Apologies in Black and Gold

[Just Richard]

(Postdated April 8th)

Lenka Kara-Murza,

I've been putting this off for a while now so I could word this correctly.
I apologize for flagrantly conspiring to end Erzabeth. I think that is the best way to say it. Was it wrong of me to do? Yes. Should I have come to her and challenged her outright? Probably. But I didn't. I backhandedly conspired to have her defaced (at best) or assassinated (at worst).

Completely dishonorable of me, I know.

I don't think I need to give reasons for my actions--I know that they will be disregarded immediately. But I will give them anyway.

I believed that she had a hand in the loss of my race on March 15th. I still hold that belief. There is enough evidence to at least suspect it. Fate Fire can do amazing things to a persons abilities. The car was the first gift my wife, Sheila, ever gave me. I hold it as dear as I would a wedding ring and for someone to give another reason to take it, without question, is enough to send me off the handle. I'm an Eshu, we don't exactly think before we do something. I think you of all people know firsthand the consequences of such a weakness in me. In addition, I'm house Fiona. Another group of people who are often rash in their decisions. I accept these traits. One cannot be escaped, the other has is usefulness in certain situations. This wasn't one of them.

Anyway, if you wish to end our friendship, I'm not going to stop you. Do I want it to continue? Yes, but I won't begrudge you if you terminate it. I made a grave error in judgment and I have accepted the consequences in full.

Sincerely,

Matthew Shaw
Squire to House Fiona

[Loraine DeLaFontaine]

Shaw,

This is not an apology- this is a listings of excuses.

Try again.

MK

[Just Richard]

MK,

Why you decided to use a couple of letters instead of an actual signature is beyond me, but your call.

I suppose you are right in that my previous letter was a list of excuses. I will rectify that error here.

I am sorry for attempting to harm Erzabeth.

Good enough? Probably not. But you know what? I don't give much of a damn now. I have better things to focus on these days than whether a man of your persuasions and of your House cares that I meant harm to one of his playthings.

I tried to be courteous in my last letter, but it wasn't good enough. You even said I should "try again." Well see the above line for that. I'll admit that there is little sincerity in it now. I apologized in the last letter and I stick by it.

Go ahead and see it as a listing of excuses. Go ahead and wipe your ass with the paper it was written on. No skin off my back. I answer to a set of individuals that you are not included in. Now... if I end up in Everett or anywhere contained in your County, then I answer to you. But I think I'll be steering clear of that land for a long while. Only thing worthwhile up there to me are the casinos and there are plenty of them elsewhere in this area and farther south.

So take my apology or don't but I'll leave you with one more line.

Take your judgment of me and my doings and shove it.

With Love and Care to You and Yours,

Matthew Shaw
Squire to House Fiona