Author's Note: Please read the story Rebuilding from my Mechanid World series since that is basically the prologue for this story. Thank you, and now, without further a do. Letters of the Heart.
Dottie was tending to her shop, being sure everything was clean. It had been a pretty quiet day and surprisingly no injuries to report for Dusty. She smiled, sighing in relief.
I like days like this… I don't have to worry about anything but the shop being all tidied up.
She looked up as she heard whistling, seeing Dusty walking in… who seemed rather happy… really happy actually. She could've sworn for a moment he was floating just from how happy he looked.
"Well someone is in a good mood." she chuckled.
Dusty looked over to her nodding. "Yeah… and howdy."
"Howdy. Need something?"
"Got any stationary I could borrow? I'll be sure to buy you some to replace it."
"Stationary..? You mean like for a letter?"
"Yeah. I… got someone I need to write to and I don't have any currently… It's kind of important I write back now."
Dottie raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really now?"
Dusty nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks turning slightly red. "Y-Yeah… So… got any?"
Dottie chuckled. "Yep, in the back. I'll go grab it for ya." She gave him a sneaky look. "You gonna tell me who it is?"
Dusty's face got redder. "Well… um…" He lowered his head a little, quietly mumbling a name.
Dottie emerged from the back room with the stationary. "Who? Didn't catch it."
Dusty sighed. She's one of your best friends in the whole world, you can tell her anything. He scolded himself. He pulled out the letter from his pocket, looking at it.
"I… I got…" He shook his head, clearing his throat. "I got a letter from… Ishani…"
Dottie's eyes widened a little. "Oh wow… That's… That's great… How is she?"
"She's doing well from what she told me…" Dusty blushed again. "And… I can't believe I read this in the letter but… she says she misses me…"
Dottie smiled softly. "I could see why… You're a sweet guy Dusty… And you were good to her last time you met."
Dusty smiled in remembrance of their last meeting, touching one of his cheeks with his free hand unconsciously. "The victory party…" He blushed remembering the kiss Ishani had given him on the cheek.
Dottie chuckled, shaking her head before giving him the stationary. "I'd say when you left an impression like that it'd be criminal to not write back."
Dusty nodded, taking the stationary into his hands. "She said in the letter she was hoping I would write back… she wants to get to know me through letters since getting together is not easy… It sounds like a good idea to me since… I'd like to get to know her too in anyway possible… and letters seem like our best shot."
Dottie smiled giving a nod. "I think it's a good idea too… Gives you two a chance to clear the air and not have to worry about when you see each other since then she's just a letter away."
"Right…"
Dusty went over to Dottie's desk, grabbing a pen and sitting down, thinking over carefully what he wanted to write. He felt bad as he started to write, seeing his handwriting wasn't as neat as Ishani's but he gave it his best.
Words mean more than handwriting… well… least as long as it's legible…
He wrote carefully and after a bit, had a fully written letter. He looked it over, being sure everything he wanted to say was written down. He made a few quick edits before folding the letter up and putting it in an envelope.
"Alright… all ready to go… Hope she won't mind my handwriting..."
Dottie shook her head. "Long as it's legible, I'm sure she won't mind."
Dusty gave a nod, putting the address on the envelope along with a stamp.
"Now to play the waiting game…"
Dottie squeezed his shoulder. "It'll work out, just be patient…" Least I know he's not going to be running around asking when it's gonna get a reply….
"Right… I got things to keep me occupied so… I'll be okay…"
The only thing that'll probably bug me is wondering what she'll think of what I wrote…
Ishani was out flying with Kali over their home. It was another day of showing her sister the ropes of how to be a racer and both were enjoying themselves as the wind whipped through their hair.
"Perfect! Just like that!" Ishani cheered as Kali performed a G-Vertical over an obstacle Ishani had set up for her.
Kali laughed, pulling up, spinning in the air a little. "That was awesome!" She smiled, flying back over to her sister. "What next sis?"
"Let's see… Knife edge should be next, though let's take a break." Ishani gave a sheepish look. "We've been at this for awhile and I'm starting to get a little hungry."
Kali giggled a bit. "I am too… Besides..." She smirked a bit, nudging her. "You wanna see if you got a letter from your BOYFRIEND don't you?"
Ishani blushed. "K-Kali!"
