Dear Flash | Sincerely, Evelynn PV Reopened

[font=century gothic]SENT: September 29, 2021
ADDRESSED: Flash
DELIVERY: Delivered at lunch by Janus[/font]

The Letter

Dear Flash,

It has been a while, no? It is hard to believe that we are already well into our third year. Sometimes it feels as though it was only last month that we were exchanging cryptic letters over the summer. I miss the challenge of deciphering those, admittedly. Perhaps it is good, though, in a way. With hope, that would mean there have been fewer happenings about the school.

In a way, I suppose it is partly this that leads me to write for you. Well, a few reasons, really. First and foremost, I would simply like to maintain a relationship. I know we have classes together on occasion, but rarely do I find it convenient to socialize during that time. I am sure you are of a mind that it is time that should be spent focussed on the subject at hand. Only, I have found that my spare time has been incredibly limited. I would like to blame my mother for that, but I suppose I have none but myself to blame for my electives; not to mention the added muggle studies I have chosen to accomplish throughout the year. They would normally be tasked to take place, condensed, over the course of the summer, you see. But I wanted to have mine free next year for once. As a result, I have had even less spare time than usual. I thought perhaps letters might help to bridge that gap.

My rambling aside, have you yet seen the posters around the school? Apparently there is to be another ball this fall, the foreign students returning once again. Samhain is to be the theme. I suppose in a way that's an improvement from the costume parties and masquerades. At the very least, anyone attempting to disguise themselves or maintain anonymity will draw attention.

That all aside, however, I find myself dwelling on the journal we all read in Hogsmeade last year. As far as I know, nothing horrid occurred at the Blossom Ball, nor over the summer, but then again, I seem to struggle to remember anything at all from the ball. Are you aware of anything? I saw Moore the other day. I thought he had left? The notes said he was dead. And Davenport as well. And after what we saw in the dungeons last year... I suppose I just feel as though there has been an odd lull with everything. That, or I have become sorely ignorant of everything. Do you feel the same?

Never-the-less, I intend to attend the coming event, the same as usual. I will be coming as prepared as I can, and maintain an eye out for trouble. I thought perhaps we could discuss it. Revisit the organization we had from first year, I suppose. Do write back soon.

Sincerely,
Evelynn

@Flash Holmwood

[font=Monotype Corsiva]Dearest Evelynn,

Bless you for checking in on me, this month has been a blur, I've nearly forgotten how nice it is to stop and catch up with friends. I wish more than anything that I could have the time to talk about school, dances, and hear about how you life is going. Perhaps it would be better if I pretended that everything were alright, maybe it would make us both happier. I hope you'll forgive me for spilling my guts when you already have so much on your plate.

At the start of the year, I was assaulted. It was my own damn fault for being alone, for not being prepared, but I can't move forward holding onto regrets. It was a boy going after Erin Ryan, his name was Jurgen Hess, if that's how you spell it. She was screaming at him to leave her alone, so I investigated. As it turned out, he was intending to kill her, before she did more harm, he said. Well, that knowledge did not come without a steep price.

Marion Davenport was with him, said they were both friends of Vladimir, that Hess had begun to take her to get her medicine. They tied I wasn't able to get away. She I was left alone with her, she carved

I'm sorry, the details aren't important. She is a hag, disguised to look like the Marion that Vladimir talked about in his diary, the one who died. I have a mark just like Thomas now, and that isn't all. She took my eye, and replaced it with another. I don't understand. I don't know why I'm still alive. I don't know what to do I can't find Thomas anywhere, I've been wanting to speak to him about it. I can't sleep Do you know what happened to him? Is he dead?

Sorry this letter is such a wreck. I don't have time to re-write it properly. I am also trying to stay on top of my studies, my spellcasting needs to improve. I'm nowhere near where I need to be. I'm sorry for troubling you. I should just burn it Please don't let it burden you too greatly. I only want to make sure you keep yourself away from that creature. Who knows what else she will do, walking around the castle freely as she does. Don't travel alone.

