Correspondences with Valensandr Paavik

~~~ In April, about a month after last training session, had sent a letter ~~~
Lustrous sheets of tawny gold and snowy white vellum interweave together
into this miniature likeness of the rare and exotic hippogriff, a
legendary beast born from the breeding of a chimaera and a pegasus.
Slender, triangular legs support the narrow equine hindquarters
fashioned from golden vellum, which extends forward to intersect with
the softly pleated, pristinely white vellum of the hippogriff's large
feline front paws and broad, majestic wings unfolding from its
shoulders. A wickedly hooked golden beak protrudes sharply from the
tapering equine head, from which flows a feathered white mane composed
of dozens of tiny, intricately layered folds of vellum. More flowing
feather-like folds extend from the hindquarters in lieu of a tail, which
can be pulled to unravel the origami hippogriff.
It has 71 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Valensandr Paavik.
This item is ephemeral and may not be prevented from decaying.
It is folded from vellum into a modular origami.
It is closed and you can not see inside of it.
It has the following aliases: hippogriff, origami, modularorigami.

You stare blankly into space.

You think to yourself: ...oh! OH, Mister Valensandr folded this...!

You read what is written on a gilded letter of azure watercolour:
Gurashi,

It is good to hear from you. Apologies on the delay--my reports have
been piling up, and I took some time to Mount Seirode as a little
sabbatical. Have you ever been? The way that the light plays against the
mountain, certainly Lord Elostian's hand, is quite remarkable.

In any case, I am pleased that your training is going well. Although, I
have heard from Yanath that you keep having significant gaps in your
duels with her. It is good that you are finding your form and body
strengthening, but remember, persistence and punctual trains you just as
well as actual sparring. We shall practice again, but once you have the
basics under your belt, there will be very little else I can provide!

I have been practicing my folding, yes. I used to be very poor in
folding paper to the precise lengths needed. Sometimes I would fold too
much and there will be little zips peeking out that would mess up the
angles. I have even ordered special origami paper from Gaudiguch; while
I find the vellum I use for reports suitable, I learned that thinner is
better in this regard.

Most of my reports are not too exciting. Many of the myrmidons are
trying to make their way north in the Istaldon, to venture into paths
unknown as trials or tests by the Even Bladed. Though, I've heard rumor
that some are making headway. There is a forest north of us, more of a
wood really, that might give us enough space for a second fort. The Lady
has already informed some of the myrmidons, myself included, to begin
drafting plans for it. It may be that Yanath will be stationed there.

And... for someone who cannot hear on one side? As in physical hearing?
I suppose you could create a hearing cone for that person, something
small that they can easily bring to their ear that would amplify what is
being said. I imagine a variation of a horn would do that. But I am
afraid I am not the most knowledgeable in anatomical issues.

[Scribbled here in a flourishing script is the name VALENSANDR, whose
name is followed by the seal of House Paavik]
A gilded letter of azure watercolour is holding:
Nothing.

~~~~

Dearest Mister Valensandr,

Hello! It is me - Gurashi! I hope you have not forgotten me, even though it has been a little while. I am very sorry - I have been doing best to keep up with regular trainings, but my soul is not as healthy as it used to be, and so am not able to pay as muchly attentions when I do wakes. I did build my own training dummy at home! And I practice in the months when I cannot visit, so I do not lose my strengths or staminas. Now, it is like secondly natures. Reflexive - that was the points, hopefully?

I just finished my second to last trainings with Miss Yanath. Time is really flies, huh? It is weird. When I first asked for help with training from the Even Bladed, I was worried about certain peoples. Now those peoples have become less worrisome, but have been replaced with newlier peoples. Next month even, I will be catering a wedding for two of my dear friends in Faethorn, but I expect peoples to be there who will not be happy to see me! ...thankfully the wedding invitations said no weapons allowed, so I am not TOO worried! Still, I will be grateful for the training that have had.

