#<...may flowers grow in the saddest parts of you. clara letters...>

[onlyinthedas]

@alitlantern | letters from Clara

Dear Brother,

Mama said I should write to you, that it would make you happy. So I have been working on my letters just for this very reason, you would be so proud. She said not to tell Da, that it would just make him angry. That's the last thing I want to do, in fact I don't even want to talk to him! I miss you. I can't say that in front of him though, he just makes this face…

I don't understand why you can't come home. No one will tell me anything, well Mama tries to explain it to me but then Da just tells me to stop talking about it and sends me to my room. I put toads in his boots yesterday I was so mad. Though I probably shouldn't have. Annabel was asking where you went, she hasn't seen you in a while and said you promised to kiss her behind the barn on her nameday. I didn't know what to say so I just ran back home. I hope you get my letter, then you can tell me everything about what the Circle is like and I'll keep telling you everything that happens here.

Maybe, if you're very good, they will let you come visit? Or maybe I can visit you and bring Lady Meowington with me! She misses you too!

Oh no, Mama and Papa are arguing again. I should go. Please tell the iron men that you'll be really good and that you should come and see us on your nameday. They wouldn't say no, right?

Come home soon, Clara

The letter is on long faded parchment that has been folded numerous times. It's stained and weathered, with a few misspellings and somewhat messy writing.

[onlyinthedas]

Dear brother, I'm sorry I have not written you in some time. I got in big trouble after I ran away to Annabel's house. I convinced her to help me unmoor her da's rowboat so we could go across the lake and visit you at the tower. Mum was worried sick, but father was very cross. I don't know if he was angrier because I was sopping wet and covered in mud, or because I'd run off to try and see you.

I don't care. I stepped on his foot and marched right upstairs to my room. I said sorry to Annabel for getting her into trouble too though, but she isn't angry with me. Secretly, I think she liked being a little naughty.

What are you learning in the Circle? I hope it's something fun, and then you can show off in front of Christoph. He'll be so mad that you can do magic and he can't!!! Maybe you can freeze his small-pants, that would be so funny.

there's a large gap between paragraphs as if the letter was left off and returned to at another time.

I want to come and see you. Mum is so sad and spends most of her time on her needlework or in the garden. I haven't spoken to father in a few days. I miss playing with you and Alwin and Tomas and everyone. Why can't you come home already it's not fair-

there's nothing more than an ink splotch after the last line and the letter was hastily folded as if done in a rush

Dear Sister,

Mum was right, your letter did make me happy. I miss home. Your penmanship has improved so much, the practice is doing you well. The teachers make me practice my letters here, too, still, even though I told them Father wouldn't have left my skin on if they weren't perfect already.

I'm angry at him, too. The teachers say the anger is dangerous. I don't really understand how, but I want to hit him anyway. Will you hit him for me? Mum might get mad at you for it... But it would make me feel better probably. Toads in his boots also make me feel better. Maybe try spiders next time if you're not too much of a scaredy cat!

I want to get out of here. Will you tell Annabel that I'm sorry I wasn't there for her nameday please? And can you tell Christoph that just because I'm not home doesn't mean he won our bet. Don't give him any copper!! He's a cheat. And please give Lady Meowington an extra treat of smoked fish this weekend for me. And can you give the hens in the barn a hug for me? I didn't get

The letter cuts off abruptly and the previous paragraphs are covered in dots of dried liquid. When the letter continues, the penmanship is slightly different, signifying a new pencil and a new day.

Everything smells like dusty books and mold here. Do you remember when we tore up that plank in the Chantry's floor because Alwin had told us his treasure map led there? But there were only cobwebs and dirt and bugs? It smells like that here, everywhere. All the time. The wash comes back smelling of something even worse than Mum's lye.

I really want to get out of here. With your next letter, do you think you could send the coin that Tomas owes me? If he gives you anything less than 42 silver and 18 copper, he's lying. Threaten to tell Elsie (the blonde girl a grade older than us, if he says you're bluffing) and he'll pay. I'm thinking that if I can give it to one of the Templars, maybe they'll let me out!

I don't think they'll let me go home just for my nameday though. It took a long time to get here. They barely even let us out at all. I miss hopscotch.

I'll be home as soon as I can. Be good for Mum (and bad for Father!)

The name is left unsigned.