alt_sinistra | The first week back

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The first week back

Congratulations, all our first years, on making it through your first week. I promise, it does get easier to figure out how to manage it all.

Now that I’ve seen how some changes to my schedule have shaken out, I have posted a chart of my office hours in the usual places (my classroom and office doors, and duplicated copies in the house common rooms.)

In short:
- various daytime hours on Monday, Wednesday, Friday when I am not teaching.
- 7 to 9pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- by request at other times.

In the past, I have offered hours - often very relaxed and conversational - on Sunday afternoons. Between changes to the YPL schedule and my own commitments, it makes sense to schedule these week by week. I also expect to be unavailable on most Tuesday afternoons and early evenings and am generally unavailable in the late afternoon. Additions to my regular hours will be announced in class that week, and posted on Mondays.

Advance warning, fifth, sixth, and seventh years, I will be asking you to make some brief (about two hours total) but specific observations and measurements during the Draconids (October 7-8), Orionids (October 20-21), or Leonids (November 16-17). All three include at least one weekend day, and the Draconids are best visible just after sunset, but your actual options will depend on the weather. (Fifth years: we will jointly pick a midnight session to skip in exchange, and I have a thought about evening sessions and bad weather that might please you - we’ll discuss next week.)

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Antosha -

First, I’m quite looking forward to our planned chat tonight, but I entirely will understand if you’ve found yourself at the end of the week wanting nothing more than solitude, a good book, and a great deal of sleep. Simply say the word, and we will try again another time.

On Peter and Wendy - having read it, I quite see what you mean, about Raz being cast as Peter, and me as Wendy. Most perceptive of you to spot so on such short acquaintance that the map and the territory are not the same. I do have plenty of comment (took notes, even!), but I will save that for in person. And yet, for all the places that made my hackles rise in the text, and a few places where I had to put it down for a time, there are some really lovely bits, aren’t there?

I have also dusted the cobwebs (rather literally, as I’ve not touched them in years) off my texts on Chinese astronomy and related arithmancy, and I shall come prepared for that discussion as well. (I am not going to haul all the references with me, but at least I can make a start for you.)

Finally, I forgot to ask: did you find the Poole’s Jelly Gums of use? I have given in to the inevitable and ordered a case for easy dispersal at need. While I’m grateful that Dolores is currently talking to everyone but me, I do have all the sympathy in the world. (And on that, I have the disconcerting feeling she’s merely trying to decide how to make nice and thence make many suggestions or request my help. Probably both.)

Still contemplating my reading
A.

Dearest Aurora,

The Jelly Gums have had quite the workout, yes. (Amused myself by offering her some during out tête-à-tête on Monday. Quite baffled her.)

As to this evening: I am as exhausted and cranky as I feared I might be, but equally in need of a companionable drink and adult company. (The chance to submerge myself in a topic other than my own would likewise be welcome; do bring your manuscript with you.) My quarters, after supper? (Or would that be risking scandal? You've no doubt a better sense than I. But my quarters have the library.)

Glad you enjoyed the book, and look forward to discussing it. (And others. Do I detect you have read Korzybski? Be still, my beating heart.) It is a relic of another time and another world, indeed -- but an excellent window nonetheless. Children's literature often is, I've found: it says so much, in so few words, about what 'everybody knows'.

I shall be at supper tonight -- working up the energy to haul arse back to my quarters for a soak in the bath first; my 7ths are delightful but exhausting -- save me a seat.

With greatest affection,
A

Antosha -

Oh, goodness. The mere thought makes me laugh. Thank you.

As to your quarters, it will likely not surprise you in the least if I say I have some little experience with avoiding scandal while wandering through the hallways to a professor's private rooms. (And in this case, Raz assures me that he will scarcely take it amiss, which would be my only real worry.)

On the Korzybski - alas, I did not understand as much as I might like, but he was one of the very few Squib authors Alde had much patience for. I might try again, now I'm a little older and perhaps wiser, and especially if I had someone to discuss it with.

I will, indeed, save you a seat, though I believe Pomona may also wish to try and bend my ear.

Contemplating the lens of literature,
A.

My dearest Aurora,

My thanks again for an utterly engrossing evening. (And for sharing your mother's scones; do pass along my compliments. Did I actually remember to tell you about the beignets in New Orleans, or did I only think I should? Either way, I charmed the recipe out of the proprietor of a small café in the wizarding Vieux Carré on one of my stops some years back; I will try to lay hands on it so you can pass it along.)

