“Letter M”
Letter from the office of Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Dear Students,
I applaud you all for your commendable accolades at Diarbeart this academic year. Each and everyone of you has gone above and beyond at achieving greatness, and I implore you to retain this spirit as we embark on the final stretch of our year.
I would like to take this time to announce the theme of our yearly Ravencrest Dance. We recognize that this dance is to commemorate the hard work that our school demands, and our theme should reflect this. After much deliberation from the faculty, we have chosen to highlight how each of you are stars in your own right, and so I ask you all to join us for a night under the stars. Come join us as we observe the beauty of night, revel with your peers, and above all have fun.
Attached are some rules to ensure the safety of you and your peers. Should any questions or concerns about these rules arise, please contact our party-chair Newt Nimmons who would bring such concerns to my attention.
To quote founder Royden T. Diarbeart “The road to our success is harsh. It is the road less traveled and stretches beyond the eye can see. But leading us along that road is our passion, and with passion fueling us we will never falter.”
Thank you all for a fantastic year, let us finish off this last month strong.
Sincerely,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
Disciplinary Account
Elijah W. Castleton,
On October 24th at 1:01pm Professor Thaddeus reports that you were sparking mischief in your alchemy class. Allegedly you intentionally infused Rigid Otter blood with Floral Mink whiskers, resulting in odorous fumes that resulted in your classmates falling under the effects of a love potion. This report is supported by several eyewitnesses who chose to remain anonymous.
This is your second warning; one more will result in a suspension for the span of two weeks and your banning from the Ravencrest Dance.
Mr. Castleton do not squander the opportunity you have been given. I am keenly aware of the intellect you try to distract from; to concoct a love potion at this age demonstrates your understanding of advanced alchemic formulas. Imagine what you’d be capable of if you directed this penchant for discord into more fruitful designs, you might even create something entirely new. To aid in this goal I am assigning you a peer tutor to help aid this process. Mercy B. Hazard will be shadowing you in classes to ensure that you do not deviate towards your mischievous tendencies and hopefully be an encouraging figure you may learn from.
Sincerely,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
An excerpt from the log of Elijah W. Castleton
Experiment #69 (Nice)
Attempting a potion of constellations for Ravencrest. Current list of required ingredients:
· One vial of Rigid Otter blood
· Nightlily petals
· Four raven feathers
· A bag Stardust
· Blue Fungus paste
Gathering reagents was simple. Thaddeus needs better locks on his classroom. I had to put in some glittering rocks as a stand in for stardust, but let’s see if he notices.
Notes: Attempting with six nightlily petals. In theory it should counter the paste’s corrosive nature and allow for the feathers to transform skin into night skies.
Results: I was able to make my veins bioluminescent and glow like starlight, however there was no reaction on the skin. Nightlily probably diluted the other solutions too much. Will try again with less nightlily.
I’m working on finding a new station for these trials since Thaddeus won’t give me lab access after my “little experiment” unless Mercy is with me. Asshole. Can’t he see she just slows me down and sucks all of the fun out of this class.
I’ll just keep making my own fun.
*
An exchange of notes between Elijah W. Castleton and Mercy B. Hazard
Elijah,
It appears as if you forgot your notebook in class today. I left it in your locker.
-Mercy Hazard
P.S. If I may offer a suggestion, try adding charcoal and four nightlily petals to Experiment 69 and putting it under hot water. It might help achieve your desired effect.
*
Mercy,
Thank you for grabbing my notebook. Do not read my things.
Elijah.
*
An excerpt from the log of Elijah W. Castleton
Experiment #70
Attempting a potion of constellations for Ravecrest. Current list of required ingredients:
· One vial of Rigid Otter blood
· Four nightlily petals
· Four raven feathers
· A bag Stardust
· Blue Fungus paste
· Hot water
· Charcoal
Notes: Changed recipe to accommodate four nightlily petals, charcoal, and hot water.