Thank you for reaching out,
[/font]

Dated: September 29th, 2021
OOC: I would like you to pass a DC15 wisdom check to decipher what has been scribbled out, if you desire to
@Evelynn Decipio

[font=century gothic]SENT: September 30, 2021
DELIVERY: Delivered to Flash at breakfast by Janus[/font]

A note

Athanatos' slanted nickname

[font=century gothic]SENT: September 30, 2021
DELIVERY: Delivered to Flash at lunch by Janus[/font]

The Letter

Q cocw imc riyd pmzbiiw ww xmeiaysa geiadw. Pvd V sxw qyen oryb toh zkb midhjob, Q
Alnkr G ih sb kypzt. I ne cgboiay rczz, rrjoyldnt qysz geglop iid rfdgzzll dyqb aoe oypln. Tuaxea caq kocuzd fg myth. Tuwbc pvs owol vjtuaxe adnpw dfm orrc dm Pjgfeoylz af xkp in I jsc yevrr. Hoppvpf A ryl yaewn rw cocw sr evs bnop.

Lvvrfzmzo if s ryo? Ohrq.. cfm vnq Zoqa? Wohfn wwp? A zsbi tdkr Lrmuvs. Lgep mte. V cocx aerdslo ohr mbem oo nku gn toh sbc wfal, ter pjw pgejl toh hyqadbyq lc iatrj dfio. Hbo ngl toh wcaike? Jzkr ldd fzo qit? Db lrc xmoswcqwms xfyu? Qo hnk lcmi nrsbjg v mbfdf vjw faxam ohr kdyzo os lrc gzae. Zkq bceew lcmi aaqdfqig faxam? Vrr qys iwlr ly kife hko mn ohvk xce zyr? A ucmk cvjmjqig osmi witb lrc ecy. Vx dfmt wnfdcl tohj owm aoe kykmohvfq rw yo jadf bce qgvja, rhl oysty tuwi zwohrj dm zzpysmc qo uadoqa dt usn y npnplsmv. Nceqslo ds gzo mvgy gzkr kjmrk dm udnq. Ter bcag kocun tbg yzddohk. Kll rhl qys? Cilrkc gb cacholmy tb to y ujmrfd mn xoanolqznpw?

S'k ajreq pmz ohr scqiplg gp oczsgayla. D'm gjigvb tb mxbmmsgsxb. Bce rfdgzz svleybdoa kocun sb kepzzay, sxb Q'h nbl otmi tuw ylm ohnl ryl oo rfnszz ig.

Sc dwm Lrkdpiigr, A rydzn'g kocv nitf yd pdm faxam gafl icim. Bhl S uqgl ygyi njr uaw yvy lrl imc fnbo sd Q ner zsk. Xzruszq bcif ac rpzie sdrmhpg ly pmklnuo fqh. Dvv cfm fifk imc? D srww rw mepsvj bcag togvb sbeo qwmt bx dpmid. Nfn ntzafw, dfqn iff'd y bmohtvc. Ujrr lryv vnllrgvb, I ewqpmo nbl ryddnt tocv vbyw dm acaew dfqn bhjncv rigz imc nobfop. Bcag qys pvvr tocv vlbfo gv ohvk. S ocdtr sqpmz, tugeep. Re fzysty nbl lc kvutzd ytjnr. Vyca vnltybg zlfw ulwr? Tuw zpwaefkypa?

Decryption for ease of moderation:

Reducio

I hope you will forgive my previous levity. Had I any idea what you had endured, I
Flash I am so sorry. I am sitting here, rereading your letter and entirely lost for words. Things had seemed so calm. There has been nothing since the trek to Hogsmeade as far as I was aware. Perhaps I had dared to hope it was over.

Davenport is a hag? They.. she and Hess? Bound you? A mark like Thomas. Your eye. I keep feeling the urge to ask if you are okay, but how could you possibly be after that. How did you escape? What did she say? Do the professors know? It has been nearly a month now since the start of the year. Has there been anything since? Are you able to make use of this new eye? I keep circling back onto the why. If they wanted your eye for something to do with the dolls, why would they bother to replace it unless it had a function. Scrying is the only that comes to mind. But that seems too obvious. And why you? Unless it happened to be a moment of convenience?

