Topic: Escargot Mail

Eddie Blake

Date: 2018-09-10 22:18 EST
Disgruntled, discontented, displeased, dissatisfied...Tallulah was sure she'd think of a hundred more words to describe how she felt about being here. Not petulant though. In all of her fifteen years she'd never been petulant. The desk clerk hadn't helped any either, though she'd managed to get what she needed out of him. Fingers grew back, right' She could only listen to the "it's not our policy to divulge..." speech so many times. Nineteen was more than enough. Twenty was taking things way too far! True, he had offered to deliver the letter for her, but this was her task and she was sure that son of a fish eating squid would know she hadn't delivered it in person. Being pretty was no excuse for what he'd subjected her to! Flopping around like a fish out of water! Hmmph! The very thought of it had Tallulah laying on the doorbell and accidentally forgetting to let go until she heard the locks being undone and the door opening. She held on for another second or two just for good measure.

She greeted the small blonde landcow with fists tight and planted firmly against her hips. Not petulantly though, Tallulah was never petulant in all her fifteen years! Only after she'd rolled her eyes, huffed hard and grimaced did she produce the envelope marked quite distinctly with Pumpkin Pie. It was taken in that genteel forceful way that Tallulah had mastered recently. Blame the fish eater's son for that too. She said nothing, there was nothing she needed to say to land grazers! She was above that!

Pumpkin Pie,

It seems like forever since you walked out on me screaming your head off and flipping me the bird. No, wait, that was my brother. He's such a girl sometimes. The first part is right, it does seem like forever even if the how of it was different. I'd like to say that I miss you, that I can barely fall asleep at night because of it. I'd tell you that I'm constantly distracted which gets me into trouble, not that I'm a stranger to trouble since I met you. Don't look at me that way, I was a paragon of virtue and goodness before! Midnight came and went three hours ago, and I only know this because I hear the bells. I know, that's not really late at all, but they insist that I go to bed early annnd get up in THE MORNING! It's inhuman!

I don't know how they expect me to rest, the bed is cold and empty. The air is lacking the soft breathing that I'm used to, and somehow no matter how exhausted I am I feel unfulfilled. Why did I agree to this again? It's a damn, demented, rehab facility where everything is wet and not in the good way. Today I was thoroughly castigated for having weak morals....Me" Weak morals" I think perhaps someone is jealous because they don't know how to have good sex. I have no evidence of this of course, but I trust my weak moraled instincts.

I'm not going to ask how you are. I don't think I could take it if you were doing just fine. I'm not afraid to be alone, to do this without you. I'm afraid when it's over you won't....never mind....I prefer to think of you feeling just as alone, although I'll admit that's kind of a turn on. That of course leads me to fantasizing about just showing up out of nowhere and finding our own special way to drown out the bells. You just thought about it didn't you?

I'm not supposed to be doing this, even suggesting contact made Bo's face even more frowny than normal. You know what I'm talking about. Still, you'd be surprised what you can get just for being tall. I mean, the kid that brought this really wanted to have a whale bone dagger. The hardest part was convincing the whale to give it up....for me at least. For her it was much more difficult to reach it while I held it over my head until she agreed to smuggle letters for me. And they think I have weak morals. She'll bring one back too, but you have to give her the proper signal. You'll need to clap three times like a seal and then balance a ball on your nose. That means I need you to wait while I write a reply.

I'd like to say all of those things, but we both know they're not true because I'm pretty much heartless and unfeeling. I don't say things, because saying them makes it hurt more when I get left behind. It changes things, and neither of us need that kind of heartache. So, I'd like to say I love you, but you know I'm incapable of that feeling too. We both know it, right?

Xxxe,

Eddie.

(written on the backside of the page)

P.S. All of that is true, except the clapping and ball bit. Maybe one or two other things.

Tahlia Faras

Date: 2018-09-11 21:26 EST
Tahlia opened the door, blonde ponytail snapping through the air behind her. Part of what she paid for (or someone paid for) in this building was not having someone leaning on her doorbell, or, for that matter, getting phone calls from the concierge about broken fingers. "Brett...I don't know anything about..." Glancing down, but not that far down, she took one look at the messengers face, and the envelope, and barely managed to tamp down the laugh. "Nevermind, she's here. Yeah...send me the bill."

