Arusian Crusade: Pressure Point
Prologue: Letters

Arusian Crusade part 4, follows Changing Tides. Still can't think of any clever author comments.
Enjoy!

Dear Pidge,

I'm officially enrolled at the Academy! Took me long enough, I know. Signed on as a pilot. No offense, but hearing about flying is a lot more interesting than hearing about mechanics, and I surely don't want to send you any boring letters.

Earth's a heck of a planet, huh? When you were describing it when you were there it was hard to even imagine, but wow. It's so calm and orderly here. A little tough to get used to, to be honest. But if you could behave yourself, surely I can, don't worry. I did find the Blaze District, just like you suggested. The Crescent Sun was the bar you liked, right? So far it's hard to imagine humans getting into any interesting scraps, but I'll keep an open mind.

They gave me a name, nearly forgot to expect that. Christopher Stoker. I'm not going to bother trying to get used to it, but I guess it's not that bad. Beats having to explain to everyone what Chipral means back home.

Still trying to figure out how I did in the roommate lottery. They put me up with a human named Daniel, he seems like a bit of a reckless lunatic. We'll either end up best friends or one of us won't survive the semester, I'm just not sure which yet. Wish me luck. If even Balto doesn't approve of murder, I'm pretty sure this place won't either.

Love,

Chip

Dear Chip,

It really did take you long enough. I promise not to call you Christopher if you promise not to call me Darrell. And don't underestimate the humans, they'll stab you. Even when they're drunk.

Watch your mouth about mechanics! Er... your pen... or whatever. You know. Either way, you'll have to forgive me if I yawn my way through all your letters about piloting, just on principle. And I'll have you know engineering got me flying around in a robotic lion that's a piece of an ancient demigod, so when your piloting gets you somewhere to match that you can talk smack. Not until!

I do approve of this roommate situation. If you waste your whole time at the academy being thoughtful and well-behaved I'll be terribly disappointed, you know? Just don't get caught. You've got a tough act to follow, but I know you can do it.

By the way, since you're on Earth and all, mind doing a little research for me? I've been told I need to, uh, broaden my cultural horizons rather than just poking at the lions all the time. No idea why, but I guess it's worth a shot. Find me some classic human literature, would you?

Love,

Pidge

Dear Pidge,

Really?

Really?

Your attempts at literary analysis made Jyari cry, I just want to remind you. But hey, I'm not the one that has to deal with it so why not? I talked to Captain Laterza—she's the new cultural assistance officer—she suggested something called Inferno. I'm enclosing a copy against my better judgment. Don't tell me anything about it. Please.

Oh, and I meant to tell you, about that whole flying-a-lion thing. Now that I'm on Earth I finally got to look up what a lion actually is. Your descriptions weren't near as bad as I was thinking they had to be, but... spaceships shaped like that? For real? That's ridiculous!

I'm not going to tell Jyari how ridiculous it is, just to preserve a little of your dignity.

Love,

Chip