Gains of the Graceless | Part Four

An envelope crafted from sterile parchment and even plainer white paper within shows obvious and careless signs of having been tampered with. The seal of a lavender sprig is visibly destroyed, clearly having been opened and resealed with a hot, flat instrument that robbed the letter of any poetry.

"Alice,

The initial introduction to the Sanatorium has been. . . Bleak, to say the least.

The journey over, I held out hope that Leonard might yet come. Every step, I could feel you, Leonard, and even Father growing further. I thought that Father might accompany me on the journey over, but he turned his head away when the attendants finally came in their white robes. I fought with them, pleaded with him, but... It appears that they came prepared, and I found myself smothered with bitter smelling herbs until the world went black around me.

When I came to, my head was pounding, but I was already in the carriage. The carriage is far more like a prison than somewhere to rest during the journey, with very little padding to the seat to render it comfortable. I can already picture my father's face snickering, the brute.

When I arrived, I thought I'd be greeted by the famed man in the bird mask, but instead what stood before me was a human man further in his years than my father. He assured me that my accommodations will be plenty comfortable, but first there was the matter of examining my person for any injuries or "contraband."

Apparently, a quill in an unsupervised room is considered contraband, and they thusly deemed me medium risk and moved my accommodations to a more intense wing in the east. I am assured that I will be kept away from aggressive prisoners, but that could only be promised if I managed to still my temper and take the potions they demand of me.

Of which, the potion they had me take was foul.

It has made me terribly fatigued, and I must retire... Please, do not relent in changing my father's mind.

Until Next Time, -Ayra."