Written to Friends

[damn_juicebox]

November 1st

Dear [Insert Your Name Here],

I hope this letter finds you well. If it does, I would appreciate a response at your earliest convenience, just to put my mind at ease regarding your well-being. Alert me at once should you have need of me.

As for myself, I am well, and rested. I wanted to write this before I resumed my duties to assist the civilians in the city. As I am certain I will be called to report to Esdham soon, now that the undead have been laid to rest, it is imperative that I find a chocobo of my own, so that I may travel freely between cities should the opportunity arise.

I plan to embark on a three-day expedition, from November 7th through the 9th, and you are welcome to accompany me during any number of those days. Be certain to bring warm clothes, fresh water, food that will not easily spoil, and a sleeping bag or tent. Until this time, I will likely be found assisting with the responsibilities of cleaning up and healing injuries.

Know that I will think well of you while I reside in Esdham, and I look forward to your letters. Do not hesitate to write should you ever feel the desire. If you wish to visit, you will be warmly welcomed. I will not be far, if you ever have need of me.

Sincerely,
Rukia Kuchiki



P.S. Now that I am not so busily engaged in the capture and detainment of rogue spirits, I would like to make good on our former agreement. Please notify me if you still wish to receive your date, and inform me when you would like to meet. If you have any preferred activities or meals, please notify me prior to our engagement, so that I can plan an appropriate evening.

Comments

[no1]

[ He's still somewhat exhausted from the events of the day before, but the contents of the letter make him smile. ]

Rukia,

While I might not be able to afford spending another long period of time away from Aqures, I would be glad to assist you in your search on one of these days, at least. It all depends on my schedule that is yet to be established, so would it be all right if I contacted you once again on a later date?

I have Chocobo Knight equipped and I will, of course, bring Suzaku with me. He could benefit from spending some time with others of his kind, I believe he misses it.

I can see you are being serious about your mission and I wish you the best of luck.

-- Ace

[ There's a small note on the bottom, clearly written with the same hand, but seeming oddly... sneaky. ]

Forgive me for any comments my Moogle might make regarding the contents of this letter. She is not overly fond of Chocobos.

[ ... In fact, the fluffball in question, Hanafuda, does seem grumpier than usual while delivering the message. ]

[damn_juicebox]

[Oh, good! She likes Ace, and remembers him fondly from both the encounter with the cactuar as well as the expedition inside of the mansion. She pens a cheerful reply in her elegant and careful penmanship. ...which is ruined by a dorky drawing of a chocobo in the corner that looks like it was made by a six-year-old.]

Ace,

Certainly you are welcome to join us. Whatever time you wish to dedicate would be greatly appreciated, especially as you seem to have some measure of experience that many of us lack (including myself). The event is fairly informal in nature, I just want to make certain that I do not leave anyone behind when we initially set out. If you would wish to join us in progress, I believe a group of our size will be fairly easy to find, particularly for Moogles who can take to the air.

Perhaps, at some time in the future, you would not mind telling me more about how you find your Chocobo Knight job? I have considered taking this myself once I've managed to successfully master the jobs I have now.

~Rukia

[She'll sneak Hanafuda a bag of kupo nuts in thanks for putting up with the two of them.]

[no1]

[ What ultimately can't mend a poor Moogle's heart is at least able to fill her stomach, and that's a perfectly valid temporary solution. Expect lots of happy kupo-ing when she's back. ]

Rukia,

It is decided, then. I believe the 8th is the most likely of the three, although it could also be fun to spend the following night outside, if time allows, so I will look into getting the necessary equipment just in case.

[ Fun, he says, which is a word he doesn't toss around often, mind you - though since the birds are involved, it's also hardly surprising. ]

Absolutely, I will gladly share what I know. It was one of two Jobs I awoke in Crystallis with, so I can claim to have become fairly proficient in using it. Of course, I would not treat it as a shortcut to get the Chocobo's trust, because the process is far more complicated than that, but practicing its skills can certainly aid you in understanding these creatures.

--Ace

[ Fear not, the drawing does not go unnoticed by the cadet's watchful eyes, so the bottom of his letter reveals a follow-up to it, though the lines are so thin and careful that one can note he was quite... shy about it, if still paying enough attention to the details.

Basically, there's a Chocobo standing in the exact same way as in Rukia's letter, except now it's accompanied by its fellow feathered friend. From what it might seem, it's almost like... they're trying to high-five.

With their wings.

... Yeah. ]

[damn_juicebox]

[GASP. If his Moogle is still around, she'll be witness to Rukia's sparkly-eyed admiration of the drawing. It's so beautiful!! This is going on her wall, she absolutely loves it. She wants to write back, but she's already worn out Hanafuda with her enthusiasm. So she'll wait eagerly for the 8th. This expedition is going to be fantastic.]