spikes

Dear Randall. I know your father and I have not written to you since you left Laterano.

While we have both willingly taken up heavy responsibilities in our work, that is no excuse to neglect the things that we should truly cherish.

Perhaps we should not have been so quick to accept your impetuous request to study in a distant land. It is only after experiencing the journey for ourselves that we realized that it is taking enough time for us to complete half a cycle of work—

Yes, we are coming to Leithanien to see you. We are already on our way.

There is no need to write back. We may even have already arrived by the time you receive this letter. I have included the address of the hotel we will stay at.

We will be waiting for you there, even if you are still angry about what you might have perceived as indifference.

Letter for you, Randall Hofstadter.

I don't recall having any friends who would write to me.

A person's heart is as fickle as the weather, just like that downpour a few days ago that soaked all the letters I was carrying. Sorry, but the sender's name got too blurry to read. I hope that won't be a problem?

None whatsoever. Looks like it's from my mother back home. Thank you, sir.

That's good to hear. Have a nice day.

Payne! Did you do what I told you to?

Look how scared he is. What a wimp.

I-I did, Herr Viktor.

See what I said, Britney? Payne would never let his 'friends' down. How did he react?

I'm not sure... Randall might not have believed my story... Maybe we shouldn't—

If he didn't, then you'll be in deep trouble, Payne.

Er...

It's not easy, is it, studying in Leithanien by yourself? Your talent with Arts and studiousness habits are admirable. Surely the university's scholarship is intended just for knowledge-seekers like you.

But who knows what might happen before everything's decided?

Scholarship candidates are subject to stringent checks. Perhaps you'd find it simple to pass the end-term exams with top grades, but the final decision is the committee's to make.

And your uncle sits on that committee...

The list of recipients won't be made public until next week.

I... I'll make sure that Randall comes.

That's more like it.

Be careful. That's a tall stack of books.

S-Sorry, Randall.

You know me?

Er... we took the same elective?

We did. Your novel views on compatible Originium-energy conversion methods for existing Arts Units gave Professor Edwin quite the headache.

Er, heh... at least he was fair with his grading.

Less so for me. Theory has never been my area of interest, though. There will be few advances in those concepts, even given another five or six decades.

My toxicology class is in another wing. Have a nice day.

We seem to be running into each other rather frequently these days. It's almost enough to make me suspect a scheme is at play.

Oh, what an interesting reaction.

It's not easy finding a friend in a foreign land. We're both international students, after all.

I've been away from home for so long that I've almost forgotten what my family looked like. They... don't write often.

Speaking of which, I <i>did</i> recently receive a letter from my mother.

What did you think about it... no, I mean, is something the matter?

My parents wanted to see me, but I'm not sure if I want to see them.

You must! Er... whatever happens, surely your family care about you.

Are you telling me to go and meet them?

O-Of course not! It's your choice.

I'll take it into consideration... Perhaps I'll write back to them in a few days.

Y-You <i>will</i> go meet them, won't you?

Why do you seem even more anxious than I am? As you said, the choice is mine.

Oh dear, oh dear... If he refuses, how do I explain it to Herr Viktor?

Wait, Messenger!

Oh, good afternoon, Randall.

Was there something wrong with the letter?

No, thank you for bringing me my mother's message. But some things are hard to say out loud, after being away from one's family for so long. She said there was no need to write back, but...

True, those who've wandered far from home are always hesitant to face their family. I'm willing to deliver a letter for you, but... not to the return address, I'm afraid.

That won't be an issue. They gave me the address of where they're currently staying. Just deliver it there.

No problem. I hope you have a lovely reunion.

Thank you. I think I will.

It's not easy, is it? Studying abroad. Not that my job's easy either. Now—

O-One moment, please!

Hello, Payne!

Are you finally ready to send a letter yourself? Two outlanders, both about to reunite with their families. Blessings to you all!

No, I'm not sending a letter... I just wanted to ask, could you give me Randall's letter? I'll deliver it for him.

No can do. How could I make a child do my job for me and still collect the wages for it?

It's alright, sir. I'm very familiar with Bachshof.

You know the address?

Er... I... R-Randall's my best friend! His parents did come to Leithanien, but... but they've changed accommodation due to, er, unforeseen reasons.

I happened to run into them on the street. If you send it to the old address, they won't get Randall's heartfelt letter, so—

Slow down and take a deep breath, okay?

I see. So you're saying Randall's a really dear friend of yours, and you don't want anything to go wrong with his family reunion?

Yeah...

Well, aren't you a good egg? Sure, I'll leave the letter to you. And maybe next time, I'll be delivering your letter to your own family.

We've known each other for three years, so don't be shy now. Parents are always glad to hear from their children, no matter what happened in the past.

Thank you, sir. I'll... think about it.

Please... Please let the answer be yes...

Th-Thank goodness! He'll be there tomorrow night. I must tell Herr Viktor and Frau Britney so that they could prepare.

So he doesn't get along too well with his family either. And all this about research... Heh, of course it's about work.

'Please do not expect too much from this meeting. Of course I am glad you are here, but the unfamiliar sights of Leithanien's streets are a constant reminder that I am alone.'

Yes, he's alone too, but...

But who knows what might happen before everything's decided...

...the final decision is the committee's to make.

Herr Viktor would have my head. I must do this, I—

I must reconsider this...

It's almost time, Britney.

What a taskmaster.

Show our new toy a little respect. It'll be ours for a long time.

Are you sure he's coming? Our time is valuable. If he's still not here at the appointed time—

Then I kiss my scholarship and my last year of peaceful student life goodbye.

I know, Herr Viktor. You don't need to repeat yourself.

It's only been a few days since we saw you, and you're finally learning to talk back? Actually, I like it better that way.

Shh, someone's coming. Get your Arts Unit ready, Payne. On my mark...

What are you doing, dummkopf?!

No. 2 Fuga Street... is this the place?

Are you Randall Hofstadter?

Yes, that's me.

I'm a Messenger for Bachshof. A Sankta couple requested that I meet you here.

When did you learn to lie like that? An accident and surgery bills? I can hardly believe he actually bought it.

It's difficult for international students to get timely news from home, and there's no way to quickly verify its authenticity. The same goes for our thoughts, worries, regrets... we can't communicate them to our family.

Find his weakness, and he'll be your most 'loyal' friend for the next few years.

Hm... you're right.

Is that package his most valuable possession? Hardly enough for the medical bills if his poor parents really did encounter an accident in a Catastrophe.

What did you expect from a Sankta runt? I say we're better off using him to try out new Arts.

Randall's parents are scholars on Lateran firearms. Their research institute is officially sponsored. His family should be fairly well-to-do.