Post by Westley Roberts on Dec 7, 2017 23:33:09 GMT -5
My beloved Buttercup;
Please believe that I sped this to you the very moment I learned the portals had been properly repaired (the day after I arrived, as it turns out. Doesn't that figure?). I know how anxiously you've been waiting on word of my arrival, especially considering what happened the last time I traveled alone. You have nothing to fear. I am well, and the journey was not even so much as slightly taxing. Knowing the way these things tend to work at home, you probably won't receive this until December, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it? I hope you've kept from overworrying on my account.
Everything here is back to normal now, although that certainly wasn't the case when I first arrived. The war seemed to have done something to both the campus and Trenale, as if more time had passed here than the ten years since you and I were sent home. Many suggest a hundred. It makes no sense, which means it must be true. It would certainly be in keeping with the erratic passage of time endured by everyone else. Some have been away ten years, the same as you and I; for others, it's been seven, five, or practically no time at all. Even if you asked every person who's returned, it would be impossible to find a common answer. In a way, it's comforting that nothing has changed in the way things work, I suppose. I doubt any of us would have a clue how to react if this place suddenly began behaving by natural law.
I've found Della, you'll be glad to know. Alyss as well. Yes, I've given them your best, I promise, and they both say hello back to you. Alyss has had the baby. She's seven now, and the very image of her mother. Victoria, but they call her Tori. I can't help but think that she and Waverly would be the best of friends, if given the chance. I'll have to return and collect her for a visit soon (when things have calmed, and I can be sure she'd never leave my sight, of course). Beyond that, Alyss is now Queen of Wonderland, and is doing beautifully. I must admit I'm jealous of Wonderland. Perhaps if she ever tires of the scenery, she can come and annex Florin. What I'd give to see Humperdinck deposed. But I digress.
Della's news is far less celebratory. She's done well for herself personally—she's in good health, she's become a private investigator, and these days she mans the library—but apparently, she and Panic had become engaged before the war separated everyone. She lived ten years without closure, and returned to find that Panic had promised her to Hades without her consent. We're doing our best to contain the situation now, the three of us. We have yet to examine what on earth Panic could have been thinking, and there doesn't yet seem to be any foreseeable way to free her from an eternity in the underworld. But I believe wholeheartedly that there must be a solution hiding somewhere. Needless to say, I'll have to remain here until we discover it. Leaving things as they are is not an option whatsoever. I know you understand, and I'm grateful for that. I'll tell her you're rooting for her as well.
With Hades here, I can't stress enough that our decision for me to return alone was the correct one. Please, stay where you are. Don't think of joining me, at least for the time being. I'll be of far more help here as long as I know that you're safe and sound where I left you. I'll be all right, myself, but I'd go mad if I thought you were in any danger of crossing his path. You don't know the favor you do me by staying put. Rely on Inigo and Fezzik for protection from Humperdinck if he tries to pester you in my absence; he's afraid enough of them that he'll keep away.
Not every update is as bleak as Hades's presence. There is plenty good to be found here, don't worry. I've been named to the faculty as the new fencing instructor, for one thing. And the girls have graciously invited me to live with them for as long as I'm here (I know you know them far too well to ever object), so I don't need to concern myself with a second residence. Both Alyss and Della were thrilled at the news of Waverly. I promised them both they'll meet her in time. And Milo Thatch (had you ever met Milo Thatch? Wonderful young man) has been named headmaster, as opposed to another god or all-powerful narcissist. There is more promise now than there was ten years ago, at least.
I know more every day that returning to this place was precisely what I needed to do. I couldn't have arrived at a better time. The only downside is missing you, but I'd much rather endure it than the risks associated with the alternative. I have managed before, and we will manage again.
My love for you is more than all the grains of sand on all the beaches in the world.
Yours forevermore,
Westley
Please believe that I sped this to you the very moment I learned the portals had been properly repaired (the day after I arrived, as it turns out. Doesn't that figure?). I know how anxiously you've been waiting on word of my arrival, especially considering what happened the last time I traveled alone. You have nothing to fear. I am well, and the journey was not even so much as slightly taxing. Knowing the way these things tend to work at home, you probably won't receive this until December, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it? I hope you've kept from overworrying on my account.
Everything here is back to normal now, although that certainly wasn't the case when I first arrived. The war seemed to have done something to both the campus and Trenale, as if more time had passed here than the ten years since you and I were sent home. Many suggest a hundred. It makes no sense, which means it must be true. It would certainly be in keeping with the erratic passage of time endured by everyone else. Some have been away ten years, the same as you and I; for others, it's been seven, five, or practically no time at all. Even if you asked every person who's returned, it would be impossible to find a common answer. In a way, it's comforting that nothing has changed in the way things work, I suppose. I doubt any of us would have a clue how to react if this place suddenly began behaving by natural law.
I've found Della, you'll be glad to know. Alyss as well. Yes, I've given them your best, I promise, and they both say hello back to you. Alyss has had the baby. She's seven now, and the very image of her mother. Victoria, but they call her Tori. I can't help but think that she and Waverly would be the best of friends, if given the chance. I'll have to return and collect her for a visit soon (when things have calmed, and I can be sure she'd never leave my sight, of course). Beyond that, Alyss is now Queen of Wonderland, and is doing beautifully. I must admit I'm jealous of Wonderland. Perhaps if she ever tires of the scenery, she can come and annex Florin. What I'd give to see Humperdinck deposed. But I digress.
Della's news is far less celebratory. She's done well for herself personally—she's in good health, she's become a private investigator, and these days she mans the library—but apparently, she and Panic had become engaged before the war separated everyone. She lived ten years without closure, and returned to find that Panic had promised her to Hades without her consent. We're doing our best to contain the situation now, the three of us. We have yet to examine what on earth Panic could have been thinking, and there doesn't yet seem to be any foreseeable way to free her from an eternity in the underworld. But I believe wholeheartedly that there must be a solution hiding somewhere. Needless to say, I'll have to remain here until we discover it. Leaving things as they are is not an option whatsoever. I know you understand, and I'm grateful for that. I'll tell her you're rooting for her as well.
With Hades here, I can't stress enough that our decision for me to return alone was the correct one. Please, stay where you are. Don't think of joining me, at least for the time being. I'll be of far more help here as long as I know that you're safe and sound where I left you. I'll be all right, myself, but I'd go mad if I thought you were in any danger of crossing his path. You don't know the favor you do me by staying put. Rely on Inigo and Fezzik for protection from Humperdinck if he tries to pester you in my absence; he's afraid enough of them that he'll keep away.
Not every update is as bleak as Hades's presence. There is plenty good to be found here, don't worry. I've been named to the faculty as the new fencing instructor, for one thing. And the girls have graciously invited me to live with them for as long as I'm here (I know you know them far too well to ever object), so I don't need to concern myself with a second residence. Both Alyss and Della were thrilled at the news of Waverly. I promised them both they'll meet her in time. And Milo Thatch (had you ever met Milo Thatch? Wonderful young man) has been named headmaster, as opposed to another god or all-powerful narcissist. There is more promise now than there was ten years ago, at least.
I know more every day that returning to this place was precisely what I needed to do. I couldn't have arrived at a better time. The only downside is missing you, but I'd much rather endure it than the risks associated with the alternative. I have managed before, and we will manage again.
My love for you is more than all the grains of sand on all the beaches in the world.
Yours forevermore,
Westley