Your company was delightful, the conversation even more so, and I shall hope the supposed healing effects of laughter will contribute to restoring my vigour even more so than the companionship already has. I shall look quite forward to continuing our discussions on the benefit of generalists (and allow me to once again implore you -- embrace your smugness in your accomplishment! You have not yet even shown me the cause of it and I can already say with certainty smugness is utterly warranted.) As well, I look forward to explaining more of my Art than the brief taste we had time for -- whether you take me up on the offer of equipping your tool-box with some more in-the-moment responses or no, I do so love a good discussion on theory.

I hope you will enjoy Narnia (and, again, you needn't read all seven -- must confess I often skip four and five myself on a reread -- but under no circumstance should The Magician's Nephew be read first, no matter what some editions might hold. Believe I mentioned, will repeat: banishment and ritual defilement is too good for them.) Do let me know if you've any trouble with the charm. I shall trust you to keep my secret there!

And now, I am off to attend to the remainder of my correspondence, and then to bed. Where I will no doubt dream of you and Bella trying on clothes together, and wake myself laughing again. (Do share those pamphlets. I haven't laughed that hard in months.)

Fondly yours, in bibliophiliac delight,
T

Antosha -

Truly, a mutual delight. (And I will certainly pass your compliments along. Mum keeps me very well stocked in baked goods, you will find. But I'm sure she'd love the recipe, and if not, my younger sister Tempest would. The coffee was an excellent match indeed.) Raz did wonder how you were, and I have done my best to reassure that you were better at the end of the evening than at the beginning.

Likewise, I look forward to many further conversations. (My best description to Raz, besides "brill", which is generally my highest praise, was "wide-ranging".) And yes, further on at least the theory - if for no other reason than the chance to see you in full passionate teaching mode.

I am also being good and not picking up the new reading. (And yes, obeying instructions about the order.) On the last point there, you do know I'm - well, I am not sure I could lie to Raz if I wanted to. But I don't even try. (Not telling him something, however, I have rather more experience with, at least until it's necessary to discuss.) Just to forewarn. That said, I will have to rummage out the stack Mum sent last spring when I particularly needed distraction, and see what might entertain you particularly.

As to the pamphlets, I will bring some down, though I think perhaps this may be the most hilarious of the lot. But to give you something to amuse, I quote: "Get her to look on you as a younger sister, in need of guidance and gentle assistance. If she has children, offer to be of help to them, even at cost to your own family. Gentle, friendly outings - a tea shop, to try on clothes, a walk through one of New London’s parks - may be best, but daring younger women might choose to shop for honeymoon attire or other such amusements together."

The one thing we didn't discuss, I realise, was future plans. Next week with Raz as well, perhaps? (and I will give you two some time alone, unless you manage it elsewhere in the week, as well. It's only fair, after all.) And that will give me time to read about this Narnia, around the marking that is about to descend on my desk.

A.

My dearest Aurora,

Of course I do not mean for you to keep secrets from Razzer. (Suspect he has figured out the trick at some point anyway, or would if he thought hard enough.) It's only that when people see one reading casual literature, they do persist in asking nosy questions, while dusty old tomes are less likely to prompt snoops from dragging one away from one's reading to ask what one is reading. As I'm sure you've noticed.

Also, the image of you and Bella building your trousseau together has prompted quite another fit of the giggles. You are lucky I had put down my tea before reading.

Next week with Raz sounds lovely if he's able to find the time, and he and I have discussed some of our own plans, so your Hufflepuff's soul needn't worry about equity. (Though it is appreciated.) I will prepare some of my very best lies to amuse.

Fondly yours, and wishing you luck with your evening classes,
T

Antosha -

Oh, excellent. One does like to be clear. (Or at least this one does.) And you're quite right that people do persist in asking. Though sometimes, that can be to the good - I've two mystery series I'd not read except for someone asking off-handedly to make conversation. But when one just wants to bury one's nose in a book and ignore the world, better that the book is entirely tedious to everyone else.

I should, perhaps, have warned you, yes. Do forgive?

As to next week, I suspect it is quite possible. (And I'm glad you'd already considered the fairness factor, mind. I would worry otherwise.)

I hear the sound of approaching groans. I nearly forgot it's the 3rd years on Fridays first this year (some twist of the schedule I was not going to ask Septima to swap, even if it truly doesn't conflict with anything else) rather than last year's 5th years. Got five minutes into my prep, before realising I'd already done that this week.

