Dear Bert,

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I hope you’re well, and not only because I may need your help.

Listen, I’ve a student. Very promising, smart, more than a little talented. He was making exciting progress, until one day he simply wasn’t. I suspect, well, all sorts of possibilities: psychological problems, curses, the sophomore slump… but something I can’t put my finger on is telling me that he might need the kind of help that it wouldn’t be proper for me to offer, as his advisor. I’m worried if someone can’t help him, he won’t be back next semester. He’ll be lost to The Art, not to mention he’ll be without the defenses it might offer him against whatever turns out to be behind this.

I know I’ve been critical of your methods, in the past, but I hope the fact that I think they are the best shot he has is proof that I meant no disrespect.

There are still nights I miss you. Especially around midsummer. Or yuletide.

If you’re agreeable I’ll send him by the coast highway bus. His name is Gawain.

As ever, love,
-Percy

P.S. Arthur sends his love as well, says it’s been too long since you visited, he isn’t wrong, and now he wants me to add several very lewd remarks which I won’t reproduce but of course he isn’t wrong about those either.