Kali laughed flying ahead. "Ishani's in LOOOOVE!"
Ishani shook her head, chuckling a little as she followed after her sister, making a landing in the garden behind their home. Isaac was outside meditating when the two came in. He smiled as they came over.
"Hello, sisters."
"Hello, brother." Ishani said, smiling. "Resting?"
He nodded. "Yes…" He looked to Kali. "How was training?"
Kali smiled, taking off her goggles. "It went great big brother, I'm really nailing the G-Vertical turns. I was having a lot of trouble with them before but Ishani helped me out."
"Good, glad to know your training is coming along. You'll be ready to be a racer once you're old enough by this rate."
She felt proud hearing that, holding her head up a little higher. "And I'll be as fast as you and Ishani if not faster."
Ishani giggled. "We shall see in time." Ishani's stomach growled a little. "But in the mean time… let's get something to eat." She giggled, giving a sheepish look.
Isaac chuckled. "I'll make you two something, c'mon."
Ishani smiled as she followed her brother inside. She always loved it when he cooked.
Kali trailed after her siblings, humming a little. "What'cha gonna make?"
"You'll see." He grinned a bit evilly. "Been writing down a new recipe… Could use a few test runs."
"Oh dear… We're the guinea pigs." She joked.
"We may need to take a moment to write our living wills." Ishani smirked.
"If that's what you intend to do, then it will be MY will to not make any dessert." Isaac shot back.
Ishani and Kali looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
"Alright, no wills."
"Good."
Soon enough, they were sitting down to eat, Isaac serving up rice and curried chicken.
Kali blinked, looking at it. "Why is it a different color?" She asked, giving her brother a nervous look. He was a good cook, but she couldn't help but worry when it was something he never made before.
He just smirked. "Try it and try to guess."
Ishani decided to be the first to try, taking a bite. She took a moment taking in all the flavors. "Let's see… Heavy dose of garlic… Plenty of cumin and tumeric… But... Let's see… Jerk seasoning?"
"YES!" Isaac laughed. "I got some of that when I was in the states so I wanted to try using it."
Kali shook her head, taking a bite. "That explains why it's black."
Ishani smiled. "It tastes wonderful Isaac, another successful dish."
Isaac smiled proudly. "Thank you Ishani… That means a lot."
"What's for dessert?" Kali asked, giving a puppy dog look.
He hummed in thought. "Well… How do you two feel about… C=chocolate?"
Ishani smiled. "Quickest way to a woman's heart."
"Oh dear sister, I worry about Isaac…" Kali gave a fake worried look. "If he marries, we'll never get through to his kitchen! His wife will be guarding it!"
Ishani laughed. "Keeping all the goods to herself!"
Isaac chuckled. "No worries. Even if I do marry, you two will still get first claim… It's a brother thing." He shrugged a little grinning. "But I don't think we have to worry about that."
Ishani nodded. "Right."
"Ishani?"
"Hm?"
Ishani looked to see the house maid standing off to the side with a few things in her arms. Mainly cleaning supplies and other objects she was just moving around.
"Yes?"
"I just got back from checking the mail." She pulled out a letter from her armful of objects. "It's addressed to you specifically."
Ishani's eyes widened a little in hope, wondering if it was who she thought it was from. She took the letter into her hands, giving a nod. "Thank you."
The maid gave a nod before walking off, leaving the siblings to their devices. Ishani sat back down, looking at the address on the envelope. Sure enough, Propwash Junction was part of the return address… and Dusty's name was on it too.
Isaac and Kali grew curious, leaning over and looking at the envelope. "Hm… Seems he did get it." Isaac commented.
Kali squealed. "Oh! What if it's a love letter?!"
"Oh no! Not on the first reply!" Isaac gave a mock horrified look. "He wouldn't dare!"
Ishani giggled. "How about I read the letter aloud so we all know?"
They gave a nod. "Sounds good."
"Yeah! Read it sis!"
Ishani nodded, opening the envelope carefully, pulling out the letter inside. She cleared her throat as she began to read the words written on it.
Dear Ishani,
Hey there, it's Dusty. I got your letter and… well, I wanted to write you back… I like the idea of writing each other, to get to know each other. But I wanna let you know something before I start;
I forgive you. I forgave you back then and I still forgive you now. I don't want anyone to feel guilty. That's not fair. It's in the past so let's put it behind us both, okay?
