Heart of Dorkness

Monster Thirteen - Writing

Monster Thirteen - Writing

Monster Thirteen - Writing

I sat at my desk in my little room and tapped the back of a pen against my lower lip. This was an actual pen, with a steel nib and an inkwell on the table next to me. It was really tricky to write with, but I was getting the hang of it.

I still wore some older clothes while writing though, because ink liked to get everywhere. Maybe I could have made a small friend to write things for me?

My room was filled with all sorts of neat friend designs. From pillow friends, who squeaked when you hugged them, to bed warmer friends, who were soft and warm and who squeaked when you hugged them.

I shook my head and refocused. I had some writing to do.

Not note-taking, like I usually did, but actual letter writing. I couldnt remember ever writing a letter before, but Id read a few, so I kinda knew what I was doing.

The start was easy.

Dear Goddesses,

I paused, then sighed as my pause let a drop of ink splat onto the page. No good. I took it and set it to the side, then picked up a new page to start over.

Was that a good start? It was a bit... ambiguous.

Dear Aida, Goddess of Mothers, Allegra, Goddess of Matrons, and Alisa, Goddess of Maidens,

That was more specific, though it made for a very long dear sentence at the start. At least it wasnt vague? Theyd know exactly whom I was addressing.

I nodded and started my next line.

My name is Valeria Malvada, and I guess Im technically a maiden. Im not married yet or anything, and I really dont wanna be because there arent any boys here, and theyre yucky besides.

I nodded. A good, solid intro. I could build on that.

Im writing to you because my mom needs help. Shes a very, very good mom, and I love her a lot, but I dont think she was ready to become a mom when I came along, and that shows a bunch. Shes trying her best though, and that makes her the best.

All factual so far. Mom was the best.

The problem is that shes not great at some things that some moms are pretty good at. She takes things too seriously sometimes, and that can be a bit annoying. But I still love her lots.

Like, the other day, I told Mom I was out of things to wear, and that it would be nice to go clothes shopping together. Thats something moms do with their daughters, right? But instead of doing anything like that, she stole a whole clothing store with a dragon and let me pick what I wanted from it. The clothes were all frumpled, and Im pretty sure thats illegal in some places.

I sighed. Mom was just so very... Mom, sometimes.

Luciana was doing her best though, so I couldnt fault her.

There are other things too. Like, she still hasnt actually hugged me back, and that makes me feel sad inside. But I know she loves me, so its not a bad kind of sad.

Valeria, Mom replied.

I wished shed called me something else. It was a pretty name, and I liked the way she said it, but... well, I guess daughter was a little clunky. Sweetie? No, that sounded too sweet, and I wasnt five. Id figure it out.

So, Mom, youre a goddess, right?

Mom looked up from where she was tending to some particularly spiky monster-flowers. Evidently.

Right, but youre also a queen, yeah?

The Queen of Monsters, of Darkness... I have a few titles of the sort, yes.

I shook my head. No, I mean, like, a land queen. With subjects and stuff?

She nodded. Yes. I am.

Cool. I knelt down, placed my writing things next to me on the ground--no tables--and then finished signing my name.

Sincerely,

Valeria Malvada, Princess of the Land of Darkness

There, I said. If I could decide that Mom was Mom, then I could decide to be a princess too.

Whats that? Mom asked.

A letter.

A... letter? Did you make penpals while I was distracted? she asked.

Not yet. Do you mind if I borrow one of your messenger monsters? I asked.

I... dont. Who are you sending that letter to, exactly?

I packed up my things and stood up again. Im sending it to uh, someone you work with. See you later, Mom.

Valeria, what do you mean youre sending it to someone I work with? Mom asked.

I knew that tone of voice. That was the tone Mom took when she was about to tell me no.

So, like a proper good daughter, I pretended not to hear and walked faster.

***