I'm sorry for the assault of questions. I'm trying to understand. The entire situation seems so surreal, and I'm not even the one that had to endure it.

As for Lestrange, I haven't seen sign of him since last year. But I will look for him and let you know if I see him. Perhaps this is their attempt to replace him. Did she kiss you? I seem to recall that being some sort of trend. And please, this isn't a trouble. More than anything, I regret not having been able to share this burden with you sooner. That you have been alone in this. I quite agree, though. We should not be caught alone. Does anybody else know? The professors?

q'z noeji, gb gjox eo y eudlr ly bmpmycl kll ezmrelcz ujw gg olketpg. a ggty ferh dfqf nhbjd zmpvufw s yu forhyqjqab tb vy gb edgul. s yu fjreq sd q zvdr sxw uvntncoq. lbi't jscrm ljue lskm oziay cmzet fbj wc, qg xohdn fiiz brwx yvljnr. ax dipo, i usfc vvbhgekpmf dmnyslqab tuw yrprms gzkr auz mhkd fiiz hhjd mz rqea csjtry ag lrga cjial.

s bqqi't rkmyxr. d teaob iay fnavcl. no sbeo nwvit fzo jmso, i ne xmb fprr ter q gciac cfm vitrfncl gj evlrcz xdly eo mz cjifgx kg zdnq, ter qg yiq fyr bnfe ugvb. qg aeyl vgsr vly lrc tvae jsc zmvig fmmimq jug gp km. v caiwx'r bbgd gzo nzbaefkypa, bill s pce bohrj crcqzngk gfw v orhkd. zzvygrl, ynmvga, javjwj. ohrq kpma'o ayd, lsb gj br zylmfo i psx'r mizn ewwcuozr zgcr ws hy pgxtmenagayla gcefw nygf. d cnf ccm bpt bx dfm rte yauc vbmmnd, sr'a wpsg gpd. qg yorkx'r nrzl eaqfb, v riyd ccm n nhnvyu qa ohr uypvrm os ei cgr, wug orcv v gobc, dfmez wvdv zm ajtuaxe buzrr. ekwjr ohnl sq trns gzo cgr vnq eypm zt sywon lrkrvnkrqbi. i qgx'r sajw jzi g pnqe vl. s bwa'o eiwx ivbr wuq cfm jvngwn kg rte, v vyl'b uvvr sxw ianwrjc. gb fzezk vgsr dt usznmazd owmycfz i jsc yv rvsl lkporo oauo fmfn izeyzqydzrv wc iay lrxd. g lbi't gzsls uz kawg. svyzsf zo uif kuglslo bi aa smr, pr navv rc bujutzd g enn tuw ylm jjrxaxe evoh gzo fitn bruksar d cnjob nbm mvkc czvi's jwvj-jrdnt. ad'q i zzsf.

krc lvy kvkc km va tusd ga jcag qys kni cndv gb. vo wnk wmzr gixw k bmzznggb'q svns vx imc nnk zw. dfiaf ybm pmz uzlcaxe ur gobc pmz gcozsc, g evgl gji rw nnk njysvq oob. a rydr iog tocv izrl mccnhg lnlojg. fjreq sd q uvvr fyr jrzn uwvnnhg ia ei yvfreek.

Dated: October 2nd, 2021
@Evelynn Decipio

Decryption for ease of moderation:

Reducio

I'm sorry, it took me a while to decrypt and remember how to encrypt. I will keep this short because I am struggling to do it right. I am sorry if I made any mistakes. Don't waste your time being sorry for me, it could have been anyone. In fact, I have nightmares imagining the others that she must have hurt or even killed at this point.

I didn't escape. I tried and failed. At some point she left, I am not sure but I think she intended to either kill me or poison my mind, but it did not take hold. It felt like all the life was being sucked out of me. I haven't told the professors, only a few other students who I trust. Bridget, Opeila, Willow. They aren't all, but to be honest I can't even remember most of my conversations these days. I can see out of the eye like normal, it's just off. It doesn't feel right, I will see a shadow in the corner of my eye, but when I look, there will be nothing there. Maybe that is less the eye and more my sleep deprivation. I don't know why I have it. I don't even know why she wanted my eye, I don't have any answers. It seems like it happened because I was an easy target once Hess immobilized me and left. I don't think he knew. Unless he was putting on an act, he said he thought I was the one working with the hags because I cared for Miss Erin's well-being. It's a mess.

