RP:Letters
Letter between Haakon in Vailkrin and Cesaria in Cenril
Only three days had passed since Haakon had last seen Cesaria when a plump envelope arrived at his place of business. Tucked inside was a folded bill for door repair and a short note written in her elongated, sloping penmanship. The letter began with a famous greeting from a fictional letter in Haakon’s favorite novel.
A thousand greetings, etc.
You were right about the book. I read it in two days, unable to leave my apartment, which has been awfully drafty since your incident with the door. I finally got around to fixing it before the cold took me. I’m sure the heating bill will give me a fright as great as this novel.
Though today I miss the broken door. Each time it banged in the wind, I thought it might be you coming to me. Nearly went as mad as Nathaniel when he saw Clara in the spyglass^.
Thinking of you,
Cesaria
^Another reference to Haakon’s favorite novel, to its two main characters and a major plot point.
Haakon received Cesaria's letter only a day after he’d made arrangements to strong arm her into better living quarters. Ever the masochist, the vampire made himself wait, tending work he’d long been distracted from and meetings with clients, until the end of his work hours to open it. On his third read he’d poured himself a glass of blood laced wine, after the fourth, he sat about writing back.
Cesaria,
If it pleases you, I could spend several lifetimes apologizing for the door and the draft. I’d never forgive myself if you catch your death due to my severe negligence. Allow me to start my apologies by accepting the gifts that should arrive with this letter.
And I should hope you’d not go quite as mad, though in truth you must have already been touched to desire the company of one such as myself. Do write again when you feel your temper has softened toward me as I assume not all of my gifts will be so welcome.
Yours,
Haakon
The letter would arrive two short nights after she’d sent her own along with a large box. Inside there was a golden key, coin for more than the bill described, and beautifully bound copy of the book with the short inscription: To Cesaria, I’m disturbed and delighted that this is the first of my collection of favorites that you’ve chosen to enjoy. I’ll see to it that it’s not the last. Haakon
To make good on this, the box was filled with several other books from his collection. The man who delivers this package would also be accompanied by a moving crew, who might argue with Cesaria if she tries to dissuade them from gathering her belongings, firm on the orders to escort her to a new, more spacious accommodation in the wealthy, considerably safer district of Cenril. A place where there were no dockmen or walking corpses.
The movers were delighted to collect a half day’s labor for absolutely no work. Cesaria had lived out of a suitcase ever since she fled her mother’s home under a curse affixed to her soul by a powerful hatred. She read the letter several times and gently caressed the books that he had held countless times.
Dearest Haakon,
It would please me very much. So much so that I beg you to come break my new, gilded door and apologize again. Thank you for the gifts, all of them. Though my new apartment’s walls look quite bare. Which artist do you recommend I hang on these tall walls?
And, Sir, if I am touched, it is only by your hand that I have gone delirious.
Yours expecting,
Cesaria
Before Haakon could respond, a second envelope arrived. Folded inside he would find a flyer for the Titans of Winter Tournament in Frostmaw and a second letter.
Dearest,
I have been looking into new ways to rid you of the hex hounds’ curse. There is a lead in a city called Frostmaw. Have you heard of it? Shortly after discovering the lead I found this flyer. The coincidence is quite auspicious, don’t you agree?
What say you to following up on my lead in Frostmaw and perhaps attending some of the tournament matches together? The current champion is from your hometown. Do you know him? Maybe he can help us get better seats.
Yours,
Cesaria
A short profile on the current Titan of Winter, a vampire from Vailkrin, adorns the back of the flyer.
Haakon would have lied through his fanged teeth before admitting he waited a bit anxiously for his letter to be returned. It was in his experience that his need for control and efficiency was sometimes met without much enthusiasm… And this oftentimes confused the immortal, as humans had such a short blink of life after all. Why shouldn’t he make things simple? Why shouldn’t they be grateful? And so he was pleased, and surprised, to find Cesaria had found his gifts to her liking. Again, he filed this away and enjoyed working together the puzzle of her. Grinning, he tucked himself behind his desk and penned another letter.
Darling Cesaria,
How unfortunate that I have business here to attend and will be unable to invite myself inside your home again to correct the state of your unbroken door. Perhaps it will bring you some small pleasure to know I am counting the seconds until I’m free again to wantonly destroy your property and your peace.
It pleases me that the gifts found you well. As I still have a lifetime’s worth of apologizing to do, I’ll send another start with this letter. Though I haven’t seen the walls, I think my eye might have caught a few pieces of art that are to your taste.
Eternally,
Haakon
Like his last letter, this one arrived with another box. Inside there were delicately packaged paintings. It was clear he’d listened intently to her even as he’d trailed kisses over her face, as the paintings captured movement and motion and dramatic light. He’d written small notes on each one. Where’d collected them and what he knew of the artist. How they'd moved him and why. On one in particular, a dancer twisting in sunlight with a flare of white skirts and a waterfall of dark curls, Haakon wrote: “A personal favorite, it was a small pain to part with.”
Haakon was surprised and pleased to receive another letter so soon after sending his own. He opened it hurriedly. Then paced the wide floor of his office as he reread the lines. Considered. Plotted.
Cesaria,
I’m endeared that you’re researching the curse for me. The coincidence could perhaps be promising if only I knew personally the last Champion. Still, I think my meager means would be sufficient enough to secure us seats in the nosebleeds. Or perhaps we could share? As I am undead, the cold isn’t much of a problem for me but I do hope you’ll bring a coat.
Yours,
Haakon
Underneath the letter he wrote a time and date.
Each day grew achingly long for the mortal to whom time was still a precious commodity. Cesaria chafed under the weight of her longing. She felt foolishly romantic and loved every second of that absurd feeling because it was he who has elicited this dream with his words, gifts, and affection.
Finally a letter arrived. Equal parts embarrassed and besotted, Cesaria read his words three times and admired the gorgeous, personally curated paintings. She sat at her vanity immediately and drafted a response, but the words failed to capture what was written on her heart. She tossed the first draft, then the second, then the third. She slept on it, and the following day received a second letter before she had replied to the first.
Beloved,
It is a small pleasure indeed, but one that cannot satisfy me for long. Each day I grow increasingly eager for the greater pleasure of your company. Would it be wicked of me to hope you lose your count and come to me quickly to reset the seconds until the next time we meet?
The paintings are perfect, thank you. I look at them and am reminded of your wit and taste, which does little to quiet my impatience.
I’m glad you’ll come to Frostmaw! Now to find a coat. I doubt I have anything appropriate for that tundra, and by the look of it I’ll need two. One for the high-class setting of the colosseum, and one for the adventure that awaits us in the wilderness.
Restless and yours,
Cesaria