Correspondance from Across the Sea.
This letter is in Italian, carefully written with intentionally beautiful calligraphy and a feather-tip pen.
Dearest Nona,
I am sorry I have not written in some time, but things here have been strange and difficult, but not unpleasant. You have always understood me more than mama or papa, or anyone else. I like it here, nona, it is beautiful with snow and it has people that understand me like you do; people I can join and be friends with without fear that they may mock me. My values are appreciated, my thoughts heard, and I feel accepted. It is strange, as I never though I would find a place so fit for me.
Something happened to me, nona. I cannot go into detail, I am very sorry; but the next time I see you-- and I will, have no doubt of that-- I will tell you all in detail. Suffice to say that not everything is as it seems, and that you should be glad that I grew as I did, with the attitude and aptitudes that I did, or I may not have survived.
I have friends. Dorothy and William chiefly amongst them; they are in my crew (yes, I finally found a place where people will accept me as Captain. Silly suicidal people). They take care of me, and I them; there is trust there that I have been searching for my entire life. There is a Frenchman named
Alexandre that is quite like me, but with variations; we get along well and have adventures. I have even met a real Baronessa, her name is
Emmuska Orczy. She's quite beautiful, and I think there is more behind her eyes than she ever wants to show anyone.
Doc (his real name is Edward) is a mad scientist (I told you I fit in here) and he makes the most interesting things! He is working on a real trebuchet!
I have a monkey. I found him and nursed him to health. His name is "Fingers," and he is incredibly intelligent. Doc made him a miniature rapier (I know the dangers, nona, don't be a hag). He also protects me, although lately he has been less active (it is very cold here in Icaria).
... I also met someone. My princess, Lucy. She is beautiful, nona: so beautiful she can bewitch the most daring of pirates. Her hair is like gold, her eyes are bluer than the
ocean, and her skin is as white as alabaster. She took me after hardships, and nona... I know a bambino should not speak of these things with his nona, but you have always been different. It was like sailing forever; her eyes are seas in-and-of themselves.
I don't know what it is like, but I fancy it might be love.
I have enclosed pictures of these people for you to know them and see them and understand that which I am so content with. I can trust these people, nona. Whatever happens, know that I love you; that you did well when mama and papa faltered because of their duties; that your caro has grown to be what you expected. I love you and miss you, nona. I am getting a job soon (as my money has... dwindled). I will try to save and see if I can visit, or bring you here for a while.
So you can meet her. And them.
Always yours, at sea or across it,
Captain Emilio Salgari.
P.S. I enclose with this letter a jewel for you; ask not where I acquired it. It is for you. I love you, nona.
Dearest Nona,
I am sorry I have not written in some time, but things here have been strange and difficult, but not unpleasant. You have always understood me more than mama or papa, or anyone else. I like it here, nona, it is beautiful with snow and it has people that understand me like you do; people I can join and be friends with without fear that they may mock me. My values are appreciated, my thoughts heard, and I feel accepted. It is strange, as I never though I would find a place so fit for me.
Something happened to me, nona. I cannot go into detail, I am very sorry; but the next time I see you-- and I will, have no doubt of that-- I will tell you all in detail. Suffice to say that not everything is as it seems, and that you should be glad that I grew as I did, with the attitude and aptitudes that I did, or I may not have survived.
I have friends. Dorothy and William chiefly amongst them; they are in my crew (yes, I finally found a place where people will accept me as Captain. Silly suicidal people). They take care of me, and I them; there is trust there that I have been searching for my entire life. There is a Frenchman named
Alexandre that is quite like me, but with variations; we get along well and have adventures. I have even met a real Baronessa, her name is
Emmuska Orczy. She's quite beautiful, and I think there is more behind her eyes than she ever wants to show anyone.
Doc (his real name is Edward) is a mad scientist (I told you I fit in here) and he makes the most interesting things! He is working on a real trebuchet!
I have a monkey. I found him and nursed him to health. His name is "Fingers," and he is incredibly intelligent. Doc made him a miniature rapier (I know the dangers, nona, don't be a hag). He also protects me, although lately he has been less active (it is very cold here in Icaria).
... I also met someone. My princess, Lucy. She is beautiful, nona: so beautiful she can bewitch the most daring of pirates. Her hair is like gold, her eyes are bluer than the
ocean, and her skin is as white as alabaster. She took me after hardships, and nona... I know a bambino should not speak of these things with his nona, but you have always been different. It was like sailing forever; her eyes are seas in-and-of themselves.
I don't know what it is like, but I fancy it might be love.
I have enclosed pictures of these people for you to know them and see them and understand that which I am so content with. I can trust these people, nona. Whatever happens, know that I love you; that you did well when mama and papa faltered because of their duties; that your caro has grown to be what you expected. I love you and miss you, nona. I am getting a job soon (as my money has... dwindled). I will try to save and see if I can visit, or bring you here for a while.
So you can meet her. And them.
Always yours, at sea or across it,
Captain Emilio Salgari.
P.S. I enclose with this letter a jewel for you; ask not where I acquired it. It is for you. I love you, nona.