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Dear Mortefi,
I hope this letter finds you well.
I’m writing to let you know that I’ll be out of town for a week, starting from the day after tomorrow. Apparently, a Chasm Rider spotted in Qichi Village has been stirring up trouble for the residents of Taoyuan Vale passing by. Coincidentally, I’ve also been receiving reports of abnormal TD behavior observed at Tiderise Cliff nearby, amongst a few other locations. I dispatched a few Midnight Rangers to handle the various situations, but the unusually high casualties they incurred on those missions have me worried that there might be more to these occurrences than what meets the eye. As such, I intend to personally investigate the matter before involving any more personnel.
I will be leading a small task force, so I do not require any specific equipment for this expedition. Instead, I’ve sent some relevant data to your Terminal. If time allows, could I trouble you to find someone from Anomaly Studies to analyze it? Thank you.
On a more personal note: I realized last night that it must have been at least a week since we got to spend quality time in each other’s company. For my part in that, I sincerely apologize. I’ve tried my best to return home earlier, only to either find you already fast asleep or to collapse in bed out of exhaustion myself while waiting for you to return. Our schedules just can’t seem to line up, can they?
If you’re not too busy, I’d love to spend some time after next week with you. It doesn’t have to be anything special—we can go try that new dish at Panhua’s you mentioned last time, or if you’d rather not, do some hiking around Lake Heights? (I know how much you despise the clamor of the city’s crowds.) I've been having a nostalgic longing for Jinzhou Theater lately, but I’m not certain if you’re fond of plays.
In my absence, do remember to get enough rest and eat proper meals. I’m worried that, without me around to nag you, you’d survive solely on your afternoon tea.
Take care of yourself, Mortefi. I miss you.
Yours,
Jiyan
Jiyan,
I forwarded the data to Baizhi. She’ll send the results back to you once she gets them. I think I might have seen that Chasm Rider you speak of, but I’m not really sure. Was it surrounded by some sort of red mist?
With that out of the way, I have a burning question I’ve been meaning to ask for the past five letters you’ve sent me: who the hell writes physical letters anymore in this day and age??? The people at Lollo Logistics (or the occasional poor Ranger you send my way) seem to be scared shitless that they’re handling some top-secret correspondence from the General. At this rate, they’ll probably end up thinking that we’re developing another Disruptor behind the Magistrate’s back, when the truth is that my archaic boyfriend refuses to use the Terminal to contact me like any normal person would. Is this why no one knows we’re dating? Heck, even I can’t tell that we’re dating from the first one-third of the letter you just sent.
Don’t you dare apologize for us not seeing each other lately. We already knew this would happen given the nature of our jobs. I appreciate that you’ve been coming home earlier, but I’m more grateful than anything else that it means you’re finally having a modicum of work-life balance—and that you’re actually getting some sleep.
Some time together sounds nice. Work is busy, but my weekends are open. Panhua’s is a no, because Jué knows that it’s packed to the brim on weekends and noisy as hell to boot. Lake Heights is nice and quiet, but the last time we went there, you got distracted by a bunch of TDs and went straight back to work mode, so also no. Jinzhou Theater, though? Count me in. I appreciate plays, but I can’t say I’m familiar with Jinzhou’s, and now you’ve got me curious. Any recommendations?
I do eat proper meals, thank you. From what I know of the Midnight Rangers’ rations, I can safely say it’s better than the hard tack you’re eating out there in the wilderness.
…And fine, I miss you too, you stupid sap. I’m going to feel lonely without you for the next week (which, by the way, seems longer than your usual expeditions?). You like telling people to take care of themselves, but you always forget to do that for yourself first. Well, you’d better start doing so, because I’ll kill you if you die out there.
Mortefi
Dear Mortefi,
Thank you for the quick reply within the day. Please give my deepest thanks to Baizhi. You’re right about the red mist, by the way—that was indeed the one consistency we found amongst all the eyewitness reports. Would you happen to know something about that?
You seem to think it’s incredulous that I write letters to you, but here you are, indulging me with a speedy reply in kind. (This is the fifth time, in fact, counting all the previous letters I wrote to you.) The reason why I write letters is simple—it is private, yet heartfelt. For some reason, no one thinks to look over my shoulder when I write letters, but the same can’t be said for when I’m typing on my Terminal. I suppose the unintended result is as you said: till this day, everyone seems to be in the dark about our relationship. I don’t mind it that way, and I thought you preferred it so, too. Do correct me if I’m wrong.
No Panhua’s or Lake Heights, then. (Once again, I apologize for what happened the last time we went to the latter…but really? I thought you would’ve let go of that by now.) Jinzhou Theater it is. I’m no connoisseur, but I’m quite fond of “Fiamma”. Last I heard, there were plans to re-release it this month. The current version that's popular in the city is actually based on an old classic of the same name, where unlike most stereotypical heroes, the protagonist works in the shadows, fueled by fury instead of righteousness. Nowadays, the protagonist is simply a hero of justice who commands flames to vanquish evil. I personally prefer the original classic, but I also acknowledge that it's a tedious read that makes most people yawn.
