Staying In Touch
By: yume-chan29
A/N: Whoa, how long has it been? –hah- I figured I might as well finish this, considering the fact I'm sort of, kind of considering closing down yume-chan29.
AND DEDICATING MY ENTIRE DRAGON KNIGHTS PLOT BUNNY COLLECTION TO MY NEW ACCOUNT, RASIA. (Yes, yes. My main motive was to insert my shameless plug. Go ahead, call it a publicity stunt.)
But enjoy anyway! Beware the unabashed fluff!
(Setting? What setting? Let's just say middle-of-something-or other.)
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His heart was in his throat. His palms were slick with this bitter anxiety. He lightly reprimanded himself because he swore he wouldn't get nervous.
He wasn't nervous. Why would he be nervous? How could he, Rune, the calm, clear-headed warrior who rarely let his emotions trash his reasoning, who reprimanded his friends for choosing desire over duty, who understood that sometimes the right thing to do didn't always necessarily feel right, possibly be nervous?
He walked up to the cashier, plastic packaging in hand.
The middle-aged woman behind the counter was staring at him in a familiar manner—head cocked slightly to the side, curious about (what else?) his gender. He waited a bit for that equally familiar flicker behind her brown eyes—recognition of, oh, he wasn't a boyish sort of girl, but an outrageously pretty boy.
She smiled, scanning the pack of tan-colored stationary, "Writing to someone special back home?"
He nodded, grinning (more of a twitch really because the fact that he was finally,finally going to make some form of contact after all these years still muddled his brain) in return.
"My wife." The words sounded distastefully foreign on his tongue.
He walked to the café-reminiscent area in the corner of the shop. (The stationary store doubled as a make-shift mailing center, so, marketing strategy in mind, why not remove the middle man and make a space for people to write, then and there?)
The pen was now in his hand, the blank parchment laid out neatly before him, ready for ink scratching. After nearly five years apart, what could he possibly write that wouldn't relay this unavoidable nervousness?
The cashier, this sage knowing in her kind eyes, suddenly muttered, "Maybe an apology?"
Yeah. He'd go with that.
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The day it came in, she could hardly believe it.
The envelope was clean and white, just how, she remembered, he preferred everything. The penmanship, graceful, like he'd always been, a generous loop finishing off her name. The words were simple and eloquent all at the same time—To Tintlet—no nonsense, but inlaid with characteristic, sort of withheld implication.
She breathed, carefully (and, risking paradox, swiftly, tensely) opening the envelope.
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Dear Tintlet,
I might as well get this out in the open; I have no talent for writing letters. But I promised a long time ago (Do you remember?) that if we were ever separated, and we were both relatively alive and conscious and not under some sort of water demon-induced slumber, I'd try.
Well…I just reawakened some sad memories didn't I? Sorry. Like I said, I'm not too good with expressing myself on paper.
It's…been five years now.
How are you? I hope, doing well. I'm all right here in Sarazra. We—Rath, Thatz, and I—are on yet another mission, scouting for some hidden danger. The weather's making it kind of difficult though. It fogs and snows relentlessly and it doesn't really do my sort-of-weak lower extremities any good. My knees are aching.
…I cannot believe I just complained about the weather. I'm seriously contemplating whether I should still send this and risk sounding like a pansy.
For lack of time and better words, I hope you respond soon. And hopefully, after reading this tragic excuse for a letter, you still see me in a positive light.
Sincerely,
Rune
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Dearest Rune,
On the contrary, I happen to find your lack of letter-writing prowess amusing. Please, don't work to make it better when reading such words and imagining your unnecessarily troubled face makes my day.
Five years, huh? Well, I have been, like you mentioned, under a sort of water-demon induced slumber for the past four years so it's been more like a year since we've made contact. Not so bad. (And don't worry; I take no offense to any sort of those comments if it's coming from you.)
Sarazra actually sounds like a nice place to be for those of us here in faerie land. It's been quite…tropical lately. Really humid. (As for your knees, I'm sure they sell those pain-relieving creams at any convenience store.)
As for me, I've been doing well. I'm currently in the business of re-cultivating all the lost plants and the forgotten flowers here, trying to make the forest sparkle like it used to.
I don't think it will though. What with the woodland missing its prince.
Sincerely yours,
Tintlet
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Dear Tintlet,
Wow, that's great! The re-cultivating the forest part, that is. Not the woodland missing me. Which I doubt because the faeries have their princess and after all my time away, I'm pretty sure they could continue to do without me.
One year is still quite a while to be apart, though, don't you think? Actually, it's one year and four months apart, all things considered. We're now in Meteroa, still going about our Knights' business. I've recently made friends with a Waterlight; her name's Jaela and she seems to have quite the troubled past. I've recommended her to go to Faerie Forest to recuperate.
