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My darling,

Oh! My heart always jumps when you call me mama-san. Being your mother will always be the most important title I've ever held, but there's something so cute about mama-san, it makes me feel all silly inside in the best of ways.

Never ever. Nothing could ever make me sick of any of your visits, but it will be good for me to actually work during the day instead of just spending the time with my sweet boys. I promise to get everything I need done during the day so after school will be our time. :)

Do you really not mind? Would she? I think the company might be helpful, especially in the evening hours, but I don't want to take her from her home if she'd prefer to remain with you. Perhaps it really is time for me to look at the shelters for a friend to adopt and bring home, just so things are a bit more lively again at the cottage.

I have no doubt that you will navigate this new relationship just as I've watched you navigate through every other one - with your full, accepting, generous heart. Everything will be fine, my love. As you've said, don't overthink things. Just follow your feelings, like you always have. They will rarely steer you wrong.

As for your writing, I will have to show bring some of your first letters to the shop to show you just how improved it has truly become! You would not believe the difference a year of letter writing would make! But I'm so proud of you for sticking with it always and there is no doubt in my heart that one day your writing will outshine even my own! Just you wait and see.

Love you always,
Mom

Dear Mom,

It feels weird to be back here. Kind of scary, too. I keep thinking it might flood again, or I might hear voices, or everyone will get whisked away like before. I keep checking to make sure Hunter's still here. I know you don't mind, but if I come by the shop or your house more often for a while, that's why. (Everything needs fixing anyway, so I can at least lend an extra pair of hands.)

I hope we can stay here and have a peaceful time for a long while. I never want to be left behind like that again. I guess a part of me is glad that it was me and not someone used to survival situations, since it was so dangerous. I super didn't miss that life though. I'm really grateful that we're all together and alive.

Everything we talked about before this happened feels so far away, now. I still wanted to send a letter right away, though, since it'd been so long. I missed it a lot. I didn't want to send you one while we were in Amrita since I know you like to keep them. I wasn't sure what would happen once Thirteen let us go.

I'm sorry for worrying everyone. Even if it's not my fault (at least not that Thirteen's implied), still. I wish you didn't have to go through all of that either!

Sorry this letter is so short, too. Having some trouble getting words together. My head's not all there yet. Just need some more time to get over it.

I love you, I love you, I love you,
Casey

My Casey,

I can not deny that it worries this old heart of mine to be back after what we and Folkmore itself have endured, but I believe it must be safe now, or Thirteen would not have let us return. That trial, for as long as it persisted, is finally over, and we have the chance to return to some kind of normalcy again.

Well, as normal as our lives have ever been.

As usual, if you or Hunter ever need me, say the word and I will be there. And of course you can come stay with me at the shop, anytime that you like. You know I love your company, and especially in this time of rebuild, we need to lean on the ones that we love and trust the most, which would be you a hundred times over.

If I have the chance, I will ask Thirteen directly why she picked you and Peter and Raphael to stay behind. It's cruel, if it was truly on purpose and not just an accident, but I want to make it known to her that I will not stand for it again. Being separated from you, even for such a short time, was terrifying. Next time, she had better leave all of us behind or take us all to safety together.

There's no need to apologize, my darling. It was fully out of your control. If anything, I should be apologizing to you that I was not able to come and sweep you back up as immediately as I wanted to. I know April and the others were looking for you, but I felt so hopeless being unable to do anything but stay back and wait. I'm so sorry, Casey. I hope you can forgive me.

We should think ahead to the holidays. Perhaps you would like to help me plan for a holiday party in December this year?

I love you forever and always, my little cub. Please come over anytime.

Love,
Mom

Dear Mom,

Things are starting to feel stable again. I'm trying not to worry, because it won't help anything, but some days are harder than others. If things are going back to normal, doesn't that mean the usual schedule will come back, too? So we wouldn't be too far off from the next trial. Scary to think about. We'll just have to do our best, I guess. And hopefully this time stick together.

