A letter, sent from the Spire Town.

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Dear Mama.

Well, as you can definitely see from the sending address, I’m somewhere new again! Tada!

So, since I’m writing from somewhere new, and since you’re so busy back home—too busy to visit lil old me, anyway—allow me to paint you a picture with my words.

Imagine me this: a town close by the ocean, shadowed by this giant crystal spire thing. Right by the giant spire there’s a bar, and right by that, there’s this fighting pit where people can spar. Follow the main road and you’ll find a hospital one way and the ocean another, where all you can see is sea for miles and miles.

I know, I know, the giant crystal spire sounds kind of ominous. I thought that too at first, but hear me out on the town. Sure, it’s not as busy as home, in theory, but in practice, oh boy. Everything’s constantly happening here. Drama, turmoil, even a little bit of danger, but don’t you worry. You know I’m clever enough not to get too messed up by it all.

I’ve not really made much progress on the whole ‘grand show’ thing yet, admittedly, but hey, there’s no rush. It’s like you always say, Mama, I’m still young. I have time, and that includes time to focus on other flights of fancy while I work on my big break. I’m still sure this is going to be the place, don’t doubt it even for a second.

Buuuut, I do have some bigger news on a completely different topic.

I’ve met someone. A man, about my age, I think, though I haven’t actually asked for the exact number. He’s real pretty, with grey skin and pale hair and fanciful outfits, and he always smells like flowers. Lavender! I know you’ve never really approved of my taste in men, but maybe you’d actually like this one? He’s taken in a few children, at least one of whom he’s raising as his own, and he’s kind to me. Maybe a little bit troublesome, maybe just a few red flags, but way less than my past relationships, I swear. I do also have a big fat crush on another guy, but I don’t really know where things are going there. You might actually like him more if you met him, he’s very sweet too. And my boyfriend’s very open about that kind of thing, so my gay crush on another guy is a total nonissue.

I’m also making friends, and possibly enemies at this rate, too. I got pretty close, platonically, with this guy, and now his red-flags partner dumped him and maimed him on the way out. It’s like I keep telling you, Mama: my boyfriends have never been that bad. At least no one took part of my body with them when they left. Still, I’m as fast as ever, and I know to run fast and bide my time, just like you taught me. And in the meantime, I’ll be there for my friend. He’s still so in love with them it hurts to see. I’d almost wonder if you had it right sometimes, about men. It’s not gonna stop me, but I wonder.

Aaand, I guess, in case you hear about it, there was this big crisis in town, too. A few people died, but I didn’t get hurt even a little bit, and the danger’s passed now. So, all in all, no need to worry about me.

I’ll write again soon, when I have more news. Do try not to worry in the meantime, though I know you can’t help it. I hope the store’s doing well, but if not, I’m hoping to send some coin with my next letter, just in case.

Tell everyone hi for me!

Your little acrobat,

Aspen.

A letter, sent from the Spire Town.

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Dear Mama

It’s been a bit since I wrote home, and I got your letter! I gotta say, I appreciate the concern, but like I keep saying, I’m fine. I’ve still not been hurt even once, and that whole Sundering thing was way less of a deal than they made it sound. I don’t know what you’ve heard about this place, but it’s really not so bad once you’re here. Also, Kyrus (boyfriend) is a perfect gentleman, I’ll have you know, so there’s no need to bring up my old fumbles.

You might be exasperated to know that I’m kind of having a thing with another person, too. Neither a man or a woman, I don’t think, but someone more like me. I don’t remember if I mentioned the sheer quantity of partners Kyrus has in my last letter, but this is one of his other ones, so he should be fine with it too.

They’re really sweet, though. Clever and well spoken, with a talent for study and learning. They like the stars, and Kyrus, and maybe me soon. I really like hearing about their world, the way they see things, the things they know. I can’t keep up with their mind, but I’m happy to listen and follow as much as I can.

Kyrus is getting into politics, too! It keeps him real busy, but I’m proud of him. I think he’d do well in the position he’s going for. Kind of feels like he’s made for it, like I’m made for acrobatics and my other…person? is made for study. We all have things to excel at, and I think this is going to be his thing, even if I’m feeling a little needier than usual.

Besides, I still have Grae (the other one), and the crush I mentioned last time, Anwar. I still haven’t talked to Anwar about all of this, which, I know, so unlike me, but he’s running for a position too and has also been busy, so I can’t really be mad about it…though I am kind of getting impatient to talk to him about all this. It feels like a door half open, or a flip half-flipped. A joint half-cracked. It’s unsatisfying. And…I really do like him, too. I want him to like me back.

So, clearly I’ve been keeping busy. I’ve also got my own place here, with a basement I’ve set up some acrobatics equipment in. Gotta keep my skills sharp! Though it feels weird, having a place I can decorate…I’ve rarely stayed in one place long enough for that before, but suddenly I have my own house?

I’m still working on my performance. It’s coming along! I just need to figure out the logistics, but I have more of a support system here than I have anywhere else, so I think I can pull it off. Even if one member of that system, a man I thought was going to teach me some new tricks (not like that) has just kind of vanished on me. I’m sure he’s fine, but I don’t know where he is. It’s kind of a bummer.

Anyway, I won’t say what the show concept is yet because I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think it’ll be fun. I think I can actually do this this time.

I do miss you and home - hopefully you’ll get the money I’ve sent with this letter and no one’s stolen it on the way. I’ve done my best to keep them subtle, at least; sorry about the box for a letter, heh.

I know you wanted me to come home again, even just to visit, but that probably won’t be for a while. You sure you can’t tell me whatever you wanted to talk about through letter? It’s not that urgent, right? I know you said no one’s dead and it’s not actively bad, but you do have me a little worried…

What else haven’t I mentioned? Uh, depressed friend is still depressed, but his ex is now wanted for crime. You might hate all my exes, but at least none of them are criminals. No more big crisis that I know of, I’ve already mentioned it’s election season, I think…I’ll write with the results when that happens. I could be the partner of an elected official, how fun is that? I think I’m perfectly suited for that.

But for now I think I’ll sign off, sign this letter and hope it makes it home. Love you, Mama. Like I said, I do miss you, but for once, I think I’m happy here. Surely you understand that?

I guess I’lll see when you reply.

Your little acrobat,

Aspen.