Chapter Text
Young, studious Masanori Himi had her nose buried in a book when she received correspondence. All mail addressed to the university are gathered in the academe's library and are (somehow) distributed by the librarian's owl friends to the student dormitory. The owl perches on her open window and carelessly lets the letter flop to the ground. The winged creature was gone as soon as it appeared. She bent and took the parchment in hand.
Zero
1 Catumagos, Main Street
Segondum City
Masanori Himi
Kiryuin Academy
Municipality of Kawazoe
To Masanori Himi of Kiryuin Academy,
It is with great joy that I inform you of my impending return. The chronicle with which you have tasked me to receive is now in my possession. You have given me permission to peek, which I did. I must confess that I do not understand much of it as I do not share your educational attainments. However, I will say that the pictures were very interesting. I spied a map of what used to be the land of my unified elven ancestors before the kingdom forces spread propaganda of us being barbarians and separated us according to those who were in agreement of their ruling and those who were not.
My elven tribe was greatly resistant to these colonizing forces, and thus retained most of the indigenous culture. Unfortunately, due to the carriage’s shaking, I could not comprehend a single word of the succeeding paragraph over the ominous rumbling of my stomach. You and your brother are elves as well, yes? I would like to hear more of your history.
Over the course of my trip, I remembered your clever, stubborn attitude towards favors. I must emphatically insist that there is no need to “repay” me for this. ‘Tis by my own will that I decided to help with your academic pursuits. My liege, you have shown this dishonored warrior more respect and hospitality than he deserves. You put a roof over my head when I was but a wandering renegade on the streets, despite your own humble means. I would like to visit more often, but I fear incurring the wrath of your brother. He is still tangled in the misunderstanding of our time sleeping together on the same bed.
You will, then, not be surprised that I dared not send this to your home address. Thus, this letter of mine will have to pass through the channels of Kiryuin Academy, so forgive me for not prefixing your name with ‘dear’. I have heard that the administration practices strict censorship rules and will peek at the header to get a gist of what the letter is about. Rest assured that very few have earned the salutation more than you. If I had the capacity to write casually, this letter would begin with 'Dear Masanori Himi'.
During my brief visit to the kingdom capital, I visited many places and browsed many stalls. Courtesy of my own finances, I could only buy so many things. I made a valiant attempt to buy accessories that you and your brother might like. For you I bought three quill pens which were of average quality, since higher quality pens are for finer work and more precise handwriting which, I will respectfully say, you seem to care not for. For your brother I bought a torc necklace. I hope it will abate his discomfort towards me.
It has taken me a week to compose this letter, for I keep stopping in between hours of writing. You understand that I hesitate to speak lightly, fearing I will regret my words. Epistles allow me space to think, such that my words cannot be misunderstood. Unfortunately, I shall have to send this soon, for I am quickly running out of ink. It will be a week until I return.
I shall see you soon.
Zero