The first time it happens Tally thinks it's a mistake or not meant for her but clearly she is very mistaken because the letter starts out with "Dearest Tally". The ring-necked dove had cooed patiently at her windowsill waiting for it to be opened and the letter to be taken from it. A piece of rolled up parchment paper tied with a lengthy piece of blue ribbon. She looked around to make sure she was alone and unrolled the paper, it read:

Dearest Tally,

I can't stop thinking about you. I wish you could know how much my heart yearns for you, how it beats for you, like I haven't been alive till now.

You make me feel a passion that burns as red as your hair and as deep as your eyes. Eyes that know me. Know that I only have eyes for you.

Yours, Always

x

Tally grinned and read the letter a few times before looking out the window to see if she could see anyone but she saw no one, she thanked the dove and it flew away. She read it once more and she wanted to squeal so loud she covered her face with the letter. Noticing it's light scent of cloves and something else that smelt so familiar.

Raelle exited the bathroom to see Tally in a daze and she smirked at her as she grabbed her jacket, "What's got you smiling this morning?"

Tally sighed, "Yours, truly just got a love letter...from a secret admirer!"

"What? How? When?"

Tally held the parchment up and turned it towards her, "Just now, a dove came to the window and dropped it off."

Raelle took the parchment and read it to herself, "Wow, Tal, that's pretty romantic and kinda intense."

Tally grabbed the blue ribbon from the letter and ran into the bathroom yelling behind her, "I can do intense."

Fifteen minutes later she came out with her hair braided and the blue ribbon woven into the braid. She was pretty proud of herself for this accomplishment, it wasn't easy trying to braid one's hair by themselves, let alone with ribbon thrown in.

By the time Tally had reappeared Raelle had gone, probably couldn't wait for breakfast so she went to join Abigail and Adil. Tally sighed with happiness once more before she rolled the letter back up and put it under her pillow. Grabbing her jacket she ran out the door to join her unit for breakfast, a smile still plastered to her face.

By the time they were pretty much done for the day aside from laying around taking turns practicing with the scourge. Tally was still on cloud nine, happily twirling around as she destroyed all the targets.

Abigail laughed from where she lay on the floor, "Okay, you're kind of creeping me out, it was just one letter Tally, from someone you don't know. You shouldn't be this happy doing scourge practice."

"Not true, according to my admirer, I do know them," Tally rolled up her scourge and waltzed over to Abigail and poked her in the forehead, "I have a good feeling about this one, Abs."

Swatting at the finger Abigail sighed, "Whatever you say, but don't come crying to us if it ends badly."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on, Tally, after what happened with Gerit. I just don't want to see you get your heart broken again."

"I was naive then, I know what I'm doing now, okay? I can handle this," Tally huffed and grabbed her jacket leaving her and a snoozing Raelle behind.

She wanted to cry because Abigail was right, maybe she was still naive. She just wanted so badly for someone to love her and to love someone in return. The letter was beautiful and it made her feel seen for the first time in a long time.

As she made her way back to her dorm, deciding to forgo dinner, she took a small detour around the administration building to give her a moment to collect herself and wipe her tears. But of course not paying attention to where she was going she bumped into none other than General Alder.

Strong arms grabbed her to steady her and Tally looked wide eyed at her, "Oh, general, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

Alder's eyes looked at her gently as she moved a hand up to brush away some of the tears left on her cheek, "It's alright, Craven. How are you though?"

Tally blushed but couldn't look away with Alder's hand still on her cheek, "I'm fine, now, thank you."

"Alright then, have a good evening," Alder released her hand and straightened herself taking a step past her, her biddies in tow.

But before she could get any further Alder called out, "And Craven?"

Tally quickly turned around with curious drying eyes, "Yes, ma'am?"

Alder smiled, her hands behind her back, "Your hair looks quite lovely with that blue ribbon in it."

Tally doesn't think she's ever heard the general compliment, anyone, ever so to hear those words from her mouth was like a dream, "Oh, thank you, ma'am!"

Alder nodded with a smile and continued on her way and Tally's heart skipped a beat as she watched the general walk away. Suddenly realizing that the general smelt faintly of cloves and her mind was back on that letter.

She couldn't be. That's ridiculous Tally. You only wish it was her.

Tally sighed longingly and continued on her way, eager to shower and lay down. She didn't realize how much energy she used being so happy all day.

As soon as she got to her room she tossed her jacket onto a nearby chair and then went to take a much needed shower. Taking her braids out beforehand as she waited for the water to heat up. She smiled at the ribbon and ran it under her nose, the faint smell of clovers still there. And she immediately thought of General Alder and her heart skipped a beat.

Get a hold of yourself. It's just a crush and she can't be your secret admirer!

Placing the ribbon gently on the sink she got in the shower and washed the day off of her. But she could still feel the gentleness of Alder's touch still lingering on her cheek.

Once she finished and dressed in her pajamas, she grabbed the ribbon from the sink and as soon as she exited the bathroom there was another dove waiting at the windowsill. She didn't hesitate and went to the window, eagerly opening it and taking the letter from the dove, thanking it and closing the window once more.

Again the smell of clovers enveloped her and she quickly undid another blue ribbon and read the letter.

Dearest Tally,

I wish you sweet dreams tonight. May all your worries and fears be laid to rest. Know that when I sleep I hope to dream of your sweet face.

Yours Always

x

Tally sighed again and held it to her chest, she didn't care what anyone thought, she could feel in her heart how sincere these letters were. Climbing up to her bed she pulled the other letter from her pillow and laid down with them resting on her chest and before she knew it she had fallen asleep to the smell of clovers and Alder's face in her dreams.