Work Text:
Hey Mighty, hope this one gets to you before you skip town again!
Saw you both in the paper - something about a wetland rewild? Anyway, you were on the back of what we were cutting out coupons from, and I remembered you hadn't written me back since you were in Mossley - did you get that one? Hope you didn't think I forgot, 'cause I sure didn't. Don't worry if you did, I know you guys are busy in a bog somewhere. Have fun!
We're keeping busy too, like with that 'client' turned out to be Eggman, and he didn't pay us. Did you see that one? Obviously not that surprised, bummed there was no cash in it but it was a good thing to do. Actually, Espio and Charmy are a bit bent outta shape about that come to think of it, not sure why. We'll get over it.
Like I say, doing good gets you good - I got approached by a new client pretty quickly, but I can't talk about that one in the post. It'll be kinda low level for the time being, just keeping an eye on some stuff for now.
Not related at all, but you keep an eye on the sky these days - there's meant to be a comet coming over next month, once every 50 years. Did you hear about that? Scary stuff. Wouldn't wanna be where it lands, me.
If this one gets to you, write me back with the next place you're going so we can keep in touch. Espio's got something for you too: he's been keeping up with Doctor wHoot on his own now, and wrote out the whole transcript of this latest episode for you, so I think that's what's making the envelope heavy. Also, I've photocopied the comic strip from Tiz, and Charmy drew his own ending on the back.
Hope you two are having fun! Let your old pal know if you need anything from us, and if you're alright for funds these days - we'll always lend a hand.
Vector
PS: we got a pack of puffin bars, and they've brought the jokes back on the label. Tell this one to Ray from me:
Why don't birds like the trumpet? Too much huffin' and puffin'!
(Maybe don't tell him it's from a puffin bar before you let him guess)
Vector,
Good to hear from you! Yeah we skipped town a little while ago - ran outta cash and couldn't afford the conversion rates. They don't take rings in shops out in the Fenn anymore (who knew?), and I had no idea CL was so strong against the ring. Live and learn, no sweat.
Sorry I didn't realise how long it had been since I wrote you! We're camping for now, and loving it. The wetlands were pretty wet but we got to see so many birds. Ray took your joke pretty seriously, though, so naturally I've been pretending to play trumpet at Herons for a week which really wound him up. He's almost gotten over it...
I haven't been keeping up with the news, but we went to the internet cafe to see what you've been up to - even you lot almost looked cool! But seriously, glad you're all okay, awesome job. Ray drew the picture from the article with that dragon thing behind you, so I expect that to be on the fridge when we're back next.
Did you wonder if maybe Espio and Charmy didn't realise who your client was? Stuff that's obvious to you sometimes goes over other people's head. It's that extra foot you've got on the rest of us, I think.
Speaking of things going overhead - I looked up about that comet, didn't know you were so into astronomy. It's meant to land to not far from here, around the plains near Westopolis - can't think of a better reason to go to a place, so we're going to mosey on over next month - might see you there? Don't worry if not, and if you've got anything you need to send us, post it to the group hostel out there, and we'll pick it up when we're in town.
Thanks especially for the reading material! We checked out the local library, but it's not in English, and I'm not so good with my foreign grammar - so I don't have any reads to send you back. I did get this disposable camera from a friend we made, do you know how to develop pictures from it? I've put the reel in here, I figure the envelope's waterproof enough.
Hope you guys are all doing well? Don't work too hard! But please send more puffin jokes. I got an animal one for you I heard:
How many big cats does it take to bring down a buffalo? Doesn't matter - they're all just lion around!
(Ray also hates this one - lions are hunters who are very scary, don't live near buffalo, carnivores have to sleep a lot, something else as well. See whether Charmy appreciates my art.)
Your friend,
Mighty
Mighty,
Get out of Westopolis now. I did not tell you about the comet so you would go see it. You two need to leave.
Also, you got ripped off big time. I've printed some decent exchange rates here, you can't take anything less than these - I know you're a pushover, but don't let people scam you again. I'm not tryna have to bail you out because you threw away your money.
