Goodbye Letters from Gwen

The following are a number of letters written by Gwendolyn du Lac the night before she went into space (November 11th, 2018). The letters are addressed to various members of the Big Team.

Theme music.

## Bestiary

Dear Bestiary,
Magic exists and when I get back I will prove it to you. How, you ask? Via the scientific method. (That’s a thing we got taught in class last week. It may have been taught a few years ago too, but I wasn’t in class yet then.)
Until then, hold down the fort for me, will you? I’ve put up some things on a new pin-up board we got to help organize some things, so I hope perhaps some people will be able to help you find the data GREY has on you--just in case I don’t make it back don’t make it back on time to help you with that (and get their data on *me*).
Regards,
Your Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac
P.S. Remember that one mission we did to save Councilor Benoit? I put some notes on the board in the briefing room. Perhaps you’ll be able to find out more while I’m gone.

## Challenge

Dear Challenge,
Don’t read this letter out loud in front of the rest of the team.
I just wanted to let you know that I know. And I support you trying to be two people at once. It can’t be easy. I hope you’re okay with both of your identities, because both of them are amazing people. I will continue to call you by the proper name you’ve introduced yourself as to me under both guises, unless you tell me otherwise. I just want you to know that I think you’re amazing, and our *mutual friend* Tilly is amazing too. You exhibit true strength of character, you know that? I think I have a lot to learn from you. You’re brave, you’re smart, you’re diligent and organized. You have a lot of admirable qualities.
In fact, these qualities--especially with regards to how you’re basically propped yourself up as team secretary--are why I entrust the enclosed notebooks to you. They’re some notes of mine that are either personal for me or musings on the organization of the team. I entrust these to you for the time being, until I might make it back to Earth from our little tryst in space. That’s… that’s what it called, right? A tryst?
Anyway, I have put up some missions--quests, if you will--for the team on the Big Board. I think you be a good leader for some of these. Best of luck!
Regards,
Your friend and Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

(Enclosed with the letter are two paper notebooks, entitled “Journal” and “Lists”, as well as a sketch of the [former?] Mole King with a note saying “not a king” and an embroidered patch that says “SECRETARY”.)

## Cyclone

Dear sir Christopher Crossover,
We have not always seen eye to eye, but I would like for you to know that I bear a great deal of respect for you. Your attempts to do right by all are admirable and greatly appreciated. You seem like a substitute father figure of sorts to many of my compadres in the Big Team. I guess we don’t always show our appreciation properly for your guidance, supervision and support, so I would like to voice that in this letter. Thank you for all you’ve done for others.
Yours sincerely,
Gwendolyn du Lac
P.S. That day when we caught the assassin Orbital and I flipped a money van sky-high... I grabbed some of the money. It was stolen from rich bankers that were triply insured anyway, and you barely gave me an allowance! I know it's little excuse, but here's the remainder of the money back. Don't worry, I spent the rest of it wisely, mostly on the the team. ;)

(Enclosed with the letter is an embroidered patch that says “TEAM GODFATHER” and a few dollar bills.)

## Deadfall

Dear Dadfall Deadfall,
Thanks for the assists at the observatory and at the battle of Mole Hill. I think we made a pretty decent team. I hope that teamwork will go as well with everyone else while I am gone. I’ll catch you sometime after I get back.
Oh! And I put up a thing related to the moles on the Big Board in the briefing room. Maybe you could check that out? I dunno if that’s your kinda thing, but Hesperus seems to just want to put the old king back into place.
Regards,
Your Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

## Dominik Tegan

Dear DomDom,
You’ve been like a big brother to me--if I have any notion of big brothers, for I never have had any before. You’ve been harsh, but fair. A stern, strong, silent presence. You’ve grounded me when I would have otherwise flown off. Thank you, for being the anchor that weighs me down and keeps me in place.
That being said, I am sorry. I must cut you loose for now and fly off further than I have before. This whole Sonata business… it’s terrifying, just the scale and power of it. Seeing, experiencing, *being* the birth of the universe… it’s not something I’d ever thought or hoped to experience. That such a thing were possible.
I’m sure you’ll have caught on by now that I’m considering there to be the possibility that I won’t come back. I know a lot of our teammates look up to you. Whether it is as a big brother, a leader figure or something else entirely. I wish you well, DomDom. I’m glad that you no longer need to scavenge for cans or use only the base’s shower. Give Jake a hug for me, will you? And Freedo too. He really needs one.
Your friend,
Gwendolyn

(Enclosed with the letter is a small sketch of a teddy bear.)

## Freedo

Dear little brother,
Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. Without you, I wouldn’t have been freed (heh) from GREY. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to be a normal girl with friends and go to school and learn and do things. Without you, I would’ve never had the courage to grow closer to other people. Without you, I wouldn’t be with Olivia. Without you, I wouldn’t be a hero. Without you, I wouldn’t be.
Thank you.
Love,
Gwen
P.S. Give DomDom a hug for me, will you? He sorely needs one.
P.P.S. Thank you for letting me borrow your video games. Don’t delete my save files! I’ve almost got Josephine and I’m SO CLOSE to getting to Lesbos!

