["Action"] kind of
[There is a bundle of envelopes sitting on Svala's desk; all of her other things have disappeared, leaving only those envelopes and a plain, unoccupied room. Each envelope is addressed to a certain individual; it looks like she'd prepared them a month or so back. Whoever finds the envelopes may read all of the letters, or only their own as they pass along the others to their intended recipients.]
Sigmund
...my dearest Sigmund. The joy you have given me -as Volsung, and as my child- can never be matched. A determination that oft treads into the realm of stubbornness, your quiet demeanor that so confuses many others, the strength in your voice and your words, and of your heart...you are perhaps the one person I admire most.
Please...do not become discouraged. Not by my absence, nor by your lack of success in this world. You will (just as you are, and as you have) accomplish even greater things than what can be imagined...all you must do is keep your spirit about you. Your eyes are proud, and your face is meant to be seen; you must keep your chin raised to show it.
I will await your return home. I am certain you shall find a way.
Edward
Edward; through these months I have come to love you as family. Though you do not fancy yourself as the type to be lovable, I fear I cannot place any other word to you. Your loyalty to my son is comforting, and I know that in your hands, he is safe.
However...please do not define your existence by that of my son's. Sigmund is a great man, yes, but you have your own merits that you must recognize. You are a great man, and that is why Sigmund took you with him on his journey. He can recognize greatness, you see; that he named you his second shows his deepest respect and trust in not only your abilities, but your mind and your heart.
You must stand on your own two feet to walk before you can properly walk beside Sigmund, Edward. But you have my faith, and my blessing; I joyfully await the day in which you will recognize your own worth apart from the worth you place in yourself as Sigmund's second-in-command.
Capell
...even now, words escape me. It is a rare occurrence indeed.
Capell, I have lived hundreds of years and have yet to come across a spirit as brilliant as your own. Your courage, your goodness and light permeate your very being; it shows in everything you touch. You have the soul of a great prince, of a beautiful young king, and though it may bother -or even frighten- you to hear it, I know that beneath your hand, Casandra would rise up and flourish to become the great nation it once was. Perhaps even greater than before.
Please...use your wisdom and strength to aide the Unblesseds of our world. I will aide you, both as Svala and as the Empress of Halgita...but I cannot accomplish what you long for by only my power alone. I need you.
...I shall await your return home eagerly.
Eugene
Beloved Eugene; the moon blessed my nation with your presence. Many times you have saved my son from an early grave by my hand with your words and your aide, though I am certain it appeared that my own patience with him was infinite. Do not be fooled by my demeanor; your assistance in raising him, even as only a friend, was absolutely priceless. I know that most of his accomplishments can be tied back to your quiet support from within the shadows.
...you would have made a wise Nightwhisperer, perhaps. Though I must admit that your temperament is well-suited for priesthood.
Nonetheless, please do not let the knowledge of Volsung taint your opinions of Sigmund. He has accepted his new role as the prince of Halgita, my son and your brother, even if he cannot abandon his life as Casandra's king. I ask once again that you offer him your strength in Luceti...he is not like you. He cannot be patient and wait for opportunity to show itself, and I fear he will not understand why he must do this.
Thank you, Eugene. Once again, I trust my son to you.
Michelle
Michelle, do not let your failings discourage you; you are a healer, both in body and spirit, and Sigmund can see that. Do not worry on your shortcomings, and do not cry. You must stand strong and proud not only for Sigmund, but for yourself. Come to accept what you can and cannot do -and recognize your own strength, as well- and those around you shall recognize your wisdom.
Please, look after Sigmund for me.
Sasarai
Sir Sasarai...your strength astounds me. Through hardship and more, you continue to press forward. You give yourself to others and the community, and expect nothing in return. You even endure the company of a silly child such as myself with nothing less than a smile. Thank you, for speaking with me of your world, this world and my own. Our conversations gave me comfort.
Zelos
Sir Zelos...
Hm. Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, but I found myself caring for you as a mother would her child. Though I must admit, the mock courtship was not influenced by that role.
Your spirit, rife with tragedy as it was, burns with the fire of nobility. I have read many souls, Zelos, and I am fully aware of what makes a great man. You contain these elements within yourself. Please, do not let bitterness or hardship plague your mind, and allow yourself to close those wounds in your heart as you enter your relationship with Lady Sheena. I offer you both my blessing, meager as it is. Please find a true happiness.
Raine
Lady Raine, brilliance such as yours does not oft occur. I have seen many scholars rise and pass in my years, but very few can hold a candle to your wisdom and your mind. I entrust my observations to you; I pray that you will put to better use what little I could discover.
Spiral patterns in ruins: Symbolize eternity; the General appeared to speak of a release by death, noting the cycle of living as eternity rather than death. Do they worship death or life?
Wings: The invaders possessed larger wings. Hypothesis: the invaders are an evolved species, their ancestors brought to this world much as we are and descended from those people. No concrete evidence to support this.
My apologies for how little I have...I fear I am not so adept at gathering information as I am processing it. I wish you the best, Lady Raine.
Kratos
You are
We
I'm
I love you.
You have given me...light and hope, humor and grace, safety- everything I have lacked for so many years. Your strength, your wisdom, your wit- hmm, I cannot possibly name everything about you that I adore. I even love your frowns and your scowls, and your unwillingness to show affection in public despite your tendency to initiate it.
You...would have made a shining emperor for Halgita. I would have loved to show you to my people...but I understand why it could not have been.
I will not say goodbye. I cannot. I shall cling -however childishly- to the belief and the hope that once again, I will see you. I will throw myself into the bettering of my country, my world, and will keep you in my thoughts and my heart. I will pray for your happiness.
I will miss you.
