Grishaverse Big Bang

My dear B, 

We are on to the tall Pyranees next, I am told, and I am so low at leaving Vitoria and its warmth. The other men tease me for being a poor example of my people. Ha! If only they knew the truth of it. I wonder what the sergeant would say. Accuse his best scout of witch craft? 

Your last mentioned an issue with the butcher taking issue with your raising and slaughtering your own goats. I will not go so far as to say I told you so but my dear surely you can see how a man in his line of work might fret at seeing a respectable woman hauling a cart of goat hides to be tanned at the shop next to his. Perhaps the cost of the butchering should be seen as smaller than the cost of angry glares on market day? It is just a thought, but it has been many years since either of us have been truly forced to fend for ourselves. 

I know you are reading on after crumpling this paper and so will not anger you further, only leave you with my enduring affection. I don’t know from when or where I will write to you next, but hopefully these peninsular roads bear me swiftly to my destination nearer France.

Jesper stared out the carriage window, trying to keep his anxiety down. He could almost hear Ketterdam University get closer. His home moving further away. The thought of it twisted his stomach.

“Hey, are you okay?”

He blinked, turning to Colm—his Da—who sat next to him.

“Ah, I’m alright.”

“You know, it’s okay if you don’t want to do this. You’re about to commit to a huge leap in your life.”

“No, I need to do this.”

The words stopped dead on his tongue. It didn’t feel right to finish—or even try to think of a palatable answer. He was leaving home because he needed to. Staying on the farm meant losing the opportunity to see the world and learn about himself. But it sounded terrible. He didn’t want to hurt Da now of all places.

“Hey, it’s okay. I understand you’re growing up; you need to find out who you are. I can’t coddle you forever.”

Jesper grinned. “You know I can still come back. We have holidays, and I’m going to miss the dinners we have.”

Colm chuckled. “Well, don’t come back for just the food.”

“Right. I need to see Milo, too.”

A soft, humorful sigh. “You’re going to be fine.”

Jesper grinned, lighter this time.

The carriage lurched forward. He almost felt himself thrown from his seat if it weren’t for the arm over his chest.

Jesper looked out the window as his Da crawled out the other.

“Hey! What’s the hold up for?”

There was an answer, but Jesper couldn’t see it as a team of carriages and horses rode by in front of them. He could barely make out any of the riders and the windows were covered. But as soon as they were there, they were gone.

He slid back into his seat, Colm sitting back next to him. “Ah, some nobleman on their way to Ketterdam. I’m glad you’ll be getting some peace and quiet where you’re at.”

Jesper lightly scoffed before grinning. “You never know. I might find a way to go downtown to Ketterdam.”

“Not through these bogs.”

He followed his Da’s gaze out the window.

Outside was the same scenery—a forest that fluctuate between sparse and dense, with the ground wet and mossy. He’d have to travel by carriage or foot on the road if he wanted to reach Ketterdam.

Soon, their surroundings changed to manicured lawns and pruned trees. The buildings of the university followed soon after.

Jesper felt his leg start bouncing. “Can’t believe we’re here.”

“Me neither.”

Jesper waited for the carriage to come to a stop, almost ready to fly out the door. But he waited until his Da stepped out before following him. He paused, helping to take down his trunks. Everything for the school year was inside the semi-heavy luggage.

“What room are we taking them to?” Colm asked, setting the second trunk down before the carriage left.

Jesper pulled out a piece of paper from his inside pocket—the letter from the university with all the necessary information inside.

He scanned over the words before stating, “Room 248.”

“Oh no, we need to go up stairs.”

Jesper chuckled, taking one of the trunks. “I’ll take the heavier stuff then.”

“Why do I have a feeling you overpacked?”

“I didn’t overpack. I just wanted to bring clothes that would probably suit Ketterdam. If anything, I can just send for anything else from you.”

Colm shrugged, following him this time. “I do have some ideas for care packages.”

The two navigated the halls, dodging students and parents walking through the many doors. Even with the heavy trunk, Jesper found himself bounding up the stairs with excited energy. As they approached his door, though, apprehension started to trudge in.

“240, 242, 244… Ah! 248.”

Jesper opened up the door to a room that showed life. His new roommate had been in here before—there were luggages on the bed, clothes stacked next to them. But the person was not in the room.

He placed his trunk onto the empty bed, scanning over the roommate’s belongings. He heard Colm set down the other trunk with a tired sigh before sitting on the bed.

“Well,” he finally said after catching his breath, “what do you think?”

“It looks… new.”

There was a pit now in his stomach. He didn’t like the feeling it gave him, sitting where the food should be going, making his breath start to slow further. Jesper shook it away mentally and decided to take in the room: two beds, the desks, the closets, and the bathroom. A simple dorm room. It didn’t feel like it was his place.

At least, not yet.

“Lot to take in?” Colm asked, sitting on the bed.

“Uh, I guess.”

“I know. Your new place for the next four years, hopefully. You might as well take the time to make this place yours.”

Jesper looked over the barren walls. He nodded, wondering what he could put up to remind himself of home. And what his roommate will be okay with.

“Ah! You must be the new roommate!”

Jesper turned to see a blond man in the doorway. He was smiling with wide eyes, strands of his hair were starting to fall forward.

He stood up, almost stumbling forward. “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“Let’s just stick with Nikolai.” He crossed the room, shaking Jesper’s hand. “You must be Jesper—did I pronounce it correctly?”

This time, Jesper smiled. “Actually, you did.”

“Good! It would be terrible to start out this year with a mispronunciation.”

“Wouldn’t be the worst.”

“Still, it wouldn’t be right.” Nikolai fell on his hand, his smile never faltering. “So, tell me about the classes you’re taking.”

Jesper heard his dad sigh, “Oh boy, there’s two of you.”