Briar

B,

Ha! I just wanted to make certain you knew I wasn’t claiming any sort of amazing people reading skills. Obviously my ego appeared so giant to you up till recently I didn’t want to regress. I think most might just be down to luck. You definitely caught my attention. (I suppose it is hard to tell, but so easy to lapse into teasing with you even through letters.) No, that’s not a nasty surprise at all. Especially since you’ve just warned me. I enjoy seeing how much you’re improving. I don’t mind you trying out Cash’s tricks on me, I am a little miffed she never showed me some of the things she’s showing you though. (Mostly teasing here.) Yes, I suppose you’re right on both accounts. I hate that we put you through such terrible experiences in the name of amusement. It’s barbaric and disgusting. Fighting is one thing, killing each other, that’s just horrific. I hope I’m right too. Cash is probably a better one to offer insight and advice onto how to hold onto what’s important. Ha! Good call. I used to think it was a shame but now I’ve come to realize it has it’s uses. Maybe some day, if you feel like talking about it, you’ll share what you had to keep a secret. But for now I won’t ask. I’m glad I have too, I think it was more you figuring it out on your own however. Good, I’m pleased.

Thorn

Thorn,

Ha! Yes, the ego is obviously a concern, I appreciate your clarifying so I don’t have to worry about it. If it is luck I feel like we both got lucky here. Ha! I can’t imagine why I did. (It is easy. I like it.) We’ll see if you’re still saying it’s not a nasty surprise once you see it in person. I don’t think a warning will help. Ha! Only because you don’t need them. Or didn’t, now that I’m getting better you could probably use some extra help. Maybe she’ll take pity on you. Of course I’m right. Though in this case I wish I wasn’t. Cash is good to talk to. But I also like talking to you. Ha! I knew it. Oh really? I’d be interested in hearing more about what those uses are. Maybe some day I’ll tell you. Definitely a conversation to be had face to face, though. Good point, it was definitely all me. 

B,

I’ll do my best in both regards. Not once. That’s not to say I read people 100 percent never any surprises at first meeting. No one can do that, maybe one of those seers, I’ve never looked into how all that works. But I’ve always been pretty adept at figuring out who is worth my time. Never had any nasty surprises. I’m certain there won’t be any from you. I suppose you’re right and they do shape us. I’m just not sure I think they shape us as much as you seem to think they do. Perhaps it is the age span difference. Despite spending seven years at school with them, humans are still mostly a mystery to me. Good, I think if anyone can make sure it doesn’t happen it’s you, your determination seems to know no bounds. Something I admire about you. Ha! Very shocking. Unless of course you never found me horrible and you were simply trying to cover up your interests. After all, I’m way too amazing to be found horrible. No, I suppose I don’t. I’ve had to learn to keep some things to myself. But the upside is that it’s there for people who care to look. Wonderful! I’ll do that. It’ll be a nice thing to look forward to while I continue my parading.

Thorn

Thorn,

I appreciate that. Clearly you don’t read people 100 percent on the first meeting. I’m glad you could apparently tell I was worth your time, not that you did a great job of showing it. (I hope it goes without saying that was teasing, but it’s hard to tell through a letter so just in case: teasing.) I certainly don’t have any nasty surprised planned for you, unless you count a new trick Cash showed me, in which case I may or may not have a very nasty surprise planned for you. I suppose how much an experience shapes us depends a lot on the experience and the person. But I don’t think it’s possible to come out of something like this completely unchanged. And I’m not sure how I’d feel if I could survive this and not be at all affected by the lives that will be on my hands if I do. We just have to do our best to hold onto what’s important. I hope you’re right, I am very determined. Ha! I’m not going to answer that, no good will come of it. It’s a shame you have to hide that part of yourself. I know how it feels to keep part of who you are a secret. I’m glad you’ve let me in on it. I’ll be looking forward to it as well. 

B,

As much as I’d like to impress you I’m afraid it’ll have to be in another area. I’d like you to not be wrong in trusting me. From what I’ve seen you’ve figured out how to tell who you can and can’t trust. Can’t remember a time I’ve ever been wrong about anyone. Don’t think you’ll be the first. Instead of a part of who you are, could it not just be your current experience and something that will hopefully in the future be nothing but an unpleasant memory? I’d hate for you to lose all of who you are to this one thing. I’ve seen it, it’s terrible. You’re welcome. Wow, a compliment on my values from you, that’s not only high praise but a huge turnaround. Sorry, I couldn’t resist some teasing in there. Thank you for that. I know I don’t always show my values but I’m glad that you’ve figured me out. You are far more open-minded than I thought, I like it. I’m glad you agree. Maybe there’s hope for my people yet. Ha! I knew it. I’m glad. Well once I’m done parading around like an idiot maybe we can find some time in your schedule to hang out in a way that doesn’t involve the training center. If you’d like. Having a serious conversation there wouldn’t be the smartest.