Uh, she has something with her. For you. …From me. So please meet with her ASAP.
Rath and Thatz are actually hurrying me along now (it's usually vice versa, so it feels a little odd). I'll close with something I rudely didn't admit in my last response.
As much as I miss home, it's more because I miss what makes it my home.
Its princess.
Always yours,
Rune
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Dearest Rune,
My, my. Sending me gifts and showering me with gratuitous signs of affection? Since when has my husband been so attentive?
I honestly love the locket, Rune. (I'm wearing it now!) But you know you don't have to spend anything for me, right? Just hearing from you, and this is at the risk of sounding rather cheesy, warms my heart like nothing else can.
Jaela's been wonderful company, by the way. Thanks for sending her over here. She's also been a great addition to our Nurture-And-Restore-Faerie-Forest-To-It's-Former-Glory Team. (Yes, I know we need a new name.)
But there's really nothing new going on. It's been one year and five months, Rune, so I guess some things do kind of tend to stay the same. More so, though, I'd rather hear what's been going on with you.
I feel like an army wife, waiting for my soldier to return home after seeing his share of action. And to be honest, it gets kind of old. So please, I'd love for you tell me of your often times humorous adventures. I'd like in on the Dragon Knight escapades, and don't skimp on the gory details!
Missing you too,
Tintlet
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Dear Tintlet,
I'm sorry for the wait. I received your letter via pigeon a month ago, but we've been traveling so I couldn't really sit down and write the response you deserve. We reached Darnay, a little town in scenic middle-of-nowhere, a few hours ago. Sending you a reply has become my number one priority.
Army wife? Really Tintlet? Then that must give me rights to call you my girl back home. As for getting 'in on the Dragon Knight escapades', I'm sorry to disappoint, but our job isn't as exciting as people make it out to be. We do a lot of scouting in foreign lands, sure, but we don't see much action. (In fact, the only times we really do that type of heart-pounding stuff is when we go on Thatz's inane treasure hunts and Rath's equally frivolous demon-slaughtering sprees. But don't tell them that.)
I'm glad to know that Jaela's been doing okay and exceptionally glad to know that you like my present. (Honestly, I didn't spend a thing for it, except perhaps time and energy. It was among a small trove of treasures that we uncovered during one of Thatz's side-tracking schemes.)
And besides, what kind of husband would I be if I didn't pamper my wife once in a while?
Wishing you were here—rather, wishing I was there,
Rune
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Dearest Rune,
I was feeling nostalgic after I received your letter so I pulled out our old, dusty scrapbook. I've attached some of the memorable pictures.
First Date- Cute right? You were all shy and a little clumsy around me, even though we were betrothed. If I remember correctly, I think I'm the one who made the first move. It was all spur of the moment, but I really wanted to hold your hand.
Our Wedding- I particularly love this picture. And no, it's not because I adored my dress, like I know you're thinking. Just look at all the guests! That was the one time I felt Faerie Forest to be the most…whole.
First Anniversary- That surprise trip to Zelan was something to remember! It was a nice getaway. Calm, beautiful. Just the two of us.
In regards to your previous letter, I honestly doubt Dragon Knight duty is as boring as you make it out to be (I mean, I'm already wondering about the mysterious whereabouts of this locket and what you had to go through to obtain it!) but I'm not going to nag. If it's top secret, then I can respect that.
I borrowed a map from Ringleys (for someone so young, he sure has quite a knack for traveling) and I located Darnay. It's approximately 870 miles from here.
I can still hardly believe that you're so far away, Rune.
I wish I could see you.
Your girl back home,
Tintlet
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Dear Tintlet,
Thank you for the photos! They certainly made my day! …And Rath and Thatz's days too, I think. When I received your last letter, they deemed it the perfect time to become insufferable busybodies. (…They say "hi" and they want me to tell you that "the pictures have pretty good lighting".) It's honestly rather sad.
Other than their complaining, however, my day has been going pretty smoothly.
There have been no rumors of deliberately booby-trapped treasures or word of nearby demon sieges. (Which, actually, is probably why Thatz and Rath have been so inclined as to go through my mail—because they really have nothing better to do.) I too have purchased a map recently, and guess what? We're in Grendor right now! That's about 550 miles away from home. It's not close, but if we're heading in that direction, then maybe. Maybe, sometime soon, Tintlet.
Grendor is really beautiful. The air is crisp and light. The flowers are in full bloom and the locals here say its like Spring everyday! I wish I could bring some of its…essence back to you. To help the Nurture-And-Restore-Faerie-Forest-To-Its-Former-Glory Team, I suppose. I wish you could see it.
