Jikan Desuyoo

[Vincent Meian]

This letter was the first upon receiving a response from his friend. Seeing the letter was a bittersweet thing, though the opening line had made Vincent crack a pained smile for a brief moment. He would call Sean, certainly. But for right this moment, the distance the letter made would serve his purpose. He could call tomorrow, when it wasn't so late. So instead, the Japanese man sat at his small table and wrote.

It took half a dozen tries to start, and eventually, he began with the opening he knew his friend would prefer, rather than the more formal defined by his culture for the situation. The amount of emotion on the page was almost tangible in of itself, very different from how most saw the reserved giant.

Of course, Sean would know better. He always did.



Sean,

I apologize for the distance implied. The letters will help me establish a routine in a place where the amount of control I have over the situation is minimal, and where the change from what I know is extreme. It is not ideal, but it does help my mindset. That said, I will call you once I have fully settled. In truth, I look forward to it. It will be a relief to hear a familiar voice.

Thank you for looking after my family. We had spoken at length about this situation many times before, however I believe it caught us all by surprise. Nakia was very certain that this would never happen again. I regret having proved her wrong.

Much as you have undertaken my yearly exams and day-to-day concerns, it was expected that the Headmistress would ask such a thing of you. She told me as much when we last spoke, though she was not specific that it would be conducted by you. I do not envy your position, however I am grateful for it. You would see what others would not, and that eases my mind on the matter.

I will be away as long as I must, regardless of my preferences. It is my hope to finish soon as well, however I cannot let this happen again. I cannot put all of you at risk this way. Therefore, I can only say that I will return when I return.

The lack of your presence is noticeable, my friend. Please be well.


With all sincerity,

Vincent Meian

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Upon receiving the letter from Vincent in the evening mail, Sean read it and then set it down on the desk in his study for him to tend to later. He required some time alone with his thoughts in order to compose a proper response, and with the holidays on the horizon, and the typical flirtatious good cheer that enveloped the Neville-Bernstein home during the season weren’t conducive to that. Instead, he set about cooking and settling in for supper with his partner.

It was only after the meal, when Josh turned his attention to clearing the table and washing the dishes that Sean retreated to his study. He settled in at his desk, thought for a bit, and then began to write.


Dear Vincent:

I can’t criticize you for trying to establish a routine or trying to find comfort for yourself given the situation. If letters work for you at the moment, then feel free to write me. However, I will be on the lookout for your call, once you are settled.

It’s the least I can do. People should pull together in times of hardship, and I’m sure that Nakia and the girls would appreciate what little help I can offer them. Is there anything I should pass along to them? While I’m sure you can write to them as easily as you can write to me, not everything is so easily conveyed directly.

There will be plenty of time to muse on the inevitable reentrance assessment. I don’t think many people envy me my work, but I also think that this is a function more of people not wanting to be a psychiatrist or an administrator than a reflection on my actual tasks.

I’m sure the timeline or lack thereof is stressful. Don’t allow that to pressure you; pushing yourself too hard will only worsen matters. Be sure to engage in self-care. I might sound like a broken record, but I can’t emphasize the importance enough. Untrained powers can make dangerous situations, and decisions can be dangers, disastrous, or cruel, but none of us are dangers merely by existing.

Sincerely,
Sean