forum Letters Across the Universe (Always open. Say you read page one stuff)

Started January 29, 2020 by @Althalosian-is-the-father book

tune

Greetings Leo!
This is honestly hilarious and you're not going to believe it but my name is Leon! This is such a coincidence.

Anyway, my name is Leon Somnus. I've just turned 20. I live on the planet Duoden (originally called 'Second Eden'). I'm a cifter (pronounced sifter) which means I can change my body to the form of an animal at will. Me and my sister, Raywin, are different because we take on the form of what those from Prime Eden call a 'lynx' instead of what is known as a 'cat' like most cifter.

I'm a Medic in the main rebel camp, Time Falls. It hasn't been my home for very long. But it's more of a home than my previous one. Home to me is where you are free to be yourself with out anyone saying otherwise.

Romantic notions were important to me before… Before I left my last home. But I tend to avoid them now. Algebra? What is algebra? Is it creature of some sort? If it is, I probably would like it.

You live in a bakery? That's really cool. Sounds a lot more relaxing than being a front lines medic.

Tell me about you! What do you like? What do you do everyday? What's it like where you live?

That's a pretty way of signing a letter off. Here's the most common one from where I'm from.

May Koran guide your future well,
Leon

Mysterious letter receiver,
Hello, there stranger. My name is Aster. I must say, it's been a while since I've sent a letter. Most of the time the only people I contact are close enough that I don't have to go very far, though sometimes I suppose it may be easier. Oh well.
I suppose I should give a brief explanation of who exactly I am. I'm a witch, also the founder of the first non-human safe-place. Since the founding, I have lived over 2000 years. I myself am not exactly sure, since most of it has faded into the background. (Including my date of birth). Of course, due to my practice of witchcraft, I'm not widely accepted. I suppose I'm glad to "talk" to someone who isn't exactly aware of my existence and therefore does not consider me the bane of theirs.
I tracked down the information that these letters are cross-universe, so I was wondering what yours is like? If that question doesn't pry too much, that is.
Sincerely,
Aster

Dear Vozreal,

Aw well that is a shame. I understand as well as hope that you feel and are doing better. Romance is not a thing for everyone but society pushes it to be. My strange heart just wants it yet some don't, completely fine by me.

Sometimes I watch movies depending on my schedule. These days I am so busy with school work, club, and friends, I just get so exhausted. Most of the time I just watch dramas and other shows since they're less time consuming. I'm into psychological thrillers, suspense, dark, and slow burn kind of shows/movies. Anything that gets my brain and heart geared up or wanting more is perfect. Analyzing films is one of my favorite things to do. What about you?

Sincerely,

Blair

Dear Blair,

I like all types of movies, but usually horror movies. And not the cheesy ones. I HATE those.
Favorite flower? Mine is the black rose.

Sincerely,

V. R.

Dear Leon,
Yes, how coincidental that our names should be so similar! Being a cifter sounds amazing. Can you change into any animal you want or just a lynx? And has being different from all the other 'cats' altered your life?
What is life like as a medic? My mom….well she was a healer before her passing. I'd like to hear how it works.
As for what is algebra? Don't ask. You don't want to know.
Yes, I live in a bakery (my dad owns it) but I'm not there often. After I got drafted by the army, and then subsequently forbidden to ever return, I've spent my days roaming our world with my girlfriend (man it sounds weird to say that even though we've been dating for months) and getting into endless amounts of trouble.
Are you in any kind of romantic relationship? (not to pry or anything just curious)
I like bread, tomatoes, and sunsets with tea. I like splashing in a pool at midnight just to feel alive. I like food, I really really like food. And wood, though I don't eat that. XD
I was going to be a soldier, but after that didn't work out and I failed to save Marie, I took up carpentry.
Other than being a medic, what's your life like? Do you have any hobbies?
I live in Kentara, a land of thugs and Outlaws. It's not awesome but we survive.
Thank you! I think your well-wishing farewell is very sweet also.
And as always, may your stars shine brighter on the morrow.
Leo

Leo,

I'm very sorry about this person, Marie. We're you close in some way?