Is the shop back to normal or does it still need work? I'm happy to help out. I don't feel bad about taking shelter there (I know you'd rather we be safe) but I didn't like that it'd flooded. If it needs more fixing, I'm here for it.

I want to know what Thirteen would say, but at the same time, I'm afraid of the answer. This is her world, and I usually love it here. If she doesn't like me or has something against me, or I did something wrong... I don't know. I guess it's better to know, so maybe there's a way to avoid what happened in the future. But it scares me. I'm not usually scared of this place.

I don't want you to apologize, Mom, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm grateful that you were safe in Amrita that whole time. I was in such a panic looking for everyone, because we had no answers. As soon as I found out that most of us were safe, I was able to focus on surviving and looking for the ones who were left. If you need to hear it, then I forgive you, but I really believe that there's nothing to forgive.

I'd love to help you with a party. I can't think of a better way to learn than from a mistrex :) Please teach me everything I need to know! I'll support you.

Love you always. I'll be visiting again soon,
Casey

My boy ♡

You and I have been thinking along the same lines, I see. I had the same thought earlier today, that because of the extended duration of the last trial, the next must be just around the corner. But after such a devastating one, won't Thirteen give us a break next? Something less impactful and not at all dangerous? I can only hope so, for all of our sakes.

The shop is perfectly put together again, just a few things out of place. The beautiful mural that Michelangelo made still remains untouched, and that is the most important part to me. The rest? It can be remade. My important memories and my more important people, they are safe and that is all that matters.

I wonder if she picked those that she did for a different purpose completely. Not out of anger or cruelty or a sense to hurt, but because she saw it would contribute to reaching your full potential. Maybe she saw something else within you, your strength and unwavering determination. I can't say I agree if that's really her truth, but it does seem less cruel.

Either way, I'm grateful to put that whole experience behind us and to focus on the future, which includes our holiday party. I'll connect with you soon and we'll start the preparations. There's so much to do!

Please be well, my darling. I love you endlessly, every single day.

Your mother,
Mom :p

P.S. I have more stringed cheese at the shop!

Dear Mom,

I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I am at how tame this month is so far. It could all fall apart in a second, I know, but just waking up and finding everyone still here, and the world mostly normal, wow! This trial is shaping up to be more annoying than bad. I feel so much better. Maybe I will have a good birthday for once :) I can brag about it to April. (She might smack me and I'd deserve it, but she's the only one who gets it.)

The shop does look great! I'm glad the mural survived. I hope the one in Donnie's lab is okay, too. Maybe you can ask him? He doesn't really return my messages these days. [There's a tiny doodle of a mini-Casey shrugging in the margins.] I think Hoot Couture being in tiptop shape is like a sure sign that things are going good, and it means you can fill Folkmore with more beautiful clothes. I bet that makes you happy.

Maybe you're right, about Thirteen. That's a nicer way of thinking about it. At least less cruel, like you said. Leaving me out there because she figured I could handle it, or it'd help me do my best... I guess it being such a big worldly crisis was familiar, and that helped. I didn't want to think badly of Thirteen, considering all I've gained in this world. I'm still grateful, mostly. I'd like it if she maybe thought less of me, though! At least for a while.

I'm going to watch some holiday documentaries and videos to see if anything inspires me. I can't have you doing all the work! :) One more real winter holiday! I'd like to do a better job at presents this year, now that I'm a little more practiced at it, so I'll have to think about that, too. I'm excited!

Love you, love you! (Thank you for the cheese <3)
-Casey

Happy Holidays to my most darling boy!

I can not even begin to express my relief to see that our Michelangelo's beautiful art remains. I don't know what I might have done if it had been lost. Recreating it would never have done the original justice, not with all of the love he put into every brush stroke.

Ah, but I digress! Darling, has he not been returning messages to you either? I fear our Donnie is becoming as much of a recluse as he was last year during this season as well. Do we need to host an intervention for him? The last one we threw didn't exactly go the way we wanted, but I do believe it opened doors that might have remained under lock and key otherwise.

