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

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

tune

(Sorry- I'll just shut up now)

(No! Just look on the first page! It says all!)

Dear Angga,

I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well, and I hope you get better soon, but don't worry about not sounding proper; You read perfectly fine, and besides, I myself haven't been proper in over five years. I have no right to judge.

Seducing the bird queen doesn't sound nearly as disturbing as I had thought it would be. I mean, attending parties with bird people and flattering some feathery crone is strange, but it's certainly more pleasant than what I had in mind. Now, I'm curious, and I hope this question doesn't come off as perverted, but… Would you say that the bird queen is your type of gal? Y'know, the type of woman you could see yourself settling down with, having a few inter-species kids with, and then dying with? Or do you prefer your dates to be full human, no bird? As for the deer guy, I can't say I'm totally surprised. I mean, if you're marrying an eccentric philosopher, you kinda have to expect to be murdered in the near future. It's just that those types of guys are always the most fucked up in the head.

Wait, there was a fight? Are you referring to the verbal one you had with Fred while still in your world, or was there another one? If so, I totally wouldn't mind hearing more about it. Please, spare no details. I love hearing about that kind of drama.

Facithema may seem scary when described by someone from there, but if you actually spent a year or two there, you'd eventually get used to all of its little quirks. Really, at this point, the possessions are about as inconvenient as rain. Most of the time, the ghosts aren't really intent on causing harm, instead just kinda aimlessly wandering around. Although, people usually know to keep their doors locked when sleeping, just in case a family member gets infested by a murderous spirit. The richer parts of the country don't really have that same issue, since people can actually afford luxury, imported warding charms; So, if you live in one of the two major Facithemian cities, then you're pretty much safe from ghosts and the like. I'm assuming ghosts aren't as common for you as they are for me, so what caused you to get possessed? I'm always interested in hearing about people's first experience with possession.

You all don't have pheonixes? I'd consider you to be the lucky ones. Those birds are a nightmare to deal with, especially when you live on a plantation. They can burn away entire years worth of progress, so we always had to have someone acting as a scarepheonix. Unfortunately, it was usually me. I'm sorry to hear about the corruption and poverty in Indonesia, although, and I admit to having completely forgot about this, didn't you say you had moved away from Indonesia at 13? Was the corruption and poverty a reason for this move, or were there other factors? Also, and I apologize if you've already said, but what country did you end up moving to?

Oh, yuck, romance. Y'know, that's actually a huge pet peeve of mine; People just love to romanticize werewolves, but then when one of us does something evenly remotely bad, those same people are so quick to condemn and despise us. Like, just pick a side already. You cannot keep flip-flopping between wanting to marry a werewolf and wanting to hang one. As you can probably guess, public opinions are hella low. The only time we're ever viewed in a remotely positive light is right after the latest monsterfucker flick comes out, but that only objectifies us and turns us into these "misunderstood killers that just need a lover's warmth to be human again". Like, no, bitch! My trauma is not something for you to fantasize about. Other than the belittling, we're mostly viewed as crazed animals that you should avoid unless you have a thing for being dismembered and eaten. Like, bitch, I will eat you if you come up to me and spout some nonsense about "taming my wild heart".

Concerning the murder… I really can't tell you whether or not I'd have committed it if I hadn't been a werewolf. As I said before, it was a very heat-of-the-moment murder. Suffice to say, I didn't even know the guy, but he was being a huge perv, catcalling me and shit, so I got fed up with him and apparently "gutted the victim with a piece of broken glass and then proceded to consume a large portion of his innards in the time it took authorities to arrive". At least, that's according to the police report. And the autopsy report. And the eyewitness report. And also my own court confession. But, I honestly think the whole "eating his innards" thing is a total exaggeration. I mean, who would even do that? I know I wouldn't. Where'd they even get the idea that I would be capable of something so fucked up? I'll admit to the gutting with the broken glass part, I will, but eating his innards? Absolutely absurd. I would never do that. And the only proof they had was that some of his innards were missing and that traces of his blood were found on my teeth which is circumstancial evidence at most.

Ok, so… I'm sorry. I got kinda worked up there. It's just a little irritating, not being treated like a real person over something… like that. People always assume the worst from you. But, I've taken to embracing this stereotype. Hell, before being stuck in prison, I used to walk up to random pedestrians on the street and tell them that I was a werewolf just 'cause I could. Plus, their reactions were always priceless. The mothers always ushered their kids away from me, the men always looked like I had somehow damaged their pride, and the girls always looked disappointed, like they hadn't expected werewolves to look so… effeminate. Most werewolves I've met in the past are ashamed of themselves and hate what they are, and sure, I can see where they're coming from with that mindset, but I find it a lot more freeing to just embrace it and do whatever the hell I want without worrying about people's opinions or socity's norms. It's just easier that way.