## Hesperus

Dear Gabriel Kynaston Smithton,
My good, sweet, level-headed, can-keep-a-secret, caring, loyal friend.
Surely you will be aware that with the purpose Elle and I--after our little adventure with the Sonata yesterday--are headed into space, and the steaks involved therein, there is a distinct chance I will not make it back alive. Or, at the very least, unchanged. I don’t want to worry the rest of the team, but it’s a reality I will have to face. I’m sure that *if* such a thing happens, you will learn of it through SPEAR or the Knight Protectors, so… I guess you won’t have to worry if no news arrives. No news is good news, as they say!
At any rate, I just wanted to tell you to look after the team. Support them how you can, distract them from all the crap they already have to deal with. So far, I’ve seen and heard much of your power, and I know you want to use it nobly.
Be their light, Evening Star.
With regards,
Gwendolyn Emanuella Isolde Victoria du Lac

## Lavender

Dear Lavender,
You are one of the sweetest people I know and I don’t just mean that shampoo that you use that smells so good.
I’m sorry I won’t be able to help you find your grandmother. I did put up some missing persons notes on the Big Board though. Perhaps other teammates of ours will be able to help you out with that. I know there are others who seek people.
Lastly, there is one thing I want you to remember very clearly:
Every Thorne has its Rose. We’ll get her.

*By blood I’m bound to word*
*By word I’m bound in oath*
*By oath I’m bound to end*
*‘Til oath’s end comes or mine*

Your friend and Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

(Enclosed with the letter is a white handkerchief stained with dried drops of blood.)

## Redstreak

Dear Amber,
I must’ve started this letter several times, uncertain of how to address you. You’re like a little sister to me. Someone I should seek to protect, as a big sister should. Well, I guess this is how I am doing it this time: not by protecting you from the darkness of our past or what lurks in Halcyon City, but the darkness that comes from the depths of space to destroy all. I can hardly fathom it… and *I’ve* seen the beginning of the universe when I retrocognized the Sonata! It’s a little overwhelming to think about, so I try not to think about it.
Anyway, I wanted to give you as proper a goodbye as I can give you, and I thought that I’d best do that in writing. Who knows how much time there will be until we take off? First off, I love you and you’re beautiful and strong and I totally dig your thing with the red hairdye. Secondly, I’m going to be practicing some music while I’m gone, so you better too! We must jam after I get back. Parrot’s pretty good on drums, too. Time to get that band rolling. Third… um, sorry I didn’t wait to include you when I took people into Spectre’s mindscape. You had every right to that, but… I didn’t know it would go that way (I didn’t know I could do that! powers are weird, y’know?), and also I didn’t want you to get hurt from seeing and experiencing all that… that *shit*, y’know? I hope you can forgive me.
Which brings me to fourth and final: Spectre’s a cool girl, but she could use some guidance. She’s extremely excited about all the hero business without seeming to realize the hardship behind it, even now she’s experienced it (I think perhaps only selective bits of memory came back for her). She’s not as normal as she thinks she is, but… I think the two of you make each other more normal. You ground each other. You two just… *work*, y’know? I’m not the best person to ask relationship advice of, obviously, but I think you two will be alright. Keep doing normal stuff. Promise me that you will do that.
Love,
Gwendolyn
P.S. Since it will happen while I’m gone: happy birthday!

(Enclosed with the letter are two movie tickets for *Demon Dan & the Zombisaurs III*. There’s also a package. When opened, it reveals a shiny leather jacket with studs on the shoulders and wrists and the name REDSTREAK embroidered on the back with red and silver thread.)

## Rekken

Dear Olivia Dearest Olivia My love sweet blenderasdfjklnotthat
Olivia,
I’ve written a few goodbye letters to other people, but this one was the toughest. I think I trashed like fifty pieces of paper before this one, so I hope this time I get it right I know I always fuck up even the start of this one *ugh im rambling*
I tried to not mince words here. Is that how that saying goes? I just mean I don’t want to insert a lot of useless language in here. So what I’ve done is that I’ve instead recorded some audio for you. It’s so that you won’t have to miss me so much while I’m gone. And um, a little other token. I hope you don’t think it’s weird? It’s a thing, um, people do in Avalon.
I lovvill see you soon.

Love,
Regards,
Yours sincerely,
By my name in honour,
Embarrassingly yours forever,
*Tá mo chroí le do chroí*,
Your Gwendolyn

(Enclosed with the letter is USB stick loaded with recordings of Gwen softly singing lullabies, as well as a lock of black hair bound with red thread.)