Do rest well, and enjoy the last weekend without too many marking obligations.
A.

My dearest Aurora --

Imagine my winces of shame at mention of Septima and schedules. Am still working on tracking down that apology; do not think I have been imagining the slight chill in the air when we cross paths at table. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Let us hope, meanwhile, that your thirds are less trepidatious with you than they have been with me. (It did not help that several of them had been told by someone their schedules were obviously amiss on Tuesday, as they were scheduled through lunch, and so arrived an hour late for class -- hence my post to clarify. I was patient and understanding, a veritable paragon. There was still quivering.)

And fear not -- I've plenty of practise in juggling time spent with dear friends. Believe my flock used to joke about issuing numbers and calling them in turn!

With warmest (if sleepy) affection,
Tosha

Antosha -

Pardon for the delayed response - my 7ths had me up on the tower well past 3 and I rather fell into bed when we were all done. But that is why we schedule them for last thing Fridays, so that our mutual enthusiasms do not run smack into the unyielding wall of a 9am class. (Or, as in this case, lunch.)

On the 3rds, remember, I’ve not only had two years with them, but they are fundamentally convinced that the worst that may happen in my class is a great deal of chilly wind. (And that’s entirely the fault of the geography.) I do think they’ll settle, once you get a few key students aligned with you.

For the 3rds, Astoria Greengrass, Lakshmi Desai, Brendan Mackrell and Pip Macmillan are all places I’d start. (The first and last have siblings in 5th year - Daphne Greengrass and Ernie Macmillan. And while I’d have expected the 5th years to be especially skittish, due to poor Hannah, you’ve the advantage of Draco and Harry and other close connections there to smooth things over.) Mind, the Hufflepuffs of all years have been nervous of you, when I’ve stopped by the common room, but I’ll see if I can ease that some this weekend.

As to Septima, I hinted, but might as well say outright. Beyond the schedule, she’s far pricklier than her usual this fall. This past exam cycle, her best and brightest arithmancer in decades - a halfblood in fostering - failed all but two of his OWLs, and they snapped his wand last month. She’s still feeling the lost potential bitterly, and she’s bound and determined it will not happen again. (And he was her house, too, so there are plans for extra study sessions for the Ravenclaws and all.) Tea will go a long way, but compassion and time will help too.

(She is - how does one say this. She is not a particular friend of mine, exactly: our conversations are too entirely focused on our fields and the pragmatic necessities for that. But I admire her devotion and dedication, her sharp wit, and her ability to actually manage the myriad details that keep this place running. Someone has to, and she does it without much recognition or reward.)

Right. Now to see what to do with myself for the afternoon.
A.

My dearest Aurora,

No apologies necessary -- I've been quite remiss in my correspondence today myself. (Allowed myself quite the lie-in, and have been lazing about quarters all day in my dressing-gown, setting the final touches on next week's lessons.)

Before I forget again: in our discussion last night you mentioned your sun-sign as an influence on your personality as much as your House. If you're a Virgo, you've a birthday coming up, yes? Or have I missed it? (Fear not, I shan't fuss, but one does like to acknowledge one's friends on their natal anniversary whenever possible.)

As for the rest -- well. Knowing that about Septima does indeed make certain things fall into place, and I shall tread carefully; thank you. I've lost several of my best-and-brightest over the years to various ills, and it is never a comfortable weight for a teacher to bear -- and I suspect, somehow, that death is an easier fate to accept for one's student than knowing him to be alive but out of reach. Truly a pity. (And it makes the trepidation among several of my OWL students clearer, as well, over and above the past trauma of that poor girl's death. I shall take closer looks at the halfbloods among them, and see which of them might benefit from an offer of some extra tutoring. Once we have built a certain measure of comfort with each other, mind.)

My thanks as well for the suggestions as to which of the third-years are likely to be able to help smooth the way. And please do assure your kits as much as possible. I know very little will ease nerves but time and a pleasant disposition, and their wariness is certainly understandable -- I shall continue to model every virtue my predecessor lacked and hope the adjustment phase does not last too long.

Fondly, and trusting your afternoon was as pleasant as mine,
Tosha

Antosha -

I certainly cannot blame anyone for a lie-in. (Truly, I would the day had no hours between about four am and noon. Alas, the world does not accomodate me.) Forgive my mood, if you will - I'm waiting for Raz to get back from his patrol of the evening, and we've been finally enjoying a very thoughtful bottled present.