Being a cifter is quite cool I suppose. Except for the fact that when you change, it completely changes the structure of your body and that hurts like hell.

Just the lynx. And it has rather changed my life. Me and my sisters. Since the reason we are different is because we are descendants of the Dream god, Somnus, we hold a certain bit of power. And that makes the people we are rebelling against want to use us for powering their machines. And that has changed my life significantly. I'll probably tell you more about it in segments so I don't start crying, or make Raywin cry. She wants to read all of the letters I send and all the ones from you.

Well, as much as I prefer being a medic to actual fighting, it's really hard. Especially on the front lines. You basically do everything a normal fighter would do but if some one gets injured, after the battle you have to round up the injured who can't get to safety themselves, treat everyone and make sure everyone is okay. A lot of work.

You were in the army? Guess that's another thing we kind of have in common. Not that I would call us an army. We're just set up like one.

A girlfriend? What's she like? I used to be in a relationship with someone and I wish we could return to that, but he's too far gone now. I wish I could get him back.

I like animals of all sorts, hearing other people's stories, archery, and I guess I rather like swimming as well!

Carpentry, like woodwork, right? What kind of things do you make?

My life has gotten better since I joined the rebels. And even more when I got Raywin back. There's still bumps but ultimately pretty good.

Tell me more about Kentara! What kind of creatures live there? What is the landscape like?

May Koran guide your future well,
Leon

Dear Leon,
Marie was my girlfriend's mother. She died in her daughter's arms after I carried her from a burning building. If only I had been faster, she might not have inhaled so much smoke and died. I blame myself every day.

Ouch! I would have thought that the transformation would have been smooth but that sounds terrible. Do you still shift often?

Wow, I had no idea I was speaking with a descendant of a god! What type of power do you have? Is it elemental or something else entirely?

Please don't cry over this. Or let your sister cry. She sounds far too soft for your world, so if the letters I send provide any small bit of comfort I will gladly speak of other -less painful- topics.

Being a medic sounds fun, but I doubt I'd be cut out for it. I've seen and caused too much pain to be around it any more than necessary. However, I would like to know just which type of herb (if you deal with things like that) could be used to cure fever? My older sister wants to know.

Her name is Adira. Adira Johnson, and she's my world. We've been through so much together, known each other since we were children, and fought side by side. She's the one who introduced me to tomatoes, and although there have been others in both of our lives we've learned to treasure what we have in the moment. Sorry, that probably sounds really sappy and all.

Anyway, you say you used to be in a relationship? Would you care to share anything else about this mysteriously vanished love interest, or am I opening an old wound? If you don't want to talk about it I completely understand.

Yes, I do lots of woodworking, mostly things for soldiers like practice swords, bridle ornaments, and lances. Lots and lots of lances.

Kentara is dangerous. That's the only word to describe it, really. Up in the northern mountains live the Outlawed, a group of criminals and thugs who were exiled from our mainland long ago. In the southern forests dwell many gangs, most notably the Deathbringers. I try not to think of them often. In the west lies the shimmering bright land of Erala. It is superior to Kentara in so many ways, and currently, we are at war with them. Oh, and I'd also like to mention that Adira and I have been kidnapped by all three of these other powers. It's a long story.

How about you? What is your world like, your daily life and your thrilling adventures? Are there any bloodthirsty criminals out for you?

May your stars shine ever brighter on the morrow, Leo.

Leo,
I'm so sorry. That must feel awful. I feel possibly the same feelings about the death of my own mother. She died because we were arguing because she chose to run away instead of rescuing my sister from the fortress she was trapped in. I left her alone for a second and- I should probably stop before I make Raywin cry.

Your whole bady is reforming, I suppose that's why it hurts. I do shift a lot. It's easier to reach and retrieve the injured.

