6th Eras, 4271
Hey, Fangs. Hope I'm using this thing right. Ship's making good progress. Haven't sunk yet. I know I said it a bunch but it was good to see you again. I hope the next time doesn't take another few years.
I hope things in Kintargo aren't too bad as the Euphor supply dwindles. Try to stay safe.
Thank you for getting me this pen. Was a good idea. Glad we can keep in touch. Talk to you tomorrow.
-Tem
P.S. what exactly did Halo's book about Ustalav say?
6th Eras, 4271
As far as I can tell, you are using the Far Pen correctly. Either that or you're using it so wrong it ended up being correct anyway. It occurs to me that I've never seen your handwriting before and it definitely suits you.
It was very good to see you, too, Tem. Very good, indeed. I've missed all three of you a lot. One day, you and I are going to meet up with Dergir and Arashi and it'll be just like old times, though preferably with fewer demons. I'm sure that will disappoint Der.
I would be lying if I said that Kintargo was free of unrest, but Domina Jilia has been warned and prepared the city for it. Clerics of all faiths are out in force to see to those who need help. I will be escorting Oberius, who sends his well wishes to both you and Lord Asaf. I appreciate your concern, but worry not. The Lady of Graves and the Welcomer are with me.
As for Lord Asaf's chronicle, it would take more room than I have here to explain all its issues. Let us just say after the liberal use of the descriptor "purgatory", I put the volume down and started a new book.
I hope your voyage is an easy one, Tem.
-Violetta
P.S. It said far more than I have room to describe here. Suffice to say after liberal usage of the descriptor "purgatory", I put it down for another book.
7th Eras, 4721
Purgatory? Seems a bit harsh. Sure, lot of undead about there, but go anywhere in Avistan and you'll find something lurking in the dark that wants to kill you.
Speaking of books. I have to admit I tried reading a few of those books you recommended while I was still in Sarkoris, after you left. And, I have to admit further, that I couldn't finish them. Not saying they were bad. Just made me sleepy. Think I still like the spoken word better when it comes to stories, like when you'd read them to us around the fire. You have a good voice for it.
(he pauses, wondering if that's too forward to say, but it's already written)
We'll be landing tomorrow morning in Varisia, heading for the Sanos Forest. After that, probably keep going north for the Linnorm Kings, the city of Vylkavik.
Stay safe.
-Tem
(He doesn't hear from her the next day and wonders if he said something wrong, then worries something has happened to Violetta, but gives it a little time as to not seem clingy)
8th Eras, 4271
(Her anxiety over missing the second day of communication fades as she sits down to write. Then, she is smiling, burying her face in her journal, and making flustered noises after reading that Tem likes her voice)
Welcomer's smiles, I am so sorry I did not get back to you yesterday! Things are proving to be a bit more chaotic in Kintargo than we anticipated. It was a very long day and I passed out on a pew in Pharasma's temple without realizing it. Father Oberius tricked me into resting, if I'm honest. He insisted I was pushing myself to hard, but I can scarcely think I was giving anymore effort than all the others doing their best for Kintargo. The Domina herself is out in the streets, if you'd believe it. I hope I didn't worry you.
Those nights around the fire are still some of my fondest memories, in spite of where we were when they happened. I suppose it was our surroundings and what we were doing that made the simple things like that so much more meaningful.
(Her pen stops as her mind drifts to the Crusade. She isn't sure what to write for a few minutes.)
I know it's a strange thing to end on, but might I ask you a rather personal question, Tem?
-Violetta
9th Eras, 4721
You don't have to be sorry, Fangs. Just because we can get a hold of each other every day doesn't mean we have to do so. We're both busy. I'll admit I was a little worried. But, I know you can take care of yourself. I was confident I'd be hearing from you again soon.
(He is still recovering from a huge rush of relief as all the anxiety of the last day and a half is squelched, leaving an odd tiredness behind with the relief. Reading further, he sees the mentions of the Crusade, followed by her question and frowns, not because she asked it, but because he has a feeling he knows what's coming; something he's been avoiding.)
Of course. You can ask me anything, anytime.