Perhaps we should ask Leonardo?

Of course being able to create and share those creations with all of Folkmore - and my beautiful, perfect family - is so very important to me, but nothing makes this old owlbear happier than the afternoons spent with you and Hunter and the others in my shop. That is what made me love that space, the sound of you doing homework and giggling and stealing kisses thinking I wouldn't see. Those are the memories I'll hold with me my entire life, not who was wearing what.

(Though yes, I am immensely proud of what I've created here. :) )

I was thinking for the party this year that, depending on the weather, we might set up a small campfire outside in one of the nearby parks roast marshmallows. The cold doesn't bother me so much, but I know that humans shouldn't be outside in the snow for too long, is that correct? What do you think?

I love you so completely, my darling boy!

My son forever and always,
Mom

Happy holidays to the kindest mom ever!

I have to be careful not to use "best" so much anymore. It used to come so naturally, but I don't want to discount Cassandra Senior's efforts either. I mean, you're definitely still better at being mom, but she's trying hard to learn! (Is it like you not saying out loud if you have a favourite son? :P) It'll be an interesting day if she can match your level in great mom-ness.

I don't know if an intervention would help with Donnie. He's so stubborn, it's hard to get him to listen to feelings of other people, nevermind addressing his own, and to him I'm sure what he's doing is perfectly logical. I asked Leo about it, and he said to let Donnie finish whatever it is he's working on for now. As long as he's eating and drinking and not hurting himself, I guess I'll just stay out of it. Leo knows him best after all. But I told him if he needs help with anything, just let me know. Same to you! You'd get through to him way better than I ever could.

I have a different project I've been working on for a while, but once it's finished (probably after the holidays) I'd like to get back to work on my cloak. Now that I have access to more old files on my mask (Donnie helped with that at least) I've dug up the schematics for a bunch of Uncle Tello's tech. It's nice to get back to work! I can see why you enjoy the shop and staying so busy. Hopefully you're not TOO busy though. :)

(there's no such thing as stealing kisses if they're willing! But quit stealing looks at us! Do we need to get a curtain :P )

I love the idea of a campfire! Maybe if it was a section of the park near somewhere indoors as well? In case the weather gets too rough, or people get cold and need to go inside for a break. Or is there a way to magically set up a warm section where the wind can't affect somebody? We could also have runners (I volunteer!) who can cook marshmallows and bring them to people who can't be near the fires.

I'm excited for my second Christmas here :)

Love you love you,
Casey

To my growing son!

I dare not deny it, my dear Casey. When Cassandra first entered our family here, I was so fearful of being pushed out as your mother. Please believe me when I say it was not for lack of our bond that I thought as much, merely my own internalized fear of your true mother taking understandable precedence over me. Back then, hearing you say such a thing about her, I might have grown jealous.

However, these days, I feel none of that same fear or jealousy. I'm only grateful for your growing relationship with the woman, and how our own relationship remains unchanging. You are still my son. Only now, you are her son too. And that is wonderful. :)

As much as I wish to argue about Donnie, I see exactly what you mean. You're right. Leo would know what to do best out of all of us, so if he says to wait, then I will agree to wait too. Though I do think you're downplaying your own role in his life, darling. Donatello loves you, it is just in his own way - which I admit, I do not always understand, but I'm trying to learn.

Believe me, I am never TOO busy in this place. It is nothing like it was back in the Faerie, where my every second was accounted for. Here, I work at my leisure. I promise. And I can not wait to see your new cloak completed!

(Perhaps a curtain would give more privacy, but I also don't believe my shop is the place you're looking to find it!)

Countdown to our little party! I can not wait, my darling! It will be a most beautiful, happy, wonderful holiday!

Love you the most,
Mom

Happy new year, Mom!