Very distantly related! Like, extremely distant. As for powers, I'm not sure I inherited any. I think I can feel others emotions when I'm in contact with them but I'm not sure if that's a power or not. Is there anything like magic in your world?

You're right, she is too soft for the world and everything she's been through. You can talk about whatever you feel up to saying. She can handle it. She mostly cries about things we've been through.

It is fun when you get only treatable injures, then you can just treat them and move on, there's a lot of hanging out with friends involved. But when you get an untreatable injury, all of the medics blame themselves. Herbs for fevers? Indie would be more cut out for that question, hold on, I'll ask her.

I'm back. Indie says there are lots of herbs for fevers but the more common ones we use are elderflowers, white willow bark, yarrow and for younger people (or if they need an extra kick (cats)) we use catnip. Those are the ones I know are on other planets, there are more unique to here as well.

Adira seems very to really make you happy. So do tomatoes apparently. Is there any reason why you love tomatoes so much?

Ah. Yes I did mention him, didn't I? He isn't vanished or anything he's just- um- on the opposite side. His name is Luke and he did something that at the time I couldn't forgive. But now, I forgive him. If he hadn't done it, I'd probably also be on the other side, fighting people who are now my friends, so in a way I guess I could thank him.

Do you ever make any wood pieces just for yourself? The things you do make sound interesting too. How intricate do you get the bridle ornaments?

Kentara, doesn't sound very nice. Deathbringers don't sound very nice either. Why is everyone kidnapping you?

Are you settled in one place in Kentara or do you move around a lot? Are there any different animals in any of those places (I like animals okay)? How have you been through so much at only 18?

Duoden lives up to its name in terms of the landscape. It is mostly forests with scatterings of towns and villages. The forests are lush and green with fascinating plants. There are so many species of animals on this planet, I don't even know them all. Some days, we fight the 'other side', we call them voiders. Voiders are monster-like creatures summoned from the god's realm by some very bad cifters. I do fight as well as being a medic and have use a bow and knives to fight with. On days we aren't fighting, I hang out around camp with my friends (and Raywin), training, talking, planning, goofing off. Our leader, Mari wants to send some cifters on a stealth mission to sabotage the voiders before they blow everything up. And of course (because my life is already busy enough), I was chosen to go.

No bloodthirsty criminals here. Just voiders. Though there are bandit towns around, maybe we will come across one on our mission.

May Koran guide your future well,
Leon

Dear Leon,
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. I understand your pain.
How interesting! I wish I could sense others' emotions. That would be so useful when fighting, or when trying to comfort someone. I'm sure Raywin likes it too, I hope? Please tell her I am sorry about your mother and that I hope we can meet in person one day.
No, there is nothing like magic in my world, however much I wish there was. Tell me more about it on your world? Are there basic rules applied to it or is magic more simple and ordinary?
Thank you for asking about that herb for me. My sister is very thankful.
No, I don't know why I love tomatoes so much, maybe it's because to me that taste like home and memories. What's your favorite food?
I am very sorry about your fallout with this Luke. I wish things could be at peace between you two. You say you joined the rebels because of him? Is there any particular reason for that?
No, I rarely make things for myself. I do, however, make many little toys and trinkets for my adopted daughter, Delilah. it's a long story as to how we got her.
Bridle ornaments are mostly simple carved charms or beads that are then attached to a horses' bridle. Rider's think that they bring luck and prosperity.
As to why we are being kidnapped? It's a long story, but in essence, Adira made a bad decision and I was forced to follow her lead. This led to us gaining access to some very private information, which both the Outlawed and the Deathbringers wanted, so they kidnapped and tortured us.
I know it's a sensitive subject, but how did your captors torture you? You said they wanted your power? Wanted it for what?
For most of my life, I've moved about and traveled but now I want to settle down. Yes, there are some very interesting animals here such as the derannts, vantae, and lequis. All very dangerous and strange.
As I said, Adira made a questionable choice when we were young and it still affects us now.
Your world sounds fantastic! (other than the Voiders, those guys sound really scary) Good luck with your mission, and try not to get killed. I enjoy writing these letters (and receiving yours!) and I would hate if you were to die without my knowing your favorite food.
One more (slightly random) question, what color are your eyes and hair? I keep imagining you as a blue-eyed blond and my curiosity is killing me.
May your stars shine ever brighter on the morrow,
Leo

Leo,
It is kind of useful, especially as a medic. I can see if people are lying about pain, or if they did something or not. Raywin, as far as I know, can't sense emotions as I do. I think she can communicate with others in dreams, but she doesn't talk about those kinds of things.

