The Stars Are Right: The Irish Rose: Letter19

Dear Ms. Rhyner,

Thank you for the quick and informative response. Although I am of the mind that a quick response with incomplete knowledge is generally better than a slow (or no) response while waiting for better information, in this case, it seems like my knowledge is so poor, that I’m better served to take no action for the time being. It is difficult, since I consider the Boyar to be a friend, but that comes with its own complications. According to Candide, someone (probably the Boyar) has placed a compulsion on me. It’s possible that I just think that I think the Boyar is a friend, if that makes any sense.

If what you say is true, it does appear that it would be for the best if he were imprisoned, so that he would be unable to do any more harm, noting, still, that the difference between imprisonment and death is not trivial.

When you say he wishes the Fae “changed or mutated into … a more natural state of existence,” I get the sense that this would not be good for humanity. At the same time, I do wonder if many of the Fae, perhaps even some of the Seelie(?), might prefer this change. I know little about it, but I imagine it might have something to do with what you call the Nightfolk’s “savage past.” I believe he would describe it as returning the Fae’s individuality, but I assume he is often selling a bill of goods.

It is difficult to bring to bear too much moral approbation on the Elder’s desire for “survival at any cost,” as this is a very natural state for most of the world, even if it does lead to much evil.

Anyhow, I appreciate you being so candid. For now, on matters relating to the Boyar, I will keep my eyes open and my mouth shut.

Although I have been unable to deliver your well wishes to my companions (we are somewhat at odds at the moment), I will do so when I get a chance. Until then, I can tell you that all of them, other than Mr. Lovejoy, are doing well. Frank was invaded by some sort of hideous Outside creature, while we were meeting with the Alchemists (it wasn’t their fault), and he has been mentally unhinged since that time. I don’t know as much as I should about it, since, I must confess, my brain has also gone a little soft since that time. I don’t even like to think about it.

You can let Adela’s parents know that Miss Adela and Mr. Williams are doing quite well. They are very ‘lovey-dovey’, and it is really quite irritating. Of course, now I sound like a stuffy old man, and I know I should be more sympathetic, since they are so young … but ugh! No sense of propriety. They both seem quite happy, though, so that’s probably the most important thing to convey to her parents.

Candide is, as always, a bit of an enigma. No harm has come to him, so far, so his family should be at ease.

On another matter, I have been in regular contact with Ms. Flynn, and by extension, the remaining members of de Bonnevault’s Household. The subject has been broached on the possibility of them coming to the Seelie Court to live (perhaps joining with my Residence). There are some concerns, however.

Given their association with de Bonnevault, would they be welcome? Even if officially, would there be a large danger of unofficial action (such as happened with Parkhurst)? In particular, Jean fears for his son. I would hate to encourage them to come live there only to see them harmed in some fashion.

Mr. Huber is also concerned that it might be awkward for you if he were to return, given the ‘games’ de Bonnevault played. He is eager to not give offense.

If you think that it would be okay for them to come to the Court, my intention is to meet with them in New York, when I return, and then travel up to the gate/portal/thing in New Jersey. Let me know if any of this seems like a bad idea. I am still very much a novice when it comes to political machinations.

Apropos of nothing, if someone has a checkered past, but it seems like they’ve left all of that behind them, is it best just to leave the past behind and not look into it too closely?

Earlier I mentioned we had visited with some Alchemists. We were hoping to maybe get one of them to travel to the States, as a kind of cultural exchange, even though we’d probably get a lot more out of it than they would. My companions were thinking along the lines of trying to run this up to some groups in the US government, to secure permission and funding. I was thinking that maybe the Court might be a better option? The Court is, in essence, a sovereign nation. It might be easier to deal with people, such as yourselves, who have some understanding of some of the stranger elements of the current world, as opposed to trying to push this on some rigid bureaucracy. Would that be a plausible solution? If so, who would I look to for funding an Alchemist laboratory? The Harvest Trust?

Anyhow, I figured they might be able to help Parkhurst and Walters with matters relating to the virus, the formula from Voisoine, and whatever else seems relevant.

On a somewhat related matter (and since I seem to have appointed myself to the Seelie Court Tourist Advisory Board), I was wondering if I could bring a young lady named Ms. Cooper-Levitt with me to the Court as well. She has rather advanced tuberculosis, and I’m afraid she does not have long to live. Her family was friendly with some of the Russian nobility (she recently traveled to Russia aboard the Boyar’s ship with us), but she seems to be a nice person. I thought that if we were able to bring an Alchemist over, perhaps this Alchemist could help cure her. If nothing else, the Court has to be a more pleasant place to spend your final days than Russia!

Anyhow, I plan to speak with the Boyar regarding fast-tracking an Alchemist (as well as discussing Ms. Cooper-Levitt’s condition), so I will hopefully have a little more information for you on these matters before I finish this letter.

Listen, Dr. Rhyner, you’re the only one I can trust. I’ve heard Them plotting against me. They all go silent when I enter the room. I know They’re talking about me. Frank knows the Truth. The Monster told him. But They won’t let me speak with him. Don’t get me wrong. Frank is nuts. But he speaks the Truth. What are They afraid he’ll tell me? And the Boyar put a spell on me. He thinks I don’t know, but I do. He made Boris disappear, but He won’t get me. I was right, wasn’t I, Doctor, to try to save the girl? The Monster was hurting her. Why did They stop me? And I was only trying to rest. My head hurt. Why did Doc drug me? And They’re keeping me from Frank, because he speaks the Truth. He tried to tell me at breakfast and again at the club. I was scared of the Monster, but I tried to help her. I won’t let Him hurt you again. You’re the only one I can trust. I can’t trust Them. Frank is out of his mind. Even though he speaks the Truth, I can’t trust him. With the spell on me, I can’t even trust myself. I’m thinking clearly now, Doctor, but I might not be later. I’m going to seal this note to protect it from Myself. They don’t realize how Cunning I am. When you reply to this, try to get a hidden message to me. I’ll know to look for it.