To the faceless photographer, -closed

[Rebekah Esser]

November 12th, 13

How wonderful. Now they envy you and think dirty old-man pervy thoughts about me. If they were trying to get a peek at your words before, then it must be much worse now. How will you ever get anything done?

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go out and take interesting pictures for you to make them even more envious with. Only this one of my foot/ankle in this horrid temporary cast at the end of the bed in the Hospital Wing. Took a hit in the back in the middle of a match. Knocked me right off my broom. Terribly embarrassing really. You’d think I’d be able to hold on after so much practice, but no. Fell a couple stories and landed myself right in the Hospital Wing.

-Bex

[Milo Harding]

November 20th, -13

I lie. I tell them all sorts of filthy little things to further their imaginations, really, what else was I supposed to do? Clearly, I never get anything done whenever you write me. In truth, I wasn't sure how to start this letter...and it took me a couple of extra days to do so. Not even absolutely certain the specific reason. Perhaps it was a myriad of things. I think the simple explanation is that my temper ran away with me - for two months. Though, it didn't feel like it was quite that long. Perhaps time just passes more quickly whenever one is in such a state...particular days feel longer than death itself but the time as a whole passes too quickly.

Enough of my rambling. Quidditch can be a very violent thing, and you enter into it so easily, I have a feeling you do anyway. Are you going to make a swift recovery? I don't know much about the method of medicine in that part of that part of the world, or the healing that is required of somebody working in a school. I didn't have to attend a school like that, so I'm rather out of touch. Just how much practice do you have, flying anyway.

-Milo

[Rebekah Esser]

November 24th, 13

Are you saying that I’m hurting your productivity? How terrible of me! It does feel as though time has been moving more quickly recently. It’s already almost time for most of the students to go home for the holidays. Do you have anything particularly festive planned this year?

You’re right in that; it definitely can be, especially for my position. It wasn’t something that I expected to enjoy to the degree that I do, but there are few things better than a good round on a broom. Oh, I was back on the field in a few days. Most of what I do is upper-body so it wasn’t too much of an issue. If anything, it was a bonus because it got me out of doing any laps. What kind of school did you attend then? Well, we have flying lessons in first year, then we can try out for the team in second so for a number of years now. The Captain at the time said that I had a surprising amount of ferocity, for my size, so I made the team originally as a substitute until I got older/better. We practice as a team as often as we can get the Pitch, but at least once a week.

-Bex

[Milo Harding]

December 1st, '13

No silly girl, I'm saying that I'm never productive in the slightest. It's always a ruse. You cannot hurt something that doesn't exist.

Actually, that was something I was waffling on how to approach. But you've provided the perfect segue. I do have some rather specific plans for the holidays, touch of traveling. Maybe a heads up. I wasn't sure if I should even tell you, as it might seem...strange? Are you planning on going home this year, I don't recall that you've ever actually informed me of where your 'home' is. Regardless, my news is this, - that family that you intercepted my letter from, all that time ago. I'm coming to stay with them, I've been invited for a bit of continued education, higher learning and all of that rather soon actually. Might just be for the holiday, might just be long enough to fulfill all of my needs to see snow and never wish to see it again. It was rather open ended, this invitation. I wasn't sure if this would mean that our poor owls would simply have less distance to travel...or if we could forgo the writing portion for a short while altogether. I did think, that coming and returning without so much as a word...wouldn't be acceptable. I will be leaving here in one weeks time,

As for the other concerns, I was afforded private tutors for every subject imaginable and then some. Have you only just made the team, then? The official team anyway? Also - I have noted that subtle hint about yourself to add for any future drawings,

-Milo

[Rebekah Esser]

December 5th, 13

I usually stay at the school over the holidays. ‘Home’ is a...complicated matter for me, not a word I really use actually. The place I go to after school ends in the summer changes fairly often, so...yeah. Anyway, staying at the school. You’re coming to Austria? That is some news! Are you excited to see/stay with your family? Continued education? Learning is a fun activity, I’m fond of it anyway. Just to be clear, you are suggesting the possibility of meeting up in real life, yeah? I’m not reading that in? Because if you are, then I would say that I would be amenable to that, if it could be worked out. I mean I’m sure you’ll be busy doing things, but yeah.

Do you have a favorite subject? I joined the starting lineup last year, officially. Injuries happened often enough that it wasn’t as though I wasn’t in the games prior to that though. Yes, twenty-one feet may have been overshooting my height by a few yards.

