A Hand Written Letter

The following is a hand written letter posted on the wall at the house. Neatly penned, though towards the end the ink is smeared, and the paper tear stained.

My dear team and friends:

As I sit here today pondering the events of months gone by, at the things we have accomplished, and at the things we have yet to do, I find myself struggling to find the words to properly encompass it all, to describe just how much you all have come to mean in my life. When I took up the mantle of leadership, it was done so with a great deal of reluctance on my part and with the fear that I would not strong enough to do the job properly. It is a fear that I feel has come true on a number of occasions, and I believe I have not been the leader you all truly deserve.

That said, however, I would still continue at the helm for as long as you all would have me, that I might be given the chance to set right the things in which I have fumbled. Thus far I could not hope to ask for a better group of individuals to guide and to protect. You have stood by me through some terrible recent events, and that gives me the strength to carry on. I will get better at this, not just for myself, but for each and every one of you.

Dancer, I ask that you forgive my apparent lack of concern for your well being during the fight at the rally, and in the events leading after. The excuse that I had a very great deal on my plate does not justify how I basically ended up ignoring you and the contributions you made. You have come a long way since we first met, you continue to change for he better, to improve, and that should not go unrecognized. I thank you for all that you have done, and would like to spend some time with you in a capacity where I am not the 'boss'.

Skarlette, I have continued to neglect you in spite of my promises to do otherwise and you still stand by faithfully, doing your part in making our missions possible. Your work at the rally was stellar, and I suspect the outcome would have been rather different had you not been there get them talking about their war machines, had you not been there to help bring down Garotte. Like dancer, I owe you a great deal of quality time, not to mention some shooting lessons. Let's make that happen.

Alexi, you have come through for me time and time again in some really tough situations. I have thanked you before for doing what needed to be done, but I feel it bears repeating. You might see it as simply doing your duty, but I'd like to think that it's more, that you have found a place where you can truly feel that we are your friends and family. And I'll bury you the next time we have a pillow fight, just you wait and see.

Alchemy, you have grown so much in such a short period of time, it's almost impossible to believe. Without your help at the rally, I know for certain that the outcome would have been starkly different. I doubted you for a moment which was in no way justifiable, and it will never happen again. You've proven yourself a noble human in choosing the more difficult path, and you have triumphed in a way that few will ever be able to claim. And through it all you have also reminded me how good it is to be a little less serious at times.

Maru, I weep and my heart bleeds to think about what was done to you. The world is sometimes a horrifying and ugly place that often teaches harsh lessons to those who deserve it least. You are such a gentle soul with a capacity for caring and compassion that defies comprehension, and that makes what you were tricked into doing all the more terrible. You are not a monster, you never have been, and you never will be. No matter how long it takes, I shall offer you all the comfort I can in this painful, dark time. I believe in you completely, and that in due course you will find that you can smile with your proper radiance once again. You are still the keeper of my heart, and I love you now and forever.

Jackie