Crown Castle
Episode 1
Tia
"These are all my deliveries for the day, right? Thanks for sorting the mail for me!"
Co-worker
"Ooh, is that a love letter I see on top? Make sure that one gets to the right place, Tia!"
Tia
"Of course I will, I always do! Even if seeing love letters is rather bittersweet..."
I tucked the bundle of letters into my delivery bag and opened the post office door.
Tia
(There's a lot more mail than usual today. Probably because the social season is almost upon us. Everyone'll be sending out invitations...)
London, England was prospering during the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
Immigrants, workers, industrialists, and nobles all crowded together in this city.
Everyone had their own hopes and dreams, their own joys and sorrows as we lived our lives.
Tia
"All right. Time to make my first delivery of the day!"
Tia
I worked as a letter carrier, or "robin" as they liked to call us because of our red uniforms, and today was just like any other.
Tia
(Phew, I'm exhausted!)
As I delivered my letters one by one, the gas lamps all around the city began to flicker on.
Tia
(Two more houses left and I'm done. Let's see, what's the next address...)
Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew by, stealing the envelope right out of my hand.
The breeze carried the letter straight toward a dim alleyway.
Episode 2
I raced after the runaway letter as it swirled round and round in the air until it finally came to a stop...
...right at the feet of a man who appeared from the alleyway, his silver hair gleaming brightly even in the twilight.
Tia
"Pardon me, that's mine...!"
I rushed over to the man, who kindly stooped down to pick up the letter for me.
Red-eyed Man
"There you are, milady."
All he did was offer me the letter, but I was captivated by both his otherworldly beauty and the elegance of his movements.
Red-eyed Man
"You're quite welcome."
Tia
(Wait, his eyes are bright red. Almost like...)
The dark alleyway, his extended palm, his blood-red eyes...
All of it together threatened to sweep me away to somewhere other than reality.
Somewhere dark, forbidden, thrilling...
Red-eyed Man
"Only two more deliveries, eh?"
His voice snapped me back to reality, the noises of London's hustle and bustle rushing back in all at once.
Tia
"My apologies, sir. I got lost in my thoughts..."
Red-eyed Man
"You should hurry. The sun will be setting soon."
He murmured softly as he brushed past me, then disappeared into the crowd of people.
The faint sweet scent of roses lingered in the air as he walked away and, for some reason, it made my heart pound.
Episode 3
Red-eyed Man
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Victor."
Black-haired Man
"I'd wait as long as it takes for you. ...Hmm? You look like you're in an awfully good mood."
Red-eyed Man
"I came upon a beautiful little robin. I'm sure she has the sweetest singing voice."
Black-haired Man
"Oh? If someone caught your interest, then I'm intrigued."
Talking to herself while walking
Tia
(What a mysterious man... And how did he know how many letters I have left to deliver?)
Tia
(He was dressed like a noble, so I doubt we'll ever cross paths again...)
The thought filled me with a mixture of relief and disappointment as I walked through town.
The reason I chose to be a letter carrier was because I loved seeing people's excitement.
I had no complaints about spending my days delivering happiness to others. In fact, I thought it quite suited me.
But sometimes... Just sometimes, I imagined what my life could be like if I stepped out of my own little world.
Tia
(But you know what they say, "The grass is always greener...")
Tia
"Oh, well. At least I was able to deliver all my mail today."
I encouraged myself, shrugging off the little bout of wistfulness.
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