-Bex

[Milo Harding]

December 10th, '13

You're being vague on purpose, and while maybe it's charming, you should be more clear. What do you mean that the place you return to every summer changes? Though, there's nothing wrong with staying at the school. You're always clouded whenever it comes to your family, because you don't know me - or because you don't want to talk about it?

Touched down yesterday. Nice set of wind burns under my eyes. Excited isn't the word that I would use. I didn't bother telling my cousin that I was coming, and I was right - it was a good deal more fun this way. Not that she isn't always pleased to see him, bit obsessed with me of course. I'm her favorite cousin. Even after being gone for all of these years. The learning that I'm here to do, isn't something that you would be interested in, I'm certain. It's not of the academic variety, studious, but not academic. Though, In school my favorite subject had to be Obeah. is that something they teach at your school? I wouldn't imagine so.

Yes. I am suggesting that very possibility, should you find that to be something that you want. I'm very odious, I'll warn you, covered by every inch in thick hair like a wolf man. All of us Texan boys are. Haven't you heard?

Busy, yes. Very. Never too busy for my only friend.

-Milo

[Rebekah Esser]

December 13th, 13

Generally, it’s because I don’t particularly like talking about it. Brief overview: I don’t have any family really. I’ve been in foster care for a long time, but I never end up sticking with a specific set of foster parents for very long. That’s why it changes a lot. Not my favorite subject matter.

Did you just show up on her doorstep? Too funny. That explains why Wordsworth seems so cross though, he probably flew to where he was used to deliver these letters only to find you weren’t there. Had to spoil him a bit with treats to make up for it, grouchy thing. No, that isn’t a subject taught here. I’ll be honest, I had to go and look up what exactly what it was. Very interesting.

I Yes, I think I would like that very much. I suppose that would make you rather easy to pick out in a crowded place then. That is something I’ve never heard about Texan boys. I must know then, what have you heard in regards to girls from California?

Only friend? I find that hard to believe, but that is very nice of you.

- Bex

P.S. How’s the snow?

[Milo Harding]

December 14th, '13

Well. It's much easier to deliver letters to you whenever my owl doesn't have to fly nearly as far to get them to you. When does your winter break start? How am I supposed to meet you, if you stay all nestled inside of that castle for the remainder of the year. I'm not exactly sure how long I will be staying here, but the reason that I've come is, entertaining my greatly. Very interesting people here, not at all how I remember them. Then again, as a child, I was limited to mostly just the social pool of my parents father.

Actually, I was inside of her home whenever she arrived. How is that for heart stopping? Really she should have known better, not very safe, if just anybody can walk right on inside. Then again, she's a semi-powerful little witch, maybe she didn't think that anybody would have been brave enough to try. As for the schooling, I'm sure that a great number of my tutors wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near your school, teaching things that likely shouldn't have ever been taught....and of course I enjoyed it all immensely. What is your favorite subject?

Haven't heard that? Maybe it's just our hairy palms, perhaps I have just misheard it all. Well California girls, they never wear clothing, but I suppose Bikini's would get rather vex-some in this snow (which, is amazing, by the way. Everything I wanted and more, including the way it always seems to seep into my socks, no matter my foot wear) and tan skin, long, long legs. Bleach blonde hair? Not sure how far into this stereotype I should allow myself to dissolve. Clearly you're not the air-headed type. I would have gotten bored with you a long. Long time ago.

-Milo

P.S. Do you think that personality can be devolved into genomic markers? Broken down into something so simple, or do you think we are all our own person?

P.P. S. Tell Wordsworth I'll have a biscuit waiting for him next time.

[Rebekah Esser]

December 16th, 13

Winter break starts on the 20th. Once break starts, I’m pretty much free to do as I wish as long as I make someone aware of my plans to leave the castle. There’s a nice little village not too far from the castle that’s popular among the students so it isn’t strange to leave the grounds when classes aren’t in session. It isn’t all that strange to leave the grounds when classes are in session, come to think of it. So, are you originally from Austria?

I probably would have had a heart attack to find someone waiting in my home, regardless of their status as a favorite cousin or the like. Well of course, forbidden knowledge and all that, very thrilling. That’s what makes it so tempting to sneak into the restricted section of the library here, I suppose. I’m quite fond of Charms and Astronomy. I’m sure you could have figured out the first one based on my little present project I sent you though. I don’t think I could pick a favorite between the two of them.