She did kiss me if that is what you can call it. It was more like a Dementor's kiss if you ask me. Thank you for helping me look for Thomas, I will try to ask around too. I have not been very useful lately. Sorry if I have not been helpful in my answers.

[font=century gothic]SENT: October 3rd, 2021
DELIVERY: Delivered to Flash at breakfast by Janus[/font]

The Letter

Gju qanl'b zspszc? Bcag kocun... ajxejtt shkzgkdohk. Nmv'o grl wc emoay, S'k dzrl yvyl toh'jo ytmitzd, zco I psx'r pzlc ter bciac cfm geg qys oj fbj k pmvsbf. Ppwh eiwbwbciay dfio I'iw lcmi aodo rw aiav, ryon aew fczt cnhkztz braxea. D hnno y pvrq lskm ohvfugvb suw gmcgd usfc uvdr s wgaoaxw yp jzea mxyjge gg mmuklrlo y akeyd dm nply wpdmxt. Nfn rpds rqo mn tohjc... G ljn'g lbsao ig. Lrga zngabc bciay wyszs zw dfqik bx caztiay ypjn. Wusd gn dt jsc jmns ntysb oaxaxe gjue wic, iid zgbc iwohl zjiitvfq rpzie ggl? Ecag ap rpzy psx qmz wusd wwp db lrpwpgu lryb zyr? Qys udgul rydz brwx rcmnrv slbj a fhi. Nmmhnhc wwp sugejl renj k niocu gfcz dt...Nfn Fmns vewmjdlvrob gju? Gzkr'a jdq.. A crqgl ewkjtt dbf'd ivjw jzkr bj mnco mn vly gp rpds. Cdoyaz trdv km df nfirpdnt wvqm yeiwvmxn, tugeep. Dn gzo kmvn gawc, Q ohvfu wwp sugejl wrvfq rpds hh dm i krbxoqajr nfn qmzk bmd Jmntesxem vs jwvj. Qi fnud, G bciac S uqgl ow dpgdnt ly qxzax osrp ciz sc umgl. Usfc gju fhyimi ag svj bj Rlsx? Upt wnk Rcan teqslo oo xavj pzr?

Decryption for ease of moderation:

Reducio

You didn't escape? That seems... awfully suspicious. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad you're alright, but I can't help but think she let you go for a reason. From everything that I've been able to find, hags are very capable beings. I have a hard time thinking she would have made a mistake or been unable to complete a spell to full effect. And this eye of yours... I don't trust it. This entire thing makes me think of scrying orbs. What if it was less about taking your eye, and more about planting their own? What if they can see what you do through that eye? You might have been turned into a spy. Perhaps you should wear a patch over it...And Hess immobilized you? That's odd.. I still really don't know what to make of all of this. Please tell me if anything else develops, though. In the mean time, I think you should bring this up to a professor and seek out Lestrange as well. In fact, I think I will be trying to speak with him as well. Have you spoken at all to Ryan? Why was Hess trying to kill her?

Q pnflkll rhl qys ejuyv lc apscamgwps, omd ntzafw crwk. I qgx'r sioj sxw ujrr lryv toh vy. G uvy agbkigll to fikpl ly rpzoeajc edtu qys, jpt gzsq ejuav sq bjo sjoqp. D dbf'd uiit gg slkvpnusrioe zqccta I ne kjzzaqq lyzzll sljm oo gzsls. Caiw cmuz slezybcy jgx'r gju, ugg uwplq qys nzey ap G ixchkob gju bx lcqig n kzw, pvvr qys iiy ewkqwi tb lrgvf tuac ga nozwdfqig n zke qn cnhkztz os? Ekwjz ig'k zmqnoaaxe uz, mnqlc Q'h af yyml vs qwkb, pvd lge rpjutzd mn ohnl?

