Letters To and From Home

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa walked slowly and cautiously up the slippery and icy steps, clutching her jacket closely to her body. Her brown curls floated behind her in the light wind. She had written a few letters to her mother and sister, both whom she missed sorely. Rhyspa held the letters tightly in her hand, not wanting them to fall and get wet, the ink would spread. She hadn't received much mail from her family, just the occasional letter, but she didn't mind. Rhyspa loved her family, but she was very much a solitary creature.

As Rhyspa entered the owlery, she whistled for her beautiful snowy owl, Seana. Soon she saw Seana fly towards her, hooting with delight. Rhyspa smiled and pulled out a treat from her pocket and offered it to the owl. "Hello my dear," she said. "I've got some letters for you."

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

Admitting that you were wrong is never an easy feat, but for Dom it seemed like having your teeth yanked out by the roots. He'd never admit this to Nic as his best friend would probably think him weak, but over the course of the last six months or so he'd developed a conscience and the actions that he'd displayed last year were absolutely unforgiveable. Regardless, he at least had to ask for forgiveness though he was sure he'd not get...never hurt to try though.

He sat down at his desk in his dorm and began to write a letter. There was definitely more than one apology he needed to offer, but this one was going to be first as it was the most important. Looking around, to make sure Nic was no where around, Dom continued on with his letter.

Rhyspa

I'm probably the last person that you expected to hear from or even want to hear from for that matter, but I do believe that I owe you quite a large apology. Words really cannot express how truly sorry I am for my actions last year. First the whole Yule Ball fiasco and then what happened with Bruin in the Spring. You should have been treated more respectfully...you deserved a lot more than what I gave you. I hope that you can find it somewhere in your heart to forgive me and that you will accept my apology. If you never want to speak to me again then I can understand and accept that, but I really would love to hear from you.

Dom

He gave it one last look over and then gave it to his brown owl, Vladmyr, and sent the bird on its way before Nic got back from class. Now all he could do was sit, wait, and hoped that she responded.

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa walked up the icy steps once again a few days after she sent her letters to Callan and her mum. Upon crossing the threshold, Seana greeted her with a few hoots and two letters attached to her reptilian like legs. Rhyspa untied them and opened them up, reading them with a smile. She really missed her mother and sister, even her father, and one other person she would never let anyone know she missed. Upon finishing reading the second letter from her sister Callan, an unfamiliar owl flew in through one of the many windows. Rhyspa paid no mind until it hopped closer to her with an outstretched leg. The letter had her name on it.

Rhyspa opened the letter and read the first few lines of it. Her eyes glanced down to the bottom to see who it was from, although she had an idea of who it was. Rhyspa's legs grew weak and she sunk to the oddly clean floor and continued reading the letter. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would ever hear from him again. After finishing the letter Rhyspa read the last line again and she hastily pulled out some parchment and her quill and ink.

Dominik,

I think I can accept your apology, but I don't think I could ever forget what you did to me. I never expected to receive a letter from you, especially an apologetic letter. How could you and Nicolae do that to unsuspecting girls? Did you find amusement in our pain? I do not regret for one second my causing you pain. I took great satisfaction in watching you limp away.

With all that said, I am glad you apologized to me and I do think that I would be willing to try and become friends. Of course, if you are willing?

Always,
Rhyspa

Rhyspa read over the letter and finally sealed the letter and wrote in her curvy script, Dominik Marinescu. She beckoned his owl over, and attached it to his leg.

"Take this to Dom, please," Rhyspa said.

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

Dominik was finishing up a paper for potions when he heard a light tapping on the window of his dorm. He looked up and saw that it was his owl. He cracked open the window enough to let Vladmyr in, not wanting to let in the blistering cold from outside. Quickly closing the window, Dom turned to see if there was any return letter from Rhyspa. His stomach did small flips when he saw that there was a small little square attached to the owls leg with his name written in fancy script on the front of it. He wasn't sure what her response would be or if she'd ever forgive him so he carefully opened the letter...just in case she'd put some sort of hex on it.

He read over what she'd written several times, chuckling a bit when she said that she enjoyed watching him limp away last Spring. He'd honestly gotten what he deserved...well both he and Nic had. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and quickly wrote his return to her.

Rhyspa,

Thank you for accepting my apology. You have no idea what it means to have your forgiveness. In response to your first question, I don't know what possessed us to do something like that. I guess we didn't think that it would have blown up in our faces like that. At the time it sounded like a fun idea, but in the long run I see that our actions caused everyone involved more pain when in reality it had started as what seemed like a completely innocent bet. In the end we both got what we deserved...well we probably deserved worse, but it definitely got the message across.

I'm definitely more than willing to be friends and am glad that you are giving me that chance. Hope to hear from you soon.

Dom

He folded it neatly and wrote her name on the front of the envelope then attached it to the birds leg and said, "Take this to Rhyspa Aireous." Dom watched as the bird flew out of sight, wondering what Nic would think about all of this, but secretly hoping that his friend wouldn't find out.

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa was in her room, trying to catch up on her work, seeing as she was hopelessly behind, when she heard a tapping at her window. It reminded her of the Edgar Allan Poe poem, The Raven. "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary..." Rhyspa repeated the first line of the poem, a smile playing on her lips. She walked over to the window and saw the same owl that brought her Dom's letter. Rhyspa opened the window, letting the bird fly in. Swiftly it flew to her own owls traveling cage and perched itself. She retrieved the letter from his leg and opened it.