Tell me when you're somewhere else and hang tight.
Vector.
...
Hey Mighty, hope you and Ray are doing good. I don't know if you're back in the outback, I know you like it there, thought it's worth a guess.
Sorry it's been a while, and if I wasn't too chatty last time I wrote you a letter - things were pretty hectic, I wrote it in the post office before I'd even brought yours home.
Hope you understand now why I didn't want you in Westopolis when the comet came! Our client had some internal knowledge on the subject, I didn't want to leave you out for the sake of being cryptic. It's not like I thought you'd be in trouble, I just knew there was probably going to be things about causing trouble, and you hate that sort of game, all military and fire-at-will. And plus you've got Ray. Just figured you'd be better off staying out.
We've been doing okay, got a bit wrapped up in the alien invasion... it's kinda hard to explain. Maybe we'll get to it when you're next around town, whenever that is? Anyway, we're good. I've got Espio out doing some scouting now, so it's just me and Charmy this week. I realised while writing you all these letters (not sure where to send them, so I'm trying a few places)... well, Charmy can't hold a pen and make words properly, even though he can read now and draws loads of pictures. I don't know how we missed that - I thought kids just kinda learned these things at the same time. I put him in a school for a bit, but he's real embarrassed about it. We have worksheets now: if you thought Ray might need them, I could send a photocopy.
I ran your camera reel down to the shop. Most of them were just your finger in the way, but some came out alright - come get them when you're next around. Had to show you this one now though, I got them to print it six times - the look on Ray's face, what did that big fish do to him? Don't think you've got the next Grylls the Bear on your hands with him, huh? It's on the fridge with his picture. Here's one of me 'nd Espio holding Charmy upside down like that - though he wanted to be the one holding me up - and scary thing is, these days he can...
You write us when you get time, let me know if you got this letter too. Give us a shout if you're in a jam.
Vector.
Puffin PS:
What did the puffin mama say to her crying baby? Beak Quiet!
Vector,
Sorry it's been a while, we've been doing our own thing. Hope you weren't waiting around to hear from me.
-
-
Sorry for the scribbled out stuff. I'm trying to say thanks for your concern, but honestly I don't feel that grateful. Do you really think we would have just moped around and gotten our asses handed to us in Westopolis? I'm just as capable as you, Vector. I know you don't get it - I don't think you know the difference between 'lending a hand' and 'barging in to everybody's business' - but I didn't cut out on my own to be bossed around by you. You can take whatever shady clients and stupid fights you want, but don't expect me to jump when you yell anymore.
Also, maybe not everybody's trying to get rich all the time - did that ever occur to you? We pick up rings when we run around helping people. Why should I care if we get a bad deal? We've got what we need, and I'm not starting fights over money, I left that life with you guys for a reason.
I'm not trying to start fights with you either, but this is why I needed to get out and be on my own. I'm not like you and until you can see it, I think it's best we keep it distant. Say hi to Espio and Charmy for me, but Ray doesn't need his worksheets - as evidenced by the fact he wrote his own letter to you all here. Maybe if you spent less time playing hero and more time paying attention Charmy wouldn't be having trouble.
We're heading to the Oasis Resort for the summer festival. You can write Ray there, I think he'd appreciate it. I hope you're all doing great.
Mighty
Hi Mighty, if you feel like reading this. Hope you're enjoying the Oasis.
Wish I could remember what I wrote to you. Thing about letters - they're kinda shut once you've sent them. It was probably all bull, but could you tell me anyway? I can't properly apologise if I don't know what I said, but I'll give it a go.
You said I bossed you around? I believe you, and I'm sorry. It's still hard for me to understand you two are out there on your own, but I do know you're capable, and you don't need help. Something about being the leader for all those years makes me feel like anything that goes wrong is all my fault. Espio said I've internalised something, but I don't remember everything I ever ate. To be honest I mostly remember the times I'm hungry, greedy guts over here.