Results: Desired effects were achieved.
*
Letter from Elijah W. Castleton (unsent)
Hey Mercy,
I wanted to apologize for my last letter. I tried your suggestions and was able to make the potion work. You’ll have to explain why charcoal has that effect and what adding hot water did to the solution but thank you. You know, maybe I could have you look over some other experiments of mine. This is dumb.
*
Letter from Mercy B. Hazard
Percy D. Markov,
I appreciated your display during engineering today. I especially liked you making that automaton spell my name in fireworks, though you do know Hazard is spell with an A instead of an E. That said, I’ll have to reject your proposal as I’m not going to the dance. Why party in a sweaty room with my intoxicated classmates in dim lighting when I could be enjoying sea salt ice cream to some nice sultry jazz? So sorry but no, and I hope you find someone else to dance the night away with.
Sincerely,
-Mercy B. Hazard
*
Letter from the office of Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Mercy B. Hazard,
Professor Thaddeus and I would like to send our praise. In the two weeks you’ve had Mr. Castleton under your wing, his work in the class has earned the highest marks. No doubt this is in some part due to the warning I issued to him; however, I would be remiss to not give you some extra credit for your commendable work. Whatever you are doing, keep it up!
Sincerely,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
Notes between Mercy B. Hazard and Elijah W. Castleton
Elijah,
I kept thinking on your question in class and I think I might have stumbled onto the answer: Brass! Seeing how Percy’s automaton was capable of producing fireworks made me ponder the possibility of brass being a housing agent used for your more corrosive ideas. We’d need to use a high zinc alloy, but that wouldn’t be too hard. Let me know what you think!
-M
*
Mercy,
If we were to use brass as a housing agent, wouldn’t that run the risk of melting? Brass has a relatively lower melting temperature and so while it’d be more resistant to stuff like blue fungus paste how would it react to ingredients like neon that conduct a lot of heat? I see your point, but if we ran into an experiment that required a higher temperature, the brass would spill. How could we fix that?
-Eli
*
Eli,
Your point has merit, though I’m worried about what you’re creating that gets hotter than 1625 degrees. My initial thought would be that while Brass might melt, if we have another housing unit to hold the brass within, and maybe even act as a coolant, then we could ignore the heat problem and have a pretty consistent housing unit. Care to try it?
-M
Mercy,
That sounds awesome, yeah, let’s swing by the lab after class today. I have something basic we could try it on.
Yours,
-Eli
*
An excerpt from the log of Elijah W. Castleton & Mercy B. Hazard
Experiment #71
Attempting to create a love potion to test the viability of brass coated in chilled aluminum. List of ingredients:
· One vial of Rigid Otter blood
· Two sprinkles of Floral Mink whiskers
Notes: Mercy is joining along for this trial. She forged a new test tube of brass that was heated with aluminum to bond the two. Following this the aluminum was chilled to ensure that the brass wouldn’t overheat.
Result:
*
Disciplinary Account
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Castleton,
We at Diarbeart Academy strive for greatness, passion, and respect for the studies we offer. It is with shame that I must share that your son Elijah W. Castleton has ignored these pillars on numerous occasions. For his first offense, Elijah was found stealing Stardust from Professor Thaddeus’ lab, to which we issued a warning. For his second offense, Elijah intentionally brewed a love potion in alchemy that caused numerous of his classmates to fall subject to its effects. To this we assigned him a peer-mentor we thought would be a good influence on your son. For his third offense, he was caught brewing that same love potion after school in the lab with his peer-mentor, of which it appears the two fell under its effects and were found kissing.
Diarbeart Academy functions on a four-strike system, and so it is my duty to share that your son will be suspended for the duration two weeks and not allowed to attend the school’s Ravencrest dance.
We do not take giving out this punishment lightly and should this happen again he is to be expelled from the school. We hope that this suspension gives Elijah time to reflect on his actions so he may be best prepared to succeed upon returning to our academy, where we’ll accept him with open arms.
