Chapter Text
Hamid to Azu
Dear Azu,
First of all, have you received any news of Emeka? When we saw him off at the harbour in Brighton, I was actually quite worried he might not survive the trip back home. I shouldn’t have picked The Art of Spices for our last meal. Next time, I’ll just take you both to a plain British restaurant and call it a day. Of course, I didn’t speak my worries to you back then, because I know you, and so I knew you would have jumped aboard the ship even if it had already started leaving port and accompanied him all the way back to Kenya, leaving me by myself in Brighton. I apologise, I realise that was quite selfish of me, no? If you think so, you can tell me that it was. In any case, I truly hope he’s recovered and arrived home safely.
Now onto the pièce de résistance of my letter. (I know, it’s too early for restaurant puns. But it’s too late, I’ve already written it down and I hate crossing sentences on a letter, it makes the whole thing look scrappy. Sorry! Now back on topic.). I went to a gala in London yesterday. You remember Dr. Einstein, my old university professor I always gush to you about? Well, he was going to give a speech there, about the future of magic within theoretical physics, and so I just had to attend it, even though I wouldn’t know anyone there. I managed to secure an invitation and dressed up for the occasion. Naturally, I wore my green silk tuxedo with the violet tie. It should have been a pleasant and relaxing evening with like-minded peers. But clearly, the gods decided it was not to be so, since they led me to meet Mr. Zolf, last name ???
I’m sorry to say that I won’t treat you to the specifics of what led me to make his acquaintance in the bathrooms of The Old Hall Hotel, as just the thought of it is giving me a headache. To make a long story short, Liliana was there and I ended up with wine spilled all over my dress shirt, you can probably deduce the rest. I excused myself and walked as gracefully as I could to the men’s room, while painfully aware that everyone’s eyes were on me. My only hope at that moment was that Dr. Einstein had not arrived at the gala yet to witness it all. Anyhow, I was in the bathroom, having just prestidigitated my outfit and trying to get a hold of myself, when someone else walked in! I prayed to the gods that whoever they were, they would be kind enough to simply go about their business and leave me to my misery.
Instead, the person who walked in, a blonde dwarf with the most intricate beard I’ve ever seen, walked in and simply froze when he noticed me. And so did I. We stood in awkward silence for a moment, before I forced myself to turn back toward the mirror and fiddled with the lapels of my suit, in an attempt to project the barest pretence of composure. I expected that to be that, but suddenly, he asked me with a pronounced Northern accent if I was alright. I think I stammered out that I was, thank you for asking. After that, the conversation simply continued to flow between us. He had this wonderfully tranquil voice, which made me almost forget how I’d just embarrassed myself in front of around two hundred people.
After a few minutes, I was wondering how to keep our chat going, as I wasn’t exactly eager to go back into the hall just yet, when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a book lying idly by one of the sinks, whose author I immediately recognised. I thought I would spark a bout of laughter between us by making a witty, if perhaps cutting, remark about the author’s penchant for melodrama. This had the complete opposite effect, as I noticed his lips form a tight line and his cheeks flush in anger. Quickly, and yet too late, I guessed that the book belonged to this stranger, who had most likely come here to retrieve it.
Before I could utter any apology, we were interrupted by the swing of the bathroom door, from which a man called out for ‘Zolf’ to get back to the party and give him a hand. The man whose name I now presumed to be Zolf spared me one last glance before snatching his book and shutting the door behind him.
I can’t tell you how embarrassed and guilty I feel about the whole ordeal. This dwarf was kindly attempting to cheer me up by chatting up a stranger in the men’s room, and I thanked him by mocking his taste in literature.
Azu, this might sound completely foolish, and I know that it is, for why should I care about a stranger’s opinion of me, but I’d like to find him and issue an apology. I thought perhaps either his name or his appearance might sound familiar to you? If you could also ask Grizzop, while keeping the unnecessary details to yourself (although I doubt that he would care), I would be extremely thankful.
