“I can’t believe we are halfway through our remaining time,” Isabella reflected before bringing the teacup to her lips. She sat in her now customary seat in the small cafeteria on the bottom floor of the dormitory. The same one she’d come to nearly every afternoon since Violet had to leave.

Sitting across from her, Ashley hummed her agreement before shrugging. “Three months to debut, three months to review. Not long at all in the grand scheme of things. Almost the blink of an eye.”

After taking a sip, Isabella replaced the cup on the saucer and brought her fingers together in her lap. She fiddled while she thought, a habit she’d never been able to shake. “Not long at all,” she echoed. “Hey, Ashley…” Isabella sat straighter and brought her hands up to the table to try and still them somewhat

“Yes?”

“Would it be alright if I wrote you once we left school?” Isabella had lost so many people in her life that she felt the need to try and hold onto those precious few with whom she actually became close. Since she and Violet were able to speak regularly that way, Isabella hoped that Ashley would be amenable to the idea. Well, not exactly in the same way obviously.  

“That depends,” Ashley started before a sly smile began to form on her lips. Subsequently, she leaned forward and dropped her voice so only the two of them would hear. “Are you going to write me as much as you write Violet? I’m not sure I could keep up if I’m being honest.”

This brought a heat to Isabella’s cheeks as her eyes went wide behind her glasses. “N-no! I won’t! And I told you that in confidence, remember?” 

Her reaction brought out laughter from Ashley, which she tried to hide behind a few fingers as she sat back in her chair. “It’s almost so easy it’s not even fun to tease you, Isabella. Yes, you may write me whenever you like. Unlike our favorite Doll, I believe I will have time aplenty to respond.”

That was true enough, the expectations for Violet would be oceans apart from those for the two Ladies. However, no matter how busy Violet was, she always found the time. A fact that only endeared Isabella to her dearest friend even more. Of course, the last two weeks while Violet had been away were difficult but she was expecting a response any day now. After the shock wore off, Isabella shook her head and a smile similarly settled onto her lips. “Good.”

Of course, she had no real reason to believe that Ashley would refuse her but she still felt relieved with the answer. Happy too, that she has managed to make such a good friend while still here. Especially someone in this world who could understand the struggles that were to come. Now that they settled, Ashley’s eyes began to wander around the room, passing from woman to woman as they all had their afternoon tea. Some she knew from class, others she had met through Ashley. Most were kind enough though she had come across a few that acted more like the caricatures of noble women she had pictured when first arriving at the school.

Later that afternoon, when Isabella returned to her room, she found a white envelope waiting for her on the table. Upon seeing it, she squealed with delight and dropped her bag at the door before practically sprinting the short distance to pick it up. After it was in her fingers, she turned and threw herself on the bed, bringing the letter to her chest and closing her eyes. She didn’t even have to look at the name on the outside. She knew it was from Violet. The feel of the letter, the subtle smell that came up to her nose, and even the thickness of it that indicated just how much was written.

Isabella stayed like that as long as she could manage before she flipped it over and worked her fingers underneath the seal. She had it open a moment later and pulled out the papers only for something to fall down to her lap. Well, somethings . It almost looked like a shower of large confetti pieces. “What’s all this?” She wondered aloud.

Isabella set the letter aside to gather up the smaller pieces of paper and bring them up closer for further inspection. Were these…tickets? Each one showed a different destination, building off the last in what appeared to be a round trip that left and came back to Leiden. Though they were printed, each one had “Violet Evergarden” written across the front. They were tickets, then. Violet’s tickets for her trip! Wow, she had been to so many places in those two weeks! And it looked like the backs had some more handwritten notes?

She flipped each one over and they all appeared to a list of various foods on the back.

Leiden: Pastry, Coffee, Bacon Sandwich, Fish.

Schwerin: Eggs, Coffee, Noodles, Pork

Leipzig: Pastry, Coffee, Potato Dumplings, Sausage and Bread

…

The lists continued on for every ticket and every town she stopped in. Had she written out what she’d eaten on each leg of her trip? Isabella couldn’t believe she’d taken the time to document something so mundane but it filled her heart with a warmth that was becoming a constant any time Violet sent her something. After reading over each one, and collecting them into a neat pile, Isabella finally reached over and picked the letter back up.