The holidays are done and we did it! We hosted a whole party together. It feels kind of like a dream now that it's over. It was so overwhelming at first! Do you remember what it was like, your first time? Were you super nervous, like me? Or were you an unshakeable pro from the very start? I can imagine either one. Nobody's perfect the first time, but you're so capable.

I'm glad you feel better about my other mom being here. I really love you both! I could never choose if somebody asked. You're both so different, and amazing in different ways (and some of the same ways, too). I know how lucky I am to have two moms. A whole ten years I had none, and now I have two. I couldn't ask for a better life. It IS wonderful :)

I don't like to argue with you (about Donnie or otherwise) but I think you're off the mark. I don't think he loves me. I don't even think he likes me. It's okay, I guess. Not everybody has to. Uncle Tello loved me because I grew up around him, he had my whole life to get used to me. It's only been a year and a half. Maybe he will someday, or never. But it hurts to think about it when I know it isn't true yet.

How is your new furry friend settling in? Do they have a favourite body yet, are they a good snuggler? Not as good as we are, I know :P but I think I nailed the programming. I think Queen misses you a little but is also glad to be home. We'll have to have cat play dates or something. Or, or maybe they'd also like to visit the cat cafe? We've got options, now. Not that we need an excuse to go.

I was thinking about sleeping over soon, maybe. There's something I want to talk to you about, but not in a letter.

Love you lots, and here's to another amazing year with my amazing mom <3
Casey

A happiest of new years to my son,

No, no, no. I assure you that I was never a pro when I first started out hosting parties. If anything, I was even more of a mess than you're feeling now, simply because I came into hosting alone, instead of with a proper mentor. I remember the utter exhaustion I used to feel, but also the sense of pride when everything was over. I hope you've enjoyed helping me enough that you'll do it again with me next year, Casey.

And you deserve every wonderful moment. ♡

No one could compare to you and I when it comes to snuggling, but I have been awfully impressed with my new companion and their love of cuddling with me. I know that you were missing Queen, but I'm so still grateful you went out of your way to do this for me. I could not ask for a more understanding and generous son. (I think because of my size, they quite enjoy the largest body, just to not drown in my feathers.)

Oh Casey, that makes me so sad to hear such a thing. Of course I believe you, but I just can't imagine a reason why anyone would dislike you, especially Donnie. Pray, my love, is this something you might like my help in navigating? Or would you prefer to do it yourself? Just say the word, dear.

Thank you for another amazing year, my darling son.

Our love is forever,
Mom

Dear (dear dear dear) Mom,

Is it weird that it's a relief you had the same kind of learning curve? I always feel kind of helpless (or at least unhelpful) when I'm not good at something right away, especially when there's someone around who's a pro. I had a lot of talks with sensei about that stuff, growing up. I wanted to be good at everything, because we didn't have much time to be bad. It could get somebody killed. Parties are a lot more low-stakes, but your reputation was on the line! I had to do good. Thankfully I had an amazing mentor. I'd love to keep helping out, though. It's a big job, and I don't like the idea of you having to keep doing it alone either. I'll do my best to learn well!

Well I'm glad that the new cat is no competition for me! But I'm also glad you have someone for good cuddles when one of us isn't there. I think both bodies are good, but I agree the big one seems better suited for your arms. You've got lots of big kids for hugs, so it makes sense to have a big cat too! Did you figure out a name?

About Donnie, I wouldn't do anything about it. He's busy with his project and won't care at all. It'd probably just make him resent me for even bringing it up. I guess it's just nice to be able to vent about it a little. He's not Uncle Tello, we both know that, and I still miss everyone but the others like me, so it's easier to grieve and love them differently. Maybe once he's done whatever he's working on, we can talk again. April knows too, and she knows him better than anyone (besides maybe Leo) so if she thinks it's worth bringing up at some point, I trust her with it. Otherwise, better to just leave it alone.

Don't want to leave this on bad vibes, so I'm including a recipe. It's Uncle Mikey's risotto! I think I finally mastered it, and it's amazing. I'll bring you some next time I visit.