If you have any questions or comments about this, feel free to ask.
Sincerely,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
Letters from Mercy B. Hazard
Eli,
I didn’t know it was possible, but Thaddeus’ ego has inflated since your suspension. Poor Bramwell has become the new scapegoat, today he left the class crying after Thaddeus said he’d never result to anything. Class is boring without you
My hands have gotten numb from writing rejection letters for Ravencrest. I mean even Emeline Brook from history asked me out today. Emeline. Brook. She wore a bright yellow dress and even wrote a super cheesy poem. It was like seeing a nighthawk dressed up as a rainbow phoenix.
Who would you have asked to the Ravencrest? I don’t really see you as the dance going type, but maybe some lucky girl someone would’ve caught your eye. Or maybe you might’ve asked out Professor Thaddeus? That’d be funny.
I was thinking, since you aren’t going to the Ravencrest maybe we could hang out instead? Maybe some ice cream or jazz over an experiment?
Well, I hope you get back soon!
Yours,
With care,
Love,
-M
*
Eli,
Here are the notes from class you asked for. A lot of it is stuff you already know, but we did start experimenting with a new reagent called Aether. Thaddeus did a bad job explaining it, but it’s an electrical base that’s amazing at turning other reagents into a plasma state. Could be fun.
Yours,
-M
*
Eli,
Here are the rest of the notes from this week. Have you been getting my letters?
Yours,
-M
*
Eli,
Are you mad I kissed you? Because if so, I will remind you that it was a love potion. I could not control myself, and it’s not fair for you to blame it on me. It was just as likely you might’ve kissed me, and I wouldn’t have hated you for it.
Maybe I’m being insecure. But you could let me know if I’m being insecure. I can’t stop feeling like I fucked something up.
-M
*
Elijah Castleton,
Here are this week’s notes.
-Mercy B. Hazard
*
An excerpt from the log of Elijah W. Castleton
Experiment #72
Attempting to use Aether to increase the prominence of what I’ve named Celestial Body Potion. I know, real original. Current list of ingredients
· One vial of Rigid Otter blood
· Four nightlily petals
· Four raven feathers
· A bag Stardust
· Blue Fungus paste
· Hot water
· Charcoal
· 32 watts of Aether
Notes: Using the last of the ingredients since Ravencrest is out of the picture. Further experimenting will require another bag of Stardust. Using sample of Aether from Alchemy.
Results: This is awesome. Not only do I shine as bright as the night, but now the small motes across my body twinkle and move around, making my body a living tapestry.
Mercy’s been sending letters.
*
Letter from the office of Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Elijah W. Castleton,
In your absence from the academy, several claims of verbal abuse have been brought forth against Professor Thaddeus. While the exact nature of these reports shall remain anonymous, a fair amount of these claims reference Thaddeus’ interactions with you as particularly aggressive.
I feel as if we as an academic institution have let you down. We work to enable our students to thrive within our renowned halls, though it appears as if that has not been the case for you. It is for that reason I am issuing this apology on behalf of the entire academy for allowing this abuse to exist and not putting a stop to it sooner. We have since parted ways with Professor Thaddeus, and while the suspension was warranted due to your actions, we feel it only fair to allow you to join us for Ravencrest at the end of this semester.
Once again, I would like to send my sincerest apologies. I feel as if I allowed this to happen and would like to make it up in any way I can.
Kindly,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
An exchange of letters between Elijah W. Castleton and Mercy B. Hazard
Mercy,
I know it was you who snitched to Fisher. I know you’ll deny it, but I just wanted to say thanks. It means a lot.
Yours,
Eli.
*
Elijah Castleton,
It wasn’t snitching. Like I said in my earlier letter, he told Bramwell he’d never result to anything. It was my duty to report that so it might never happen again. That’s all it was.