...it saddens me to write these things, but also brings me a grotesque comfort. Should I vanish, I hope these letters stay behind. I hope you may read these words, beloved. I hope they bring you at least a small sliver of peace.
I love you.
I will wait to see you again.
Sigmund
...my dearest Sigmund. The joy you have given me -as Volsung, and as my child- can never be matched. A determination that oft treads into the realm of stubbornness, your quiet demeanor that so confuses many others, the strength in your voice and your words, and of your heart...you are perhaps the one person I admire most.
Please...do not become discouraged. Not by my absence, nor by your lack of success in this world. You will (just as you are, and as you have) accomplish even greater things than what can be imagined...all you must do is keep your spirit about you. Your eyes are proud, and your face is meant to be seen; you must keep your chin raised to show it.
I will await your return home. I am certain you shall find a way.
Edward
Edward; through these months I have come to love you as family. Though you do not fancy yourself as the type to be lovable, I fear I cannot place any other word to you. Your loyalty to my son is comforting, and I know that in your hands, he is safe.
However...please do not define your existence by that of my son's. Sigmund is a great man, yes, but you have your own merits that you must recognize. You are a great man, and that is why Sigmund took you with him on his journey. He can recognize greatness, you see; that he named you his second shows his deepest respect and trust in not only your abilities, but your mind and your heart.
You must stand on your own two feet to walk before you can properly walk beside Sigmund, Edward. But you have my faith, and my blessing; I joyfully await the day in which you will recognize your own worth apart from the worth you place in yourself as Sigmund's second-in-command.
Capell
...even now, words escape me. It is a rare occurrence indeed.
Capell, I have lived hundreds of years and have yet to come across a spirit as brilliant as your own. Your courage, your goodness and light permeate your very being; it shows in everything you touch. You have the soul of a great prince, of a beautiful young king, and though it may bother -or even frighten- you to hear it, I know that beneath your hand, Casandra would rise up and flourish to become the great nation it once was. Perhaps even greater than before.
Please...use your wisdom and strength to aide the Unblesseds of our world. I will aide you, both as Svala and as the Empress of Halgita...but I cannot accomplish what you long for by only my power alone. I need you.
...I shall await your return home eagerly.
Eugene
Beloved Eugene; the moon blessed my nation with your presence. Many times you have saved my son from an early grave by my hand with your words and your aide, though I am certain it appeared that my own patience with him was infinite. Do not be fooled by my demeanor; your assistance in raising him, even as only a friend, was absolutely priceless. I know that most of his accomplishments can be tied back to your quiet support from within the shadows.
...you would have made a wise Nightwhisperer, perhaps. Though I must admit that your temperament is well-suited for priesthood.
Nonetheless, please do not let the knowledge of Volsung taint your opinions of Sigmund. He has accepted his new role as the prince of Halgita, my son and your brother, even if he cannot abandon his life as Casandra's king. I ask once again that you offer him your strength in Luceti...he is not like you. He cannot be patient and wait for opportunity to show itself, and I fear he will not understand why he must do this.
Thank you, Eugene. Once again, I trust my son to you.
Michelle
Michelle, do not let your failings discourage you; you are a healer, both in body and spirit, and Sigmund can see that. Do not worry on your shortcomings, and do not cry. You must stand strong and proud not only for Sigmund, but for yourself. Come to accept what you can and cannot do -and recognize your own strength, as well- and those around you shall recognize your wisdom.
Please, look after Sigmund for me.
Sasarai
Sir Sasarai...your strength astounds me. Through hardship and more, you continue to press forward. You give yourself to others and the community, and expect nothing in return. You even endure the company of a silly child such as myself with nothing less than a smile. Thank you, for speaking with me of your world, this world and my own. Our conversations gave me comfort.
Zelos
Sir Zelos...
Hm. Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, but I found myself caring for you as a mother would her child. Though I must admit, the mock courtship was not influenced by that role.
Your spirit, rife with tragedy as it was, burns with the fire of nobility. I have read many souls, Zelos, and I am fully aware of what makes a great man. You contain these elements within yourself. Please, do not let bitterness or hardship plague your mind, and allow yourself to close those wounds in your heart as you enter your relationship with Lady Sheena. I offer you both my blessing, meager as it is. Please find a true happiness.
Raine
Lady Raine, brilliance such as yours does not oft occur. I have seen many scholars rise and pass in my years, but very few can hold a candle to your wisdom and your mind. I entrust my observations to you; I pray that you will put to better use what little I could discover.
Spiral patterns in ruins: Symbolize eternity; the General appeared to speak of a release by death, noting the cycle of living as eternity rather than death. Do they worship death or life?
Wings: The invaders possessed larger wings. Hypothesis: the invaders are an evolved species, their ancestors brought to this world much as we are and descended from those people. No concrete evidence to support this.
My apologies for how little I have...I fear I am not so adept at gathering information as I am processing it. I wish you the best, Lady Raine.
Kratos
You are
We
I'm
I love you.
You have given me...light and hope, humor and grace, safety- everything I have lacked for so many years. Your strength, your wisdom, your wit- hmm, I cannot possibly name everything about you that I adore. I even love your frowns and your scowls, and your unwillingness to show affection in public despite your tendency to initiate it.
You...would have made a shining emperor for Halgita. I would have loved to show you to my people...but I understand why it could not have been.
I will not say goodbye. I cannot. I shall cling -however childishly- to the belief and the hope that once again, I will see you. I will throw myself into the bettering of my country, my world, and will keep you in my thoughts and my heart. I will pray for your happiness.
I will miss you.
...it saddens me to write these things, but also brings me a grotesque comfort. Should I vanish, I hope these letters stay behind. I hope you may read these words, beloved. I hope they bring you at least a small sliver of peace.
I love you.
I will wait to see you again.