(I've been wishing a lot lately. Most of the time, it's to get a good night's sleep. Some of the time, it's to return home safe. And nearly all of the time, it's to just see my wife again.)
I'm not too sure when I'll be able to send my next letter. According to the map, it'll be another 400 some miles to get to the next town, so you'll have to wait maybe another few months for any sort of contact with me.
Though nothing's written in stone, something tells me that I'll be seeing you soon, Tintlet. And once I do, I'll make it all up to you. We'll spend those missed anniversaries together, we'll take walks through the not-quite-there-yet-gardens just like we used to. I'll make it all up, I swear.
In the meantime, please, just stick with me like you always have, Tintlet. I don't know what I'd do without your support.
Unendingly appreciative,
Rune
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Dearest Rune,
I know I said I'd wait to hear back from you, but I doubt traveling 400 some miles takes six months. And, I know I said I wouldn't become one of those constantly nagging wives who worry whenever their husbands don't call every second, but I can't help it, Rune. I'm worried.
I don't know where you are, I don't know how you're doing, I don't even know whether you're still on the receiving end of my letters and not in some frozen ditch, helpless and mortally injured. I'm in the dark here.
…I've kept up with the re-cultivating Faerie Forest thing, Rune. You should be proud of me. It's really becoming something of a beauty, just as it used to be. If anything, you should come home just to see it. It misses you. The forest, I mean. I can feel it. Jaela, Ringleys, the faeries and the Waterlights; the entire Elven race misses you.
Not to mention, me. I miss you, Rune. I'm still waiting for you. Waiting for you to come back home and make it up to me, just like you said. We'll celebrate those missed anniversaries. Another one's coming up, actually. Our 8th, like I'm sure you remember.
I just need word. Word that you're all right. Drop me a line, a simple "I'm okay, Tintlet. Don't worry about me" on parchment would suffice.
I'm still here. I still have natural platinum blonde hair. I still like wearing flow-y, white dresses. I'm still yours, Rune.
Love always,
Tintlet
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Tintlet, love, I don't have much time.
We were ambushed by demons. There were 100, 200 of them, I'm not sure. They had us in cells a few days prior, but we escaped. We're on the run now and I'm writing this as we go. I don't know where we are—some haphazard jungle—but the minute we reach the next town, I'm getting a map and getting the heck out of here, because I'm done.
I'm taking a long called-for vacation and going home. I know I once said that duty would always be my number one priority, but right now, my duty is to our subjects. To our home. To you, Tintlet.
I was supposed to tell you this in my first letter, but I couldn't muster the courage then.
I'm sorry. So, so sorry. For not being strong enough to save you from Varawoo. For not attempting to make contact after so many years apart. For always putting my job, before you, my number one.
I've been so far for so long, and it's taking its toll. I miss you so much.
Please, don't let me go, Tintlet. I'll get back to you somehow. Just hold on.
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A/N: Hmm. That turned out a bit sad. And sappy to the extreme. It was inspired by this beautiful fanfiction I read. Too bad I botched it. D: But oh well! I'm done! HURRAH. XD
Review Responses:
Hououza: Thanks! I honestly get an ego boost whenever I see you've reviewed. XD. And about the closure thing…I doubt it, but I'll give it some consideration!
Yokai no Miko: Well, I completed the trilogy! Since I couldn't go for funny, I went for bittersweet. Hope you liked it!
FireyFlames: He is. He's just too embarrassed to admit it. XD Thanks for reviewing!
ChyrenusMushroom: Well, yes. But I can because…well, because I can. XD Thanks for the review!
aquajogger: Why yes! Nothing gets past you, hm? XD Thanks for reviewing!
bananaluvierc- Not funny at all, it turns out. Hope it still turned out ok! Thank you for the review. :D
Nicole: Thanks for your review! But sadly, it ends here. I'm not talented –or driven- enough to write for other couples. –sweatdrop-
reader 713: Hm, maybe I will. Not too sure yet. And thanks for reviewing. :D
the red krayon: Yay for Thatz x Kitchel! Yay for being grammatically correct! (I did mean humiliation, thanks!) Yay for Dusis's extremely quick mail delivery system! (After your review, the speed at which they responded to each other did seem a little…impossible. XD So as you can see, I expanded a little here. Made time and space an actual issue.) Thanks for the review!
xxDKGurlxx: Thanks for the enthusiasm! (It made me laugh!) Here's the Rune x Tintlet. :D
Kougaschick89: XD. I'm sure your kagomexinuyashas are cute! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Emiko87: Thank you. :D
PLEASE REVIEW!!!