002 | text

[bergamotrose]

Name: Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (un: LHG)
Date: 3/1, Evening
Format: Text


To those who know Marianne von Edmund:

I wish to thank you. It is with regret that I inform you that she no longer resides within these walls, but her time here was made easier and less stressful because of the people who had the kindness to speak and spend time with her. Given her reserved nature, I am not certain how many here have had the priviledge of meeting her, but it seems only fair to let others know in case her presence is missed by someone I am not yet aware of.

Unfortunate has her departure from here is, she does grow into a strong, admirable person by several accounts. None can say for certain what fate has in store for her; I only hope that she sees some kindness in the months and years to come.

However, my friend's absense has left me with a particular... shall we say problem?

When we arrived several months ago and were searching for a residence, we found a small home which was already occupied by a family of cats. As the kittens were still newborn, Marianne took it upon herself to stand as steward for them. In time, she named them after our friends who yet remain in our home:

Claude. Hilda. Raphael. Ignatz. Lysithea. Leonie.

But, with only myself in the house now, I find that I am not in a position to care for all of them with the attention that they deserve. Ideally, we would find someone willing to adopt all six, but that is not a reasonable request. Because of my friend's kind heart and how habituated the cats have become to house life, it would also be a disservice to abandon them to the streets.

Thus, I am asking you all to help me find homes for them. If they are adopted separately, I would like to keep one. However, if someone is able to care for the entire family, I will give no argument on the matter.

All I care about is that they find themselves in a safe and attentive home.

Thank you.

-LHG.

Comments

text; un: leslie

[foundfamilies]

I am sorry. I never realized you must have only recently lost your housemate when I came to stay with you. I was too caught up in my own troubles. That was selfish of me.

[Leslie is the kind of child who thinks this is a reasonable thing to say.]

I do not think I will be able to take in all of the cats, but if no one adopts all of them and any of them remain unadopted other than the one you wish to keep, it should be fine for me to look after one of them.

[bergamotrose]

Leslie,

These are circumstances none of us could control. Do not worry over it; having you over made the initial troubles easier for me to sort through.

[After all, Leslie and Cezar had given him someone to fuss over.]

Be sure to speak to your housemates before you make a commitment. However, if it is allowed, I will certainly let you know if any remain.

[foundfamilies]

[She can actually understand the feeling of having someone to fuss over. Cezar, and after he was picked up by Papyrus the cats, had been invaluable for her at that time. Not that she would ever think that she might be on the level of cute thing to fuss over as Cezar.]

All right. But could you tell me the next time you are sad? I want to be able to console you as you consoles me when I was upset, though I do not know how good I will be at it.

[There’s a longer delay between this and the next message than usual.]

After all, we are friends.

[She isn’t used to saying that in any medium. It still feels like presuming too much despite Lorenz telling her as much up front.]

Lady Edelgard is asleep at the moment. I will let you know what she says about the kitten when evening comes.

[bergamotrose]

[The delayed texts caught Lorenz by surprise-- and further delay was created as he read them and read them over once more.

Twice more.

Quietly, Lorenz found himself wondering when this had gotten so hard? Taking care of others came naturally to him. As a person born of priviledge, it would be a waste not to use the opportunities he had been granted to not try to offer the same to others. Not only was it duty, however, but it was a concept that brought him a degree of satisfaction-- even joy.

Allowing others the same satisfaction was never a thought that crossed his mind. As much as it was his duty as a Noble to help others, the thought of allowing those same people to treat him the same was almost outlandish.

Raphael had helped him understand a little. Leonie, in her way, had forced her hand.

Few others were able to say the same.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Lorenz wrote back:]

We are friends.

I will let you know next time, so that we are on the same page and so you do not have to worry.

I will be available when Lady Edelgard gives you her answer. Have no worries about how late it is; there will be a kitten for you.

[foundfamilies]

[The moment also felt long for Leslie, worried that she'd said something wrong, but as the response comes in and Lorenz agrees with her, she thinks he must have gotten distracted. Maybe the kettle boiled, or he was texting someone else and came back later.]

Thank you. I appreciate it.
I will let yo

I think I heard Lady Edelgard coming downstairs.

[as I finally noticed this was written specifically in the evening As one might expect, there's a while before another message comes through.]

She said it's okay!

[bergamotrose]

Excellent!

[He had expected that Edelgard would agree, but it was untoward to make assumtions on any matters that were not his own.]

Feel free to come by whenever you feel the most comfortable. I have a kitten waiting for you.

[foundfamilies]

[She kinda wants to come down immediately, and she probably wouldn't even need to ask Edelgard to come with her since Leslie feels much safer inside the Haven even after dark, but she does want to give other people more of a chance to express interest in the kittens. She'll come by tomorrow afternoon, in time for tea.]

I will come to your house tomorrow morning, if that is convenient.

[....Oops, there went her impatience to have a kitty.]

[bergamotrose]

[Leslie is young. She can be as impatient as she wants!]

It is. Have no worries, your kitten will be waiting for you when you arrive.

[And Lorenz couldn't wait to surprise her.]