Thorn

Thorn,

I’m sure you can work out some other ways to impress me. And I have a feeling you’ll prove me right about where I’ve placed my trust. I’m not sure what I have to lose if I’m wrong. Not a single time? Look at that, you’ve found a new way to impress me already. In that case I’ll work extra hard not to be the reason to end that record. I’d like for it to be nothing but an unpleasant memory one day. But I think our experiences shape us, for better or for worse. Maybe it’s just because we humans don’t live as long, not as much time to leave the past behind us. But I don’t want to lose all of who I am either, and I’m hopeful that I won’t. I’m certainly doing my best to make sure that doesn’t happen. Ha! Yes, yes, we’re all shocked that I no longer find you horrible. You’re welcome. You certainly don’t wear them on your sleeve but they do come through in time. Ha! Yes, I think I’d quite like to hang out in a way that doesn’t involve the training center. Just let me know when you’re done with the parading around like an idiot and I’m sure I can pencil you in. 

B,

It’s not a burden at all. I’m honored that you feel comfortable enough with me to talk with me about these things. Especially considering who I am, and what many think I represent. Please don’t ever feel the need to apologize for being honest. I enjoy truthful conversations, even if the truth is an unpleasant or tricky one. While how they came into being players is vastly different than your own I feel like Finn, Cash, and Gloss are all good examples that being a player isn’t who you are. They are all good Veela with strong values that they can’t be loud about but still it shows. I feel it’s the same with you. You might not be able to be completely who you are right now but who you are at your core shows. And I think you’re a good person. I’m glad I can help in whatever ways I’ve been able to. Hmm that’s a good point. But just like I mentioned with the trainers and yourself, it’s not always a possibility to show who you truly are. Maybe those other Veelas having serious thoughts are just lacking the ability to show who they are and the means to make things better instead of worse. I think it’s hard to say if it’s better or worse, since we don’t know what they’re serious thoughts might be. Not too bleak at all. I would never dream of telling you that. And not just because you could hand me my arse if I did. I enjoy talking with you about these things. We should do it in person some time.

Thorn

P.S. Ha!

Thorn,

I’m glad you don’t feel like I’m burdening you with such serious conversation. You’re surprisingly easy to talk to. It’s hard to know who to trust here. I suppose I could ultimately still be wrong in trusting you, but I gave you such a hard time if I am wrong I think I’ll be a little impressed. I hope you’re right about me, too. A player might not be all that I am, but it’s part of who I am now. Thanks for still thinking I’m a good person. You seem to have strong values of your own, so that means a lot from you. I suppose you’re right, depending on the serious thoughts they could still be a good thing. Ha! Good idea, that invitation to tell me to shut up was a trap. But I enjoy talking with you too. I’d like that a lot.

B,

I would argue that you too were tricked. I’ve never heard of a player coming in that wasn’t tricked in some way. It’s just a matter of how deceitful the Veela chooses to be. I’m not sure I’d agree that any part of it is any of your faults. Perhaps the situation that caused the desperation might have been someone’s fault but you’ve all been tricked into a deadly situation one way or another. I don’t know that I’m the person to talk on wondering, especially when it comes to what sort of people it makes you. But if you don’t mind me overstepping some, I think there’s lots of better ways that aren’t manipulated by Veela to show what sort of person you are. Not presumptuous at all. I’m not sure how much I do compared to them but I am willing to do what I can. I wish I could do more. Like abolishing the whole thing. I want to say that more Veela have serious thoughts than it seems but I don’t know if that would be a lie or not. I’m afraid it might be. But I do have lots of them and I’m glad you like me sharing them. Ha! Good, as do I. Naturally.

Thorn

P.S. I will, thanks.

It’s very much in mind.

Thorn,

They certainly didn’t tell me everything I would have to do to get what they promised me. Or that my odds of getting it at all were 1 in 10. Possibly less than that. But I knew what I signed onto was too good to be true, I’ve been told too many times before I was going someplace that was supposed to be nice and turned out to be the opposite. But I agreed to it anyways. I made a choice. I don’t say that to excuse the Veela who brought me or anyone else here, by the way. But there’s more to it than just knowing you were tricked and now you’re stuck. It makes you question who you are, even beyond just coming to terms with whether you’re the type of person who can kill another. I’m sure you’re right, there are other ways to show who you are. I just hope I get the chance at some of them in the future. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with all this. You do plenty, truly. It’s nice to have someone who cares where it isn’t their job to. I want to say I hope that wouldn’t be a lie, but I’m not sure if more Veela having serious thoughts just makes everything that happens worse, somehow. I’m sorry, I just apologized for getting too bleak and I’m afraid I’m doing it again. It shouldn’t be this easy to talk to you about all this. Feel free to tell me to shut up.