I don’t have a lot for us to go on, but I did notice the following features, in addition to the ones I’ve already mentioned above. Our most promising lead, I think, is that he mentioned serving on a ship. It’s probably a safe bet to assume that he is a sailor of some sorts. Appearance-wise, he has green eyes and he wore a silver dolphin necklace at the party. I think I also noticed a ring with some kind of insignia on his finger. Lastly, I caught him limping slightly as he left the restroom, but it may just have been my imagination.
I realise that asking you to comb London for one specific dwarf is unreasonable, and you’re already busy as it is with your paladin training. But if you could simply be on the lookout? As I’m writing these words, I’m horrified at how long this letter has gotten and I’m commanding myself to put down my quill within the next following seconds.
As an apology for my rambling, lunch is on me next time! If you’re free, perhaps next Tuesday, at La Grande Victoire?
Love,
Hamid
Azu to Hamid
My dearest Hamid,
Thank you for asking after Emeka; he is doing more than fine now. He’s already talking about taking another trip- to America this time! My parents are not pleased about this. I’m not sure I want to get involved.
But enough about Emeka- tell me more about this Zolf person! He seems like quite the intriguing character! What was a sailor doing at a science gala? What was the mysterious insignia on his ring?
You’re right, we absolutely must find this Zolf, if not only for your conscience, then for my curiosity! I have already drafted a letter to Grizzop and will try my best to send it by tomorrow at the latest.
To tell you the truth, your letter has been like a godsend to me. These past days, my head has been buried in magical healing tomes, to the point where I have even dreamed of discussing their contents with their original authors! (Between you and me, Alanya Leitner, the author of Potions, Cures & More Potions, is not so displeasing to the eye.) So do not fret about bothering me, as I was extremely grateful for your lengthy letter and could not stop smiling as I read through it! Of course, the part about Liliana was the sole exception, and you must tell me about what happened over lunch next Tuesday. La Grande Victoire sounds great!
With all my love,
Azu
P.S. Your mysterious sailor made me forget to address one of your letter’s earlier questions. Perhaps it was a bit selfish of you not to share your concerns about Emeka, but part of me also knows you did not want to see me worried. I think we can all be a little selfish sometimes, none of us are perfect after all. What matters most is that we recognise this, as you did, Hamid.
Grizzop to Hamid
Hamid,
Got Azu’s letter. I guess that taught you a lesson about making fun of other people’s taste. Ha. I’ve never seen or heard about a ‘Zolf’ from anyone, but I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. Not sure how useful that’ll be though, since I’m leaving the country for Damascus in two days. Might be gone for a few weeks or more, depending on how things turn out.
Look after yourself,
Grizzop
Hamid to Grizzop
Dear Grizzop,
I definitely did learn my lesson and I know now not to question my peers’ poor taste in entertainment, no matter how difficult this may prove.
Your departure is so sudden! I wish I could have known beforehand, as we could have met up and I would have been able to wish you a safe journey.
May I ask about your reasons for going to Damascus?
Yours,
Hamid
Grizzop to Hamid
Hamid,
Objectives are classified. Temple matters.
Sorry.
Grizzop
Hamid to Grizzop
Dear Grizzop,
I understand, no need to apologise. Please stay safe.
Yours,
Hamid
Bertie to Hamid
My dear Hamid,
That Wilde fellow, what a funny chap! That article of his had my stomach in stitches for the better part of my day.
What say you we catch up at our usual spot and you can tell me all about your lover’s spat? Drinks are on me!
Yours,
Bertie
Hamid to Azu
Dear Azu,
Oh dear gods, Azu. Forget about our search for Zolf, the man I wish to find is Oscar Wilde, so that I may strangle him!
Have you read what that horrible man has published in The Times? Never have I seen myself painted in such a horrid light. He suggested that my “glittery exterior most probably did not match the interior” and made the whole incident seem as if I had been the one to provoke Liliana, like some jilted lover. How dare he? I was only trying to defend the person I consider to be my greatest mentor.
Had any other person written the piece, it would have been dismissed as petty gossip, but of course, it had to be Wilde. Now, I’m afraid to go out and frequent my usual clubs, as I’m certain to receive searing looks from both its clientele and employees. I am not sure as to how I am to lift my spirits up.
I demand for us to meet up soon at Zelando’s Gelatos, where I will require a minimum of three hugs from you.
Love,
Hamid