A bit of OOC Explanation: This thread is being posted with Saerra's knowledge and permission. Eden and I are collaborating on things involving Atticus' past and certain current and future circumstances of Atticus and Sebastian both. Saerra granted us permission to use up one of the allowed threads for the Teahouse game for this series of letters rather than having them be kept hidden in our PM boxes. I believe I can speak for both myself and Eden when I say we hope that those who should choose to read the contents of this thread enjoy it. :-)<br/><br/><div align="center">~*~*~*~</div><br/>The first such correspondence came rather unexpectedly. Rich vellum scented of an all-too-familiar perfume. The perfume of the sweet, if vengeful, one. She'd come the first time to spite her father for telling her she could not marry the man she wanted to, but in more recent months her visits had become so much sweeter, gentler. And now she came for him, for comfort and relaxation. Only sixteen years old and far too gentle for such a place as the Lamb in Briars, but he could not have mistaken that perfume for the scent of any other. The predominant aroma was that of the moon flower, uncommon but appropriate to the lady who wore it.<br/><br/>The letter was handed over with an air of amusement and teasing, but it appeared as though Atticus would be the first to read its contents, for the envelope was still sealed with a purple wax seal bearing the very flower it smelled of. The face of the missive bore the entirety of his name in a curving, feminine script. When he did open the envelope he was faced with the following letter and a rather delicate bracelet he imagined she had enclosed to be certain he would know the letter's origin.<br/><br/><em>Dearest Louis,<br/><br/>Some time now has passed as I sat staring at blank parchment, trying to think how to tell you what I now intend to disclose... No thoughts or ideas have come to offer me the perfect words, and it is no wonder I suppose, given my circumstances... And yours.<br/><br/>How I hate to think of you in that place, so full of darkness and pain. The very building gave me misgivings when I first came to you there, and to be honest it still does, but it <sup>has</sup><del>is</del><sup>been</sup> worth it to see you. But I'm delaying myself... So let's to the point of this correspondence and out the truth.<br/><br/>I'm a fool, I know, for this confession, and for fearing telling you face-to-face, but can you blame me with your profession? It will be at least a month or two before I see you again. Time enough to try and get my mind straight... I love you, Louis... but we can never be together though that is the dearest wish of my heart.<br/><br/>That is not all, I fear, for God perhaps punishes my defiance... That is what this feels like. How did I ever end up in that place? And yet, I would not trade the world for the time I've had in your arms... Even though the same arms have held a hundred other women to your chest. Such memories of sweet time savored carry me through the waking day. When my eyes fall closed I can feel the rise and fall of your chest, the warmth of the circle of your arms, the gentle stroke of your fingers in my hair...<br/><br/>What have we done, Louis? <br/><br/><del>|/x X/||x &lt;|x/||&gt;</del><br/><br/>I'll tell you about the rest when I see you next... If I haven't found a way to take care of it myself. <br/><br/>With all my love,<br/>Ellen</em><br/><br/>This was the first time she offered him her name, and of course it was in writing when the lady was not close by for him to say it to her.