I hope we can meet in person one day too! Raywin wants to as well because of course, she does.

No magic? That's surreal to me. There are cifters obviously. Then there are the gods. We have basic elements and other ideas. Death, Life, Time, Dreams, the four elements, etc. I'm not the most knowledgeable about these things. I'll try and find out some more for my next letter. Are there any gods or deities where you're from?

Tell your sister it was my pleasure to help. If you need any more medical advice, you know how to get hold of me!

There isn't much variety of food in the camp because we don't usually have access to trader towns every week as they are highly patrolled. I do like this one type of berry that we find a lot in the woods. They're called sunset berries because of their colour, it fades purple to orange.

Well, he started following in our fathers' footsteps. He went from the kind and sweet boy I used to know, to the homicidal leader of the Voiders. Not a good change. I suppose it was my fault as well in a way.

You have an adopted daughter? And you're 18?

We don't have horses per se, there are other ridable creatures around, we just aren't dumb enough to try and ride one as they are usually pretty aggressive.

Torture is a strong word. I wasn't tortured so much as occasionally experimented on. Raywin got the worst of it as her magic is stronger than mine (apparently). Since we are related to a god, godly energy is just part of our bodies. It keeps us living and manifests as our different form and our abilities. It can also be syphoned to power other things, like the machines the Voiders want to use to take over.

Those creatures sound cool! Tell me more? I need to know.

The mission isn't for a while, thankfully. I still have some time to just do my normal job and write letters to you. And I won't die! How could I write you letters if I died? Seriously, I'm not going to.

Oh! I have light grey, almost white hair and slightly bluey greeny eyes. I have several scars, the most obvious of which is three claw scars across my face and over my left eye. What about you? What do you look like? Sadly, I can't imagine what you look like.

May Koran guide your future well,
Leon

Dear Vozreal,

Ah I see where you're coming from. I suppose all universes have the same kind of themes when it comes to literature and films. Wouldn't you agree? Over here, there is a lot of those cheesy type of movies; people love them. My friend, Lexi, has a love-hate relationship with them; it's really funny when she comes over to watch a drama with me. She can basically tell you the whole plot of one before watching it.

Flowers are so pretty, if only they could last forever. I have two favorites; the lily of the valley and the dahlia. Both them aren't around town, actually there is not a lot of flowers around this place. There used to be a lot of white lilies, but last year they were taken out. Some hysteria came up after a bunch of students went missing. Each place where the missing people last were had lilies. No one here likes them anymore. Even the academy had to change the school logo since there were a lily on both sides of a rose.

What's your town like? You did say you were from Paradox something, Montana, right? I never heard of that name before, then again, I have never been to Montana. I did look up the place on my phone, it did not come up sadly. The place sounds mysterious and remote. Are there any other supernatural beings there too?

Sincerely,

Blair

Dear Blair,
Paradox Vortex doesn't come up on phones because of the weird radio waves surrounding it.
And yes, there's LOTS of supernatural beings.
Talking trees, screaming eyeballs, demons, angels, etc… You know, a normal town.

Any magical powers?

Sincerely,
V. R.