I never meant that I don't believe in you guys. Especially you. You're out there living the good life, teaching Ray all kinds of stuff about the world and how to be without having to shout at him like I do. I definitely shouldn't be trying to tell you how to handle your own stuff, I only offered if it would help.
I had to look back at your last letter and try to guess what I said, but I guess I was angry about you not being smart with your money. I get it, I don't get it, you're not a materialist and all that like you said. But I do just wanna say: you never started fights about money because you never had to - I did it for you, and for all of us. It's awesome you're so kind, but when you're trying to feed five mouths and your work's as inconsistent as ours it's not crazy to want what's ours. I'll back off and let you worry about yours, though, you made that pretty clear. But I hope you've got the good sense to keep your last pennies for a payphone. If you're ever in trouble, you give us a ring, and I got you.
Espio's wrote you a letter like an essay here, don't know what's in it. Also, Charmy's already doing good under the kindergarten teacher. Apparently he's a whizz with the maths, so that's news to us. We're all doing our best. Oh, and I've scanned the comics page from Charmy's latest annual: They've changed the artstyle, we all hate it, but we're too invested in the characters at this point to stop reading.
You two take care.
Vector.
Hi Vector, thanks for writing - I really appreciate it
We missed the festival. Ray got sick while we were out on the road, so we couldn't travel in the day when it's hot and he wasn't strong enough to run, and when I tried to carry him fast he just got queasier. We've handled gut rot plenty while we've been away, I thought I knew what to do, but he got really hot and I couldn't get him to eat. I must be the worst at this, I've been so freaked out, he could definitely tell.
Finally got him here and took him to a clinic. They said it's a virus people get from bug bites - we've had a million bug bites, and all our shots, but I guess you can always be unlucky. The doctor said he's doing okay, just needs fluids and to get his strength back, but he looks pretty rough to me.
I know I said I wanted to take him with me, and I know he said he wanted to come exploring, but when he's out of the ward is it okay if I bring him back to you? We can't risk this happening to him ever again, and if I can't keep him safe like you can then I'd be better off alone.
I don't think I ever really thought about how different it was going to be doing hard things without you there. I thought I'd been loving being the one to make all the calls, but turns out it's not all that. And the worst of it is I've actually almost run out of money paying the doctor's. Don't worry, it's manageable; I've got a couple installments to pay, but I think if I set some aside I can get Ray a plane ticket back to Central, and I'm trusting you'll come get him there. I'll eat my humble pie the whole time - you were dead right about me, not got the grit to take care of someone else or the good sense to plan for this.
Thanks for the comics. I've been reading them to him when he's awake-ish. He doesn't mind the redesigns, but to be fair I don't know if he's really with it enough to tell they're ugly. Not sure I can either, I can't remember what they used to look like. I've run out of bad jokes to tell him, but while he's still a bit loopy I've gotten away with 'what's brown and sticky' about four times a day and he hasn't noticed yet.
Take care, and I'm sorry again that I let you down.
Mighty
Mighty,
First of all: don't open this letter any further in front of people. Here's some drawings of flowers from Charmy in case you pulled this page out the whole way:
~♧♧♧~
Now you're hopefully somewhere quiet, here's a cheque, you'll need your ID to cash it out. You pay that doctor off and use the rest to get you both plane tickets if you're getting one for him. We're all good here, this is from the stash I had saved for your rainy day fund.
I'm so sorry Ray's not been well, really. It's the worst, really the worst it's gonna get. I don't think I've ever felt so rotten as when Espio had to have surgery. I know you don't need my help, but I trust you're looking after you, too, not just worrying about him. He needs you fed and watered.
I don't even wanna read all that again to reply to be honest, and I read all your letters a couple times in case there's secret messages. You quit blaming yourself, and for god's sake don't think there's anything I can do that you couldn't right now. In fact I can only hope I would've done the exact same thing, but I'd probably bend a few noses out of shape being a prick while I was cranky. I've never been more confident that you two have what it takes to take care of eachother. I'm sorry I ever made you think I doubted you - maybe if I'd told you that a bit sooner you'd not be in your own head about this.
