These are the letters between a Research and a Bard who haven't seen each other in many moons.
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Rihxo,
I hope this letter gets to you, for I am unsure if my sources are even correct. You are in Ishgard? What are you doing there? How long have you been there? If it were up to me, i would go there and find you, but it isn't. Much has happened and I have barely the time to step away from my work.
I am fine in case you were wondering. Things could be better, but everything is starting to return to normal the way things use to be. I have made great strides in my Aether research and it's thanks to new information I have access to. Recently, I've had a Raen come to me seeking my aid. I can't go into detail for the patience's privacy, but I can certainly say that her coming to me has helped my research greatly. I actually helped this woman before when her lover was in need of healing, i'm surprised she even remembered me.
Enough of that, i'm sure the talk of Aether bores you, forgive me. It has been so long since we've seen each other and I wished I had noticed sooner. I'm sorry, i'm sorry for not trying harder to look for you, or contact you. Gods I hope what my sources are true. I also hope some of it isn't, but I digress. Please, I hope this gets into your hands soon.
--Nanagi
PS. You still have my circlet, I miss it greatly.
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She folded the parchment up and sealed it away into an envelope. She set it on her desk . just like she had forgotten about a lot of things, she almost forgot her circlet. Perhaps it was a good thing, a sign that she was moving on.
The letter would be delivered the morning of the next sun.
Nanagi,
I guess your sources - whoever they are - are right. I'm out in Ishgard right now, trying to make myself... stronger. Someone worthy of your time. Of everyone's time, I guess. I've explained this to you before, how I want to be more than I am. I'm just working on it now. I've been here for about a week. Don't come looking for me. If I'm going to be honest, I don't want to see you, or anyone really. It's nothing personal, I promise.
It's good to hear your work's coming along nicely, though I can't really say I understand it very well. I'm no good at aether and stuff. I'm good at looking pretty at least, right? In any case, just know that I'm happy that things are looking back up for you. Maybe things will look up for both of us soon. That'd be nice, wouldn't it?
I miss how things were when we first met.
It's okay that you didn't come and look for me. I didn't really expect anyone to. I mentioned it offhandedly, so I guess I was just kind of hoping you guys would notice I was gone. Like I said earlier, please don't come looking for me. I need this. Some time alone. To train, to become better. I'll be back soon.
Much love. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone.
--Rihxo
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Along with the letter is a package, containing the circlet.
Rihxo,
Someone worthy of my time? Rihxo, you never had to worry about that. It's something you shouldn't have to worry about. Rihxo, you're sounding like me and I don't like that. Remember what happened when I isolated myself? I got myself too worked up over my training that I forgot what my real goal was -- to protect you.
You've become stronger since the day we first met and I can safety say that you've come a long way. What of your brothers and sisters? What of Valen and the people here at Arcadeus? Didn't you think what effect you leaving them behind would have?
It's been rough, I wont lie. Despite my attempts, I can't seem to ever grasp a normal life. Every time I do, I either find myself getting knocked unconscious by a Xaela, dealing with the Void, or having to keep a crystal safe. I'm focusing on my Aether research now, and hopefully I can focus on this and not have to worry about the adventures that I don't want -- that I don't want to seek out.
When you did make mention of all of this, it didn't quite click until I walked into the Arcadeus building and notice that everyone except you was greeting me. So much has happened that I didn't fully remember what you told me. We are both at fault here. You mentioned it passing and I didn't catch it. At least I was able to contact you in the first place.
Please, continue sending these letters. I'm worried, and I know I shouldn't be.
--Nanagi
Nanagi,
I know that's how you feel about it all, but I want to be strong like you are. Like Valen, and everyone at Arcadeus. I'm simple. I shoot a bow and look pretty - that's it. I want to be more than just that. I don't need you to protect me, because I want to be someone who can really protect myself.
I know that I've come a long way from when I first started, but I feel that I have a long way to go after it all. My siblings already know that I'm gone, and they're able to handle themselves anyway. Valen and the people at Arcadeus probably won't even notice I'm gone, honestly. I didn't - and still don't - have a huge presence there.
Some people really aren't destined for a normal life. I think part of your problem is that you're getting in with the wrong people. People like Lord or whatever his name is - I never trusted him from the start, and how he started hurting you... I don't know. I didn't like it.
It doesn't really matter, though, in the end. I think what's important is that you have people that I know you can trust to help keep you safe. I don't like to say it, but I heard Adelaide was joining Arcadeus, too. She's smarter than she lets on, so I guess go to her if you need help with your research, or anybody there. Who knows. My bets are that you can find her in Valen's lab.
You need to stop worrying about me so much. I'm fine. It's just training, and I'm not really alone. I've got other people here with me. Sorry if these letters come slowly - you know how it can be with Ishgard and whatnot.
Much love.
--Rihxo
Rihxo,
If that is how you see it, then fine. I know that nothing I say will persuade you into coming back. I hate to face reality, but it's true. Just be careful and don't do something stupid.
Like shoot my patient in the arm.
I don't want to know the details, I don't need to know. However, while you are alone, I would like to think you wouldn't go around shooting people with a gun!
With me being here at Arcadeus, I can get away from a past that would better be forgotten. I don't regret all of the decisions I've made, but I will admit -- I could've done better.
You know how I feel about Adelaide, what makes you think I would go to her? I would rather have someone who may not know much about my research or situation, but is someone I can trust. Rihxo, I trust you. No matter what, you'll help me in whatever way you can. I don't want Adelaides help, I don't trust her enough to ask.
It's difficult to not worry when you start talking like this and distancing yourself, Rihxo. This isn't you.
--Nanagi
Nanagi,
Stupid things are at least half of what I do, but I promise I'll try my best to be careful. I'll try to avoid falling, at least. If anything, I'll just seduce some poor Elezen to follow me around and make sure I don't fall and die, eh?
Okay, okay, I know you don't want details, but all I'm going to say is that shot was completely in self defense. To be fair, I did attack her friend - I'll take the blame for that because I did shoot him directly in the gut - but you know, he did kind of tell me to, and... ugh, it's a long story. What matters is that Kanako hit me first, after I shot Feine her friend.
What matters is that you can learn from your decisions, if they're wrong or right, you know? It can't hurt. Unless what happened to make you learn it did hurt and then it'll hurt pretty bad. And then you'll have scars and stuff and geez am I seriously rambling on this paper?
I know how you feel about her and all, but if everybody there can trust her - Valen too - then I guess she can't be all bad. Then again, you know I trust too easily. Maybe I'm putting my guard down for nothing. Who knows what tricks she has in that coat of hers? She totally stole her look from me, by the way. I'm calling her on it when we next meet.
It may not be who you really want me to be, but I think this is the direction I need to go. If being alone for a bit is what it takes, I think it's worth it. I think being alone for once might actually do me a bit of good. People are always bugging me, you know?
But not you. Never you, really.
Much love.
--Rihxo
Rihxo,
This is seriously a 'he started it' argument? I get it, he challenged you; however, that doesn't mean you actually do it just so you can be right, or whatever you were trying to prove. You didn't think about the consequences that likely would've headed your way.
Just like you said, what matters is that you learn from your mistakes. I would like to hope you can learn from this one. I should know what it means to learn from your mistakes, for I have made plenty.
With Adelaide being here, I can only imagine it's because Valen is here. I find it highly unlikely she would talk to people she would see as 'beneath her' unless that situation demanded it. I think everyone only trusts her because she knows Valen - that's it.
Just don't isolate yourself completely, okay? Having little to no contact with anyone can really mess with you. I'm fortunate that these letters are getting to you and that you're actually replying to them. Thank you.
--Nanagi