1928: Fruitfulness
240 West 14th Street
Manhattan, New York City
February 17th, 1928
To the Dottore,
First; while I am honored by your invitation to join the ranks of the Haustorium, other obligations, established long before our acquaintance, require me to refuse the offer. I apologize for any offense it may cause, but I assure you, I have no intent to spurn your geniality.
Second; the requested contents of my father’s collection have finally been released from the custody of the Board of Health- thankfully untouched. This inconvenience frustrated me to no end, though I cannot imagine it neared the amount of distress it caused you. Rest assured that it will reach your institution safe and secure. I plan on personally delivering it, and after pulling on a few connections, there will be no issue with regards to secrecy. Senator Love has proven especially competent and confidential in his assistance, so expect me to arrive in the next month or two.
Third; though I understand your desire to come visit, I highly advise against it. While the affair surrounding my father’s change in condition has settled down, it has brought eyes from the Agencies to the borough- and to me. What you already enlisted him for set suspicion upon us from the neighbors. Attempting to come here will only end with my imprisonment at best. However, I was able to manage a visit to North Brother Island to convey your questions. She seemed charmed, though slightly perturbed, by your praises, and I was able to transcribe her answers. Consider it a birthday gift for when I arrive.
Lastly; yes, my practice is doing well, and thank you for sending the photos of Shuña’s work. The descriptions in hers and Bengui’s texts did very little to fully capture the strange beauty of those beasts- especially that of the vaspil, though I was surprised at just how closely it resembled the sea lion. However, when you send other gifts in the future, I would prefer for you to not include the formula for that elixir. I have no intention of ingesting it, nor do I plan to introduce it to anyone else. You already have my father to keep you company, after all.
Always in good health, your niece-in-flesh,
Emilia Muñoz