March 1st, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I saw you in Witch Weekly, and am writing to suggest that you bring emergency biscuits to gardens. Or avoiding former beaters, something about bludgers to the head makes them questionably intelligent company, I think.

In all seriousness, though, I am glad your fainting spell was not too detrimental, and wanted to let you know that at least one person does not believe the worst of you.

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy (The Reporter from the Bookstore)

@"Juliana Binns" Reuben Crouch

  

March 1st, 1891

Dear Reporter from the Bookstore,

Never a bad idea to carry emergency biscuits, I think. Thank you for the advice; I wonder I hadn't thought of it myself.

You're very kind to take the time out of your day to write, and I appreciate both the letter and the levity. Your letter may be the one small silver lining in having my embarrassing moment splashed across the cover of a magazine; I had not thought to speak with you again.

Have you had any success tracking down Marlowe Forfang? I've had a chance to read the book, now.

Juliana Binns

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 2nd, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I am happy to be of service - and if it helps, I suspect that people will forget when the next real scandal arises. Well, in theory: I am not particularly versed in matters of society myself.

No such luck re: Marlowe Forfang; he turned down my interview request, and has not publicly popped up anywhere, either.

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

  

March 3rd, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I would like to take some comfort in your words, but I couldn't in good conscious look forward to someone else being subjected to this same degree of unwarranted scrutiny. But I do hope you are right about people forgetting, with or without another scandal on its heels.

I'm sorry to hear Forfang turned down your request for an interview, but I'm not surprised to hear he remains reclusive. Have you given it up, then?

Juliana Binns

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[written on a different style of stationary than before: previously, it was regular parchment, the sort of one would use to take notes. Now, a pre-cut sheet of paper, white instead of yellow, with a small embossed swirl design in one corner]

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 4th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I haven't really given up on things, but I have not entirely figured out how to make it work. If he really doesn't want to speak with me I'm not going to try to find him, or anything.

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

  

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set by MJ!

March 6th, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I am sure Forfang would be relieved to know you are not one of those reporters, incessantly chasing down leads with no respect for the wishes of those involved.

If I were a reporter I would be one of those, I think. It is not necessarily a quality of which I am proud.

Juliana Binns

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[normal parchment, this time]

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 7th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I may have made myself sound more virtuous than I am, really - (I've tried to talk to vampires in the Forbidden Forest before!) - it's just that this area is so sensitive that I think it requires some delicacy to report on. Does that make sense?

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

  

Unsent!

March 7th, 1891

Mr. Abernathy,

It makes perfect sense. I think perhaps I ought to tell you that —

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 14th, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I think it does make sense, but from what I read in the papers it does not seem to be a common belief amongst your peers. I think it's commendable that you work to treat the subjects with a bit more dignity than the average reporter. I think that might be something you and Forfang have in common — much of the research depends upon that central conceit, doesn't it? Of people being deserving of dignity regardless of the conditions which afflict them. It's certainly an angle that's lacking from some of the competition in the academic sphere (Picardy, for example).

I hope you weren't discouraged by how long it took me to return your letter. I'm in London and so have been dealing with the weather this week and my poor old owl certainly couldn't have managed it any earlier. I'm not even entirely sure she can manage it now, so you'll have to reply if only to let me know you actually got this letter.

Juliana Binns

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 15th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

The good news - I got your letter, clearly, so your owl still has it together.
The bad news - I too have been stuck in the blizzard, so I regret to say that I did not entirely note your delay.

I think that the sanctity of research requires some respect for the subjects, so to speak, because the subjects are, after all, people. Picardy would probably disagree, but it seems as if Forfang would agree with us both.

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

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   Juliana Ainsworth

March 16th, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

Yes, I feel quite confident Forfang would agree. Do you ever feel that you know someone personally after only having read the things they've written?

Juliana Binns

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 17th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

Not with everyone I write, but sometimes.

Do you?

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

  

March 18th, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

I think it's easier to feel that way when there's a good deal of writing to go over. I wouldn't presume to say I knew anyone very well from just a brief letter exchange, but reading an entire book... well, I feel as though Forfang is someone quite familiar.

Perhaps that's just a flight of fancy. I've always been an avid reader but I am aware that not everyone is quite so easily charmed by the written word as I am.

Juliana Binns

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 19th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I think that an extensive exchange of letters can result in people getting to know one another very well.

I will admit to being charmed by the written word - but sometimes I think in published works people can be putting on a different voice (I, admittedly, do this sometimes.) Perhaps Forfang is different.

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy

  

March 29th, 1891

Dear Mr. Abernathy,

Are you still interested in tracking down Marlowe Forfang, or have you left off in favor of some fresher news?

You asked me to write if I heard anything of note on the subject, through the bookstore, and I believe I may have.

Juliana Binns

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 29th, 1891

Miss Juliana Binns,

I have been working on some other projects but I am certainly still interested in the Marlowe Forfang question, and you've piqued my interest. What did you hear?

Sincerely,
Kieran Abernathy