Rhyspa chewed on the inside of her cheek as she read the letter. Smiling at the last few lines of it. She was glad he wanted to be friends, despite their past, but she was anticipatory to what might become of their new found friendship. Rhyspa decided she'd like to take that chance. It reminded her of a song by ABBA "Take a Chance on Me." Sitting on her bed, she pulled out some parchment and began to write him back.

Dom,

I'm glad that you want to be friends. Although, at first your bet seemed like fun, I'll bet you didn't think of the repercussions of your actions. But, I'll stop with that, it's in the past now. How is Durmstrang? Are classes going well?

Rhyspa

P.S. What is your owl's name? He's an absolutely beautiful creature!

Rhyspa signed the letter and allowed the ink to dry, finally folding up the letter into a square. She tied it to the birds leg, and gave him one of her owl treats before taking him to the window and letting him take flight.

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

Dominik was in the library going through some books for various classes when Vladmyr landed right on the table in front of him. He noticed the neat writing on the front of the letter and he cracked a small smile as he quickly grabbed the letter and set it in the front cover of his book. Nicolae was supposed to be meeting up with him in a few minutes which meant that he'd have to wait to read the note.

*Later That Evening*​

After his roommate had gone to bed, Dom pulled out the letter from Rhyspa and read it. He had to admit that the second line stung a bit, but it was just Rhyspa's way of being brutally honest...he was sure she meant no harm. Quietly he grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and began a letter back to her.

Rhyspa,

We really didn't think of how others would react...stupid on our part I know. Durmstrang is...cold. I'm glad that this is my last year here that's for sure, though I haven't decided what I'm going to do once I leave. How are things in New Zealand going?

Dom

P.S. Thanks, his name is Vladmyr. Hope he's not causing too much havoc. Oh and one more thing...have you told Katalina about me writing to you?

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa was sitting in the Dining Hall, eating toast with Apple Butter, her favorite. She took a sip of her orange juice and read some of her new book, procrastinating on studying. Soon, a slew of owls and ravens flew into the hall, some carrying packages, some letters, and some had newspapers. Rhyspa saw Dominik's lovely owl; a letter was attached to his leg. He swooped down and landed right infront of her and she took the letter from his leg, absentmindedly giving him a piece of toast. She opened it and read its contents, smiling as it went on.

Rhyspa folded it back up and put in her pocket so she could find it later that day. She thought about his last question, if she had told Kat about their letters. Rhyspa knew she should tell her, but she hadn't, maybe in a few days.

Later That Day​

Rhyspa sat in the common room, studying when she remembered Dom's letter. She got out a piece of parchment and began her letter back.

Dom,

I'll bet it's cold up there, it's getting colder and colder down here. Although every year, it's still like the first time I saw winter. I can't believe it's your last year! I had completely forgot! I'm pretty sure you aren't the only one who doesn't know what to do after school, I know I'm not completely sure of what I want to do.

New Zealand is great! Well, other than falling behind in classes and trying to cram everything in for OWLs; something I'm not looking forward to. I haven't told Katalina about your writing to me. To be honest, I haven't seen much of her lately. We've both been busy with school and such.

Vladmyr is a wonderful bird and is no trouble at all! He and my owl, Seana, get along quite well actually. I've been giving him treats and such while he's waiting for my replies.

Rhyspa

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

~Start of 2nd Term (After Winter Holidays)~​

Dominik had finally returned to Durmstrang which seemed even colder since he'd spent the entirety of his Christmas holidays in New Zealand where it was considerably warmer...well compared to the weather here is was warmer. He'd spent some time with Rhyspa and had found that she truly was an incredibly awesome young woman. Dom had really not wanted to return back to school, but as this was his last term in his scholastic career he needed to. First thing he did when he got all settled in was sit down and write to the one person he couldn't get off his mind.

Rhyspa,

Just got settled in here at school and wanted to write to tell you that I hope your first week back to school is a good one. I'm glad that we got to spend some time together and hopefully we'll get to spend even more time together in the future. If you want to that is! Well I'd better run and grab some dinner. Hope to hear from you soon!

Dom

Once Vladmyr had been given a treat and sent on his way, Dom headed to get some food and meet up with Nicolae. he figured now was as good a time as any to face the music and tell his best friend about the girl he definitely had feelings for.

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa was sprawled out on her bed, trying to avoid some of the homework she had accumulated since classes started back up. Astronomy was her biggest worry, she didn't really like studying the stars, although she loved looking at them. She thought back to the time she spent with Dom over holidays. He had come to New Zealand on the chance that he might see her. Rhyspa couldn't help but smile when she thought of him now. He traveled all the way from Durmstrang to see her, or at least to see if he would run into her.

Soon, Rhyspa started to nod off, when she heard a tapping at her window. Pushing herself up, Rhyspa went to the window and saw Vladmyr, Dominik's owl. She opened the window and he flew in and perched himself on Seana's traveling cage. Rhyspa took the letter off his leg and read its contents. After reading the letter, she pulled out her writing supplies and began to write him back.

Dom,

I'm glad you got back to Durmstrang safely and that classes are going well. Its our first week back and I've already got a pile of homework. I had a wonderful time with you over the holiday and I am definitely interested in spending more time with you in the future. I hope you're having fun during your last semester of school!

Rhyspa

Rhyspa attached the letter to Vladmyr's leg and gave him a treat before he set off. Yawning, she put her bed clothes on and decided to do her homework.