The tiny blonde took the shoved envelope, and tried not to tear it open. It had been...weeks, since she'd heard anything from Eddie. He was supposed to be focused on his training, no phone, no email...and no her. Glancing back, she tilted her head at the girl, and nodded toward the kitchen. "Come in, close the door...there's cold water in the fridge, and I think I might have some sashimi..." What' She liked Japanese, and it wasn't a far stretch to assume anyone who came with a letter from that barren island was one of his clan. Sylvie just..decided to go in. It certainly wasn't because the dry lander invited her in, although she'd maybe unbend enough to accept some water...and whatever this 'sashimi' was that she mentioned. Raiding for provisions was allowed, wasn't it"

While Sylvie raided her kitchen, Tahlia stood leaning against the counter, yes that counter, and read the letter. Luckily, she'd had enough experience with the tall, dark Selkie to read all the way to the end, and flip the page before taking his advice. "Hey...kid...if you wait a few, I'll make sure the fridge is full with whatever you want the next time...I just...need some paper." And for the little savage in her kitchen not to see her cry.

Sylvie was hardly paying attention, sniffing and tasting her way through the giant cold box the light-haired landwalker gestured to. She was still at it a few minutes later, when there was a subtle tap with a return letter, the single word on the front smudged a bit by watermarks, but still completely legible. Puddin, right across the front, in a surprisingly elegant script. "You keep playing messenger...I'll get you anything you want."

Puddin,

You're not catching me so easily, not after the fish incident. They say hi, by the way. If they could talk, they might tell you they missed you too, that they just spend their days swimming around, staring through the glass at the ocean, waiting. That when they close their eyes, they can smell you, maybe even feel you, but then when they open them again, you aren't there, and it's almost more than they can stand. That it doesn't matter how many other fish are around...the world just isn't the same. Not that they see many other fish, these days.

Lonely nights are the worst, aren't they' And early mornings should only be seen straight through after midnight. If it helps, I've seen a lot of sunrises too...I told you the bed seemed too big and too cold without you. Now I have proof. Even the stuffed seal I bought you back in Westport doesn't take up enough space. You knew that was really for me, though, didn't you. So was that one shirt you've probably missed by now. The ones you left here don't smell enough like you, and I can't sleep anymore unless I'm wearing it. I'm guessing they don't let you wear much (and five minutes later I remember to keep writing...) So, if you wanted to send another back with your super friendly messenger, I wouldn't mind.

I was a little angel when we met, so I don't know what you're talking about. Sweet and innocent until you corrupted me with that smile, and all the naughty things you whispered in my ear. All my marks are fading, puddin...I run a hand over my skin and I can barely feel where you've been. A part of me is afraid you won't be back to leave more. Plus the weather is turning colder...and you know, I just can't find anything that keeps me as warm as your leather.

I know you can do this - you're Eddie Blake, puddin, you can do anything. Even without coffee - although hopefully you don't have to. And you're not alone - I promised you, remember" You're stuck with me until you want me gone. I'll be waiting right here, watching over our beach. You remember it, right' I might have paid one of the local beachcombers to make sure there's a light lit on that beach every night - just in case you need help finding it. I can't go down there, I might call you back like I did before, and look at the trouble it caused.

Miss Personality is getting fussy, I can tell - I'm going to have to see what she took and keep it stocked for when you send her back - you are sending her back, aren't you?

And yes, I know you're heartless, and unfeeling. So am I. Consummate professionals, the pair of us. Because if we weren't, I'd have to tell you I loved you too, I'd have to tell you a lot of things and we just don't need that complication...so it's a good thing neither one of us feel anything at all. Just...come back as soon as you can, puddin, it's getting cold. And tell that stone-faced bitch Bo that if she lays a finger on that pendant I gave you, I'll show her what we did in the temple up close and personal.

Xxxe, Tahlia

Eddie Blake

Date: 2018-09-19 23:53 EST
Respect! The very sight of it was evident in the way the desk clerk scrambled at Tallulah's appearance through the revolving door. Fortunately, (for him), she didn't need to know what floor this time, though she did need access. She doubted that it would be quite as simple as her last trip here. Maybe she ought to have herself announced" That would be proper, honestly, if she were going to another Selkie clan. These were ground bound though and they didn't necessarily deserve proper treatment. Still, there were sugary things up there to be had, and it couldn't hurt to at least let the...woman know she was coming. It beat taking the stairs. If she were being honest, it was the sweets that brought her back not the infuriating cajoling of that rogue roane. Being big shouldn't excuse him from being nice no matter how much he smiled. He wasn't nice, he was a demanding oaf!