I'm getting a little off-track—either way, the protagonist's fiery passion is what makes any rendition of "Fiamma" so thrilling. And now that I think about it, he rather reminds me of you. Even more reason to go catch it one day. :)
You’re right about the ration bars. The taste does leave much to be desired, but it’s admittedly a concern that pales in comparison to survival. Besides, I believe I might have been spoiled by your exquisite cooking—I’ve yet to find any dish that can even begin to compare.
As you astutely observed, this expedition is indeed a little longer than usual. We have to investigate quite a number of locations, and while subduing the threat itself usually does not take long, it’s the search that does. Searching for information, searching for tracks left behind, even searching for the correct herb to remedy new strains of TD poison with—that’s the most tedious part of being a Midnight Ranger. The Terminal’s Sensor does help a little, but it has its limits. For example, if I wanted to find a particularly problematic Viridblaze Saurian, it somehow winds up pointing me to every other (not-so-problematic) Viridblaze Saurian in Jinzhou before finally locating the correct one. If we didn’t spend so much time on this, it would be no exaggeration to say that I’d be at home twice as often.
And duly noted—I’ll take care of myself, lest I die and my lover kills me for it. Eloquently put, Mortefi. (I jest. I’ll listen to you, since you have a way of always making me do so.)
Yours,
Jiyan
Jiyan,
If that’s what the Rangers have been receiving reports of, then yes, I do know a bit about that. During my days in Desorock Highland, I encountered an Obelisk Guardian cloaked in red mist. I instinctively felt that it wasn’t a good idea to mess with it, so I kept my distance. Good thing I thought so, because last I heard, a bunch of Academy researchers were trying to take it down for a Whisperin Core sample, and those idiots were so badly beaten up that they swore off field research forever. However, another group of researchers claim to have found a Carapace surrounded in similar red mist northeast of Qichi Village, and it was apparently the weakest one they’ve ever seen. I’m not exactly sure what to make of that, but it’s best for you to be careful around them.
I don’t mind that people don’t know about our relationship. The workplace gossip would be frightful if they did, and I’d rather avoid the trouble. Then again, if people knew you were taken, maybe I’d see less airheads trying to hit on you. Decisions, decisions.
Somehow, I’m not surprised that you like classics…I knew you were an old man inside. I’ll go ahead and see if I can book tickets for “Fiamma” then, though I’m not sure whether the main character bearing a resemblance to me makes me more or less inclined to watch it. Actually, on that note—I can’t believe I’m just remembering this, but there is one Jinzhou Play that has caught my attention. Have you heard of “Moonlight Shines as Ever”? If you haven’t, go check the summary out. If you have, know that when I first heard about the main character, I decided I absolutely had to go and see it with you.
Of course my cooking is better than army rations. I’m even slightly offended that you would utter them both in the same breath (or whatever the equivalent is in letter-writing). I am also tempted to say that your flattery has no effect on me, but we both know I greatly enjoy having my ego stroked. Rejoice, for dinner on the day you return home shall be smoked pigeon.
It’s surprising to hear that the Midnight Rangers spend the bulk of their time doing what I thought the Patrollers do instead. Why didn’t you bring this up with the City Hall sooner? Or is this yet another case of you doing way more than your job demands?
Mortefi
Dear Mortefi,
Thank you for the information. It does align with the reports we have on hand. If even a highly competent combatant such as yourself advises caution against them, I’ll heed your warnings well.
Please don’t call everyone who attempts to talk to me an “airhead”, as much as your jealousy endears me. Besides, you also have a frightening amount of admirers, yet I’ve always shown each of them proper respect. Tempting as it is to tell them to shove it.
Also, classics are called classics because they have a timeless appeal; how does that make me an old man? (Says the person who gives me hour-long treatises on classical music, by the way.) Yes, I have heard of “Moonlight Shines as Ever”. No, I do not want to watch it. I am not interested in any derivative work of me, especially if it seems as…embellished…as the rumors I’ve been unfortunate enough to hear suggest.
Hooray for smoked pigeon. :) Have I told you that I love you? (And your cooking?)
I admit that searching for leads might be under the jurisdiction of the Patrollers or even the Pioneer Association more than the Rangers’, but they have enough on their plate, and our missions are often too time-sensitive to always go through the proper channels.
This might be the last letter I write to you before I leave. Apologies for the brevity—my presence keeps being requested as the hour of our departure draws nearer. Feel free to reply, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll respond while on the expedition.
I’ll see you soon, Mortefi.
Yours,
Jiyan
Jiyan,
Focus on getting ready for the mission, old man.
When you return, I’ll pay to see you tell my so-called admirers to shove it. I’m also forcing you to watch “Moonlight Shines as Ever” with me.
By the way, after reading your previous letters, I’ve decided to prepare a gift for you—but for now, it shall remain a secret. Consider it an incentive for you to make it back in one piece.
I love you too (and for more than just your cooking).
Yours,
Mortefi