➇th Letter Home ✉ Video

[and_above_all]

[The Doc's video today is prefaced by a little precautionary message.]

Everyone, stay away from the floodwater. I'd tell you the sort of water and vector-borne diseases you could get but you probably want to take my word for it. If you have come in contact with the water, I'd recommend seeing me for a checkup.

[After that Public Service Announcement, Kiriko motions to a book in his lap. It's a Russian history book he managed to take from the library some time ago, and around him are a few modern ones he's received over time. It appears his Russian has gotten quite good.]

You know... I've been reading these a lot, lately. The world history is more or less the same as what I learned when I was younger...

But... [He laughs nervously.] It's weird. I can't bring myself to read past when I'm from. What if I find out someone I know is dead, or we lost the war? Or worse?

[He understands now how Elizabeth must have felt when he mentioned England. He realizes he shouldn't have done it, now.]

I mean, for most of you, it's probably no big deal. You already know.

[He closes the books, and puts them to the side.]

I don't think I want to.

Comments

[1mistress_nomaster]

........ I know. I know how difficult it is. You want to know, but what if...

[what if she failed. That all that death was for nothing. What if she ended up losing her head anyway? God, the dread that she failed her family, her father and mother in particular made he want to fall to her knees and weep.]

It's enough to drive one to drink in frustration. [Which she had already done.] Nothing ever makes it better though, I'm sorry. I wish I had some other words to give you.

[And she was still skittish enough at the thought to know she wasn't ready at all.]

[and_above_all]

[It's exactly that. All he has to do is take one little look, and all of his worrying could end. But he can't, the book just sits there with all the answers, mocking him.

He doesn't look her in the eye. He stays silent at the moment, staring at the floor, and suddenly blurts out:]

I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking.

[1mistress_nomaster]

[All she has to do is ask Lavi or Cross, but the grief it could cause was too personal, and her business between her and her country was so near to her heart, the thought of it scared her.

But to his apology, she shakes her head and brushes it off. She's tired still, for all of Raven's good work, she's... still bone weary from her drinking and from her thoughts and it makes her smile weak.]

There are far worse crimes, and you gave me good news. What Queen wouldn't want to hear that her country still flourishes?

[and_above_all]

[Kiriko shrugs.]

I should have been thinking ahead, though. I was rude. Though I'm thankful you're not angry.

Ah- my lady.

[He adds that in quickly, he's not trying to be impolite.]

[1mistress_nomaster]

Who are you to know? The only thing that could upset me about it truly was if someone told me what is to happen in my reign, and that I made a terrible mistake... like ah, I do not know, going to war.

[Or killing a family member. But she has so few of those left.]

If I were ever angry, my lord, you would of known straight away. I do not mask those things well. As it is... I am just in the same place you are. Dread and curiosity in equal measure. But thank you for thinking of me at all.