Thinking about how humiliated she felt was enough reason to lay her thumb on the bell like she was crushing a bug and leave it there until she was sure the message had been received. The air beyond the door when it opened smelled like hot fruit and something else she couldn't quite figure out but was sure she wouldn't like it. Tallulah held up a crumpled envelope, innocence all over her face as though she had accidentally crushed the letter in her fist. It wasn't her fault she was mad! She certainly hadn't asked to be here...again.

Pumpkin Pie,

I watched the sunrise this morning, probably not a big surprise that my attention is constantly directed eastward. It made me think about your hair, honestly that's about all I can do. Around here everyone's got a shade somewhere between brown and black with the latter being most evident. I wasn't supposed to be on shore, some mumbo jumbo about feeling the mother....I got bored and stopped listening. They'll figure out that this religious crap is not going to have an effect on me. Don't tell that to Talullah, the girl with the letter, if only because she'll happily say something to Bo and I'll be stuck going to prayers five times a day. Not that she's pious, she just prefers it when I'm the one being reprimanded. I can respect that, although lately I am not the only one on the beach in the morning. It was fortunate that we happened to be there at the same time, made it easier to convince her that it was time to make another delivery. You never did tell me what it was she'd been eating. Something unavailable here no doubt.

I understand that, what I want is unavailable here too, though I think if it were this morning's meeting on the beach would have caused a bit more of a commotion. Not that I would mind, or you either I assume. News, that's unavailable here too, unless you care about tuna movements which I really don't. That makes it up to you to keep me up to date. What am I missing, well besides you. Where is everyone" Princess fancy pants had very little to say to me when she returned. I did send her back though! Not that you doubted I would. I always find a way. Who've you got keeping the car in drivable condition' It needs to run at least twice a week. I'm sure Reggie wouldn't mind doing that, just remind him of the rules. He forgets things sometimes.

Tell me about you. I Miss you, that's with the big M not the little one so it's obviously more important. Tell me about your week or your day or anything that will make the distance between us seem smaller. Tell me that you...xxxx me.

Yours,

Eddie

P.S. I do too.

Tahlia Faras

Date: 2018-09-19 23:56 EST
This time, Tahlia was prepared. Opening the door, she waited until Tallulah was inside, and closed the door behind her. Trying not to look like the contents of that letter were as precious as they were, she nodded toward the kitchen. "The boxes on the counter are all yours, I had them send up a variety. I don't think they'll survive the trip back. Just don't touch the ones on the shelf - their namesake gets cranky if someone messes with his stash."

The end of the sentence was nearly swallowed under the sounds of tearing cardboard and cellophane. Smirking to herself, Tahlia disappeared to her bedroom to read and reply, leaving Miss Personality to her burgeoning sugar addiction.

Tallulah was too busy sampling to reply, she had a pastry in each hand, and was alternating back and forth, crumbs peppering the floor. Manners didn't matter much, in the ocean. Not with food, there were other things where it did. But landbound? She didn't owe the blonde cow anything at all. Even if she was providing the sullen (never petulant) teen with sweets, and an excuse to explore more reasons why life in the Mother's embrace was infinitely better.

Puddin,

Pop Tarts. She's doing this for pop tarts, and Reg nearly had a fit cause she found his stash. Not that he was here when she was. He's been around though...I think he'll take care of the car. I can't get behind the wheel without thinking of that night in Yasuo City, and having to pull over.

Kid's doing ok, he's been helping me with a job, and he's...trying to be more like you every day. And I miss you. I spoke to Saul for a few minutes the other day, he's his usual bright and obnoxious self. And I miss you. Haven't seen Doc, and don't plan to. And I miss you. Tanya's in the hospital, she got hit by a blast of magic but she'll be ok. And I miss you. You might have used a big M, but I think you get my point. And I miss you. More than words.

I can't stop staring at the ocean. I know there's still weeks yet, probably, before you come home, baby, but I can't help looking to see if you're walking up the beach. Especially now. I got a little lecture about how everything could have gone wrong - what they could have done if Mal hadn't gotten my blood back to me. I never think of magic first...I'm still not used to it, I guess. I wish you were here, Puddin. I'm alone, and I'm scared...I want to curl up in your arms, against your chest, and just feel...safe....for a while. I wish I could have been on that beach, and you're right, I wouldn't care at all about how much of a commotion we caused. Maybe they'll learn something.

I'm sitting on the patio, with the fireplace lit, staring out over the water and wishing I could see you. That's been most of my day, my week, just about every minute I'm not working, that's what I do. I miss you. And I xxxx you. Every minute, every day. Even when I'm working. You're my puddin, my sexy Selkie, my Eddie. And no matter what else, I'm -

Yours, Tahlia