It means a lot to hear you're proud of me… I wanted to be a racer all my life and I looked up to everyone who competed in the Wings Around The Globe… You included. I've seen a lot of your recent races. You're as skilled as ever and I can tell you've gotten stronger since the last race. I would love to race you again to see just how far we've both come.
And… I admit… you've crossed my mind a lot since back then… I've been wondering how you were, what you've been up to… I hope that didn't sound creepy…
What I'm trying to say is… I miss you… and I hope to get to know you… Heck, I'll even start by sharing some stuff about me.
I grew up in Propwash Junction with my parents, Brody and Lynn, and when I was 18 my dad got a job transfer at the same time I was moving out of the house to my own place. So now they live in another town a couple of hours from here. I write them a lot so I can keep up with my younger siblings… I got two myself so we got something in common there. I have a younger brother and a little sister.
My younger brother is named Andrew but he prefers Andy. Andy is… well, he marches to the beat of his own drummer. He likes playing guitar and playing pranks. Usually on me when he visits, which results in one of our many, MANY prank wars. He's got red hair like I do but he's got our dad's eye which are green. He's 15 years old and he's also protective of our little sister… Which brings me to…
Olivia… She's my little sister and she and I are as close as I can try to make it. I've tried my best to make sure we have a connection because I don't see her often. I swear every time I see her she's even more excited than normal. I sometimes wonder if Andy gives her a bunch of soda and candy for breakfast the mornings before I arrive or if he sends her over here with a stash when I have them for a weekend. She's a very sweet little girl though, always trying to do the right thing. She takes after my mother. She has curly brown hair and blue eyes… I love her so much and I miss her. I wish I could see her more often… But the distance is overcome by doing what we're doing actually. I write letters to her and to Andy and they write back. Andy sometimes has to help Livvie with her writing since she's still learning but she catches on quick.
They both want to be somewhere in the racing world someday. Andy is still figuring it out though on his end. Livvie says she'll either be a racer or a mechanic for a racer… Honestly I'm a little afraid Dottie's gonna give her wrench throwing lessons when that woman's finally fed up with me.
You've met Dottie but I promise she and I are NOT a couple. She's like another sister to me. I've known her since we were kids and my siblings have known 'er their entire lives. She's my best friend… Chug is too, and they both have my back. But Dottie is the one I usually go to when I need advice, usually when she's got me in that chair o' doom of hers. She has a really bad habit of being REALLY vivid and specific.
Like one time, before I entered the qualifier for the Wings Around The Globe, she acted out, and I'm not kidding, a scenario where I crashed and took out an orphanage all pointing out: "WHY DIDN'T I LISTEN TO DOTTIE!? She's only the smartest mechanic in the WORLD!" Ah Dottie… Love her like a sister but MAN does she scare me when she's angry. I've left that workshop of hers sporting some bruises from her wrenches.
Anyways… This is getting really long, sorry for all the rambling just happy to hear from you and wanted to share with you some of what's important to me so… Yeah...
Was really happy to hear from you Ishani… Hope to hear from you soon.
- Dusty
D7
Ishani blushed as she finished reading the letter. "Dusty…"
Kali awwed quietly. "That's so sweet…"
"He does sound nice…" Isaac quietly agreed.
"... I wonder if his brother's single…"
Isaac gave Kali a look. "My sisters will not be both dating at the same time! My heart can't take it!"
Kali laughed. "Well then Ishani can go first."
Ishani blushed more. "Thank- Hey!"
Her siblings smirked. "You're in love." Isaac said in a sing song tone. "Can't deny it."
"You'll be picking out your wedding dress soon enough!" Kali smirked.
Ishani went bright red. "Guys!"
"Alright, alright I'll back off at least." Isaac chuckled. "You are a beautiful woman though… I'm not surprised…"
"I won't back off!" Kali ran out of the kitchen. "I'm gonna go start picking out what you'll wear on your next date!"
"You better stop her or your room will be in shambles. You've seen what her room looks like."
Ishani nodded, handing the letter to him. "I'll work on the reply after I stop her, keep this safe."
Ishani got up, chasing after her sister. "KAAAAAALIIII!"
Isaac chuckled as he watched them go before looking back at the letter… smiling a little.
Treat her well…