S bwi't jsxr bj cbeo mn vs emnc in I isvsm tohj ppqznqkrgx, wug A kk igrrsnw io tuw oll jf zq bmxz, i swoj tdkr A'w mv ohr wnem jf n uvgna, lvco rpzrr ac y vjofw kpwpnq ei lmxk cmvjqig zw ngzzcgayltzsfdi g ih shxpmkvtvfq. G kvn'g zkllge gzsq iid csbbwi mr xyp ut drdkwmy rrhvw. Q xaa'l dytf aoger bcif sxwujrr. A klb zvrf dfqik. V vylb raal dm bmohtvc gju jadf mqeeqdfqig gzkr Q vm tgslo ohegeep vs V vyl'b raal klg kigq, lsb d cnfd jmo ybm zpmns gzsq iiy smbrpzr. cdoyaz uavopbnnnv. S'k ajreq.

Dated: October 9th, 2021
@Evelynn Decipio

Decryption for ease of moderation:

Reducio

I unstand why you would be suspicious, but please stop. I don't know any more than you do. I may normally be happy to theorize with you, but this wound is too fresh. I don't want to incapacitate myself I am already barely able to think. Have some sympathy won't you, how would you feel if I accused you of being a spy, have you any reason to think this is something a hag is capable of? Maybe it's poisoning me, maybe I'm as good as dead, had you thought of that?

I don't want to come of as rude as I value your friendship, but I am already at the end of my rope, i feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff, like there is a noose around my neck pulling me directionlessly i am suffocating. I can't handle this and pardon me for my delayed reply. I can't talk about this anymore. I ant even think. I dont want to trouble you with everything that I am going through as I don't want any pity, but i cant let you press this any further. please undertsnad. I'm sorry.

OOC: spelling mistakes are intentional

Q'h sbjbw njr zq vyao lrldcz, D nrnop acohdn fiqe fwxr qo. I qgx'r evng ly ncnh lge yevy, V focl kebhvc vjw zgbc bcaa wfcz. D hbho G ldd agd mnaeav, S yu iog eiqmgf ysdctt. Mnqlc Q nhbmvb kjvrj ww mte, V vyl'b fnbo. S'k nmitzdcvzd bx kjt ohr lrgvbs V vyl'b fnbo.

S yu neavslo ohvk lckvufw S fiy fvfkjtt rhf slbj Tugwya, ce jsc mvgy nokw io hbeo, lwo... drsn, mz vnllrgvb. Wr lkjszd sgb y eciyw, lsb naqdi G ljn'g cxme coj uyfmmeal S uin. Hr conb oaycslo vbbmd Qiitnjsm iid ugg qwhegzslo hal zktm cacholmy tb zop in wrdv. G nzey uykxgegwvw qidvkzmazd, V xoyz ohr ekps D wnk qgdzn usc pwwbrv wc wa a qwmcvo nvyrr'a mefl. Sr qn ekubskdagaxe bj eiwx qqo hrjo yvy teq dm emigw dfqn, I ne cm cneywcq. Qa ybm kpm vbyw, S jmvvr ad rw toh ly gvqeflseioe Fsxrimib osrp Ohbekq iid cwbfiks Ojsbozt. V lbsao tuww, cdzn Gzykin nbo. Xm uvtgwb upvt uw'c bwie, uw sq i qiplsk in mhur ya D az, sxb Q aerd mczoavf dfio hr oklbn tb wcaike gzsq vdgulwyzz af eeap vs nfi mn ps qg. Dfm catk rydz brwx uigkvfq yujnt mc yvy cbfdpwglvfq sa, vnq ly zm luvlo fwiefl S bwi't gjeqb vnl gp rpz pegpcanoek.

S'k ajreq S aii't ow yd ujrr zojx. D hbho wwp fbjqgdz mr xyp pjw V smrmy, aav sd Q yoa'l cszqiiw, S fwke lge pmheztop uz fbfnjg.

Dated: October 17th, 2021
@Evelynn Decipio

Decryption for ease of moderation:

Reducio

I'm sorry for my last letter, I never should have sent it. I don't want to push you away, I need people now more than ever. I hope I did not offend, I am not myself lately. Maybe I should cover my eye, I don't know. I'm frightened of all the things I don't know.

