Box of oranges and Letter to the Hourglass Inn addressed to Coatleque Crofte.
Dear Cici,
I dare hope you are taking a break from such royal duties you have upon your charge and are spending more time under Lady Momodi's hospitality. I know you enjoy fruits and have procured some of the best from the last harvest. I dare say as the season turns it shall be time to enjoy the bounty of squash and apples and the colors are so vivid that surely the elements will be in good spirits.
Alas, I wish I could claim the same for Sir Iono. I have asked about him with some of the ranks in the Maelstrom, but they do not have any news upon the man. He has been in my mind much of late, like a turmoil of a summer storm with a small calm within the eye and I am coming to and from it.
I simply cannot draw my thoughts from him.
You recall the portrait? Though it is in storage, he was one of the first I went to for advice. I feel quite selfish about the incident now; though at first his reaction was attentive it was as if he was pulled away. He hastily left after acting quite peculiar, as if he was bothered by my request and had not the heart to say so. No, I cannot believe that; Oscare would not dismiss me so.
Has anyone else spoken of him or his condition? I went to check on his wellness after he was overwhelmed by rage. He was so apologetic and meek that my heart swelled with concern. Have you ever seen him without his makeup? Or his glasses? As if he tried to keep such knowledge away from Thaliak's own view there are scars, like cracks in a drying riverbed of silt, all across the area around his eyes.
Those eyes! Pray forgive me and my restless thoughts. They are violet. Rich and dark, much like his skin tone, but violet nonetheless. It was startling and all too familiar. While I am speaking of startling, he is quite tall. The other day I had to flip him over as he had broken his nose, and he is so much larger than I, the contrast of my hand upon his is quite easy to distinguish. Surely has his company not been close it would have been more work.
Speaking of his company, they must be very protective. For when I went to check upon him, their bartender had me leave after a short time. I feel as if an intruder when I walk by in the Goblet and I view from afar. They must know something that is beyond me; something Oscare has told them of my person.
I must have wounded this man; I am lost on how to ask for forgiveness for my ignorance, but each time I have seen him since he has vanished. The last time I was, in truth, quite happy. He had surprised me, covering my eyes as I watched one of the brawls outside of the Jewel, and though I was taken aback at first I was overjoyed as I heard the warm confidence of Oscare's voice. His hands are rough, and it is as if he realizes such, for he kept them away from my eyes just far enough while blocking my sight. We spoke briefly, and then, he fled apologizing over and over.
What am I to do? I have since written his family of my concerns. Per chance if I continue to apologize then he will think greater of me. Pray that is another selfish thought; surely he has his reasons. I more wish for his head to be held high and to show that confidence I grew so fond of. If I leave him be, shall he flourish?
Thaliak hides such answers from me. I do miss you, Cici, and speaking through the night. I shall keep you in my thoughts and hopefully find peace in them.
Be safe and well,
Jancis
Dear Cici,
I dare hope you are taking a break from such royal duties you have upon your charge and are spending more time under Lady Momodi's hospitality. I know you enjoy fruits and have procured some of the best from the last harvest. I dare say as the season turns it shall be time to enjoy the bounty of squash and apples and the colors are so vivid that surely the elements will be in good spirits.
Alas, I wish I could claim the same for Sir Iono. I have asked about him with some of the ranks in the Maelstrom, but they do not have any news upon the man. He has been in my mind much of late, like a turmoil of a summer storm with a small calm within the eye and I am coming to and from it.
I simply cannot draw my thoughts from him.
You recall the portrait? Though it is in storage, he was one of the first I went to for advice. I feel quite selfish about the incident now; though at first his reaction was attentive it was as if he was pulled away. He hastily left after acting quite peculiar, as if he was bothered by my request and had not the heart to say so. No, I cannot believe that; Oscare would not dismiss me so.
Has anyone else spoken of him or his condition? I went to check on his wellness after he was overwhelmed by rage. He was so apologetic and meek that my heart swelled with concern. Have you ever seen him without his makeup? Or his glasses? As if he tried to keep such knowledge away from Thaliak's own view there are scars, like cracks in a drying riverbed of silt, all across the area around his eyes.
Those eyes! Pray forgive me and my restless thoughts. They are violet. Rich and dark, much like his skin tone, but violet nonetheless. It was startling and all too familiar. While I am speaking of startling, he is quite tall. The other day I had to flip him over as he had broken his nose, and he is so much larger than I, the contrast of my hand upon his is quite easy to distinguish. Surely has his company not been close it would have been more work.
Speaking of his company, they must be very protective. For when I went to check upon him, their bartender had me leave after a short time. I feel as if an intruder when I walk by in the Goblet and I view from afar. They must know something that is beyond me; something Oscare has told them of my person.
I must have wounded this man; I am lost on how to ask for forgiveness for my ignorance, but each time I have seen him since he has vanished. The last time I was, in truth, quite happy. He had surprised me, covering my eyes as I watched one of the brawls outside of the Jewel, and though I was taken aback at first I was overjoyed as I heard the warm confidence of Oscare's voice. His hands are rough, and it is as if he realizes such, for he kept them away from my eyes just far enough while blocking my sight. We spoke briefly, and then, he fled apologizing over and over.
What am I to do? I have since written his family of my concerns. Per chance if I continue to apologize then he will think greater of me. Pray that is another selfish thought; surely he has his reasons. I more wish for his head to be held high and to show that confidence I grew so fond of. If I leave him be, shall he flourish?
Thaliak hides such answers from me. I do miss you, Cici, and speaking through the night. I shall keep you in my thoughts and hopefully find peace in them.
Be safe and well,
Jancis
![[Image: hpThOka.png]](http://i.imgur.com/hpThOka.png)
