The days in training flew by, Xochitl and her squadron had actually been selected to stay together and train together, signaling their potential to become a cohesive unit once they reached the end of their training. The four of them proved a fairly lethal combination: Xochitl was their frontliner, wielding longsword and shield to harry and maintain the focus of any enemy they came across; Atlan would swoop in from the flanks, providing additional wounds to the enemy while it was trained on Xochitl. At the same time, Iczo with all his training as a Viper was everywhere at once, the flanks, the rear, sometimes even above and on top of whatever they were fighting. From the rear, Pixie picked away at the enemy with her crossbow; it had taken her some time to learn, given that it was vastly different from her rifle -- but it was far less noisy and made her far more deadly as a result. They had no healer, but that didn't seem to bother them any.
Even when not in training, the quartet spent most of their waking hours together either wandering the city or studying in their barracks common room. It was during one such afternoon that Xochitl was curled up in her customary corner seat on the sofa, brow furrowed as she wrote something on a piece of parchment backed by a history book as it rested on her knees.
Atlan peered over her shoulder. "That doesn't look like any of our homework." He said, nudging her shoulder. "Writing a love letter to some secret flame?" He teased.
Xochitl rolled her eyes, giving a light chuff of good-natured amusement. "No. I barely have time to think, much less think about romancing anyone. You and Pixie seem to find time for it, though..." She counter teased.
Atlan blushed and gave a shrug. "What can I say? When you care about somebody, you make time for them."
She smiled, giving a nod. "As it should be." Her gaze turned back to the letter in her lap. "Which is why I'm doing this now. It's been a few sennights since I wrote to my sister. I just got caught up in everything here and I just couldn't find the time. She's probably worried about me."
Atlan pat her on the shoulder before making his way to the coffee table to pick up a handful of snacks. "Better late than never, eh? I'm sure your sister will understand. She's undergoing her own kind of training out there with the Whalaqee, right? She's probably been just as busy, if not moreso, magic is pretty complicated."
Xochitl nodded. "Aye, you're probably right. Still, I can't help but feel bad about it. I'm going to strive to do better." Atlan gave her a smile, a nod, then took himself away with his armload of snacks, some of which were probably also for Pixie.
Looking back to her letter, Xochitl continued to apply pen to page.
Dearest Oxomoco,
I know it's been a while since I last wrote to you and I apologize for that. Training has been arduous out here and the suns all seem to blend together sometimes. I know you'll just be glad to hear from me, but I assure you that I'm well and that I've done fairly well for myself here. I even have my own hand-picked squadron, a trio of miscreants that I think even you would enjoy. They're good people from varied backgrounds, but we all have the foundational thought of wanting to help others and better the future of all of Tural.
I hope that your studies with the Whalaqee go well and that you've been giving them plenty of food for thought. I know you mentioned in your letters that you've felt different from them. That while you can respect their mysticism and spirituality where magic is concerned, you're far more logical and practical about it. It makes me wonder if there aren't other places in the world where such school of thought is not only appreciated but celebrated and encouraged. The way of the Whalaqee cannot be the only way that magic works or exists. That, as ever, though, is far more your arena than mine.
Knowing you as I do, I'm sure you've educated them on some new ways to do things, just as much as they've shown you some new things. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you feel like you've learned everything you can from them, though, then don't feel obligated to stay there any longer than you have to. I know I may be busy with my training with the Landsguard and that's not likely to let up anytime soon, but you'll always be welcome to come and stay here in Tuliyollal with me. Once I'm out of cadet training, we can get a place of our own together.
I know this isn't the life either of us wanted. As much as we wanted to stay together, the Universe seems to have a different plan for us. This is a good thing, though, you shouldn't have to live in my shadow, waiting for the next bully to come along. It's my hope that the next time we meet, your magic will be so formidable that bullies will think twice before even looking your direction! And I don't want to hover over you like a mother hen, stifling you even in my desire to protect you. You need freedom and wings to fly. To discover who you are and what you're truly capable of. I'm doing much the same here in the Landsguard.
They have plans to put me on the Officer Track. I keep being told I'm a Natural Leader. I suppose in a way I am, but I've never really thought of you as a follower. You were my partner in everything, my Little Shadow. There's nowhere I went that you didn't come along with me. But I never thought of it as leadership, I just thought that's what Elder sisters did for their little sisters. It makes me wonder what else I'm capable of that I've been downplaying all these years.
Let me know how you're progressing! Tell me everything you've learned! Every time I go to Aunt Tii's Tacos, I always think of you and I always order your favorite taco to eat alongside my own favorites. But it's just not the same without you.
I love you and I miss you, always.
Your Sister,
Xoxo
