saltburnt inbox | @dijaconissa

[dastardly]

WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK

USERNAME: DIJACONISSA

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[oisre]

We had the Grianstad festival in midwinter, during the longest night. All the hearths and candles were lit so the whole of the continent seemed to glow.

[dastardly]

You're somehow making me miss home.

[oisre]

Does that mean you prefer to be here?

[dastardly]

I'll admit I've found myself rather fond of hot running water, among other conveniences.

But no, not here. Just not there, either.

[oisre]

I'm not overly fond of home either. Though I do miss feeling as if I fit somewhere. Sometimes I feel very out of place here.

[dastardly]

I doubt any of us feel as though they fit, here. Not truly.

I don't wish to embarrass you, but the photograph: I do hope your sending it means you've found some comfort here, whoever the intended recipient was.

[oisre]

I count a small number as friends. As it happens the recipient has gone recently, perhaps why the house saw fit to deliver it elsewhere. If I'm recalcitrant to find friends of my own, it seems determined to do so on my behalf.

[dastardly]

Well, if I am to be a prospective for the role, I should introduce myself. Josias di Jaconissa, formerly of Antiva.

[oisre]

[ how sweet. ]

It's lovely to meet you, as it were. Take a breath before you attempt my name.

Pearl Rafaela Constància Leopoldina Farnesio Trastámara, formerly of the Kingdom of Sioc. I much prefer simply Pearl.

[dastardly]

May I attempt it in full at least once, should we meet in person? It will only be in effort to impress you.

[oisre]

I look forward to your attempts.

[dastardly]

And I look forward to meeting you in person to make them.

[oisre]

Until then I suppose.

And, though what is given as a gift is now in the hands of the recipient to do with as he will, I would thank you for your discretion in the handling of my photo.

[dastardly]

Tell me to delete it, and I will, immediately. But you will need to tell me so; I'm afraid it's too beautiful for me to do it by my strength alone.

[oisre]

[ what a flirt. despite pearl assuming it is flattery, she knows she is beautiful but they don't know each other and surely he isn't truly going to look at it ever again, after a few moments: ]

You may keep the photograph. Your strength can remain untested for now.

[dastardly]

Thank you. I will keep it safe, I assure you.

[oisre]

You're welcome doesn't seem the best answer somehow.

Enjoy?

[dastardly]

Ah, so you pass the difficult position to me, where I now have to accept the implications of answering "I will", or try to come up with something a little more innocent.

Very cunning.

[oisre]

Serendipity more than cunning.

[ be brave, pearl. ]

I hope you do enjoy it. That was the original intent, after all.

[dastardly]

Then its intent will be fulfilled, though I imagine it will make anticipation of our eventual meeting all the more difficult to endure.

[oisre]

I'm sure you'll persevere.