takeroot | noctium inbox

[He could reply to Constantin's post, yes, but he elects the more private route.]

I was beginning to think you'd disappeared on me, Kostya.

[Implied, of course, is that he's happy to learn this is not the case.]

Well, I did, for a time.

[hi buddy. sorry about this Friend Scare.]

But I am now returned! Feel free to rejoice at your leisure.

So you really did go home.

[He left only to return. Like Zoya. Except...]

I must say I'm relieved your memories haven't been scrambled in all the interplanar back and forth. How was that dashing cousin of yours?

Fine, given the circumstances! He will not languish in my absence, at least.

How was your... week? Weeks? I confess I've no idea how long I was gone!

There are "circumstances," are there?

[Constantin talks little of home, beyond expressing his fondness for the city he governs. But likewise, Nikolai has only alluded to the troubles plaguing Ravka. It's difficult to explain to someone who has never been there, like trying to explain a broken heart to someone who has never had one.]

It was about two weeks ago that you stopped answering my texts. Lunch breaks at work became tragically dull, but life went on as it does around here.

Yes, that is how all things work.

[Haha. No, okay, because Nikolai is his very good friend, alright--]

There are schemes a-plenty afoot that would seek to demean my cousin and threaten me, but I have it well in hand! And I'm quite glad to hear that my absence was not so terrible, as I would leave this place in a heartbeat to ensure my circumstances stay well in hand.

But I do think I will miss you, even when I forget.

I'm touched.

[And he genuinely is.]

Ah yes, schemes and threats are my bread and butter in Ravka. Here's hoping that whatever awaits you there grows no worse while you're here.

[Then he can't help but ask:]

Did you forget, while you were home?

[Everything?]

Those myriad others were right, when they claimed our worlds hold their breath in our absence. My cousin will be quite safe in the interim!

[Or he would be Flipping his Shit, so like, great to confirm that one thing, at least.]

I did, though. Yes. But I had no idea I'd forgotten anything at all until I returned! Very strange to experience!

I've heard before that the world does in fact wait for us. But knowing Ravka, I can't help but assume that everything has gone right to hell in my absence. The word of a dear friend, though, gives me hope.

[On the other hand...]

Is it arrogance or delusion if I hope that somehow I'll remember anyway?

Yes.

[It's both, congratulations. Still--]

I'm sure we've all a handful of things we'd like to remember from this place, despite ourselves. Perhaps I'll begin keeping a short list of names in my pocket, in anticipation of vanishing abruptly again!

[No. But maybe, also? Might be cool to just take the memirror home, but hmmmm...]

I would need to hire a tailor to make my pockets much deeper if I were to carry around all that I intend to remember. I've a number of journals I've filled with notes that I intend to make use of when I return to Ravka.

There are some things, of course, that can't be put into pockets.

Are you talking about your lady love? Daniil is still gone, so I daresay I know that one quite well.

[Great news, buddy: it sucks!! Look forward to it! Anyway, back to jokes:]

Perhaps you could send Malachite a polite note and ask them to put your books in the post. ✉

I'm sorry. A wildly unhelpful thing for me to say, but true nevertheless.

[The next bit he hesitates to plunk down into words, but Constantin had said he could turn to him with...such matters. Love...who said anything about love? Haha, you're so goofy, Kostya...]

I should consider myself fortunate that Alina and I at least call the same world home. My luck runs out there, though. She's already another man's wife.

[Speaking of things that could use unhelpful apologies, Nikolai's apparent... affair? Thing? Affair-ish business? Yeesh.

And yet.]

Well, that doesn't matter until you leave here, does it? Though you are much purer of heart than I am.

[She technically isn't married yet! Not in her own timeline!]

Why, what would you do in my shoes?

Whatever I wanted to, more or less. Not that I mean to imply this world doesn't matter, mind you! But

[but he's going to go home and punch god for his lunch money because he fuckin wants it, so like, Whatever He Wants-- okay, new angle.]

Do you not already have some manner of Arrangement for dalliances? How is a man she married somewhere else a complication?

Our arrangement, as you so artfully put it, is another thing I can't sneak into my pocket and take with me.

The complication is that Alina as she is here is from my past, and I'm from her future. Three years separate us. Saints know what we will or won't remember. Or if we'll ever be on the same page again.

[By which he means something more like I don't know if she would choose me again.]

Also, I'm fairly certain Mal would have no qualms committing regicide over this.

Oh, you haven't told her. This whole time?

[Buddy... pal...]

Well, do not, as it has been far too long to "it slipped my mind" about it now!

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