Love you so much,
Casey

[The letter includes a copy of a recipe card for some tasty, tasty risotto.]

My darlingest boy,

Oh Casey! It isn't an odd feeling in the slightest! I am certain that with my thousand plus years at doing this, it must look like it comes as easily as breathing. But I promise that is solely due to practice. When I was first beginning, I could barely string a proper sentence together without stammering through it or getting distracted with another forgotten task that had popped up into my mind! You did amazing, my Casey, and I promise that with more practice, you will only get better and better.

As long as you enjoy it, of course. :) I want you to only ever do what brings you so much joy in your life. :)

Pray, I have not yet come up with a name for her. I've thought of at least five dozen, but none truly matches the energy that I feel within her. Perhaps the next time you come over, I may rattle off a few ideas at you in front of her, just to see what you think. She doesn't seem to particularly care either way, which I admit feels like even more pressure, but within the next week or two I'll certainly come up with something.

I see. I hope that if you feel like this way about anyone, darling, that you aren't keeping it to yourself. Even if it's someone that we all love, I think it's healthy to speak up, even if it's just a quiet gossip session with someone you love. As it is, I'll go by Leo and April's opinion, of course, but still, he's a dummy to not see you for the joy you bring into all of our lives.

Oh! Please do bring it by! In fact, just to make this a proper exchange, I've attached one of Hob's for those delicate macarons he so enjoyed making. If you feel inspired, you should try to make them! And share them with me. ;)

All of the love in the world,
Your mother always

Dear Mom,

Here we are again. So much happened that I keep staring at the page wondering where to start. Where were we before? What were we thinking about? I had to re-read your last letter to even remember. I guess that's a good thing, reading your letters calms me down a lot.

I want to talk about what happened, but also I don't. It's done, it's over. I got my answer. That's a good thing too, isn't it? Now I can move on. Everything will be better, and I have so much good in my life. I'll stay in my corner and I won't have to think about it anymore.
But also I wish I could just forget it.
This sucks.

I think I'm leaning on not wanting to talk about it after all. Sorry. Maybe later.

Trying to get back on track:
I really did enjoy helping you plan the party. I want to do it again next year, and the year after, every year... whether we're still here or back in New York, count on me.

Does she have a name yet? I'll help you figure one out for sure. Pets need names. I've never had a real one before but I know that much. Plus if you don't give her a name, she can't program herself to answer to it. Here's a tip to incentivize you: she has a whole set of extra features that unlock when you give her a name.

I'm going to pick a new recipe to work on. Some of them have notes on them, I'm going to see if I can figure out sensei's favourite. We could surprise Leo. I won't bring macarons though, every time I try they deflate and look terrible. (They're tasty though.)

Love you,
Casey

My Casey,

I will never push you to do anything you don't want to, but I do so firmly believe that every hurt and ache and horror that we've talked about together, we have come out on the other side feeling more certain of our own feelings. Perhaps even more understanding of why it happened.

So please, whenever you are ready, you know that I would hear all of it, in person or through letter. But I promise not to ask until that day comes.

Thank you, my darling. There's no one I would like to have at my side more from here until the end of forever, assisting with my parties. Perhaps in New York we can start a small party business. You know, small events, birthdays and baby showers and the like. Much less stressful, but just as much fun.

But what if I do not see her as a pet but as a darling companion of mine? I want whatever name that is picked to be something she chooses. Perhaps I should start reading names out of a book and see if any seem to excite her!

Pick a date and we will cook to surprise our dear Leo. :)

I love you, my boy. I'm so grateful you're safe.

Love you,
Mom

Edited 2025-02-25 20:15 (UTC)

Dear Mom,

Thank you. I love you. I promise I'm thinking about it. You'll be the first when I decide. <3

A party business sounds like it could be fun! I don't know anything about running a business in New York OR about running parties, so I'd have a lot of reading to do. Good thing I like to learn. Maybe I should take out some books from the library on business and stuff. Oh, here's a thought: what if we ran parties in the Hidden City? Or at Big Mama's hotel. (As long as she doesn't start more fights.) Then you could be yourself, no disguise needed.