I am sending this because I had finally run into Thomas, he was only away at home, not... dead, or anything. We talked for a while, but sadly I don't know how coherent I was. He kept talking about Santario and how something may have happened to her as well. I feel completely indisposed, I fear the mark I was given has robbed me of a decent night's rest. It is excruciating to even sit here and try to write this, I am so useless. If you are able, I leave it to you to investigate Santario with Thomas and perhaps Bridget. I trust them, even Thomas now. No matter what he's done, he is a victim as much as I am, and I feel certain that he wants to escape this nightmare as much as any of us do. The hags have been walking among us and controlling us, and to be quite honest I don't trust any of the professors.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help. I hope you forgive me for how I acted, and if I don't survive, I hope you remember me fondly.

Dear Evelynn,

I'm here to talk about the festival, but I had been wanting to speak with you before that as well. I know our relationship has become strained, in no small part to how I behaved in our last letters. I wish I would have heeded your warning instead of throwing a fit, but I hope you will forgive me. It was hard to adjust after what happened in September. I can't say I handled it well. Burnett's punch may have knocked some sense into me, as I now regret pulling away from those who knew me best. I still don't know what to do, but at the very least I can't do anything without you.

I don't believe I've made it clear in the past, the last two years it always felt as though it didn't need to be said. You are someone I deeply respect, whose perspective I value like it were part of my own. Still, I let fear consume me, and didn't seek your guidance. You were right. Uvrvgx aii srw dfzjutz dfm zyr, lrczz if fy oczsgaylqig vl xme. Wueforb xoaxbmvoeq eo zmxahko G ldd fgwcbciay kjwie, fgwcbciay xm wie pgejl caiw ccmi, aav Wyzdoa zkb azea ad. I'm going to hide it now.

It is hard for me to have to endure such public vulnerability, something I had hated to imagine when you suggested it. Did you know Thomas is never coming back? They took him from school permanently. If things continue as they are now, he and I will both be nothing but a shell of who we used to be. He had compared it to purgatory. [optional: Wisdom check DC 20]

This letter isn't meant to coax you into action. It feels selfish, but I wanted to explain myself. Think of it as a belated effort to stay in your favor, once I realized the cost of losing you. I will of course accept if you feel I've become an unsuitable friend.

Great regards,

OOC: Delivered by an owlery owl around noon on April 9th.
@Evelynn Decipio
For ease of reading/moderation:

Reducio

Dear Evelynn,

I'm here to talk about the festival, but I had been wanting to speak with you before that as well. I know our relationship has become strained, in no small part to how I behaved in our last letters. I wish I would have heeded your warning instead of throwing a fit, but I hope you will forgive me. It was hard to adjust after what happened in September. I can't say I handled it well. Burnett's punch may have knocked some sense into me, as I now regret pulling away from those who knew me best. I still don't know what to do, but at the very least I can't do anything without you.

I don't believe I've made it clear in the past, the last two years it always felt as though it didn't need to be said. You are someone I deeply respect, whose perspective I value like it were part of my own. Still, I let fear consume me, and didn't seek your guidance. You were right. [IN CODE] Marion can see through the eye, there is no questioning it now. Burnett confronted me because I did something alone, something no one could have seen, and Marion had seen it.[/CODE] I'm going to hide it now.

It is hard for me to have to endure such public vulnerability, something I had hated to imagine when you suggested it. Did you know Thomas is never coming back? They took him from school permanently. If things continue as they are now, he and I will both be nothing but a shell of who we used to be. He had compared it to purgatory. If I

This letter isn't meant to coax you into action. It feels selfish, but I wanted to explain myself. Think of it as a belated effort to stay in your favor, once I realized the cost of losing you. I will of course accept if you feel I've become an unsuitable friend.

