Closed Far Away

[Tanith Whitlock]

Tanith almost wished she'd been better at French, but she'd just never had a knack for the language. She loved Tullia, but she also didn't think she could handle being at the other school with her sister. But that didn't mean they couldn't talk. Tanith waited a few days before deciding to send a letter out. She knew Tullia would be too busy with her own things to bother writing first.

Tullia,

Schools started. I mean, you knew that. I wish I could say more about it. Classes are alright. There aren't a lot of kids here that I really get on super well with. I've tried to talk a little more to my roommates. Do you have a good relationships there? It might be my own fault, though, I haven't really been trying my hardest to be best friends with anyone. I hung out a lot with a boy in my year last year but I don't know... I've just spending a lot more time by myself. What do you think?

Sorry to pester you, I know you're busy with your fancy school life plan stuff, I just miss you. Being at Twila's is still... weird, I don't know. School is weird. Twila's is weird. When do places stop feeling weird? When do we stop wanting to go home? Do you think... maybe they would be there? That maybe we could go back and just... find them there?

Sorry, that's weird. How's school? Tell me all about your fancy school. Who are your friends? How are your studies?

Tanith

 

[Tullia Whitlock]

Tullia knew it was hard to be away from her siblings. She had gone so far, but she had needed to. It was better, she was closer to her goal, and away from all that chaos. She needed there to be so little chaos in her life. She hadn't really kept in touch with them while she was away but as they all grew older it made sense to try to keep in touch.

Spoiler

Tanith,

Glad to hear from you. What electives did you go for in the end? I'm sorry about your roommates, really I only have one good friend, Duke. he's super annoying, but, he's also really....good. Boys are easier to get along with sometimes, but Duke just pesters me. I like spending time with myself, it's better for revision and reading, sometimes Duke just sits with me while i work.

I miss you too. Hows Twila being weird? Have you tried talking to her? Maybe she's pregnant or looking to leave, the twins are almost at school age, hopefully she won't do what mum and dad did.

I guess i'm close enough to home, that i don't want to go back. I don't need them in my life, nor do you Tanith. Maybe just sign up for more clubs and stuff?

I don't have a lot of friends, but i'm on the quidditch team, and I have Duke, obviously. That's all I need, to be able to better focus on my studies.

With love,
Tullia

 

[Tanith Whitlock]

Tanith had been a bit nervous as she waited for her sisters reply. She was waiting by the window in the common room, sure that now that she'd written, Tullia would reply rather quickly. She let out a little breath she didn't notice she was holding as she spotted the owl flying towards her. She opened the window, cooing at the pretty thing gently. She let the owl settle in the window with a treat while she curled up to read her sisters letter. Tanith chewed her lip before she got out her notebook to write out a reply.

Tullia,
Thank you for writing back so quickly! I ended up with Ancient Runes, Potions, Astronomy, Divination, and Arithmancy. Tessa made me do it, but we're kind of aiming for maybe journalism or something. This isn't the first time I've heard you mention Duke. Do you like him or something? Maybe you should bring him back with you over break sometime.

Didn't Twila already leave once? And we just followed her? How do we even know she wants us around and Tessa didn't just make her do it? I hope she's not pregnant. There are too many kids at the house already.

Have you really never thought about it? You were older than I was when we left... Do you think they said anything to Tessa? Maybe she would know... but do you think she'd tell us anything?

I wish I could focus like you do. I'm trying to be more present in classes but its hard to make myself focus. I think sometimes that maybe I have people here but its just... really lonely. Where do you think the twins will go next year? If they go with you maybe I should transfer to follow you.

Hope school is going well!
~Tanith

 

[Tullia Whitlock]

Tullia took a moment to reply to the note that she got from her sister, somewhere between all the things she was doing, she had just been busy. But she wrote out her response once she had a moment and then sent the letter off.

Spoiler

Tanith,

Those seem fun. I didn't realise you were interested in journalism. Is that new? Duke is a friend, nothing more. I won't bring him...he doesn't...no.

Well, yeah, but it was complicated. She wants us around, but anyway, we'll all be old enough to do our own things soon enough. We won't need anyone to 'look after us'. I also hope she isn't pregnant, but maybe she is. Have you tried writing to her?

Not really..after all that happened...I just...no. They don't matter, I don't care about them. I don't think they care about us.

The twins I'm sure will come to you. They both like New Zealand, it's all they know. I thought about transferring to you, but...I like it here.

Tell me how your classes are going.

Love you
Tullia

 

[Tanith Whitlock]

Tanith waited what felt like ages for Tullia to write back. It probably wasn't as long as it felt, but she'd convinced herself that she'd been forgotten when the letter came in, surprising her. She read it over a few times, taking a day or two and a dozen drafts before she managed a reply of her own.

Tullia,

It's really a new interest. Almost a bit of a forced one- Tessa and Twila said I had to do SOMETHING and its the only thing I could think of that didn't sound horrible.

You sure you don't like Duke? That's a lot of protesting for just a guy friend.

I haven't written to her. She'll just want me to tell her all about the classes and what I'm doing and be all bossy and stuff. And besides, I don't want to annoy her too much.

Maybe if I'm better
I mean

I don't want her on my case. Tessa's already pushy enough, don't need Twila being pushy too.

I'd offer to do a year at Beauxbatons but you're busy enough I'd probably just be in the way. Will you go home for the break instead? We could have a sleepover in our room there, build a fort and have too many snacks. The boys will probably try to get in the way but that's what brothers do.

I'm sure they'll find ways to fight at school, come to think of it. Sometimes I think Turlough likes the fighting.

Classes are... okay. I'm not skipping any, at least, but I still struggle with them sometimes. I'd ask how you get through them but I know you have this whole big plan and you won't let anything get in your way.

Hows your plan coming along, by the way? Things busy?

Write Soon.
Love you.
Tanith