I guess she could be either, she's yours so you decide how it works :) Maybe I can write a random algorithm to add to her code next time I visit, something that lets her pick a name based on what she already likes... she and Queen are due for a software update anyway. I've been learning new code from Uncle Tello's files and his SHELLDON AI is so much more complicated! It'd be cool if they could be more free-thinking.

How about next weekend for the cookathon? That'd give us more time to practice. And it should be pre-whatever-trial-is-next, unless she throws a wildcard at us. I want it to be good for Leo, he deserves it.

I'm really grateful you're safe too! It makes all the difference, you being right there when we all came home. If you ever feel like you didn't do enough, please remember that. You were right where I needed you.

Love you, love you,
Casey

My most courageous Casey,

You know, Casey, that's a rather brilliant idea, isn't it? I hadn't even considered the possibility of hosting parties for the inhabitants of the Hidden City, but surely they must have as much love of partying as anyone else. I can't even begin to imagine what kinds of parties they might enjoy down there, but I'm certain between the two of us we could figure out exactly what they like.

As for your research, I think it's a fine idea. Obviously I'm happy to teach you from my own experience, but some help on the business end may be beneficial. I admit, it's the one piece I am not so fond of, but is ultimately almost as important as the clothing I make. You being able to fill in for that knowledge I lack would be such a boon, my love. We would be unstoppable!

Oh, would you? I would be so happy to know that she had even a little more control over her own agency. Not that she isn't perfect as she is - she's been such a wonderful companion in the house - but sometimes I fear her entire world revolves around me and I am reminded just a touch too much of the fae that kept me as such a willing pet. If she felt that way, even slightly, I believe the guilt would eat me alive.

Next weekend it is. :) No interruptions, it will just be you and I the whole time!

Thank you, Casey. Perhaps that is what I needed to hear, but I promise you to always be there for you, just as you've been for me.

If we can borrow Leonardo for the portal, might you like to take another trip to Tides with me in a few weeks? I thought I might do some shopping for new fabrics. Just let me know in your next letter and if you would, I'll pick another weekend for a casual little trip. :)

Your mother forever and always,
Mom

Dear Magical Majestic Marvelous Multi-Talented Mother,

(I took out a thesaurus from the library for a project and forgot to bring it back.)

If Master Draxum were still here I could ask him more about the Hidden City. I doubt he'd know much about the party scene, but at least I could learn more culture. Wonder if I could find books about that in the library? Or summon with lore, maybe. Actually, I'm going to make a list of book ideas and see what comes up. There's other stuff I've been meaning to look for, anyway.

We're already unstoppable, this would just make us even mightier :P I'll add business books to the list, too. It might be a little boring at first but I think I could get into it. I like math and numbers, that's a big part of it. And writing business policy is almost like writing code, right? (Just smile and nod, even I don't know. We can pretend.)

I've got the cat code patch mostly done, but there's some bugs I have to work on. When I installed it on Queen she curled up into a ball and started rolling around the living room. (I took a video, don't worry. It was unsettling but cute.) Maybe the code really did give her free will and that's what her heart called her to do? Maybe I also need to program in a "blink once for yes, twice for no" function, just so I can get confirmed feedback when I'm testing stuff. Anyway, maybe by the next sleepover I'll have it done for them.

I can go to Tides any time now! Portal or not. I tried out the elevator a while back, and it's nowhere near as stressful as the sub ride. No krakens, no long trips, just a quick ride down, only a few minutes max. If I turn into a bird or the pangolin it's even less scary. I'll ask Leo anyway, I'm sure he won't mind. But if he's busy we have options now :) I can't wait!

Your Safe Silly Salubrious Sassy Son,
Casey

My love,

You're too silly!

I think that's a very good idea, my Casey. Pray, what other books might you be looking into? I'm curious to know what my genius son is so eager to read up on.

