J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

9th December, 2010

Dear Addie,

I regret this tardy letter exchange is becoming quite our habit. Wholehearted apologies given I promised to keep in closer touch after the summer's events. It's been… a month, more since we last exchanged letters.

How are you? How is Marmy and work? You have undoubtedly seen the news of late at St Mungo's? I am lucky to have escaped adding to the death toll. Thank Merlin for Balfour. I reassure you I am fine, recovering and hope to be back to my old self by the end of the week.

Balfour is looking after me impeccably, not that there was any doubt of his generosity. Today marks three months since the Le Masque night we met. Yes you may continue to claim a little credit for this.

I do hope everything continues to be on the up for the place under your management. I am as ever in high admiration for your talents, as long as you let me tell people of the time you were my intern. Should I overstep the mark, you can, in detail, tell Balfour of my misadventures on the tube the day we visited the Tate Modern. You'll be pleased to know I have now got the hang of ticket barriers.

The year has shot by altogether too quickly. You must come over and visit, let me cook dinner, perhaps after Christmas. December is always filled with one too many dinners and enough turkey to sink a battleship. Well I am assured, I haven't seen it proven.

Would you do me one fantastic favour and preserve a copy of Doctor Who over Christmas? I won't manage to be near a television this season, and well, it gives me a suitable reason to visit, if permitted.

How are your family? Will you be down in Portsmouth for Christmas? I think we shall both be in Edinburgh. What of New Year? Perhaps we might co-ordinate plans then?

I confess I do miss my 'little sister' terribly. We should see more of each other, though I realise you have wilder, more engaging matters as each year passes.

Write me soon at Balfour's address? (See top)

Much love,

Though there was clear squealing of happiness when this note came in, it's clear that it took a few days to get back to him!

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

December 12th, 2010

JoJo--
(deal with it; it's the Christmas season. Be Merry and all that jazz.)

It's Sunday and I finally found a few minutes to spare what with Le Masque getting ready for potential Christmas/New Year's parties in addition to the Delacroix-Blake Christmas hurrahs. Marmy grows by the day and I swear she pines for any indication that you'll come by again. My own dog spoiled by a lanky older brother -- congratulations, mate. Work is work, but nothing to complain too much about. Clearly, the Desrosiers have more faith in me for this position that what I originally had thought -- work is definitely cut out for me most days, coming home and flopping underneath bedsheets only to wake the next day.

Maybe a little complaining there, but hey. It pays the bills and then some, hm?

And Balfour? Oooooooer. You picked a breadwinner with him. I bet he's super cute in certain situations that clearly I should not even begin discussing with my older brother. Hm. Shame, that. However, you two are more than welcome to snog the night away with a few drinks should you come into Le Masque at any point. I certainly won't judge.

I might grin and wish I had a chance to snap a pic of it though and add it to my pictures I have of my family, friends.

As for the Christmas special, you had better believe I'll record Who for you us, but do be warned if your boyfriiiiiiend comes, you have to do the explanations, not I. Meeting up for New Year's sounds lovely enough. If you have ideas, relay them back to me as soon as possible.

On a serious note? Stop getting admitted to Mungo's though, Joh. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. Really.

Until I hear from you again, enjoy the small package that I've sent with the owl as a small gift of my love to you.
And Balfour too, if I must.


Much Love and Merry Christmas, ya goob,
Addie

Christmas Gift!

Arrives with the morning post at breakfast time for Addie. Carried by Balfour's enormous owl.

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

Monday, 13th December, 2010

Dearest Addie,

Thank you for your letter yesterday. I got back from a funeral in Germany to find it late evening with the parcel. Thank you for the baking, we shall ration it out amongst the week, though I confess I may eat a piece after breakfast this morning. It looks rather lovely, your talents are never ending. I shall return the favour soon.

Don't work yourself too hard, whatever you do. I know that success is only what you put into it, but from one certified workaholic to another potential one, it shouldn't be all that life is. Life is far too short, to brief to spend it working your fingers to the bone and letting moments pass you by. You never know when you might only have months left.