In other newses, I am going to be opening up a shop in the City within the next couple months! Possibly as soonly as the wedding is over. Will be welcome for all sorts of peoples to come and eat. Because I like to cook and am a Bumblebee star signs, was thinking of a name like 'The Humblebee Patisserie', or 'The Bumbling Bistro', but also something fun like 'Cantor's Corner' because am a bard? It is fun to dream.

I hope you are doing well. Looking forward to seeing you again, yes. Both you and Miss Yanaths are goodly teachers. Will be sure to thank the Even-Bladed as well.

Stay goodly and kind,
Gurashi

~~~ ABOUT A WEEK LATER, A FEW DAYS AFTER LAST SESSION? ~~~~

scribe origami origami371533 Hi Mister Valensandr! It is me - Gurashi! I cannot remember if I was supposed to come to you after I was all done with my training with Miss Yanath, or if you would reach out to me to tell me you were ready? It has been a long time since last we saw and I do not want to drops in on you unannounced because I know you are a busy busy mans! I hope you are well! Keep folding origamis! Stay goodly and kind! Sincerely, Gurashi [a childish scrawl depicts what must be a stickman with a sword facing off against an even bigger stick figure]

~~~  A FEW DAYS LATER (TUESDAY) ~~~

You read what is written on a stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose:

Gurashi,

It is lovely to hear from you. I received both your letter and then your
origami. I must apologise for not being able to write sooner. Reports
have piled up, and rumour of the Morokeche Seat has reached the Even
Bladed's ears, and so I needed to investigate the matter.

In any case, it seems that our time of training will be close at hand. I
have only a few more things to teach you, but even then, I think you
will soon have the basics of sword-fighting mastered and you would be
able to handle much that might be thrown against you. Perhaps you will
be able to meet in three month's time, and we can go over some
additional techniques and exercises?

How exciting for you to open up a shop. I believe it is already opened
as 'The Humblebee Patisserie'? I think that is the best choice of names;
the rhyme of the two words is rather lovely, I think. Or at least, that
is what Calydice has said when I brought news to her.

You will likely not be seeing Yanath anytime soon. The Lady has tasked
her on a mission into the Istaldon, hopefully to begin building a new
fort or encampment to the north. She and I will be staying in
correspondence, so I will pass on any good will from you to her, and any
remarks from her to you the same.

I have kept up the origami practice. Let me know what you think of this
last one.

[Scribbled here in a flourishing script is the name VALENSANDR, whose
name is followed by the seal of House Paavik]
A stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose is holding:
"origami309653"               a high-kicking monk origami (action origami)

~~~ COUPLE DAYS LATER (THURSDAY) ~~~

Dearest Mister Valensandr,

Hello! It is me - Gurashi! Thank you for writing me back, and am so sorry for my delays. Three months would be, next months? Because I will not be awake for hardly any time at all this months but next I will be around lots? I can meet you, then. Should be around most of the months, maybe! Probably!

I know about the chair! At least am assuming that is what its name is? I was there when the Morokeche Seats was discovered, yes. That horrible ugly angry chair. There were pirates making a bigly rukus all over the Basin, and then they said they had this artifact, yes? A compass, owned by a Vernal Mans I had never really heard of before! Ilaedron? He was a tinkerer I guess! But His compass led us to the chair! Or, led us to the Lady that was sitting in the chair. There was a PERSONS in it, Mister Valensandr! A whole real Goddess! She was masked! She was bound! It was awful!

Anyway, the chair? I do not like it very much. My friends, when they touched it [this section has been underlined several times] it did BADLY things to them. Killed them fast and painfully. But the Lady in the chair, the Goddess, it turns out Her name is the Lady of the Lagoon, Li-varili. SHE was sitting in that chair, for a long long time! From a time before Divines sharded! Think the Enchantress convinced Her to do it, then left Her there. I do not know. There is so muchly that am still trying to learn mineselfs. It was so very sad! I feel badly for Her, and afeared for Her. Why do you think the compass pointed to Her? Or do think was pointing at the chair? I cannot stop wondering about it. [This part has been crossed out, though is still legible: Do you think Mister Lord Ilaedron liked Her? If so someone should tell Her, it might cheer Her up.]

I have made this letter already WAY longer than I meant to! Please thank Miss Yanath again for me for her times and teachings, though I have already told her myself and told the Even Bladed as muchly. And tell her she was a goodly teacher. And tell her if she ever wants a snacks to let me know and I will send it all the way out to the Istaldon - Bizi knows how to find her.

Stay goodly and kindly, I will see you soonly!
Gurashi

PS - Thank you for compliments on my shops! I hope even after trainings have ended that you will stop by! I will be sure to give you a discounts! [a simple smiling face with its tongue sticking out decorates the bottom of the page]

PSS - Last parts was jokes you do not have to actually buy anythings!!!