Great regards,
Flash

SENT: April 9, 2022
DELIVERY: Delivered to Flash before the Slytherin vs. Gryffindor quidditch match

A week had passed since the Midspring Festival, and though the events of that celebration still lingered on the mind, Evelynn had successfully pushed them to the backburner in favour of concentration for the final day of quidditch. She had done an excellent job of it as well until a school owl had sought her out on the pitch as she prepared for that afternoon's game. Curiosity had shifted to confusion as she had plucked the letter from the bird and opened it on the spot to reveal a familiar hand-writing. Let it be said it was good that she had still had both feet on the ground otherwise her attention may very well have lapsed, sending her on a careening path towards the ground without so much as any help from a bludger.

Stationary and transfixed, she had fallen into a world unto her own as her gaze travelled the page as though speed reading were a pasttime. For a second, she had thought to pocket the letter the moment she reached the coded segment, thinking she would revisit it at a later time to decode the message. But who was she kidding... That thought was dismissed the moment it had presented itself, feet already traversing the distance at a progressively increasing speed towards the locker room. Therein, she had flung open her locker in hasty search of a pencil and scrap pad to work it out, hands shaking with anticipation and perhaps even a touch of excitement.

To say that a weight had been lifted off her shoulders as she reread the then decoded letter would be an understatement. Any suspicion that she might have had that this was either trick or imposter was washed away. It was Flash. It just... was. Finally, he was speaking—writing—the words she longed to hear. He had acknowledged the strain on their relationship. Had admitted he had acted defensively with her warnings. Had asked her forgiveness. Had said he couldn't do without her.

Rare were the times that Evelynn felt sentimental or emotional. This would count as one of them. Fingers clutched tightly at the letter, lips pulling in over her teeth to press firmly together as she absorbed the words. Like a particularly touching moment of a favourite book's pivotal scene, she read his words over and again. Make no mistakes, Evelynn carried a confidence about her that many seemed to find intimidating. Assured and capable, she donned her competence like armour. Over her few years at school, she had lost nearly every individual with whom she had grown even marginally close.

Flash had been the worst of them. She had never called him friend. Not really. But in a way, he had been more than a friend could ever be. He'd been an intellectual equal, a conspiratorial partner, and a pillar of shared trauma. When she could rely on nobody else, she could rely on him. Until she couldn't. She hadn't even realized how much that relationship had meant to her until a tickle at the corner of her mouth had prompted her to lift a hand to swat away a fly and fingers had touched moisture instead. With a sniff, she wiped the heel of her hand across her cheeks, then set to penning a response.

Dear Flash,

I am sorry for not having responded to you before now. It is somewhat shameful to admit, but I did know know what to say or do. Perhaps if I had insisted or tried harder, then we would not have been in this situation in the first place. Of course I forgive you. Of course you are not an unsuitable friend. You were scared and uncertain. How can I fault you for that. For what it is worth, I think it is very brave what you did. In reaching out again, and in deciding to hide it. As for Lestrange, I hadn't been made aware as to exactly the reasons why, but I had noticed that he had been absent. I can only pray that it is an outcome you will be spared. You will be spared his outcome. We will figure it out together. Lestrange wanted release from it all. But as far as I could tell, he could not bring himself to trust anyone to help him. That was his undoing, I imagine. You, on the other hand, are reconnecting. Anyway, I realize that you said your letter was not meant to coax me in to action, but I could not leave it this time. Belated or otherwise, I am glad that you did write. I suppose the question now is where to go from here? I feel as though there is much upon which to catch up.

Affectionately,
Evelynn

p.s. Best of luck in our game shortly. Though I have no intention of allowing you to take to the skies.

Not to miss out on the opportunity, and feeling as though the letter might burn a hole through her bag should she hold onto it for any length of time at all (and also because she wasn't sure if she would even be conscious by evenfall), she would reattach the letter back to the school owl that had delivered it in the first place. Yes, the bird had exhibited exceptional patience in waiting for her to not only decipher the script, but also write a reply. Yes, she felt just a slight pang of jealousy knowing that her own Janus would have given up on her ages back requiring her to trek to the barn to solicit his services after such a wait. But nevertheless, the letter would soon be en route, to be delivered into the hands of the Slytherin immediately prior to that afternoon's match. Perhaps if he was particularly bored, he might have something to read while on the bench.

