I'm Sorry

[Vincent Meian]

((A copy of this letter, personalized in various ways, made it out to everyone in Vincent's life in early December of 2014. Anyone who wishes to receive letters from him may post here with their reactions. Those who want to know what their personalized letter says exactly may PM me, but I don't want to write them all out here.))

(Spidery, sharply defined cursive scrawls across the plain stationary. Anyone who has seen him write knows exactly by whose hand this was written.)



_______,


I am truly sorry for the necessity of this letter. Were I able to deny the need for this separation any longer, I undoubtedly would. However, the time has come where it is not safe for me to avoid this task further.

The time has come for me to leave Pilot Ridge. It will not be for ever. I promise to return, though it may take some time. However, I will need to leave, and return to you a better man. A more trustworthy person. Someone that you may rely on once again, and someone who can perform his work with greater diligence and less fear.

I will be leaving to research and train with a Hammel alumni. After the incident that occurred last week, I can do no other - the longer I postpone this, the more danger I put all of you in. I cannot take that risk. It is a painful realization, but one that must be stated. I am a danger to you.

I will not ask for your forgiveness, nor your patience. I do not deserve your understanding, your faith, or your goodwill. All that I ask is that you know my reasons, and know that I will come back. That is all I can ask, and more than I deserve.

Be safe.


With all sincerity,

Vincent Meian



((At the bottom of this letter are characters in Japanese, listing the trainer's name.))

[Clement Evans]

Written a little over a week after his letter was received, and sent off with his weekly missive to Ajima and Minho.

---

Meian-sshi,

I thot abot it alot. I unerstand why you left. It is OK you left. I will be fine. I will praktiss practiss and I will drink what I am sposed to. I do not know if I will be safe but I will try.

안녕히 가세요. 행운을 빌어요. 빨리 돌아오세요.

Clement

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean had received Vincent’s letter after the younger man had already left. Due both to Sean’s position at Hammel and his powers, he had been aware of the specifics when, and shortly after, the situation had occurred. Vincent was correct in that Sean hadn’t been entirely surprised that an incident like this had taken place, even if he hadn’t predicted the exact chain of events; the telepath had always been skilled at extrapolating from known data, for better or for worse.

A lack of surprise didn’t negate experiencing all manner of emotions in response, even if he was also skilled at keeping those to himself to avoid burdening other people.

Since Yvette wasn’t Claude and the telepath didn’t share the same close friendship that he had maintained with the former Headmaster, Sean hadn’t been consulted about the course of action, even if he had been apprised of it after the fact. For instance, about not sending a working parent of school-age children to another state far from his family. He had opinions about that, but since nobody asked for them, he stripped the situation of all identifying information before venting to his partner over supper one night.

Upon receiving the letter from Vincent, Sean drafted two, although he only sent one to the trainer at his new address. The other he sent to Nakia.


Dear Nakia:

If there’s anything I can do to help you and the girls through this time, please let me know. Josh and I run errands together every weekend, and I can easily add your lists to ours, particularly since you don’t own a car. We can also help with cooking and other tasks like that; I know I’m getting up in years, and so I’m not much with yardwork, but I have friends who can help with that.

Likewise, I realize that your daughters are old enough to stay home on their own, but if you ever need help with them, please don’t hesitate to ask.

I’m here for you.

Sincerely,
Sean Neville


Then he sent the other to Vincent.


Dear Vincent:

As old-fashioned as I can be, sometimes I mind letters aren’t the best method of communication. You were correct in that I’m not entirely surprised by this course of events, although that is a matter for another day.

I’ve offered Nik help with whatever she needs.

You and I should talk when you have a free moment. Call me when you can.

Additionally, Yvette is going to task me with giving you a clearance assessment when you get back to Hammel; I thought you should know.

I sincerely hope that you can return to Vermont sooner rather than later. Remain safe, Vincent.

Sincerely,
Sean Neville