[Matthias is saved from his genuine confusion by the fact that he recognizes Athessa's handwriting. He keeps the letter folded up in a drawer in one of the cupboards in his office, so he can take it out and read it over again--which he does, nearly four times in the next few days.
Even knowing what this is, even thinking of Athessa, it is still strange to read your sister at the bottom of the letter. He rubs his thumb against the words once when his hand is wet from washing up, and the ink blurs and blots.
Eventually, he writes an answer.]
Dear Margot,
I am Gladde to have a place, to which letters can be sent. I have, already, missed you, Very Much. Mother and Father are well. They are getting along very well, theese days. They also miss you, Very Much.
I will think of M.-- [even in a letter he can't write Marcus, is she mad] --for a Teacher but, I am waiting for my other Teacher to return. I am Hope Full that I will see him soon. I am studying very hard and I think, that, any one would be Happy to teach me, if I but aske.
The weather here is growing to be very nice, I like being outside because, I do not have to wear as many laiers but, the Sun does make my skin burn. This is most in the Summer but, if I am not care full, the Sun will burn now as well.
I think that you should put Plants for decorations, on your balcony. When the flowers bloom and die, you can hang them inside, then. Your flat sounds very lovely. You have describe well, and, I feel that I can neerly see it myself. It helps to think of you in a place like you have described.
I Hope that you will write to me again, very soone. I know that you are busy. I Hope that cleaning the flue and sweeping was not difficult and, that you did not make too big of a Mess, in your flat.
I do miss you, and I hope you are Very Well, and Happy, and not in any trouble at all, except, the Good sort.
With love and affection, Matthias (your brother)
[The parenthetical is because he adds the pronoun after thinking far too hard about it.]
[ This letter is folded much the same way as the first, but the ink is a deep blue and when Matthias opens the parchment, a few pale pink blossoms slip free from where they've been tucked away. They're pressed apple blossoms, which provides a hint to what is contained inside the small parcel that accompanies the letter. ]
Dear Matthias,
I have started to collect plants for the balcony, like you suggested. I wish I could show it to you. I found a perfectly good chair that someone was going to throw away and have put it out with the plants and put a cushion on it to make it more comfortable. It is nice to be able to surround myself with flowers and the like and pretend I am not in a city.
Since my last letter the apple trees have started to bloom, so I pressed some of the blossoms for you. They smell almost like roses, but not as strong. A pretty girl with straw-colored hair noticed me picking some of the blossoms off a tree and told me that the blossoms can be dried to make a light, refreshing tea, perfect for springtime (le printemps, in Orlesian). I have not tried it yet, but I am sending half a pound of dried apple blossoms for you to try, too. If you do not like them, I won't mind if you give them to someone else. I will be meeting with that girl again soon and she said she will show me how to make a sweet jelly with them, too.
I hope you are able to enjoy the warmer weather without burning too badly. Rice bran and jasmine may be able to help, though I think jasmine is used to soothe a burn more than prevent it. I think I might have to start doing something like that myself; my skin is darker than yours and does not burn as easy, but I have been spending a lot of time standing (or sitting) in the sun while I play music and sing for coin. Not many people stop to listen early in the day, but in the evening it seems they have run out of excuses and they will listen longer, and even talk to me about the music. Other people are not so nice.
How are your studies going? (I had far less trouble reading your handwriting than the last time I tried.) I was able to exchange a few messages with your teacher recently. It seems he has a long assignment very far away. But you spoke true in your letter; anyone would gladly teach you if you ask. Will you ask?
What about work? I know you will continue to do well, but I worry when I cannot be there to support you. I hope your efforts are well appreciated. Let me know if Mother and Father need me to send money back to help with taking care of the rest of the family. I miss you.
Affectionately, Margot
P.S. One thing I have not been able to get here is the turtle-bread that they sell in the market district in Kirkwall. Someday when you are in the city early enough, you should get some for yourself when it is fresh and warm and enjoy it in my stead.
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timeasmymeasure
!!!!
Date: 2021-04-07 01:06 am (UTC)Even knowing what this is, even thinking of Athessa, it is still strange to read your sister at the bottom of the letter. He rubs his thumb against the words once when his hand is wet from washing up, and the ink blurs and blots.
Eventually, he writes an answer.]
Dear Margot,
I am Gladde to have a place, to which letters can be sent. I have, already, missed you, Very Much. Mother and Father are well. They are getting along very well, theese days. They also miss you, Very Much.
I will think of M.-- [even in a letter he can't write Marcus, is she mad] --for a Teacher but, I am waiting for my other Teacher to return. I am Hope Full that I will see him soon. I am studying very hard and I think, that, any one would be Happy to teach me, if I but aske.
The weather here is growing to be very nice, I like being outside because, I do not have to wear as many laiers but, the Sun does make my skin burn. This is most in the Summer but, if I am not care full, the Sun will burn now as well.
I think that you should put Plants for decorations, on your balcony. When the flowers bloom and die, you can hang them inside, then. Your flat sounds very lovely. You have describe well, and, I feel that I can neerly see it myself. It helps to think of you in a place like you have described.
I Hope that you will write to me again, very soone. I know that you are busy. I Hope that cleaning the flue and sweeping was not difficult and, that you did not make too big of a Mess, in your flat.
I do miss you, and I hope you are Very Well, and Happy, and not in any trouble at all, except, the Good sort.
With love and affection,
Matthias (your brother)
[The parenthetical is because he adds the pronoun after thinking far too hard about it.]
Several days later...
Date: 2021-04-18 09:52 pm (UTC)Dear Matthias,
I have started to collect plants for the balcony, like you suggested. I wish I could show it to you. I found a perfectly good chair that someone was going to throw away and have put it out with the plants and put a cushion on it to make it more comfortable. It is nice to be able to surround myself with flowers and the like and pretend I am not in a city.
Since my last letter the apple trees have started to bloom, so I pressed some of the blossoms for you. They smell almost like roses, but not as strong. A pretty girl with straw-colored hair noticed me picking some of the blossoms off a tree and told me that the blossoms can be dried to make a light, refreshing tea, perfect for springtime (le printemps, in Orlesian). I have not tried it yet, but I am sending half a pound of dried apple blossoms for you to try, too. If you do not like them, I won't mind if you give them to someone else. I will be meeting with that girl again soon and she said she will show me how to make a sweet jelly with them, too.
I hope you are able to enjoy the warmer weather without burning too badly. Rice bran and jasmine may be able to help, though I think jasmine is used to soothe a burn more than prevent it. I think I might have to start doing something like that myself; my skin is darker than yours and does not burn as easy, but I have been spending a lot of time standing (or sitting) in the sun while I play music and sing for coin. Not many people stop to listen early in the day, but in the evening it seems they have run out of excuses and they will listen longer, and even talk to me about the music. Other people are not so nice.
How are your studies going? (I had far less trouble reading your handwriting than the last time I tried.) I was able to exchange a few messages with your teacher recently. It seems he has a long assignment very far away. But you spoke true in your letter; anyone would gladly teach you if you ask. Will you ask?
What about work? I know you will continue to do well, but I worry when I cannot be there to support you. I hope your efforts are well appreciated. Let me know if Mother and Father need me to send money back to help with taking care of the rest of the family. I miss you.
Affectionately,
Margot
P.S. One thing I have not been able to get here is the turtle-bread that they sell in the market district in Kirkwall. Someday when you are in the city early enough, you should get some for yourself when it is fresh and warm and enjoy it in my stead.