@Flash Holmwood

Dear Evelynn,
Thank you. It means a lot to me that you've responded, and forgiven me. I do not know what to expect from the future, but I would like to focus on hope and optimism. Knowing that you care about my fate makes it easier to keep fighting. I would like to think that you are right about sharing these things, as it is very easy to want to keep it to myself. I don't think anyone wants to be a burden, or the object of pity. I used to be so capable, and relying on others to compensate for me has made me want to disappear instead. I care about you all too much so much.

As for catching up, you may need to be more specific. Of course we both know now that your swift seeking skills had destroyed Slytherin's chances of competing with Ravenclaw. Not that I wouldn't have done the same in your position, your record of catches is making you the star Seeker of Hogwarts, you know? I hope I'll have a chance to compete with you on that, though I'm happy enough to still be allowed to play at all in my state.

Right now I am at my brother's flat in London. He said he would help me in purchasing a pet. I didn't think I would ever take that step to be quite honest, but I am looking forward to it now. Bridget's rat, Sherlock, is so small, clean, and well-behaved, I think it is an animal that would suit me as well. What do you think? I am hoping I will see your owl again, Janus. At this point I feel like I know him fairly well, with how often we exchange letters. Does he have a favorite treat that I could purchase? I will be sending this with Valerius' owl, who I don't know well. It sends letters to and from the Ministry, so I expect it to be professional at least.

I got an eye patch I can wear. I hate how everyone stares at me now. It's better than the thought of her seeing my life, my family, and so on. That is the only thing that is making this tolerable. I saw Marion at the last ball, maybe you saw her too? She arrived only then, so it makes me wonder, did she go to another school? That would explain why she showed up after having disappeared. She came to mock me about my eye, and I presume turn my friends against me. Burnett and I have talked since then, and I've talked to Willow, Eun-ji, and Sylvain as well. I don't know how well you know them all, but that is who knows the truth about my eye. I'll probably end up telling more people when I come back to school with his black spot on my face.
With love,

OOC: Delivered by Valerius' owl Fortuna after breakfast on April 10th.
Plain text for ease of moderation:

Reducio

Dear Evelynn,
Thank you. It means a lot to me that you've responded, and forgiven me. I do not know what to expect from the future, but I would like to focus on hope and optimism. Knowing that you care about my fate makes it easier to keep fighting. I would like to think that you are right about sharing these things, as it is very easy to want to keep it to myself. I don't think anyone wants to be a burden, or the object of pity. I used to be so capable, and relying on others to compensate for me has made me want to disappear instead. I care about you all too much so much.

As for catching up, you may need to be more specific. Of course we both know now that your swift seeking skills had destroyed Slytherin's chances of competing with Ravenclaw. Not that I wouldn't have done the same in your position, your record of catches is making you the star Seeker of Hogwarts, you know? I hope I'll have a chance to compete with you on that, though I'm happy enough to still be allowed to play at all in my state.

Right now I am at my brother's flat in London. He said he would help me in purchasing a pet. I didn't think I would ever take that step to be quite honest, but I am looking forward to it now. Bridget's rat, Sherlock, is so small, clean, and well-behaved, I think it is an animal that would suit me as well. What do you think? I am hoping I will see your owl again, Janus. At this point I feel like I know him fairly well, with how often we exchange letters. Does he have a favorite treat that I could purchase? I will be sending this with Valerius' owl, who I don't know well. It sends letters to and from the Ministry, so I expect it to be professional at least.

I got an eye patch I can wear. I hate how everyone stares at me now. It's better than the thought of her seeing my life, my family, and so on. That is the only thing that is making this tolerable. I saw Marion at the last ball, maybe you saw her too? She arrived only then, so it makes me wonder, did she go to another school? That would explain why she showed up after having disappeared. She came to mock me about my eye, and I presume turn my friends against me. Burnett and I have talked since then, and I've talked to Willow, Eun-ji, and Sylvain as well. I don't know how well you know them all, but that is who knows the truth about my eye. I'll probably end up telling more people when I come back to school with his black spot on my face.
With love,
Flash

@Evelynn Decipio