## Rescue

Dear Rescue,
I haven’t seen you around much lately, but I wanted to let you know I stocked up on food and treats for Maurice and I cleaned her terrarium earlier this week. Also, I may have “seen” you play some of the instruments. I like your music. I hope you’re not embarrassed about it, since you prefer playing with nobody else in the music room? You’re really good!
Also, I got a little gift for Search.
Regards,
Your Capitan, Gwen

(Enclosed with the letter is a doggy scarf with embroidery on it that says “Big Team Big Dog” alongside a silhouette of a jumping dog.)

## The Morrígan

Dear Rhiannon,
Sweet *col ceathrar* of mine. I don’t think I will see you for a while, but then that’s been the case for much of our lives, hasn’t it? We’ll just be separated again for a bit. Don’t worry though, I’ll just be a hop, a skip and a light-jump away. While I’ll be amongst the stars, remember: my real stars are on Earth.
Look after the team for me, will you? Keep Freedo and Olivia out of trouble. Give Lavender a hug for me, he needs it.
I will see you soon.
Love,
Gwen

(Enclosed with the letter is a set of keys to Rhiannon's house with a small note saying "hold onto these for me". There is no keychain.)

## Sherman

Dear Sherman,
I hope those sunglasses are serving you well! You look nice without them, but you seem uncomfortable when your face is uncovered. They’re cool though.
Never forget: you’re a person first and a soldier second.
Regards,
Your Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

(Enclosed with the letter is a package of alcoholic wipes for glasses.)

## Side-step

Dear Frederick,
What the fuck, man? You have a lot of explaining to do after we get back! Probably should do some explaining to the rest of the team before we get back, too.
Regards,
Your friend and Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

## Spectre

Dear Spectre,
Take care of yourself. No really, take care of yourself. When I hear of your exploits, I am both amazed and worried. You hold yourself up well in the team. You clearly belong here, but you’re also reckless, throwing yourself into danger. You don’t have to prove you belong here anymore. You do. It’s okay to be normal sometimes.
Speaking of which, I know your civilian identity is… a little different? I’m not very familiar with how all that works, but I thought I’d get you something that might make you feel comfortable trying to be Spectre as a civilian, if that’s something you’d like to try. No pressure! Not like I can pressure you anyway while I’m in space anyway, haha. (I’m going to need all the pressure we’ve got inside of that spaceship so we don’t get blown out the airlock.)
No but seriously, I support you however you choose to be. When it is YOUR choice. When it is your CHOICE.
Also, I like you and Redstreak together. You seem to make her feel better about herself. More normal. Please continue to support her, as a girlfriend and teammate.
Regards,
Your friend and Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac

(Enclosed with the letter is a makeup kit.)

## Squire Smith

dear squire smith,
this letter is short and simple.
i hope you can read it yourself.
you have come a long way.
keep practicing.
yeet-haw,
gwen

(Enclosed with the letter is a fountain pen.)

## Wild Thang

Dear Jake,
I know I promised to help you find your father. I will, if you haven’t yet by the time I come back. Unfortunately, the steaks on this are too high for me to commit to anything else at present. That does not mean I’ve forgotten though. If you are okay with it, I could use my retrocognition on you to find any clues in your past--or in your mother’s, if she’s okay with that too.
I’ve also put up postings for missing people on the Big Board in the briefing room. I didn’t put your father on there as I wasn’t certain you wanted that to be so publicly available for the whole team, but if you put a note up there, I’m sure there are others who can help you in your search in the meantime.
I know you didn’t want to help me break my father out of Hell beyond providing a way in, but… that day, on Dia de Muertos, there was another person, and I realize that I have more people to find than just my father. Hopefully they don’t exist, but if they do, I need to free them as well. They are innocents. I think. Freedo told me that I attacked your group that day you broke me out of GREY’s lab. I didn’t hurt you, did I? I hope that others didn’t get hurt by me, or by… by any clones of me that might exist. When I look at Sherman, I fear the worst.
Anyway, I’ve been somewhat aware that you’ve been uncertain of your path with the team lately, due to needing to take care of your mother and how things went with your grandmother, and I just haven’t seen you around much lately… I hope that you’re okay. I’m glad that DomDom is with you now. Take your time, if you need it. The team is there for you.
Sincerely yours,
Your friend and Capitan, Gwendolyn du Lac
P.S. I know it’s coming up and I won’t be there for it, so I made you a little something.

(Enclosed with the letter is an engraved steel pin-up button that has a calligraphic image of a bear surrounded by the words “BEARY GOOD HERO”.)

## Zip

Dear Zip,
I’m gonna miss having you around so closely while I’m up in space, but I will fondly remember your warm hugs and your sweet voice until I return. Look after Lav for me while I’m gone, okay? I think he could use a warm hug and a sweet word too. Many of the team probably could, actually… Y’know what, give one to my cousin Rhiannon too. Just a big ol’ group hug.
And remember: you’re beautiful both inside and outside. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, even yourself. Tell yourself that!
Love,
Gwen

(Enclosed with the letter is an engraved steel pin-up button that reads “TEAM HUGS”.)