Liam sat in meditation, lotus style. While it had only been three weeks or so since he had left Phoenix, he found that it seemed like longer, and that, he discovered after some reflection, was due to some guilt that he had. Guilt over leaving his friends, but more importantly, leaving his lovers. He eventually sighed, and stood up.
“What’s wrong?” Kayla asked.
“Nothing.” he stepped out into the hallway of his simple room at the monastery, and looked out a window before checking the time. “I was thinking of heading into town since it’s a night off for me.” he admitted.
“Let me go with you!” Kayla said.
Liam shook his head. “I’ll go alone. Did you set up a post office box, like I asked you to?”
“Yea. Why?” she asked.
“I want the information and a key.” he explained.
Kayla grumbled inwardly, but didn’t express it aloud. Instead, she turned her back and wrote down the information, handing it over, along with the key. Liam took the information, placing it into his pocket, along with the key, before collecting one of the two bags he’d packed for himself before leaving – a backpack containing his laptop, cellphone, and some artist supplies.
He looked behind him for a moment, before stepping out of the room again, out into the hall before he reached the outside, slipped on his shoes, and made the trek down into town. The trip took some time, made a little longer by the fact he was trying to appreciate the beauty in the cold winter night, as he’d been instructed as part of his training.
Once in town, he made his way to somewhere he could get a Wi-Fi signal, and sat down to check some places on the internet, as well as his email. It was less difficult to ask for things than it was when he had first come to town, now that he’d learned a limited amount of Japanese. He was hoping that soon he would have more of the language down so he could get conversational. Reading and writing it would be more difficult, he knew, but he was determined to learn.
To blend in, he ordered a coffee, drinking it occasionally as he took the time to relax a little now that he was out of Kayla’s constant presence when he wasn’t training. His first step was to contact his cell phone carrier, to see if he could get his phone reconnected, and keep his number. It took some charm on his part, and some tech work on their end, but eventually, he reactivated his and Kayla’s phones, in case of emergency. Tavi had been right that he should have a way to be reached. He never should have listened to Kayla on that one, he mused.
He’d also been sure to set up a password with the cell carrier, so that only he could make changes to the account, as well as change how to log onto his phone. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kayla, per se, but it was more a measure against anyone who might try to manipulate her into doing something against him.
With a sigh, he checked his phone to ensure that it worked, then placed it on charge. Now, on to his emails – but what to say, exactly? It had been roughly three weeks since he had left, and no one had had word from him. Moreover, who to start with?
He decided to start with his sire, followed by his brother. They were fairly similar in nature, but sent separately – he wasn’t so crass as to put multiple emails in the to field. Bethany had taught him better etiquette than that. Both emails contained details of his ocean journey, and an explanation of his settling into his new location in Japan. He spoke a little of his training, then explained that communication would be sporadic due to limited connectivity. He then gave his post office box information, and mentioned his phone had been reconnected, so he could now receive messages.
After, he personalized each email better, asking his brother how working with Endrik was going, and if he was settling into things well, as well as how the family back in San Diego was doing. With Bethany, Liam put in a few flattering bits h ere and there, asking for the news from back home, and hopes that she was doing well, and still as fabulous as ever. Now came the harder letters.
Tavi,
I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you. I did reach out to Dave, as you requested, and got things settled. Hopefully he is no longer bothering you. If he is, let me know, and I’ll do something as soon as I can. By the way, I got my phone reconnected for in case of emergencies, as you suggested. You were right – getting my phone disconnected was dumb, and I shouldn’t have listened to the suggestion.
I hope things are going well for you, and the rest of the system (well, maybe not Tamiel). I miss all of you, but I want you to know I’m doing well here so far, even though it’s very different, and difficult. Please say hello to Adam and Declan for me, if you would? I’ve already emailed my brother and Bethany – I plan to email Vince and Ollie next.
Princess Skittles, I am doing well on my quest, but I need you to understand this may take a while. Paxton, I realize that you’re probably upset with me, but realize I did what I did for good reason – to learn, and eventually be able to better protect the ones I care about. Quinn, you’re a gem – stay beautiful. Ren, keep up the good work, as always. Tamiel…try being nice once in a while.
Tavi, please let me know if you need help with anything – I’ll do what I can, as soon as I can.
Always Your Bubblewrap,
Liam
<insert post office box address here>
Liam sat back, reading over the email as he took a few sips of his coffee. That was good enough, right? After the second read through, he nodded to himself and pressed send. Next on the list was Ollie.
Ollie,
I know you were upset by my leaving, and I am sorry for that. I want you to know that I am doing well. Training is very different from what I’ve been used to, and difficult because of that, but the Master who teaches says that for a beginner, I’m alright. If you’re worried about it, I haven’t hooked up with anyone – I’m too focused on my studies, and that’s probably a good thing. In what spare time I do have, I’m usually reading or drawing. By the way, my phone is reconnected – same number. So feel free to call if something comes up, but I can’t promise I’ll answer right away. Time difference and spotty connectivity where I’m at will play into things.
But enough about me. How are you? Are you safe? Are you fully studying with Endrik yet? I hope things are going as well for you as they have been for me. Feel free to tell Ronan and Endrik I say hello if you wish, but don’t worry about anyone else – I plan to send several emails tonight.
Above all, I want you to remember I love you. Despite the distance, despite everything, you have a place in my heart. You always have.
Love,
Liam
<insert post office box address here>
Liam sighed, feeling as though he should say more, but he just didn’t know what. He hit send, then spent some time drinking his coffee, thinking about what to say on the last email he was going to send that night.
Vince,
Man, I’ve missed you. I want to thank you for that book you gave me – it was an interesting read, and helped pass time while on the ship over here. I still have the contact information for your friend that you gave me, but I haven’t reached out yet. Which reminds me, my phone is reconnected. Same number, too. Tavi was right – I never should have disconnected it. That’s what I get for listening to Kayla, I suppose.
What little I’ve seen of the country is beautiful, and I’m seeing snow in person for the first time. I’m taking the time as well to learn the language and culture, as suggested to me by the Master, as part of the philosophy behind Do, the martial art he’s trying to teach me. It’s very different from what I know, and therefore more difficult, but I’m doing my best.
I think about you often – wondering how you’re doing, if you’re mad at me; if you miss me too. I hope that work isn’t being too hard on you either – you deserve breaks, you’ve done a lot already, and I know me and my coterie are to blame for probably half of what you’ve had to go through at least, I figure. I’m sorry contact hasn’t come sooner – I’m limited in connectivity, and this is my first time back to town since I arrived.
Now for the chick flick moment. I miss being around you. I miss holding you, and vice versa. For Christ’s sake, I miss your scent. If I weren’t such a damned determined fool to take this chance, I’d come home to you.
Please reach out to me when you can, let me know you’re alright. I love you.
Love,
Liam
<insert post office box address here>
Liam sent the email, not knowing what anyone would do when they received it, or if they’d even respond. With a sigh, he finished his coffee, closed his laptop, paid his bill and then left. There was still some time to do a little bit of shopping, and although he didn’t know what to get everyone, he knew he wanted to get something for Skittles. He ended up settling on a Limited Edition Kotobukiya My Little Pony Bishoujo Statue of Pinkie Pie before heading to the post office to ship out and address to her. Inside, he slipped in a sketch of Skittles herself, in a fairy rainbow princess dress and shimmery wings, drawn manga style. The sketch was enclosed in a hard plastic frame, with an attached note that read: For my Princess. Was it a bit much? Probably – but it would make Skittles happy, and she probably missed him.
After shipping out the package, he made the trek back to the monastery, again appreciating the quiet beauty of the still winter night.