like her. I feel like she could keep a smile on her face and mine even if we were lost at sea. I hope that if she accepts my proposal in the end, you get to meet her. I’m very fond of her.
Between her and yourself, I think I could manage to stay alive. We’ve spoken at length about my habits and I am sorry to say that they persist. Thandi is an excellent help, of course—she found out rather quickly. She has found a way to calm me without relying on medicinal teas.
Regarding the rest of the group, I am fairly certain I am disliked and even hated. This is to be expected. My personality and proclivities put quite a distance between us all initially. I don’t blame them. I don’t know how to deal with these types. One is the same age I was when I got my medical certificate. They have killed.
Mother, I am sorry, but… it seems that there will be a lot of death in the future. If you could manage to organize the common populace for disaster, I recommend it. There are creatures that have been arriving from Thandi’s homeland. They are feral, in many cases, and seem to exist in opposition to morals. I may end up having to take a life. Or many lives. I hope you will forgive me, but I recommend highly that you organize a contingent of the militia to protect yourself, at the very least.
Prevent fighting if you can. These creatures are monsters, literally. There was a particularly frightening one who took a person and I ended up treating a man who was gutted. The peritoneum was completely shredded. He would have been lost if not for magic.
I wish I could tell you everything that has been going on. I hope that I can get to Cross eventually. For now, I don’t have a way to receive mail from you. I miss you.
Much love.
Charlie ↩︎