You're Too Far Away: Viola

[Willa Robbins]

hijacked post

▶︎ couldn't wait 'til I got outside
wondering, what the world be like...

January 12

Dear Viola,

Oh my word, what tragedy has befallen our correspondence! I jest, of course - I do hope that you and Danick are finding each other to be joyful if surprising penfriends. He really does keep me on my toes in the most wonderful way, but the last thing I expected was for him to intercept post meant for me! He did share your gift of tea with me and it was the most welcome taste of home, thank you!

It seems impossible that we've gone so many months apart, I miss you and our girls so dearly. I think of you often - you would absolutely love it here, and I hope we can visit together someday. The world around the school is like nothing I've ever seen, its beauty is beyond me. I'm working on a project for all of you to show it to you as well as I can, but in the meantime I've attached a local favorite for you and our friends - tea, equipment, and instructions on how to brew it. It brings me great joy to imagine this showing up at the next appearance of Madame Viola's Tea Shop! (Although might I suggest it as a morning brew? It's strong tasting and does have a fair bit of waking-up power to it, I would hate for you to be kept up all night.)

What are you looking forward to in the spring term? I'm sorry I haven't written as much as I want to, the time is going so quickly. Due to my studies and learning more of the language and exploring, but also...I've met someone. Can you believe it? My penfriend Hugo turned out to be just as wonderful off of the page as he was on it, and we get on better than I've ever gotten on with a boy before. He's incredible - I couldn't imagine a kinder soul, and he's been so helpful in every way, and I feel like I really can be myself around him. Being with him makes being away from home far more bearable than I imagined it would be, and I'm so grateful for it. 

I send you my love and the warmest of hugs!

Willa

[Deleted]

14, February

Willa,

I can see how Danick would keep you on your toes, I have yet to really meet him and already I find him surprising and enticing me. He must come for a visit, you have to convince him, I already cannot wait to meet him. And I’m glad you enjoyed the tea, I thought of you when I saw it on display. Speaking off, the tea you sent was...otherworldly. I have never experienced such a thing before. A tea that is altogether new and exciting! I thought I had tasted enough teas to be satisfied but alas, I am wholly underqualified to call myself a tea connoisseur if I had never tasted that delight. On an aside, I did try to make the reading earlier in the afternoon but five was the earliest convenience for everyone and it is midnight now, you were not joking about its invigorating powers. Anyway, it was amazing, and thank you so much for sending it along! Preparing it was an art I intend to repeat and perfect for when you return I may hopefully I'll be able to do the process justice. I have locals to compete with after all.

I cannot determine in what way to make you understand in words how excited I was in person when I read the last of your letter. Suffice it to say I broke into spontaneous dance and should you have been here there would have been many hugs and squealing. It is completely understandable to length between our letter if this is what you have been occupying yourself with, or rather who. I am so excited for you! I had a feeling things would go this way, do you remember our last tea party before you left? It said love was in your future, I bet it was referring to Hugo! Tell me more about him, I’m suffering here not knowing all the details.

Today is St. Valentine’s day so I’ve sent along some sweets and of course more tea for you and for Hugo. Danick will be receiving his own package, as I’m sure he will tell you all about. All the girls say hello and send their love and we can’t wait to see you again! Jinx I think is missing you the most, he's been sleeping in your bed. Can't wait for it to be you there again!

Love,

Vi

P.S. Send photos! I must see these dashing gents!

[Willa Robbins]

15 March

Dear Viola,

You were too sweet to write me on Valentine's Day! And to send such delightful treats! Were you spending the day with anyone in particular? Were any of our girls? I will be so behind on dormmate news by the time I return, we will have to have a full day together, each of us, to properly catch up. Any highlights or lowlights so far? Give my love to Jinx and Maz too, please, I miss them so! You spoiled us with the treats, it was a lovely surprise to share more of home with Hugo through them. Thank you!

Oh my, I hope you recovered after such a long night! It's an acquired taste and skill to be sure, but I'm so glad to share it with you and that you enjoyed it! I'm not certain how I'll get through a regular day of classes, much less O.W.L.s, without my daily cup! I doubt I can pack enough to last all term, but I will do my best. (As much as I miss being home or at Hogwarts, I am trying not to think of my time here ending! I admit, I've been rather swept away into the flow of things here, and I'm going to miss everything here rather terribly. I spent so long worrying over how difficult it would be to find my place here, that I forgot to think of how difficult it would be to say goodbye.)

Your reading did show that love was in my future, I was foolish to not take it seriously! The leaves never lie. I'm on air, Vi - Hugo has been just wonderful, and so unexpected. Yes, even with the reading, I was taken by surprise! He and Danny took me under their wings from the start, and because you are you, you get to know the truth of our first conversation when I arrived: It surrounded vomit, Vi, and the likelihood of it happening on the boat ride, and where the toilets were, and how the ocean was an acceptable option as well. I am happy to report that we have 1) moved forward into more pleasurable topics of conversation and 2) that I did not get seasick. On that boat.

Hugo loves wildlife as much as I love my plants, and even if we're boring everyone else as we go on and on - I can't even mind, because he's right there with me with more to share! He wants to work for their Ministry to protect creatures, isn't that wonderful? So many are at risk here, even as the rainforest feels as endless as it does, and he's going to help help save their home. He cares so deeply, it was easy as breathing to fall for him. (He's one of the main reasons I avoid thinking of returning home, to be honest. I know everyone has their firsts and their puppy loves and recovers and moves on, but we both know that I'm leaving before much longer, and it's making what we have that much sweeter, I suppose - but his heart is a beautiful thing, and I do hate knowing that whatever happens, both of ours will be hurting sooner than we'd like.)

Remind me of the delights of summer at home, please!

Love,

Willa

P.S. Photos, as requested! One of me and Hugo at the top of the school - it's the windiest place I've ever been, and the most breathtaking. Everything was green, as far as I could see. The forests, Vi, I swear! I will never be over how beautiful it is. And dear Danick of course, doing one of the things he does best! I wish you could hear him play and sing, he truly has a gift. He would get on famously with Eddie and Doc, playing til the sun came up, and I promise - we wouldn't even mind not being able to sleep, they'd be that good together! I hope we can all be together one day, I really do. You'd love them, and they'd love all of you.