As she read, the smile on her face grew even more. Which was hard to imagine considering the size of it when she started. After finishing, she immediately reorganized the pages and began again, reading through another time before finally spreading her arms and letting the letter fall next to her on the bed. “I love you, Violet. I love you so much it hurts.”

Well, with classes done for the day, and tea already had, there was only one thing to do. Write her reply! There was nothing in particular to catch her up on but that didn’t matter. Honestly, Isabella could write gibberish and Violet would probably respond in kind. Okay, maybe not in kind. But she would respond. Isabella rolled off the bed then and made the way to the table where paper and pen sat constantly waiting for when inspiration sparked.

Dear Isabella,

I cannot believe it has been that long, either. A month and a half by the time you get this letter. I must admit you are still in my thoughts as well. Each time I went to a new place, I wondered what you might think of it. The food, especially. I hope you enjoyed the menus I sent with the letter. I kept the tickets with me so I could write on the back following each meal.

The trip was busy and I was sad to not have much time to write you while away. Mr. Hoffman was a kind man but he had a lot to send to various clients and to his family. That didn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about you, though. Especially at night when I was alone in my bed. It seems that no matter where I sleep, I just can’t seem to get comfortable.

I confess I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to travel with you instead. Going to different cities, trying different things. I know you said you wanted to see the world and I think it would be fun to do it together. I hope you get to eventually, even if it won’t be with me. Anyway, I’m glad to be able to write you again. President Hodgins says I won’t be going out on long assignments again for a while so I should have no problem writing you. However, I do have to go to a nearby town next week. Only overnight, though.

I miss you.

Yours,

Violet

Dear Violet,

I can’t begin to describe how excited I was to not only receive a letter but also all those tickets! It was so thoughtful to include all the things you ate and it made me feel a little closer to you and your trip. If you go somewhere else, I want you to tell me about it too! Like the town, for example. What’s its name? I can’t even imagine all the places you will go in your life but I can’t wait to hear about them all.

Actually, I got something that will help with that in the future…a map! I asked for one from the school and they were able to bring one up from the town. I’ve already plotted out the route you took from Leiden on the train and I will highlight that town when you return. It may seem silly but I think it’s just another way to feel connected to you, even if it’s just in my imagination. At least there we can travel together, all over the world. I’ll still wish for it and I bet if I were with you, sleeping wouldn’t be difficult. Even on a train.

Unfortunately, being close to the end of my time means that the final tests are rapidly approaching. It was easier before when I had you to motivate me but being on my own is making me nervous. I’ll probably study with Ashley but it’s not the same. Wish me luck!

I miss you.

Yours, 

Isabella

Dear Isabella,

I’m happy you enjoyed the tickets and I think the map is a wonderful idea. The town I’ll be going to tomorrow is called Bamberg and it’s a little north of Leiden on one of the main roads. It’s small so I’m not even sure it will show up but you can just put your own mark if not.

You don’t need luck for your tests because you’re smart and you work hard. However, I will send you some regardless. I’m glad that you have Ashley to study with though I admit I wish I could be there to help. Just remember to get plenty of rest and eat plenty of things other than dessert. You’re going to do great.

Let’s see, I went and to the beach this weekend with my friends from work. I don’t usually go but it seemed like a good thing to do now that the summer is winding down.  I didn’t go swimming obviously, but it was nice to sit in the sun and walk up and down through the sand. I hope you enjoy the seashell that I found, I just adore the color and couldn’t help but think of you when I found it.

I miss you.

Yours, 

Violet 

Dear Violet,

Now I not only get to look forward to your letters but also these wonderful little gifts? Thank you so much! I love my seashell and it goes everywhere with me, now. It smells just like the ocean though, and  I admit your smell is what I miss the most. 

I managed to find Bamberg on the map so I’ve marked it down since you should be done by the time you read this. What was it like? Was there anything fun to do? Last time it seemed like you were stuck on the train for most of the journey so I hope you got some time to relax there. I bet even going a short distance still feels like an adventure, or maybe not since you’ve been to so many grand places. 

The studying is going well and tests are at the end of the week. I promise I won’t let you down, and won’t waste everything that you did for me. I’ll do well and be a proper lady, just like you taught me. 

I miss you.

Yours, 

Isabella

Isabella,

I’m writing to inform you I cannot come to school to pick you up as I previously planned. You will have to return home on your own but I will have someone pick you up from the station. Focus on your tests, get good grades, and make the York name proud.

Richard York