Well, while you teach yourself, you can teach me as well. It would benefit me greatly to finally learn and I can think of no better teacher than my own business partner! Math is hardly my strongest suit, but if we plan to run a proper business for a profit, since I imagine we won't be making money simply by conversing, it would behoove me to take this seriously. And if we're to have a beautiful cabin in the woods with the largest television imaginable, we'll need to be able to afford it.

Casey Jones!! If you do not text me that video immediately I fear I will never forgive me! Perhaps you could bring Queen by the shop this next week, we can see if she has any opinion on her favorite color of ribbon to play with.

Oh excellent! :) That is so perfect, dear. I'm so proud of you for facing your fear. To think! It's been so long since our first trip a year and a half ago, this one will so much less dramatic. Perhaps we should visit the pet store and see if those turtles are still there, hm?

I love you endlessly, my brave boy. Sending kisses from my cottage!
Mom

Dear Mom,

Made you smile though, right? :)

I took out a few business texts, plus one for advanced coding, and I've been on the lookout for magic texts. First, I wanted to see if I could find any history on the Hidden City or yokai. The city itself must have so much to learn about! And yokai culture would be important if we want to plan parties for them. I grew up around yokai but there wasn't much time to learn cultural stuff. Second... well, don't tell Hunter, I don't want to make him uncomfortable. But I'm looking for textbooks on grimwalkers. Something weird happened over the winter holidays, and even though it seems okay now, it made me realize how little we still know. I want to keep him safe, but I don't want to upset him by bringing it up yet, either. I figure if I know more about what he is, I can make sure he's healthy. No luck finding anything yet, but if the libraries won't give me anything, there's always lore. (Since I don't want you to worry, you should know that he's totally okay as far as I know and I haven't seen anything to fuss about. This is preventative care!)

The good thing about business math is it's pretty simple, far as I can tell. I think between the two of us we'll have no trouble with that part. Though, I need to check if the Hidden City has a different currency. Oh, or currency conversion? I've never used anything except lore, but I know others exist. New York uses the dollar, maybe Hidden City has the yen or yokai dollar? The others have been there, they'd know. Don't worry about affording stuff, though. Donatello would probably buy you whatever you want. Uncle Tello used to talk about how he had no money trouble at all, back when money mattered.

Still working on the code kinks, but I'll bring Queen as soon as I get it working. Knowing her she'd want every ribbon you have in stock, so better get extra.

I'm looking forward to our Tides visit! It really is crazy how far we've come since then. That was even pre-adoption. We should so visit the turtles! I wonder if they'd remember us. I should thank them for helping to calm me down. They were so cute. Here's to a visit with no panic attacks.

Love and kisses, I'll visit the cottage real soon! <3
Casey

Casey ❤️

You always do.

Casey! You have done a very terrible job of making me not worry. :( What is wrong with my son? Why have I only just heard of his now? Is Hunter worried over this as well? Should I say anything to him? Should I say nothing at all? Is he waiting for his mother to come and fix this?

...

Pray, I apologize. After everything that happened, I am just more worried than I normally might be. If you're certain he will be well, I trust your opinion, my Casey.

Just please remember I am right here if you or him ever need a single thing.

Anyway, to the rest of your letter, I remember the dollar! It is the currency we used back in Massachusetts, though I frequently used a card that kept track of my dollars in digital form. It was quite convenient! Hopefully whatever they use in the Hidden City will be just as easy for us.

Thank you! I will so be looking forward to our playdate in the shop!

Perhaps if there are turtles to purchase, we should bring them home with us. Surely they'll be happier out of that store. What do you think? Would that be too strange? I wouldn't want to make the others feel uncomfortable.

Here is to a beautiful spring together,
Mom

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry! He really is okay. He'd tell me if he wasn't. And if it WAS something I'd make sure he told you too. I promise! Here is what happened: he used some blood to make my tracker necklace, and it made the skin on his hand turn a kind of weird colour. It was just temporary, though. I think maybe since he's made of wood, he can change colour like a tree? I don't know. It's why I want grimwalker books! He's as healthy as ever though.

