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[leitstern]

Travel is good for the soul, I hear.

But why?

When I was only twelve I was bestowed by the good grace of my sire an education in a delightful city thousands of miles from home. Dare I have a pleasant outing, you ask? The majesty of the finest library in the world seldom shielded me from the opposite of being in heaven; nursing frostbitten fingers and sleeping alone in the dark.

No, travel is the most dreadful punishment. For the fiercest soul is made to pine for the comforts of home. Where one is free to laugh and stroll amongst friends.

… I miss mine dearly.

Forgive me for occupying your valuable time with my musing but I must ask:

Do any of you pine for your world left behind? Is home something you miss?

[Do you feel homesick, Avalon?]

Comments

[feisticuffs]

[Rude of him tbh]

You hardly seem the sentimental sort these days.

[She knows there are complications, but still. There's a lot there that's at odds with such sentiments.]

[leitstern]

Considering you fled your home, you can hardly expect me to listen to your criticism of sentimentality.

[Yes. There are plenty of bitter, angry complications.]

[feisticuffs]

I had my reasons.

[Just as surely as he'll say he had his, she imagines.]

[leitstern]

Of course.

And may I say you left everyone there alone to face the music? How very noble of you, princess.

[Knowing she was alive, knowing he might not have been left alone in his despair? It does rankle the mind.]

[feisticuffs]

I was a child, and it was hardly so simple as that.

[But she doesn't feel she has to explain herself to him, and she doesn't intend to. Knowing what she does now about what had taken place in Heliodor, little good would have come of her returning— she maintains Rab was right to keep her at his side after fishing her out of that river.]

There is no comparison between our deeds.

[leitstern]

Goodness! You have grown fond of excuses.

Your father would be appalled.

[Were he even awake to be aware.]

[feisticuffs]

The man you serve is not my father. I will not allow you to try and speak for him.

[He’s as much a stranger to Jasper as he is to her, at this point.

Evidently, however, that was a step too far, because any further messages will be left on read.]