Ransom might be a misdirect. The high-quality stationary's a weird one, though, I'm not sure what to make of it.

Should double check with classmates to back up the rival's claim that things were on 'fairly good terms', I think.

Might also be worth seeing if anyone at the stable can tell them if the kirin in question was moved and returned or not? And I suppose matching handwriting is out of the question.