Dear Leon,
Your magic, medicine, and food sound incredible! What I would give to spend a day in your world. Yes, in my world there is one God, and we are all Christian.
My sister says thank you very much for your assistance.
Ooh, sunset berries? They sound magical. (sorry about the short-ish answers I'm a little distracted)
Once again I am very sorry about what happened to him. Some people just…change in unpredictable ways. And no matter how much you want to help them… you can't.
Yes, I have an adopted daughter. She's two now, and Adira and I took her in after her parents were killed in an Outlawed raid. She's very sweet and kind. Are there any small children in your camp? I mean, I know it's an army establishment but still, Raywin is there with you although she isn't a small child (well at least not physically right ? XD)
Wow. I'm very glad you escaped those Voiders then. Who knows what would have happened to you otherwise…
Interesting. I was close-ish? You sound very handsome. Does Raywin look like you or different?
I'm tall, with flaming red hair and bright emerald eyes. I too have many scars, but most of mine are on my back. I've been flogged more times than I can count and the scars build up quickly. So, yeah, needless to say, my back is a bit of a mess.
Once again I apologize for the short-ish answers.
May your stars shine ever brighter on the morrow, Leo.

Leo,
Sorry for the late response! The other two medics and I have been completely swamped with work after a trading mission went sour. A group was sent out to a trading town but was ambushed by Voiders. We've been working day and night to keep everyone alive. Most are fine but Aki is in a bad way and may not make it till tomorrow.

We should find a way to get you over here! I'm sure one of the gods would let you. If I can get them. I'll ask Indie about it. She's our resident expert in everything.

Only one? And what's a Christian?

Tell your sister that I'm happy to help!

They're very tasty. As soon as I can leave, I'll get you some sunset berries and send them to you. Are there any interesting fruits or berries where you're from?

Yes. I know. It was hard because for years we were the only thing that the other really had, y'know? And that's gone now.

Oh dear. I hope Adira is well, and you aren't having trouble with her or anything. Outlawed raid?

There are a few young cifters. We are keeping them safe until they can find a safe way to get to a trader town or city. Luckily there were none in the group that got ambushed the other day. The youngest is… 7? I think?

Raywin is 14 about now. She is everyone's little sister. Everyone loves her.

Something very bad probably. I'd be with Luke, but I'd be fighting against those who are now my friends.

Thank you, I'm not complimented that much. Raywin has even lighter grey hair than me and darker eyes.

Flogged? Oh dear. What for?

My answers are short too. My break is almost over. I apologise.
May Koran guide your future well,
Leon

P.S. Sorry if I seem kind of 'out-of-it' it's cause I haven't slept in a long while

hey can I join (๑˃́ꇴ˂̀๑)

(Ok)

Dear Pen Pal

So I guess we're pen buddies, It's great meeting new people especially seeing how I don't get out very often. The name's Amerly though my friends call me Mer. I'm 17 turning 18 in summer. I like swimming, fishing, and romance. I don't really have much of a stable home, so I hope you mind when my address keeps changing. I do live with a couple of roommates, they're a bit unique, to say the least. So anyone enough about me, tell me more about you

From Amerly

Dear Aster

My name happens to be Lincoln and I'm going to change the world.
Though currently I'm attending a boarding school, it's a bit of a waste, I already know the material they're teaching. Since it's a boarding school, I've had to move far from my fathers, I do so miss them. Though we keep in touch through letters, not unlike this one.
I'm curious about other worlds, I've not been aloud the information, since I'm not yet a world leader. The world I occupy is split up into eight different divisions, border walls taller than the clouds stand between them. I live in the fourth division, the air here is toxic, they built halls between the buildings, houses and facilities. I somehow ended up outside and inhaled the air as a child, now I'm viewed as sickly in the mind.
Enough about my own world I already know everything I can about it, if you could, please grace me with the knowledge of your world, I'm a bit starved for information.
You say you're over 2000 years old? I've never met someone with so many years of wisdom, tell me, how many books have you read?
My last few questions.
What exactly is a witch?
How do you practice witchcraft? What is it?
You say acceptance for witchcraft or those who practice it is in short supply. What exactly does that mean?
Not to intrude, if it is too sensitive.

Curiously,
Lincoln