-Tem
10th Eras, 4721
(Even though she's been thinking of how to phrase this since writing the question to Tem, she stares at the page for a while, still unsure.)
I haven't been able to speak of the Crusades with anyone. Not really. My mother and father asked when I went home but I just…couldn't. It feels like a nightmare when I look back on it. We spent so long there but it doesn't feel…real anymore. I mention it to people and they thank me like I drove off some bandits or kept a fox from their chickens. They don't know what we went through there. They don't really have any idea what it was like. But, we fought so they didn't have to have any idea what it was like.
I don't know what to feel. Were we too young when we went there? Is this feeling of wrongness some last curse the demons put on us when they were defeated? Should we simply forget about it like the rest of the world seems to want to? I'll admit, I wanted to bring this up to you in person, but I also didn't want to spoil our reunion with it.
The question is this; how do you deal with it?
-Violetta
(She stares blankly down at the page. She considers tearing it out of the book, but decides against it. If anyone might understand, it's Temperance, and she needs that right now; someone to understand.)
10th Eras, 4721
(He sees the question and after an unfortunately brief amount of time, comes to a realization.)
I'm sorry to say I don't know how I deal with it, Fangs. Because I don't. I don't know because I've never tried to. I haven't been away from Sarkoris for very long and honestly I've been too scared to stop and really think about it.
(An uneasy feeling sweeps through Tem. His hand trembles for several moments. He steadies it. This isn't for his sake, but Violetta's. For his friends, he'll overcome anything.)
We were young, you're right. And while other young people would have been just striking out on their own, dealing with first loves and uncertainties and what not, we were fighting demons. That became our normal. We made the jump from youth to adult in a war against the Abyss. We were all living every day knowing it might be the last, always alert for ambushes or traitors or Abyssal corruption. Now we're adults with all that behind us and nothing ahead but uncertainty. We're in a time where we don't have to always be on guard and that feels…wrong. Why is everyone around us being so casual when death could come at any moment? Except it probably won't. Not here.
I wish I could tell you something that would help you, Fangs, but I don't want to lie to you. I'm struggling with it, too. I understand what you're going through, if nothing else. You're not alone. I'm always here for you if you need to talk. We'll figure this out together.
-Tem
(He utters the command word to "send" his letter, wipes stray tears from his face, then goes to procure some ale to quell his mind. He is feeling emotional, it's undeniable, but he can't deny that there's a certain lightness that wasn't there before; like a burden he'd grown used to has lessened slightly.)
11th Eras, 4721
(Initally, she panics because she feels like she was being thoughtless in her questioning. She takes a deep breath and assures herself this was not the case, concluding this is evidence that they both need to work through this.)
I had no idea, Tem. I'm so sorry. You seemed to carry yourself just like you always had. But, I suppose I know better than many people what's on the surface doesn't always match what lies beneath.
I also know that making those two things match is possible. Never feel like your offer is a one way street. I want to help you however I can. Maybe, through helping each other, we can learn to help ourselves as well. So if you need to vent, get anything off your chest, do it here, no matter what it might be. You don't have to put up a front or anything like that with me.
(Her open and emotional state almost pushes her into confessing her feelings right there as if that will drive home just how much she wants to help Temperance. Logic prevails after a few calming breaths. This would be a poor time.)
-Violetta
11th Eras, 4721
That means a lot to me, Fangs. Can't convey how much it does just with just this pen. I will do my best to take you up on your offer, and I hope you'll take the same from me if you need it.
(Tears threaten him again but don't quite manage to come out this time.)
Halo and I are going to be on the road starting tomorrow. Will try to write you when we camp each night, at least a couple words to let you know we're alright, but contact might get a little spotty depending on weather and circumstances. We've spent a few days in Sandpoint getting our feet under us and gathering supplies. Regardless of all that, stay safe.
-Tem
12th Eras, 4721
Of course, Tem. I will. I promise.
And you stay safe while you're on the road. I'm going to be going on something of a tour of Ravounel with Father Oberius in a couple of days to make sure outlying villages are doing alright.
Here's hoping we both get good weather.
-Violetta
(Weather? She curses herself for such a lame valediction.)