B

B,

Maybe not the top. I suppose there’s something in knowing it wasn’t one of the more deceitful ways they lure people in but sitll not great. There might be something to that. I know those are the people Veela look for. I’m afraid that’s the best we’ve got. But Finnick, Cashmere, and Gloss are excellent judges of character; both human and Veela. I’m honored you find my opinion an equal to theirs. I’m glad, despite my attraction to teasing I do have a lot of thoughts. You’re welcome. Ha! I have an excellent memory, I’ll have you know.

Thorn

P.S. I don’t believe you.

Mmm yes, I suppose I do.

Thorn,

Maybe. The people who were tricked are probably better people than me. It’s smart, preying on people who have nothing to lose. Easier. We don’t ask as many questions as we should, so when we find out how bad things really are we know it’s partly our own fault. And maybe we wonder if knowing would have made a difference, or if we would still be here anyways. And we wonder what sort of people that makes us. Probably not a good one. I’m glad to have the three of them looking out for me. And you, if that’s not too presumptuous to say so. It’s quite clear you have a lot more serious thoughts than a lot of Veela. I like that you’re sharing them with me. That being said, I also very much like the teasing. Of course you have an excellent memory.

B

P.S. Suit yourself, you’re entitled to that belief.

B,

I was just pointing out that I wasn’t one. So what you’re saying is you’re impulsive? I did notice a little something in that vein when you were despising me but I didn’t want to say. It would be impolite. All teasing aside Veela are very tricky and while it was your decision, rash or not, I have no doubt it was egged on by a Veela very talented in deception. That is normally how these things go. Even if you were still lumping all of us together I wouldn’t blame you for that. I’m well aware of the damage my people have been responsible for. Someday I hope things might be different. All right I’m done with the seriousness, thank you for indulging me. Yes that’s rather obvious I suppose. I’m hopeful the after the immediate future will. I should have clarified. Ha! Is that so? As if you didn’t know already.

Thorn

P.S. That great memory seems more selective when it comes to things you want to play coy about.

Makes sensible rather difficult.

Thorn,

Ha! Somehow I doubt being polite was your top priority. They did paint a prettier picture of what I signing up for than turned out to be true, but that would hardly be the first time that’s happened to me. I suppose it’s easier to be rash when none of your options are particularly good ones. But you’re right, assuming you were all terrible felt like the safest choice. It’s a shame there’s not an easier way to pick out the good ones from the bad, though now at least I know the trainers’ seal of approval is quite a good indication. Yours as well. I don’t always mind serious. I like hearing your thoughts. And thank you. Ha! Always good to have it in writing, in case your memory slips.

B

P.S. I have no idea what you’re talking about. 

B,

I’m not a total self-centered jackarse. You’re welcome. Ha! I’m glad you think that, I feel the same way obviously. Shame. I hope your future see less danger. He is, I should imagine. Good! I’d venture to say you don’t have to think of compliments to entice who you’re trying to. Or even try.

Thorn

P.S.  Always good to have it in writing in case your memory slips.

Good! The confidence just adds to it.

A little too enticing maybe.

Thorn,

Ha! I already took that back! And regardless, it was my decision to be here, albeit a rash one; clearly I also acted too rashly in lumping all you Veela together. I don’t think I would have blamed you if you hadn’t been willing to let that go so easily. Ha! Of course you do. Somehow I doubt it will, at least not the immediate future. Afterwards, maybe. One can certainly hope. Good, he better be. Oh? Good to know.

B

P.S. I thought we already established I have a great memory, but if puts your mind at ease so be it. 

B,

Considering the situation you found yourself in, I can’t blame you for it. Yes, a little I think. Good, I’m glad you agree because I don’t feel bad at all for the things I do out of spite. They deserve it, in my opinion. Just a touch? Interesting life you seem to have led. I wouldn’t say insists, just that it would be nice. Ha! I’m certain you don’t have to think of compliments to entice anyone. Much nicer than what I was thinking it qualifies as.

Thorn

P.S. I know. ;)

You’re a very enticing bird.

Thorn,

That’s awfully understanding of you. Thanks for that. Ha! And you shouldn’t, I have no doubt your spite is well-deserved. A slight exaggeration, perhaps, but my life has not been entirely without its dangers. Well regardless of whether he insists, I hope he’s quite pleased. Ha! I’m not trying to entice just anyone. 

B

P.S. Ha! And yet you needed it explicitly in writing, did you?

B,

It did make it difficult to see, yes. Ha! Or maybe because my friends are trainers. Not that out of spite isn’t a good guess, I have been known to do things out of a spite. I’m glad I did too. I can imagine so. You seem to be handling it well. Ha! Maybe he’d just like it explicitly in writing. Certainly doesn’t need that as an excuse to see you in person. Does that qualify as nice? If so, I’m not that nice of a person either.