Make sure for next year you plan a holiday, daresay let me suggest half a dozen places to consider next I see you. Wake to see a foreign sunrise, fall asleep rocked by an overnight train, laugh with strangers, take chances, take the more dangerous option. You can still do anything you turn your hand to. The years ahead will be the best you can have in your life for freedom and adventure before obligation, financial insecurity and future plans for family catch you up. Run from them now before you cannot run at all.

Promise me.

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

December 14th, 2010

Joh--

You mentioned returning the favour.

What, you know how to more than make paper Tardises? If so, impressive. Makes you appear more attractive to some and obligated to share with little siblings in return. I'll let you guess which one would be all the more disappointed if you were not to share. Keep that in mind, won't you? -winnnnnnk-
 
I should have some holiday available in the new year, so suggestions are definitely welcomed. I know Rufus mentioned that Tennessee was fun when he went to grab that new firewhiskey, Haints. Apparently it's something "I should try when I decide to not let Mum and Da know." What is that supposed to mean? I'm pretty much help own a business and I'm under 25. I think he's just being an arse on purpose. Whatever.

Back to the holiday ideas and all of that jazz - - 
are you going to be all right? I mean it.

How you say all of that...it. It's something like Matty would have told me. Hmf.

You know you can talk to me any time you need to. I'm here and your little sister confidant for a reason.

Addie

Waiting for Addie when she gets home, carried by a Ministry owl

J. Storm
(℅ B. Spectre)
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

Wednesday, 15th December, 2010

Dearest Addie,

Sadly my exploits to convince Francis to use his rather unique skillset in the Department of Mysteries to help create a craft of time and space have not been fruitful. Theta is more open to the idea, but even she is sceptical. Work on her, they are both wise to my approaches.

Adventures in paper are not going much better, but I shall persevere with the challenge set. I have 9 days to perfect it before Christmas for your card at very least.

Do try the firewhiskey, tell me how it is. As for what Rufus means, it could be a wide number of things from the implication you will besmirch the Delacroix name with drunken antics, or that your parents have something against the brand, or something else I'm not able to interpret at distance. He may be being an arse on purpose, but relatives generally are to younger ones. Perhaps he is just unused to the concept that you are now old enough to do such things.

I fear I am over analysing things in a wish to please your curiosity. Ask him.

It is a mixed up week, and I apologise for the early Monday morning message if it was not quite as upbeat. Things will be ok, and I'll be back to my old self soon enough - well not old self, just semi-socially-acceptable self. The past couple of months has thrown its own challenges, but nothing I cannot face with dear friends, lovers and little sisters at my side.

Some point in the new year then. I shall note in my diary to write you and fix up a time and place, bring along my dashing shadow, if little sister permits big brother?

Much love,

the owl impatiently taps until they take the note around lunch time; her handwriting is rushed opposed to the normal legible type

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

J. Storm
Department of International Magical Cooperation
Ministry of Magic
London

----

T. Pepper
Department of Mysteries
Ministry of Magic
London

March 8, 2011

I'm a mess.
A rightful, hot, bothered mess!

Go to breakfast before grinding back to the workplace and I end up holding hands with a guy I hardly even KNOW.

What is happening to me? Why now? WHY NOW. Is this some sick sign that I can let go, that I can be all right with what the evidence is? That .... Matty won't be really ever coming back? I need someone to talk to, to hear me. I want to cry. I'm scared. Please owl me back with immediate haste.

Addie

Arrives evening the following day

J. Storm
3A, House of Atreus
Knightsbridge
London

A. Delacroix
Kensington Gardens
London, UK

Wednesday, 9th March 2011

Dear Mess,

Sorry to have not received your owl at the office yesterday.  One had one’s own ‘guy' to 'hold hands' with with newly healed eyeballs.

I confess to be no expert, but one can hold hands with another (including of the gender one normally finds romantically attractive) without it being any issue? Balfour agrees with me, and I consider him an expert.

Who is this fellow anyhow? He’s clearly had some impact on you to write such a peculiar note. Do you feel any ill effects to suggest love potion?

Was 'grinding’ back to work rather more literal in the sense of more than hand-holding? Though, if memory serves correct you prefer to grind at your desk, and this is not a singular incident, well, at least not with the same fellow.

We prescribe two margaritas. Or working your way down the cocktail menu, figuratively, and the bar, literally.

Much love,