Hairy palms? Isn’t that an old wives tale to warn children off of masturbation? That sounds like L.A. Don’t dissolve too far into that stereotype; based on what you just listed I’m about as opposite as it gets. That last bit sounded like a compliment. I’m going to take it as one, so don’t go raining on my parade.

That’s quite a philosophical question, very nature vs. nurture-esque. I had to take a day to order my thoughts in regards to that question before I felt able to put them on paper coherently and I'm not even quite sure that they are coherent. And I think that, more or less, we are all our own person. I think that though personality can in some ways be influenced by heritability, it’s much more formulated on one’s own. I mean there are, of course, going to be people who are terrible and blame it on the facts of being raised a certain way and having a certain type of parent, but there are others who come from similar situations and turn out to be wonderful people who do wonderful things. So, even if there is an influence on personality initially by adolescence/adulthood I think that that influence is severely lessened because of things such as free will, outside environment, etc. If that makes sense? Sorry if it doesn’t, I feel like I just rambled a bit.

He fluffed up his feathers when I told him of his reward waiting with you. I do wonder sometimes if Wordsworth can understand what I tell him. Is that silly? He seems willing enough to take the letter, anyway.

-Bex

P.S. Look into some water-proofing charms maybe? For your wet socks.

[Milo Harding]

December 18th, '13

As in, two days from this post mark you've got freedom from that Castle? Also - as for this little village, is it something that wouldn't be unusual for coffee to be had - or now that I'm surrounded by cold, Cocoa? I have a great many social functions that are perfunctory for me, and while I wouldn't mind asking you to accompany me to any one of them as you would likely be far better conversation than any of the others I will be around, I doubt any of them would be the best setting for a first encounter, or second, however the timing might fall. Just depends on dates, and times, I would say.

From here, as in I was born here. Wasn't raised here, this is my first time returning since I left as a child, actually. As far as a compliment - regardless of whether it was meant as one or not, you're always welcome to take it as such. I might tease you a bit...but that's hardly anything new. Also - thank you for your opinion. You were very succinct. No need to worry about that.

-Milo

p.s. well you can be sure to get right on that for me, can't you? Your owl bit me for only giving him one biscuit. What's that all about?

[Rebekah Esser]

December 19th, 13

Yes, I will have freedom from this castle probably by the time you will receive this letter. It wouldn’t be unusual at all. It’s called Somerset Village, by the way. There’s a little tea shop, and a cafe also that I can think of off the top of my head. Oh, yes! You simply must have some cocoa now! And while we’re at it, you should have some ice cream while it’s cold to see that it can be wonderful. What sort of social functions do you have to attend? I’m not sure if I would be the best company, crowds aren’t really a strong suit of mine. I’d probably spend most of the time hiding behind you anyway, but thank you for the thought.

I can’t do the spells for you, now can I? I just so happen to know a few anyway but that’s beside the point. Did he? I’m so sorry. He’s such a finicky bird and apparently greedy as well.

-Bex

[Milo Harding]

December 22nd, '13

By my calculations, you're on Christmas Break now, and Christmas is officially in only a couple of days. Has the Holiday spirit taken a hold of you yet? I think I've fallen under it's spell. This cold air really is doing me good, I think. Not nearly enough that I have any intentions of eating Ice Cream, I will have none of that. I would rather stick my face directly into the snow.

I wouldn't allow you to stand behind me. No woman on my arm would cower behind my arm, she would stand boldly on it. That, I can promise you is the truth. Even for a woman who doesn't like crowds, I'm very charming you know. Beyond charming, they should invent a whole new word just for me to describe myself? Is that arrogant, perhaps that's arrogant. Mostly, dinner parties and charity events where I'm expected to spend too much on a suit that I'm not allowed to wear more than once, and spend even more money on donations. Whenever I would rather spend money on shiny things for the people that I like. That's what having obscene amounts of money is for, is it not?

You can do the spells for me, tomorrow, whenever we have brunch. Wear what's in the box, so I'll know who you are.

-Milo

Enclosed

[Rebekah Esser]

December 25th, 13

Merry Christmas

-Bex

Present Inside

[Milo Harding]

December 25th, '13

Merry Christmas yourself.

It looked so good on you, thought that you should have a set.

-Milo

Gifts inside of gifts.