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Dear You,

After some momentary indecision, I've chosen to write you back. I wasn't sure if breaking our distance would've been wise at this point, so I figure I'd write into the abyss of the Internet, knowing that you'd eventually find it and read it. This does not mean we're on free speaking terms; I don't expect you to write back, and should you end up doing so, it'd only be met with silence. I only intend to acknowledge receipt of your letter and mention a few other things.

Firstly, thank you for apologizing. Consider it accepted. Please note that I never held any ire towards you. Slight frustration, sure, but I was never so upset that I desired to never hear from you again. I believe I made as much clear in our final exchange, but I think it bears mentioning once more. Understand that I only did what I thought was right and in your favor. Turns out, I made the correct call; thank God too, because in such delicate situations as these, rarely does anything go right. I wanted to let you know that I spent a good amount of time thinking about severing ties with you and by no means was it done out of impulse or irritation. Did I know for certain that the outcome would be favorable? No, of course not. But it was something worth trying, and so I banked off of the talents and reliability of those around me to see you through.

Secondly, it delights me to hear that things have been going well for you. I love hearing about my friends and colleagues' success; it helps keep my own pessimism in check. As cloying as it might sound, it was a wonderful early Christmas present to hear that you're on an upward trajectory. Perhaps it was the coffee, the beautiful morning weather, the festivities, or your well-written and thoughtful letter; who's to say? Just know that it was very heart-warming and well-received. By the sound of it, you have your work cut out for you in the months ahead, but I have all the faith in the world in your abilities. This is your chance to excel, to become more competent, to wrestle more command over your own life for yourself and away from circumstance. There simply is no good reason why you could not accomplish the objectives you've outlined. Become someone admirable, someone others could come to depend on, just as Nyan, Alci, Sky, and Roll have proven to be admirable, dependable support for you.

Telling me about your enterprise to become better, alerting me to the fact that those four were instrumental in your development...There are some moments that leave me speechless. No, not because Alci and Nyan made a terrible pun or something tasteless was posted in the server (don't check #nsfw), but because every so often, some of YoRHa come together to lend a hand with the trepidations of existence. The magnificence of it all is that sometimes it isn't merely lifting them out of the weeds, but elevating them past their original point of origin. Once they've reached their own slightly more elevated state of equilibrium, that unit is now ready to loan their assistance to another that might need it, who might be suffering through a similar fate. It's these moments that leave me in absolute awe, and I can't help but feel a deep sense of pride in you all. Not as a mother might feel for her children; I'm not presumptuous enough to think that I'm above anyone in rank as the relation would imply, nor does my adoration rival that of an unconditional, maternal love. No, this is more akin to the admiration and affinity between comrades. I can't help but feel truly humbled in the presence of such greatness.

Thirdly, it slightly pains me to hear that things are going well for you, free of my influence. Granted, the influence of mine was merely passive; I wasn't purposefully going out of my way to make you feel awful. But it's a harrowing idea to entertain, that you can make someone feel so down on themselves simply by being oneself. Truth be told, it's an idea that's been something of a reoccurring theme these past few months. It brings me pause, knowing that there are some people who's success I can't quite live by, who's success I inherently jeopardize the further I involve myself with them. We all want to believe ourselves to be heroic, wise, a force for good at best, neutral at worst. We tend to think that damages can only be inflicted through conscious, purposeful mal-intent or inadvertently through unforseen consequences. But that isn't true. There are specific people that are needed at specific times in the lives of others. Sometimes our introduction into those aforementioned lives are inopportune and thus unnecessary. Our separation only proved to me further that it's about time this unit re-evaluated who's life she should linger in any further.

That renewed interest in philosophy though? I'm going to unabashedly take full credit for that one. As some might have heard me say before, it's important to speak your mind and state your thoughts, foolish or ignorant as they may be. Speak and write for those that might be inspired, not for those that might scoff or criticize. Not only is it a good exercise in thinking, but someone might stand to benefit from what you have to say. That being said, I look forward to the time we can discuss Aristotle and Kierkegaard together.

Merry Christmas and I wish you an auspicious, productive New Year.

-2B

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