withoutverona | Letters From Paris, March 14, 1899 (Reply)

Dearest one,

I don't believe this will be delivered, but I feel so concerned I have worried you all that I must write regardless. First, I am fine, though in 1899(!) and in Paris. It is a city of light and beauty, with music in the air, and the only flaw is that you are not here with me. (Well. That and that my French is quite limited. I try to get by on pointing.)

Ino is here, though, and Jeff, and Professor Deadpool. An odd assortment: I've no idea why the angels sent the others, and only the haziest one why I may have been picked. But Ino has made certain I am armed, so I shall be safe regardless.

More than anything I wish I had woken you on Tuesday, instead of trying to slip out unnoticed to get a breakfast. But I did, and the angel statue (evil or not) brought me here. So here I am and here you are not, and all I can do is hope these things will change.

I want to believe they will change on my side, and I will be back in Fandom, soon. If they don't ... I am trying not to think that way, truly.

I must close with wishing you a happy birthday. We can celebrate together after I return. Or perhaps the angels will send me back today, and I'll be there before you're so much older.

Yours,

Romeo

Written on the back of a dirty postcard:

Reno -

C'est tres jolie, non? The girl (or her twin) dances at the Moulin Rouge! If it was not a hundred years and an ocean away, I would suggest you take the Host Club here. (And it seems as likely you will get here as that this card will make it there.)

Paris has many other charms as well. There is absinthe, and art, and a freedom in the air. I am coming to think my future may not lie in Fandom or my own time, but here. Please take care of Yurika -- and Rikku, too -- if I don't make it back. And if you wish to do violence to an angel statue, you've my hearty encouragement.

- Romeo

Dear Rikku,

I feel odd writing to you, but I'm beginning to fear this letter has a better chance of finding you than I do. I am in Paris, in 1899 -- my great-great grandfather's time -- and it is not bad save my fear I will not make it home. Rainy, perhaps, but I enjoy the environment greatly. Jeff, Ino and Professor Deadpool are all here as well, and I am looking for others.

I told Reno this, but if you want to try to blow up a statue, I would only encourage you.

I have a favor to ask, if Teyla will let you into our room (and tell Teyla she was a good roommate for me, and I wish only we had talked more). There is a silver ring on a chain in my top dresser drawer, under some shirts. It was Juliet's, and I do not want it lost. If I am not back within two weeks, please mail it to Fr. Laurence -- his address is in my notebook. The rest of my things may be offered to any who want them.

Thank you,

Romeo

P.S. I met a man who might be Tybalt's twin, though his form was twisted and dwarfish, and he was drunk. Is it possible this is his hell?

A bottle of absinthe with a note attached:

Miss Bell -

This is more than a hundred years old, but it's the same kind the bars here in Paris serve.

If I am not back by my shift on Monday, consider this a thank you for hiring me. - Romeo Montague