Emails
TO: Tom
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Re: Hey, Pan
I hope you actually read this one after the last email. Remember, we are always here if you want to have a conversation about any of that!
I think I got the bitching about how hot it is out of my system. Take it as a given: it's fucking hot, and this is just the orientation period. I'm hoping that I get assigned somewhere mountainous on the one hand, for better weather, but really I suppose I should hope to stick near the coasts. That's where the major organization centers are. So, yeah. So far I'm okay. Being able to, you know, fly makes it pretty easy to get the space I need to at least check email safely.
That meeting sounds pretty ... intense, I guess. But I also think it was a good thing. No, I think it was a really good thing, and I'm glad that you guys got together to have that conversation. I trust you, as I trust few others in my life, telepath or not. You might even be the person I trust most, when it comes down to a lot of things. You're solid, Tink.
I'm glad you listened to what I said, and I'm hope it was of some use to you. I'm interested to see what comes out of it. I'm interested to see where it leads in the future.
As an example for those who will follow you, humanity could do a lot worse. You aren't perfect. I won't pretend you are. But you work hard to do good in this world. And you do.
Jean-Paul
TO: Ilad
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Best Wishes
I forgot about the new year, I admit, until your email. I'll look for apples and honey tomorrow, I think. Or something similar. I'll avoid considering forgetting the sweeter things in life an omen.
It's hot here. You'd probably like it. Don't let my absence send you soft. I expect the usual challenge when I get back.
Stay safe. Take care of yourself, and the others.
Jean-Paul
TO: Jamie
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Re:
Keep the fatalities metaphorical, please. Isabel says Richard's on the mission with you. I hope you're staying safe, the both of you. I hope it stays quiet.
It's a bit hard to toss metaphors around by email. I miss those conversations we had. We stopped talking about everything else and just talked about us, and nothing ever -- well. Sometimes I feel like we got farther talking about morality, ends and means, and the meaning of it all.
I don't really know what to say about perspective. I guess I'm not really -- I don't know. I don't have much to say there yet. I might later. It's hard not to turn that along well-worn lines. I've never had perspective where you were concerned, anyway.
You're wrong, though. I understand making a decision about who you are. Just maybe not ... the frequency of your decisions. Maybe not quite the same way. But everything in life is a choice. Even inaction. I choose to do. I choose to succeed. I don't, always, but I'd rather that than having failed through inaction.
Things go wrong all the time. Crucibles spill over destructively quite regularly. But out of fire, there is always growth, after.
I hope whatever fires you face, however the metaphor shapes itself, leads you on a path to someplace better. Better for you, whatever that is.
Jean-Paul
TO: Jamie
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Re: Prison Activity
This is your quiet, less frantic, lowered stakes missions? "recent interest in Ellen Dramstadt's case by Stagram and Wolf"? Seriously?
Jesus Christ, Jamie.
Be fucking careful.
Jean-Paul
>> (The text of Richard's email is included below as a reply.)
TO: Isabel
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Re: You left me here alone with these people
Why didn't you mention what a stupid damn thing Jamie was off doing? Jesus Christ.
I'll write you another email later about Princess Starlight and Richard's cock. Right now, I'm mostly just reminding myself I can't throttle people from Africa.
Jean-Paul
TO: Isabel
FROM: Jean-Paul
SUBJECT: Re: You left me here alone with these people
I'm still pissed, but I'll try to at least pretend to answer your email. I'm not just pissed at Jamie, either. You could've said something. Christ.
I wanted to get to a point where he could stop making me feel like this, you know? I wonder if I'll ever get there, sometimes.
I can't believe Richard got you a giant stuffed pink unicorn. I can't believe he named it Princess Starlight.
I hope you saw the email I sent Tom. I'll let you know what kind of indignant squawking it produces.
I'll probably check my email again sooner than I thought I would, if you write. Fucking Jamie. There's no way in hell I'll be able to focus until I know how that mission turns out.
Jean-Paul