On my birthday, I've not fussed over it much in the past beyond my obligatory appointment with Poppy, though I suspect that may change at least a little this year. (For Raz's, in May, we managed 18 hours by ourselves with no other obligations, and that was quite the treat, but we can scarcely arrange that mid-week.) September 19th, anyway.

On Septima, quite. I've been in sympathy with her since it became clear in February that he was going to be in far over his head. (Did my best to help, but. Never mind.) On the more general, well. That too. Between last May and the one before, we had more than one painful lesson in that. Hannah's ~~murder~~ death, and the Frost Faire gladiatorial games. Both things I suspect no one's laid out clear for you, yet, but I might work up to it, given a few more discussions on simpler topics - Korzybski's theories of semantics, for example.

Better topics. I did have a word with Cedric - Diggory, our Head Boy - and several others. The fact I'd found you very pleasant, and emerged safely from discussion did seem to help, and they'll do what they can to pass the word along. And I do think you're right that another week or three will do a lot, too.

If I might make a suggestion there, I had a thought this afternoon. It is easy to trust that someone will be pleasant early on, when things are easy. But if you were to let them see you dealing with some frustrating difficulty in a measured, appropriate way, it might go a long way. Especially with the Hufflepuffs, that may soothe them more than words or even time. (We are a tribe who look at actions, more than many other things, I admit.)

As to your last - the afternoon was pleasant, the evening lovely, and I expect that will quite continue. May yours be as pleasant in it own way.
A.

My dearest Aurora,

I shall make a note upon my calendar of the day, then, and you may expect at least a slight token!

I've not had the pleasure of our Head Boy's company as yet -- he's not enrolled in my classes, and of course asking the sixths and sevenths to add in a new subject during their preparations for NEWTs would be no true favor. (I do worry the same will prove true for the fifths, but -- well. We shall see.) Still, thank you most kindly for the defence. And yes, I do suppose a chance to evaluate my responses in adversity as well as the flush of new acquaintance would be more likely to cement a modicum of trust -- once bitten, twice shy, though of course Alecto never bothered with charm in any situation where fear might do.

(I suspect there will be plenty of chances for them to take more of my measure once we move into practical spellwork in class. There is nothing in the world more terrified than a student who's just accidentally hexed his teacher with something far more powerful than he'd intended; thankfully I am well used to such errors. And of course they'll have plenty of chances to see me struggling with the adversity of a body that refuses to do my bidding -- though, thankfully, Madam Pomfrey was able to offer some small relief, and I was at least able to sleep through the night for the most part.)

I have heard pieces of both events you reference (as well as several others), and of course I've read back some in the journals (now that -- he admits, shamefacedly -- someone has explained to me their use). But I am always grateful for additional perspective: enough information to avoid putting a foot wrongly is often hard to come by.

Though if Korzybski is simpler -- ouch. I would hate to pressure you into revisiting old conundrums.

Wishing you pleasant dreams, whenever you do get the chance to apply yourself to them,
Tosha

Antosha, a most pleasant morning to you -

And when, may I inquire, is yours? (Fair is fair, no?)

As to Cedric, of course he's not one of your newts. But he has a great deal of influence with the sett, as is only right. (In your backward reading, I'm sure you've realised by now, but he was the other Hogwarts champion during last year's competition, and handled a deeply complicated situation with a great deal of grace. A number of them - and particularly the more determinedly stubborn - look to him for guidance.)

And isn't the past complicated to talk about? I do appreciate the desire to have enough information to avoid a foot wrong (or both feet, both hands, and one's mouth.) Just that you'll have gathered both topics are more than a little complicated. (And certainly better discussed when I have had less to drink than last night. Though very pleasant that.) But, well. I'd rather, even in the sharper light of morning, that you had more information rather than less. Just let me work up to it, but if there's something you truly need know, please ask.

As to the sleep, I'm glad Poppy was able to be of help. I'm a great trial to her on the subject myself (though, I suspect for different reasons: an irregular schedule combined with the nearby Dementors two years ago and the rather peculiar stresses of last year has not been a restful combination.) But I try to do better, these days, even if it does mean resorting to Poppy's ministrations.

I did have one more wandering thought - something about what you said, on Friday, about the tendency of many to treat each piece as equal to the rest, as opposed to part of a larger and far more subtle whole. There's the same similarity in my own field, and I suspect more than one other, and I'm wondering if teasing that out explicitly might be of use to you. (Raz also explained your planned demonstration while he was rummaging for boxes for you, which I must say sounds intriguing. And entirely practical.) I am afraid it's rather ill-formed and drowsy, as a thought, but perhaps you can do more with it.