~~~  WE MISSED EACH OTHER FRIDAY weh, but Saturday got this ~~~

p origami269046
This large seafaring bird has been folded entirely from crisp white
paper, resembling a pelican that has just fished up a meal and is quite
pleased about it. With wings mantled in rest, the pelican's webbed feet
hold the heavy bird staunchly upright as it perches to enjoy its meal.
The full pouch underneath the bird's beak has expanded to allow just
enough room for a letter or trinket to be placed inside. When the
pelican's tail is lightly tapped, the beak springs open to reveal the
contents hidden within. A little postal hat sits on the pelican's head,
denoting the bird as a member of the New Celest postal services.
It has 67 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Valensandr Paavik.
It has been stamped with the seal of The Goldenquill Bookbinding Cartel.
It is folded from vellum into an action origami.
It is closed and you can not see inside of it.
It has the following aliases: origami, actionorigami.


A postal pelican origami unfolds and sings to you, "Special letter delivery! Doo do do doo!"
A stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose falls out of a postal pelican origami and into your hands.
A postal pelican origami flutters apart in wisps of vellum as the last of its contents spill into your hands.

You read what is written on a stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose:
Dear Gurashi,

It seems we both had a failure of scheduling. It is no matter. Perhaps
sometime in the next month, either in late Vestian or early Avechary.
Or, if not then, sometime else in the near future.

Indeed, the Morokeche Seat. The Even Bladed has asked the Confessor to
produce a report about the instrument, which from ears and eyes, I've
heard has been then delegated to Falaine. I've only heard very little
about the pirates. They were the ones who blew up the Kelpie Maiden,
correct? And something about an elephant now in custody of the Empyreal?
I've heard very little rumour of this Vernal Ilaedron. I pilgrimaged
once to the shrine to St. Loathys in the Southern Mountains, questing as
one does, and was able to procure the assistance of the Golden Frei. A
curious marvel if there ever was one, but I prefer the company of living
birds.

I have little idea of why the compass of Ilaedron pointed to the Seat or
to the Goddess that sat upon it. I do not know much in the ways of
Vernal artifacts. In ancient days, as I understand, Celest once held
much knowledge of these strange instruments and artifacts, but now it
seems much knowledge about them is limited. (As an aside, I don't know
is Ilaedron knew Lady Li-varili. Perhaps? I fear I would not want to
ask.)

I will send Yanath your thanks and appreciations in my next letter to
her. I've even preserved one of the snacks you sent me to send to her.
Hopefully she will enjoy them.

[Scribbled here in a flourishing script is the name VALENSANDR, whose
name is followed by the seal of House Paavik]

PS - I will stop by, certainly, and purchase something too.

PPS - Would you happen to know who is the mastermind behind the dish
known as 'peep chili'?

A stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose is holding:
Nothing.

~~~ SUNDAY ~~~

Mister Valensandr - Hi! It is me, Gurashi! I gots your letters but will be briefs: yes! Those dates sound goodly so it is a dates! I will find you! I also have this sketch, which I think will be helpful, yes? It is of the Seat you have been asking about! I meant to give it to Miss Falaine but she left 'fore I could! And yes, the masterminds of the chili is a goodly friend! Will tell you all abouts later. Stay goodly and kind! Sincerely, Gurashi!
You put a sketch of the Morokeche Seat into a poseable scarlet dragon with gilded scales.

And then we finally actually had that damned training session: https://pastebin.com/exuNuNP6