On attractive oatmeal-colored, rag-based stock, and written in an attractive hand; each bearing an unofficial and deeply nicked personal seal depicting a small spiral.
Nil Admirari, the humble servant of Cristofer, to Calvus, noble steward of Savacion.
It is with the deepest regret that I am made aware of the correspondence issued by my superiors to your sovereign person. It is my sorrowful expectation that such directness of declared purpose might have in advance distressed the unquestionable persons currently existing within your direction.
I would humbly request a position of purely temporary nature within your walls. It is only within my power to offer you the reassurance that mine is not a position of judgement or examination but has come about out of the personal request of individual parties both internal and external to your covenant.
With deepest gratitude I shall arrive in the company of the magus Equus Sine Equite (with whom we have some previous familiarity), and do not anticipate a stay extending beyond the reach of two seasons.
May Love and Reason sustain you in all times,
Nil Admirari, filius Quartus Oriens, of House Cristofer
post-script: allow me also to apologize for too formal a letter. I find myself in the position of a small rock within a rushing streambed, and formality here must substitute for depth of forethought.
________________________________________________________________
Nil Admirari, the most importunate of men, to Equus Sine Equite, well-endowed with patience.
My dear Giles (as I recall your preferred name in days of yore), I send greeting. Please herein accept the personal apologies of a hapless servant who has been too abruptly ushered into private chambers by the ringing voice of his masters. It is my understanding that you arrive near the conclusion of an extensive personal journey, and thus the burdensome presence of a lesser-known schoolmate must make itself aggravating.
I also recognize that my rather abrupt assignment to your care delegates me as an agent of espionage (I believe my own brother, Mens Agitat Molem, has of late been weighted about the slender neck of the magi of Manu Tenere, for which I wish I might apologize to all subjected to his rather gravitational presence).
In answer to this charge I would ask that you recall my reputation as rather unmeddlesome, and my own recent preference for withdrawn habitation. I will without hesitation or remorse communicate to your and your fellows my purposes and thoughts, and, with some luck, what powers of persuasion I possess will allow for my speedy departure from your presence within the passage of two seasons.
I look forward to our re-acquaintance at Annalum, where until your arrival I find myself pressed into service.
With both fond recollections and hopeful anticipation,
Nil Admirari, filius Quartus Oriens, of House Cristofer
Of course it's up to individu
Of course it's up to individuals to decide if Nil is intentionally setting up a good cop/bad cop game.
Gi's response to Nil
Around the 16th of Mercy, Nil receives a letter written on whatever Bethelion keeps on store in a good clean hand with random overly decorated letters through out that one can't help but feel takes the place of doodling in the margins as the author contemplates what to write next. Common motifs in these decorations are dragons, vines and hairy little men with an odd posture. The seal is stamped with a horse hoof-print with a simple six point lily inside it at the frog position.
Greetings to you Nil Admirari, I hope this letter finds you well.
Naturally I do recall you you from our mutual days at Bethelion and what I might have forgotten--or might not have known--has been graciously filled in by those who remember you here in Evasendia. And've discovered you knew our Perdix, which I feel is quite fortuitous as I think they will benefit from a visitation of an old friend.
As for me, I'm perhaps a bit taller, my hair somewhat longer and my right knee not quite so curious. Though truly, it has only be six years since we lost saw each other, at your graduation in fact. I believe we shall know each other. Regardless, we should have time to catch up on all things before reaching Nemus Animae.
Now, truly, Nil, you are most certainly an agent, though maybe not one of simple espionage. You are quite forthrightly an observer and informer for House Cristofer and therefore of the Order. It's only to be expected that our modest venture would raise the odd eyebrow and demand a closer look. And constant reports, I warrant. No matter. I just you hope you don't find Gaetan too harsh an environ for your one-in-four.
My escorting you to our fair covenant is surely no inconvience for me. I already had planned to visit at Annalum in order that I might spend time with the good Maga Caleth of House Cristofer, do you know of her? Ah, well, I'm sure you've made her acquaintance at this point. I also hope to visit with the Maga Yva, who also resides at Annalum and so you might have met as well.
Truly, the inconvience might be on you as I do not intend to go directly home to Nemus Animae. After a few days spent at Annalum I plan to go directly to Lyridice, where I had made plans to meet up with Regina Maris Loreata, an old classmate of mine from Bethelion who managed to come through with obvious distinction. I am also to meet up with some additional travelers to Nemus Animae. First, the Maga Utchka Sebasticook, who goes to be reunited with her Parens Tully Sebasticook , and meet her newly made sister, Illuminata Vitreus Sebasticook. And also the Maga Receptrix Lata, who comes to Nemus Animae on no particular business that I know of. Perhaps just a curious heart with a desire to travel.
My next stop will be a brief one at Manu Tenere, to deliver my young sister for training. Nil, I am sorry. I just realized I neglected to mention that I will also have the custody of my young sister, Tansy, who I determined to have the Gift upon my last visit home. It just now occurs to me you might know some of faculty at Manu Tenere, hopefully some pleasant reunions await you there.
But then it will be on to Nemus Animae, which I can vouch for as more comfortable than you might rightly expect of a fledgling covenant if perhaps more chaotic than the you might hope. Your presence will most certainly add something special to the pot.
May Wisdom watch over you and see you safe until we meet.
Yours in Love and Reason,
Gi, Equus Sine Equite, of House Aegidius
as you find him at Bethelion on the twelfth of Mercy, year 425 in Love and Reason
ha! ka-ZING!
I'm guessing that Nil won't have time to respond to this before Gi actually shows up?
Depends.
If Nil is very driven, and conversing with Caleth, he could get a letter to Gi at his mother's--Gi is actually going to request Caleth send a response (to the letter he sent to her from Bethelion) there; Gi sent on the appropiate ring.
Being as Nil is a professiona
Being as Nil is a professional letter-writer, and currently has nothing else to do with his time other than write catalogue-copy for the library drones at Annalum, a response will be forthcoming.
And I think Gi just made a friend for life with that snappy response.
Calvus replies
The paper is of decent quality but rather plain. Only the first letters of Nil's, Calvus' names and the words Love and Reason are illustrated, otherwise it is written in a very clear and attractive while not fancy hand writing. The response would arrive as if there was only a two day turn around time at Nemus Animae before this missive was sent.
Dear Nil Admirari scribe and lyricist of the Order,
I appreciate the personal notice from your accomplished pen on the matter of your coming to our humble covenant. Truly we do not deserve visitors at this time having barely had time to setup our labs. Still we here at Nemus Animae are honored at having an official dignitary of House Cristofer gracing our halls.
If you will allow for me to be blunt, as is my flaw as a Savacion. Personally you may not be sent to judge or examine yet that is clearly the purpose to which House Cristofer has dispatched you. I will be at your disposal to discuss any issues that may cause concern with the High Council, as I am sure some recent correspondence of mine have caused no small amount of consternation within the hallowed halls of Annalum. Hopefully I will be able to assuage any apprehension the Council has over my intentions once you are here. I have no doubt in your ability to assist our covenant from fledgling settlement to respected covenant within the Order.
We will be certain proper accommodations are made for your arrival so that you are not too inconvenienced during your stay. We can only pray that your travels are safe and bring you here without incident.
May Love and Reason guide you.
Calvus, of Gens Verres, son of Caligatus
check
In response, Calvus would receive a small, formal card indicating successful receipt of his letter and acknowledgement of its content. This sort of card is common among the polite urban set.
Contrary to rumor, it does not smell like flowers. It smells like library.