Liviina's Letter to Riga 1

Answer to Riga's Letter to Liviina

The wax cracks beautifully, leaving no doubt as to whether its contents have been read. Riga pulls out a piece of pristine parchment, folded neatly- likely with the help of a tool or magic. As she unfolds it, she realizes the slight shimmer of an Illusory script, and then in Druidic beneath it, keeping the message to her eyes only.

"Dear Riga,

I have read your letter twice. Once as an official, and once as someone who has begun to know you well enough to be displeased at the least. Do not make me regret opening this door, arcanist.

Work breeds work. Such is the pain of living. But it means the ability- time, space, resources- to work on what we truly love.

As I pass over your words once more, everything is sound. Painfully so, if I might add- I wish you had written this poorly, as that would have made it easier to dismiss. If the worst comes to pass, Bethany and Flem will be protected, provided for, and argued over by the worst person I could pick- that is, myself. Your parcels shall remain unopened, and I have placed an Arcane Lock upon them. You know this is a test, and one I intend to pass despite myself, as- yet again- our duels are far more enjoyable than a few moments of satisfaction.

Typically, one resorts to other things before reaching this point. Outings to the park, nights at a nearby restaurant. And yet you skip straight to adoption. Tell Flem that loyalty is no delusion. It is a choice, one that- like many- is made again and again each day. I will honor it.

If you disappear without warning, I cannot deny I will be apalled- furious, even. If you return and pretend this was all academic, I will let you believe you got away with it.

Wear the indigo. I will select one of my purples- close enough that we seem annoyed at the other's copycat act.

With interest and hope,
Liviina Akra.

P.S. - The drawings are safe in the museum. Do not ask where. Our future generations may ponder on their significance, should I fail to recover them."