-Mercy B. Hazard
*
Letter from Party Chair Newt Nimmons
Hey Mercy,
Your fellow students have nominated you for Raven Queen! Please meet me in the courtyard outside De Rolo Hall at 3:00pm where I will inform you of the process and the responsibilities that come along with such a nomination.
Sincerely,
Newt Nimmons.
*
A pros and cons list scribbled into Mercy B. Hazard’s notebook
Percy Markov
Pros: Likes me, nominated for Raven King
Cons: Boring, smells like smoke, no emotional maturity, uses the word dope.
Emeline Brook
Pros: Wrote me a really sweet poem, would get to be her friend, really pretty eyes
Cons: Might be in a cult?
Elijah Castleton
Pros:
Cons:
Charity Cook
Pros: Baked me cupcakes, smells like vanilla, has a nice group of friends I could hang with
Cons: Overbearing, avoids conflict, sweaty hands.
Merle Greensmith
Pros: Incorruptible, gentle, leader, courageous, class leader
Cons: Pompous, takes most things literally
THIS IS DUMB
I guess Charity is the best option.
*
Letters from Elijah W. Castleton and Mercy B. Hazard
Mercy,
Congrats on the Raven Queen nomination. Not that there was ever any doubt in my mind, I mean like everyone likes you, but congrats, like good job y’know. And going with Charity! That’s progressive! Can’t say I entirely saw it coming, but you do you.
I just wanted to apologize. I mean clearly I hurt you, you talk to bald spot James to avoid talking to me. I figure it’s about me not responding to the letters, so I’ll address that. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mad at you at the time. I mean you were the one who mixed the Floral Mink Whiskers before the Otter blood was ready which caused the premature explosion. But like I’m realizing it’s more than that. Like I was angry, but I didn’t know why. It wasn’t because of Ravencrest, I was probably going alone anyways. And it wasn’t because I was suspended, I had so much free time to do hijinks.
I guess the only reason I had left to be angry was that we kissed. And I don’t mean to say that you were a bad kisser, or I didn’t like it; you’re a great kisser. I mean wowie. But I didn’t like that that was the way we shared a kiss. Like I liked it, but I didn’t like that I didn’t know if I should like it? That doesn’t make sense, I’ll just cut to the chase because I could just ramble on forever. I like you. A lot. And so when we shared that kiss, it just wasn’t how I envisioned it happening and so I got mad at the situation.
I had a plan for how I was going to try and ask you out. It was going to be a late night in the lab (I know, so romantic.) We’d be working on some new potion that you’d help me with, and soon we’d start playing some soft jazz and you’d do that little dance you do that looks like a bird trying to mate. And when we finally stop laughing, I’d say let’s go grab some ice cream, and we’d walk towards the courtyard on a bright starry night where you can see every freaking star, I’d grab us a seat by the fountain when I know no one else would be there, bring forth two of Vander’s ice cream cones (sea salt of course,) and I’d tease you about the way you roll your eyes and pout whenever I make some self-assured joke. Maybe if I was feeling bold, I’d try to brush your arm with my hand, but I doubt that would’ve happened. But no, I’d talk about how much I’ve enjoyed all of the small things you do, like when I was stressed and you drew a stick figure on my palm line and a circle underneath it and dubbed it a trampoline. And I would’ve said I want to spend more time together, and that I really like you. Or so I hope that’s how it would’ve went.
I’m sorry that I got mad. It wasn’t really at you, but that’s not an excuse. I just felt as if I ruined any chance with you, and every time I tried to write back it just hurt. I get it if you’re angry at me too, and if you are then please scream at me and call me a dick or asshole or anything else you can think of. Just please talk to me, that’s all I ask
Love,
Eli
*
Elijah,
I don’t know what to say. You talk about how it hurt you, well imagine how it feels for your friend to ignore you for four weeks straight. I thought maybe it was the suspension, and that upon returning that you might apologize or give me any explanation as to why you left me alone. Instead, you continue to pretend as if I don’t exist. Now that you’re allowed to go back to Ravencrest you suddenly get the gall to apologize and spew forth some grand romantic gesture about how everything’s okay because you liked me. Well guess what? It’s not.
