Soren:
I got your letter.
And I really don't know what to say. I don't read stuff very often, and write even less.
Is that really how you feel?
You've done quite a job of hiding it, Soren. Or was I just dense?
Maybe I am, then. Heh.
But I guess you wouldn't feel the same about me if I weren't so dense. It wouldn't be me.
Truth is, Soren, I've felt the same for quite a while. Why do you think I never went on dates all the time like Boyd and Gatrie and Shinon all did?
It's because I was thinking about you. Whenever Boyd would drag me out to the taverns with one village girl or another, she'd say something or give me some look, and just for a second I'd hear your voice or see your face instead of hers. When we'd walk home at night, I'd look up at that black sky and just for a second I'd see your hair. Whenever Mist would come up to me at night when she couldn't sleep, and she'd hold on to me and I'd play with her hair like big brothers always do, just for a second I'd forget it was her and think it was you.
Ashera Almighty, I sound like a hopeless case. I'm not good with this stuff. That's why you thought I didn't feel the same, right?
Well, it might not have seemed like it until now, but I do. I've always had a soft spot for you. Ever since that time in Gallia, when we took you home. But it's only recently I've thought of you as more than a friend.
And you thought no one loved you. And you thought everyone hated you for being a Branded. Being Branded isn't bad, Soren. It makes you unique. I know that sounds corny, but you're the only Branded I know. And the only Branded I think is beautiful is you. I've never known another to have eyes like yours--red ones that stand out so much against your raven-black hair.
There's something I've always wanted to know... If love between beorc and laguz is considered so blasphemous, I wonder what people would think of love between a beorc and a Branded. Not like it would change my feelings for you--it's just curiosity. Because no matter what people say, I can't--and don't want to--change how I feel about you.
And I hope... no, I'm sure you feel the same.
Sometimes I've seen you giving me that look. I'm not completely oblivious. And I'm sure I've returned it a few times without realizing.
But sometimes, Soren, I notice other people giving me that look... At first I thought Elincia always looked like that, but after a while I found myself mistaken. Sometimes I'll see a flicker of it in Reyson's eyes. And sometimes, Oscar will sit down in one of the chairs and rest his chin on his hand and just look at me until he thinks I've noticed.
You've got some competition, Soren.
But don't worry. You're my favorite, and you always will be. Oscar's cooking might be the best around, but he doesn't have what you have, Soren.
...What do you have, anyway? I don't know how to describe it, but there's something about you I don't feel around anyone else.
Is this one of your magic spells, or am I really in love with you?
Then we'll just have to find that out sometime, won't we?
You know me--I'm impatient. And I'm not going to make you wait any more either. Soren, at dinner tonight, why don't you sit next to me. Like always, but... a little closer. And we'll just see where things go from there.
I'll be expecting you, Soren. Don't keep me waiting. I'm certain you won't.
(P.S.- Don't worry about Aimee. I've told her husband about her inappropriate ways. You can call me whatever you'd like. I think it's cute. Maybe I'll start calling you something too. How's Pookie sound? I think it suits you.)
Love,
Your Ikey-poo