Yours, in a pleasant Sunday morning.
A.

My dearest Aurora,

11th November, and I've been told by those who believe in astrology (not I) that Scorpio suits me as much as Virgo suits you. (Had a friend back in school produce my natal chart, once. Apparently I am drawn to people, prefer intellectual debate, like to travel, and am prone to indulging my gregarious nature. Were it not for all the bits about how I am also inclined towards success in love and romance ...)

Divinatory nonsense aside, it being the one subject taught in our fair castle in which I have less than no interest --

I have been thinking a great deal this week about the past, and about received and secret histories (both personal and societal), and about the way things look in the sharper light of relative morning as compared to the way they looked throughout the long dark night of the soul. And the universe does seem to be conspiring to reinforce the thematic progression with distressing frequency of late. I would not presume to ask you to revisit your own dark nights of the soul, nor ask you to pick your way through a field of uncertain footing solely for my benefit: I do of course have other sources, of longer and closer relationship, upon whom to presume for the detail, once we are able to find worlds enough and time.

Yet I was reminded last night, by a bold young man of my recent acquaintance, that those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it, and (though he did not draw the connection himself) was also reminded that fitting the past into neat little boxes is often impossible no matter what the heart desires: time and history are messy things, unsuited to packing neatly away like books or tea-things. What has gone before shapes us, even when -- perhaps most when -- we try to forget. And -- forgive me my presumption -- from several things you have said and more things you have shied away from, I suspect you to have tangles of your own that you are still trying to sort through (tidying the mental drawers is so much harder in adulthood, is it not?)

No doubt you have your own confidantes and confessors, and may feel our friendship too new to bear much weight of confidence. But I am an excellent listener, and will gladly place those services at your disposal -- and like any confessor, confidentiality is utmost. If you could use an ear, and someone to hold those tangled skeins of thought as you work to unravel them, I am at your service for the asking.

Bah. Philosophical this morning.

I do believe you're on to something with your idea about parts and wholes, and it's something that certainly bears more thought. (And connected to the former, actually, if one follows the threads far enough back to their source.) The human mind has a lamentable tendency towards black-and-white thinking, does it not? And yet the world is wreathed 'round in shades of grey, and each piece of the whole is, when taken alone, large enough to be a whole of itself. You're right that making that reasoning explicit may prove to be a fertile line of thought for the children (and I wonder if they've ever had it explicitly stated as such?) This week's lessons have already been sorted, but I may place a discussion touching upon the question upon the syllabus for next week; it dovetails nicely with the choice I will be asking them to make between practical and theoretical study.

(Am happy to provide a private demonstration of this week's party trick, meanwhile, whenever it suits. Though Razzer's just as capable, and likely nearer to hand!)

Off to spend a quiet afternoon soaking up sunshine with book in hand, and if I am lucky, the book will not wind up reading me. May your Sunday continue to be as pleasant (and the hangover, if you were thus afflicted, quick to ease).

With greatest affection,
T

Antosha -

If you've not figured out that philosophical is not a problem for me by now, you are a far less observant man than I'd thought. (On that note, I have immersed myself rather this summer in the Renaissance neo-Platonists. Ficino, mostly, but various of the other wizards of that set tool. Just to confirm my own interest in the subject.)

Passing by divination, on which I've much the same opinion (though there's some mingling of astronomy and astrology that's regrettably unescapable in my field - see Ficino), let's see. It is not dark nights, as I'd put it (those, I find most comforting, really. But then, I am used to uncertainty when staring into the heart of the universe). But rather, the unruly sun bursting through and forcing one to confront things one might have preferred remain in shadow.

You are quite right there are things I am still untangling. And I've not so many friends, as I pointed out to an old one last year, that I can afford to push them away. There are indeed places I think you might be of some great help, given what you said above about the pains of losing one's students. (Something Raz - well, I hope it is a very long time indeed before he has the experience, but he hasn't yet.) The Games were hard for me for more than one reason, but the one I've found perhaps hardest to let go of is that two of those who died were students of mine. Pomona did her best by me, but she wasn't there watching, and the context does matter. You, at least, can fill in more of the social dynamics and their implications correctly.