In your ideal world what would happen? Would I toss Charity aside, ask you to the Ravencrest, and we go together? Or even better are we supposed to just be friends as if nothing happened? Things have happened!
I don’t even know if I’m going to Ravencrest. I got so wrapped up in the atmosphere of dances I nearly forgot how much I despise them. All that happens is I hurt my friends and peers as people ask me out and then they get mad at me when I say no. And if I do say yes then we are in the fast lane for a relationship which I don’t particularly desire.
I thought you might be my friend who makes things easy, who I wouldn’t have to worry about all of that with and we could just do experiments and have a fun time, but clearly I was wrong.
Please just leave me alone. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I can’t figure that out with you in the way.
Mercy B. Hazard
*
Disciplinary Account
Mercy B. Hazard
On November 17th at 11:38am Professor Lavorre discovered you skipping class in the girl’s locker room thirty-eight minutes after class started. We at Diarbeart prioritize attendance in our classes and therefore skipping class results in an immediate detention and mark on your permanent record. You have been let off with a warning.
It isn’t often that we allow for forgiveness, but Professor Lavorre informed me that you were crying when she stumbled upon you. I already had doubts that you were skipping class with any intention of malice, however this affirmed that belief. We do not wish to punish students who feel overwhelmed, whether it be with classes or extracurricular and thus we exercised forgiveness this time around however should this happen again, I must go with the required discipline.
If there’s anything you may need, friend to friend, know my door is always open Mercy.
Kindly,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
Letters from Elijah W. Castleton
Hey Charity,
We haven’t met before, but I’m Elijah. I’m sorry that I am sending this out of the blue, but I know Mercy’s going through a lot right now and she needs you to comfort her. If you’re wondering my qualifications, well I made a love potion so in a way I’m practically cupid.
Get her sea salt ice cream. As much as you can, and just ask her if she wants any. She’s going to say “No, I’m fine”, then you tell her you got it from Vander. It’ll work I promise. Ask her what’s going on, she’s going to say “nothing,” and then you don’t pry. If you do she’ll close off and you’ll ruin the moment. Play some Jazz. Sultry jazz, she really likes Cassandra Day’s work. Offer her up your hand, with some hesitation she’ll take it, and you’ll dance for a bit. Then she’ll tell you what’s wrong. And you just listen. And at the end you just reminder her how amazing she is and you’ll be fine and more importantly she’ll be okay.
This is a weird letter I’m aware. I should just do it myself but that’d make it worse, so I think she’ll appreciate it from you. And hey you’re a cook, so spice up that plan. Maybe we try sea salt cupcakes! Just please make her happy because I’ve been failing pretty hard at that. Thanks Charity.
Elijah
*
Hey Newt,
Hi it’s me Elijah. I know Mercy took herself out of the running for Raven Queen but she told me she wanted to be put back in? Could you make it work?
Here’s her signature in case you wanted proof.
Mercy B. Hazard
Thanks
Elijah
*
Mercy B. Hazard
You are to be summoned an hour before Ravencrest in the courtyard to discuss certain academic measures. I pray you arrive promptly
Sincerely,
Elijah
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
Letter from the office of Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Dear Students,
Tonight is our annual Ravencrest ceremony! I am proud of your work this year and for the opportunity to celebrate your accolades with all of you. Remember the rules of conduct; if I see any rules being broken or ignored you will be asked to leave the premise promptly. But most importantly, have fun
Kindly,
Head Mistress Lenora J. Fisher
Diarbeart Academy
*
A letter home from Mercy B. Hazard
Mom and Dad,
I hope you all are doing well. I apologize for the delay in sending this letter, in fact I was dreading sending it entirely for a while.
