Private Message to Barty

[alt_antonin]

Solnyshko -- if I have not said often enough in the past few days, the ability to work with you again on this campaign has been a delight, and more than a delight. You were brilliant then, but now that you have achieved the full flower of adulthood, I would be surprised were there even a dozen in all the world who could compare. You do me more credit than I could have ever imagined, you know.

(Although -- if I apologise again for the fright I gave you yesterday, will you give over glowering at anyone who so much as looks at me cock-eyed? Truly, dearest, I did not mean to make you worried for my safety, even for an instant; if you maintain this insistence on keeping me within arm's reach, gossip will no doubt have us paired off and procreating within a week!)

Now that matters are marching on towards resolved, I am sleeping in (particularly since the vigours of the last week are catching up with me and taking their toll). You needn't wait on me to continue the final disposition of our remaining prisoners, though please do leave MacDermott for me once I join you; to satisfy my curiosity, there are a few remaining loose ends I should like to tie up before we escort him along to that undiscovered country.

I believe the remainder of our company is planning to depart tomorrow -- well, 'today', as I write this -- but I will likely stay over until Thursday at earliest in hopes I might be of further use, if you do not think I will be in the way. I have another few days of activity in me (though I will no doubt pay for it later) and I have so missed fieldwork.

Affectionately,
T

Comments

[alt_antonin]

I have been instructed to present myself the first Saturday of each month, so -- two weeks from now? (Have utterly lost track of time.) Healer Pettworth indicated in no uncertain terms that I should take myself in the moment my feet hit Protectorate soil again, however, so I am recuperating the night at Cottesmore and begging an appointment in the morning, then making my way back to Hogwarts whenever I am released.

I echo your loose ends; It is entirely too quiet here. I hadn't thought I missed fieldwork so fiercely. Do not mistake me, my work at Hogwarts is valuable and rewarding as well, and I am enjoying it deeply -- but oh, the chance to be in the thick of things again was utterly delightful. (Shall have to petition Our Lord to allow me to serve as His hands once more over school holidays, once I am recovered. Having seen the gaps in our children's education, I will not ask to be replaced in my role there unless there are others more suited to fill it, and I am not so modest as to claim there are many others who would be more suited to fill it -- but I am certain I could be of use even within those parameters.)

I will await your package eagerly -- I have been thinking about the boundaries between this world and the next a great deal lately, even before this week's endeavours. There is some numinous realisation swirling around in my unconscious, waiting for the proper moment to present itself to me, of that I am certain; all I can do is remain still and hope not to startle it, while feeding it as much knowledge as I can. (I weep for the loss of the remainder of Orion's library behind those cursed wards, I truly do -- but at least you salvaged some.)

I should pin your feet to the ground and make you listen to my stream of consciousness sometime soon, actually. You've the knack of helping me spot what is underneath what I am saying, even from nothing more than your silence and the occasional raised eyebrow of disbelief.

Sleep well, my dearest, when you do. And guard your back, these next few days, without me; I would be most cross if you were to come to harm this late in the game.

Eternally yours,
T