I'm sure whatever currency they use in Hidden City, we'll figure it out just fine. We got the hang of lore pretty quick!

I'm not sure if it would be strange or not to have tank turtles. I mean, they also started out as regular turtles! Maybe they were at a pet store as babies before Master Draxum got them. They don't have to be pets either way, though. They could be like your cat, just friends :) You can talk to them like you would any other friend, so to me it makes sense. Would you keep them at your cottage? I think you should ask them if they want to live with you!

Love you always,
Casey

To my most darling boy,

My heart feels so entirely relieved, Casey. Forgive my utter panic in my last correspondence, I know in my heart of hearts that you would let me know if the situation was truly dire. And I trust in Hunter to come to me if it was ever really needed. It's just after everything that we've been through as of late, my illogical fear overtook my more logical reasoning. I didn't mean to overreact the way I did, but I apologize for it nonetheless.

That being said, I'm so grateful and relieved at your explanation!

I will say that whenever we leave for the mortal world again, I will miss the idea of Lore as a currency. It's not dissimilar to fae currency, which is all for show really, but being able to generate it simply by speaking! I daresay that you and I would never run out of Lore ever! Still, I agree that we'll figure it out together. And it helps that we know a few turtles who will be more than willing to help us out.

I think I will. :) I've been wanting to add a small pond on the right side of my home, away from my big trees in the garden, and it would be the perfect place for a happy family of turtles. And when it snows, I'd be more than happy to bring them inside, perhaps make an indoor pool for them. I quite like the thought of my house being so overrun with other animals. But I will ask the others first, just to be absolutely certain it is not too strange to them. :) Thank you, my darling Casey.

Pray, we are coming up on our second anniversary in this place, aren't we? I can barely believe it's nearly been two years here! We will have to mark the occasion, of course. :)

Loving you more and more by the minute,
Mom

Dear Mom,

No need to apologize. I don't think it's illogical. It's easy to forget there's always stuff to worry about, even when things seem fine on our end. If it feels like you don't know, then you don't know and it's scary, right? That's why I always eavesdropped on the family meetings when sensei was all "you're too young for this one". Too bad, sensei, I went anyway. (I probably was too young, but oh well.)

I think I'll miss lore, too. I read that some places you have to work like 2 or 3 hours just to buy a single hamburger! That's crazy to me. Here I can afford it by asking the spirit cooking it about their day. Feels a lot more friendly, too. It'd be cool if yokai currency was similar, but judging by how Big Mama moved her business to New York, I wonder if it's actually worse D8

A pond at your house sounds so nice! If you didn't end up with turtles, you could always get frogs or fish. There's lots of water creatures that I bet would love a pond. Want help building it? I can dig holes! I'm gonna find books on building outdoor ponds now.

It really is crazy how soon it's coming up. Two years almost... time goes by so quick. I wonder what we should do this year? Something similar? Or maybe something we've never done before. I'll have to think about it.

Here's to infinite more years!
Casey

My darling boy,

Pray, I hadn't even considered how the cost actually translated to items. Back at ADI, we worked for our pay, of course, but I hadn't quite realized how generously we were paid in comparison. Everything there was simply on a card and, outside of the horrors, we were well taken care of. The fact that humans have to work multiple hours a day only to be fed doesn't sit right with me at all.

For all of the things we did wrong back in Faerie, no one ever went hungry.

Would you mind, terribly? I was thinking of asking Peter and Leo and Raph as well, I think between the four of you with my supervision, we could complete it within an afternoon or two. :) Naturally, I will pay you all in kisses and food and clothing, of course.

Since we spent last year doing all of our favorites, perhaps this is the year when we try something that is new for both of us together. I don't quite know what just yet, but there must be something we have yet to experience. Skydiving, perhaps.

Here is to forever! ♡
Mom

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