I haven’t been happy. As I’m sure you’ve been informed, Professor Keyleth found me crying in a locker room during alchemy. I wanted to go, but I felt as if I everyone was judging me. Percy had been giving me weird looks since I rejected him, Emeline had all but ignored me, and this new friend of mine Eli was confusing for so many reasons. I don’t know. It sounds pretentious writing it out, “Look at me everyone likes me boohoo” but I didn’t feel like anyone liked me. More the idea of me, that if we became friends, they’d be cool or something. I just really wanted a friend and I didn’t know where to turn. Head Mistress Fisher actually invited me to her office, and I sobbed. I was feeling depressed, I was failing classes I aced before, and I had to deal with Raven Queen stuff which I didn’t even want.
But tonight was magic. Head Mistress Fisher called me to the courtyard an hour before Ravencrest but when I got there she was nowhere to be found. So I waited for two minutes and then Charity comes bounding over carrying these sea salt cupcakes which I didn’t even realize was possible. Next thing I know she’s pulled me into a dance to Cassandra Day’s “Moonlit Kiss.” It’s so nice and Charity is in this gorgeous emerald suit with a purple shirt underneath that is so regal. So of course I tell her we’re going to Ravencrest.
I run home and change into the lilac dress you both gave me, the one who’s sleeve falls just over the shoulder and has the white gloves with a similar embroidered pattern along them. Anyways, we walk in together and sure it’s the same intoxicated mess of sweat and hormones that I expected but it’s a little less bitter. The theme was a night under the stars or something and so they painted a beautiful mosaic of the night sky on the ceiling of the ballroom, it felt like an observatory.
I’ll fast forward a bit because I don’t think you care for all of me and Charity’s banter. Towards the end of the night, they announced the Raven Queen and King. Percy actually didn’t win Raven King, believe it or not Brawmell won it. When Bramwell went to the stage to accept it he did this little jig that was just absolutely adorable, I think everyone let out a little gasp. But yes, they start announcing the nominees for Raven Queen, and they say my name. And I’m so confused and looking at Charity, but she’s proudly wearing this dumb smirk and I know something’s up. I’m getting this nervous sweat all over, I swear I probably looked so hideous.
And then they say my name again. “And the winner is, Mercy B. Hazard.” A blinding spotlight falls on me as countless hands usher to me to the front of the mob. As I find my footing on stage and am adorned a plastic crown I look into the audience and see the brightest star yet. I had been working with my friend Eli on this constellation potion as he liked to call it that makes the entire body look like the night sky with all of its stars, and it worked. Honestly, it’s impressive I hadn’t spotted him earlier given how much he shined. He’s just looking at me, smiling. And I know he was behind the entire evening. The rest of the night was a blur, and yet I can confidently say it was the best night I’ve had in a long while.
I’ll tell you more about it when I get home for break, but I wanted to give you the update now. I’ll see you in a couple of days.
Love,
Mercy B. Hazard
*
A letter from Elijah W. Castleton to Mercy B. Hazard
Hey Mercy,
Firstly, congrats on Raven Queen. I knew you had it in you. Secondly, and this may come as a shock, but I think I’m done with experiments for a while. I’ve had some pretty baller ones, but this break Head Mistress Fisher offered me an internship working at the lab, so I’ll be busy all of the time doing that. Can you believe it, me and Ms. Fisher, no actually she wants me to call her Lenora now, me and Lenora are going to be peers? Crazy!
I was thinking though, maybe you could hold onto my notebook for a while. Look over some of my old experiments, do some new ones, or just doodle all over my life’s work. I don’t know. But its yours, and it’s attached to this letter. I hope we can be friends again, life’s boring without you.
Love,
Eli
*
An excerpt from the log of Elijah W. Castleton Mercy B. Hazard
Experiment #73
Attempting to discover what doesn’t taste better with sea salt
Results: Everything tastes better with Sea Salt
Thank you Eli. For everything.