Thorn

Thorn,

Oops. Ha! I suppose that’s better than spite, maybe. Nothing wrong with doing something out of spite, if you ask me. Good. Well, I’m used to holding my own in tricky situations. This isn’t so different, just a touch more deadly, I suppose. Ha! If he insists, maybe I’ll arrange it. That’s good to hear, seeing as it would only work once and then I’d be left trying to think of other compliments to entice him. Ha! Good point. It qualifies as overly nice, I think.

B

B,

Ha! Maybe you’re on to something. I’m sure the fact that you found me absolutely abhorrent had a little to do with it too, though. That would make sense to me. But I know very little of the situation so I can’t really speak much on it. I think so. He might like it even better in person. I personally can’t help wondering if you’re choosing to do it in person rather than owl because you don’t want him to have written proof. If you say so. Ha! I’m glad you’re enjoying talking with me. I’d wonder why you kept responding if you weren’t.

Thorn

Thorn,

Hmm, maybe just a bit, I can see how that would get in the way of my natural charm. Obviously not too much since you stuck around to prove me wrong, or maybe that was out of spite. Either way I’m glad you did. I think it’s hard no matter what. Ha! Maybe it’s already in writing, he just has to pick up the hint. But if he’d like it to be more explicit he’ll have to come see me in person. Ha! I like to think I’m a nice enough person, but I’m definitely not that nice.

B,

I like that. Ha! I like that you can be very intimidating. That you can, but it’s part of your charm. Important to know who you are. Possibly even more so in your current circumstances. I’m sure he’d be pleased to know you think he’s smart, you should tell him. Ha! Was it? Hmm… Actually I’m not sure which it is either, suppose it could be either, depending on the day, the Veela, and your opinion of us.

Thorn

Thorn,

Ha! You think? No wonder you didn’t find me charming right away, I’ve clearly gotten more intimidating.  That’s probably true. I think it would be much harder to be here if I didn’t know who I am. Should I? Maybe I will. I suppose I could tell him via owl, but I think I’ll wait and let him know in person. It was. Ha! Fair enough. I quite enjoy the Veela I’m talking with at the moment, so I’ll take it as a compliment for now.

B,

No, lucky for you I don’t scare easily. I thought that was clear. Ha! I think I would, glad you would as well. Ha! When you feel like it is very truthful of you. I’m sure he’s well aware of that. I don’t recall needing to be excused but thank you. Ha! I think you might be spending too much time with Veela, you address questions like one.

Thorn

Thorn,

Lucky for both of us, I think. It’s pretty clear by now, but never hurts to check seeing as I can be very intimidating. Good! Ha! What can I say, I am who I am. I suspect you’re right about that, he is a smart bloke. You’re welcome, it was very much necessary. Ha! I’m not sure if that’s an insult or a compliment.

B,

Hints of doubt? I’ll have to make sure I’m clearer next time.  Ha! Owls getting crossed sounds terrible, I hope that’s not the case right now. Yes that would be a tragedy to deny me that. Thank you for taking that into consideration instead of running off to do it. Lucky for that one that he is. Ha, maybe not so kind after all. That is usually the purpose of asking a question, because you want to know the answer.

Thorn

Thorn,

Ha! Please do, I’d like to know whether I should go extra hard on you next time we train together. Assuming that doesn’t scare you off. It does sound terrible, but I like to think you’d notice the difference if that was the case. I suspect I would. You’re quite welcome, I do try to be accommodating when I feel like it. It is lucky for him. Ha! Excuse you!  Ha, ha. Too bad I’m not going to answer.

B,

Whatever gave you that idea? I don’t believe you’ve ever called me modest, have I owled the wrong bird? Ha! Good you should. All but one are awful or only one is awful? Kind of you. I agree, there definitely are some things that deserve consistency. Depends on what you’re saying I should be scared of. Only a fool is never scared.

Thorn

Thorn,

If you must know I detected hints of doubt as to all my wonderful qualities. I don’t believe I’ve had an occasion to before now, but then owls do get crossed from time to time, or so I hear. Ha! My first priority after answering your letters, I suppose, since I’d hate to deprive you of my charm. Maybe awful is a little harsh, but let’s just say all but one are not to my taste. It is, isn’t it? Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know?

B,

Many wonderful qualities now hmm? Oh no, I don’t think I could do them justice. I’ll leave that in your capable hands. Ha! I hope not all the weirdos are too awful. I’m pleased to hear that. Apologies for finding you less than unpredictable. But as you say, you can be consistent in some things. Ha! I’ve never been too wise I’m afraid.

Thorn

Thorn,

Are you doubting me? That’s awfully modest of you, but suit yourself. I’ll make the list my top priority. Ha! All but one of them. I’ll allow it just this one. A bit of consistency in some circumstances isn’t the worst thing. Ha! Are you suggesting you aren’t scared?