I'll be honest here further, and confirm something else I'm sure you've already spotted - that history has been much on my mind too. Some of my older friends (quite a few, to be honest) have been clear with me that they are none too happy with Raz's past and reputation. It's created distance I wish didn't exist, and yet, one cannot force trust or complex understanding, or the realisation that situation and individual are not one single good or evil, but a complex dance of choices and events. (Much like the stars, that, with the infinite call of gravity and inertia, the interplay of novae and nebulae.)

I gave up any chance I had of the pleasures of simple answers when I admitted how deeply I'd let Raz into my loyalties - but talking about it , well. There's the thing that's hard. And I am still not at all practiced with it (unsurprising: it takes more than a year to gain mastery of anything worth doing.)

As to the rest, no hangover, thank you. (I try to be smarter than that.) Just the pleasant lassitude of an afternoon without much I must do right now, catching up on my astronomy journals and thinking about the implications of the translation you did for me.

Mysteries of the universe, indeed.
A.

Raz, love.

I knew it was going to be hard not to sleep with you regularly after this summer but I hadn’t realised just how much. It’s not even the more euphemistic pleasures (though those too) - just missing having you there. Good sign for the future, I suppose, if entirely tedious for the next seven months. I can’t wait for tomorrow.

Also, my recent mail, now in the wedding planning edition. Besides the usual lot of letters implying I’m nowhere near good enough for you (ignoring those, truly, but there’s two you should look at because they’re a little odd), I have:

- Six invitations, one we should discuss. Oh, and Mum’s set Dad’s 75th birthday party for 18th November. Best chance to introduce you to the extended family we’re going to manage. (Plenty of other distractions for the aunts and cousins. And Nana.)

- Seven unsolicited prospectuses (prospecti?) from wedding vendors, mostly dire. (Charmed lovebirds. Far too twee pastel cakes. Two horrific sets of robes. A caterer whose prices make no sense - must ask Temp what they’re hiding. Rather pitiful table decorations made from Scottish sea shells. A hall in the back of beyond. Only half-decent one is decoration charms, but I want to see what you think.)

- The latest round of pamphlets from Wizarding Repopulation. The “You are engaged, congratulations!” set is rather a piece of work, with new pamphlets about wedding charms, managing one’s relations with in-laws (all I can say, love, is that given your family, it would be more use if I did the exact opposite) and so on. And exhorting me to come for an appointment.

(On family wedding charms: been working up the nerve to discuss something since Mum got me enough detail. We needn’t make a decision until much nearer spring.)

- And finally, a note from a “longtime reader” of In The Soup drawing my attention to the retraction in this week’s issue. (I’d not got that far in my pile yet.) Doesn’t say much, just admits they trusted an unreliable source, and rather carefully apologises. Quite curious, actually.

No plans for the weekend other than whatever time you’ve free for me, and tonight with Antosha. (Though if you want time on your own, there is always research to amuse me.)

How's Toshenka tonight? He looked well knackered when I caught a glimpse of him this afternoon.

And speaking of, I worry when you say you're not sleeping well. Please feel free to bless my sheets with your presence if you think I can be of any help at all. You did say we needn't be as discrete as last year, yeah?

Other things: I'll pencil in the 18th of November; I'm sure that whatever wedding charms you want will be much the same as what I want; and I can look at the two letters from divs first thing in the morn. For the last, I suppose Soup might have had a sudden insight similar to Rod's? Good to know that having a shady reputation has some uses.

Dearest -

Deeply fascinating. And don't worry, he was notably less worn when we finished than when we started.

Brill conversation - not just the astronomy, but the rest of it. Books. Peter and Wendy. Other things we read. I got him laughing too hard to breathe twice. I did end up explaining - briefly - Stint. And Cassie Calderwood. Nothing he'd not have been able to figure out himself given half a chance.

You do realise the temptation, don't you? And that I will take you up on it at least sometimes, annoyances of having my wardrobe and things flights of stairs away and all. This week - well. Partly shifting back to my entirely odd schedule and not having you right at hand. Partly thinking through that book. (But I like thinking, on the whole.) Nothing near as bad as it might be, promise.

On the rest - you're amazingly agreeable, we can talk more, and I'll leave the letters on my desk if you want to come up in the morning before I'm up. As to Soup, it rather did sound like that.

It... Look. I'm glad I know. Even if I was so carefully not asking. If it had been you, it would be so hypocritical of me to complain now, when yes, your reputation has historical teeth.

I don't know. I think mostly I'm having trouble with the fact I'm so glad he's dead.

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The first week back

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