You know you're both welcome at our old pad any time, but if you'll stoop to my level I'm gonna make you a bet: Any day now, he's gonna spring outta bed and ask you where you're going next like he didn't just take years off your life with all that worrying, and you're gonna find you wanna keep going. They're bastards like that, and you two like your life normally. If I win, you have to put this new roll of film in that camera and learn how to take a halfway decent picture. If you win, you two come home, Espio makes Dim Sum, and we regroup on what's gonna happen next. Sound fair?
Seriously: If he doesn't look better in the next couple days or so, promise me you'll write again and we'll come out and give a fever what for. There wasn't as much room in the letter this time with the get well cards, film reel, and other stuff we thought you might like to read. So Espio is saving up his Twin Valley's theories for next one, and I've had Charmy summarise the comic strip from the papers:
THE CAT IS FAT. A BABY IN A SUIT BANGS TOY. UGLY. LADY IN FRILLY PANTS.
(That right there is the height of satirical illustrations summarised, so I hope you feel informed. Also check out his handwriting! We're getting there!)
Anyway they're both really worried about you two. I'm going to be in for a week of nagging to check the PO box, so make sure you get back to us soon. Here's a first class stamp, for my sake.
Love, Vector.
Puffin P.S.:
How does a puffin get through tests? By winging it!
Why did the puffin show off his catch? He was fishing for compliments!
What's a puffin's favourite mode of transport? A steam train!
(Can you help us with the last one? We don't get it...)
Vector,
I don't even remember agreeing to this bet, but you win: Ray is up and packing bags even though I've said I want to stay here another day or so. I told him it's to explore the Oasis more, but honestly he's all skin and bones, so I'm thinking if I can find an eating contest or something he might be more like fighting fit. Then considering how sick he's been, not sure he'd be persuaded. Anyway, we'll be here a couple more days just to make sure he's in the clear.
I heard what you said, and I appreciate it, but I still think we're going to come back, at least for a bit. Haven't made my mind up about the next steps, but I know we both want to see you all now. I guess I just reread your letters again and got a bit homesick, which I was sure didn't happen to me. Kept looking at that picture of you lot and feeling weird at how you look different though I can't really tell what's changed. It's driving me crazy. You better not tell him, but I got a bit emotional seeing Charmy writing. Can't tell if more time's gone by than I thought, or if that's just what little kids do. Please keep him little until we get home. Put weights in his helmet - I don't know what I'll do if he's not tiny any more.
We're not going to rush back on a plane, though, since it's not an emergency - if we take the trains we'll save money, so gonna stop off in a few spots then be with you in a couple weeks, if you'll have us?
Will say, as nice as it is to hear you tell me I'm great: you sound kinda crazy telling me to stop blaming myself while you're blaming yourself for me blaming myself. I'm siding with Espio here - all these years of trying to keep us safe has made you stupider. Try not to blame yourself for that one too!
On business ends, thank you for the cash, and again I'll eat my humble pie. You will have it back with interest, and I will fight you on that, I'm picking up little jobs as we go, so it's not gonna be a strain. But you don't have to keep a piggy bank for us, I'm going to be doing it from now on. I'm even going to open a bank account, when I cashed that cheque the teller said it's the Done Thing now. Hope that takes a load off your shoulders next time we're off on adventures.
We're going to be in Pasatreble next stop, probably staying in the boarding house there. We'll wait for your letter this time, unless anything gets in our way. I've already half filled that roll of film up with pictures of my finger, but maybe I'll get one of Ray on the train before I send it back to you - the line we're getting is one of the last old-fashioned locomotives, and he's pretty jazzed for it.
Can't wait to hear from you all again soon!
Love, Mighty
Puffin Post Script: I just thought - is a puffin's favourite mode of transport a steam train because the steam puffs out? That's awful!
PSPS - worst is, I just lied. Ray thought of it. I'm useless on my own!