I apologize for the long letter, especially considering the fact that you're not feeling well, but I'm hoping that by the time this reaches you, you'll be feeling better. Take care and stay safe.

Regards,
David

Dear new pen-pal,

Hello! My name's Wilson, How are you?
I'm fine, thanks.
Well, I'm perpetually starving and so bored I've re-scrubbed the bathroom grout twice now.
That's why I'm talking to you, pen-pal.
I can only write my mother so many timed before she asks me to come home for the season, and I'm technically evading arrest by staying out here, so…
Oh, I should probably let you know, I'm not actually a violent criminal like the newspapers and radio reports might have you believe.
That's… how silly of me, you probably have entirely different newspapers than we do here!
Anyways, I just thought I'd let you know that I'm not a thug like that sensationalist Rich Palage might lead you to think.
Enough about me, tell me about you! Do you have any pets?
(I'd like to get a cat, but Nath says that he can't have it shedding over his research. He also said his house isn't built for a dog, but I don't really know what he means by that.)
How many parents do you have? (You don't have to answer that, I just find it peculiar and fascinating when people say a number less than three, and I'd like to add you to the count of people I've met with fewer parents than me)
What do you like to do for fun?
Hm, I should probably go to sleep now, as I hear Nath creaking about on the stairs, and he'll nag me for staying up so late.

                                              Kind regards, 
                                                     Wilson Nouret

Hello Wilson. Or is it "Dear Wilson"? Sincerely? I'm sorry, I don't usually write letters. I prefer comms if I must talk to anyone at all. I'm doing as well as I can, all things considered. And don't worry about the whole "wanted by the police" thing. I am too, and like you, I promise it is not for anything concerning.

I swear, I didn't even do anything wrong. And no, I'm not dead either, despite what some may try to tell you.

As for your questions, I don't have any pets. I don't have the time or money or even a home to keep one in, but both my partner and I quite like cats. I feel like we'd own one in another life. As for parents, last I checked I had three. A mother, a father, and a step-father. But then again, I haven't seen them in a long time. That may have changed in the years I was gone.

And fun is a very forgein concept to me. I suppose spending time with my partner is fun, although it's also been a while since I saw him. May I ask who Nath is to you? A friend? A brother? More than that? Whoever he is, he sounds nice (if not a little lame for not letting you have a cat). And how about your job? What do you do for a living?

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Dear Rome,
Suppose it doesn't matter how you like to right your letters. It's just communication after all.
I'm guessing that 'comm' is short for 'communicator…'does that work like work like a telephone or is it something different, maybe like a Telegraph?
I'm sorry to hear that you're wanted by the police, (I don't want to intrude so I'm not going to ask what for,) but it is relieving to hear that you won't snitch on me. You seem so nice and I wouldn't want to have to do anything unfriendly.
To be honest, I forgot about the concept of 'step parents' when I was writing that letter. Very interesting.
I find it hard to believe you don't have enough downtime to enjoy something for yourself, but I feel as though I shouldn't criticize how you choose to spend your time.
Now, to answer your questions: Nath is… he's sort of like my housemate? Not really. They own the house and have no trouble paying anything so it's not like we're living together out of monetary necessity. He's letting me stay with him until "The practice of lycanthropic abuse within the medical community is addressed and regulated." At least that's what he says. I think they have a crush on me but I'm going to leave them be about it for now.
They spend most of their time upstairs in their study. He says he's doing work and when I ask him what kind he says something like "Just paperwork," or "A touch of research," then makes an offhand comment on how I wouldn't enjoy it and it's mind-numbingly boring and changes the subject.
As for me, I don't really have a job. Again, I don't really need one Nath has a bank account full to bursting, but I don't think I can get one, anyways.
The last job I had was at a personal finance firm as a secretary (Yes, I'm aware of the implications of an Unishian being in a job where the stereotype is someone dumb and sexy. I was in a bind and I needed cash and I wasn't about to fall into the other Unishian stereotype of "unclean daytime prostitute.") but one of my coworkers outed me and called the cops to have me committed. Come to think of it, that was the night I became a wanted man. I saw the cops through the window and bailed early out the back after that I didn't stop till I hit what I though was Chévine. In reality I'd only hit County Westerly. I ended up finding Nath's cabin in the middle of the woods, and the rest is history.
Suppose now I'm a bit more of a maid, but like I said I don't get paid. I cook and clean and everything but it's more to keep myself busy than for anyone else.
But that's enough about me, tell me about you! How are you holding up? It sounds from the tone of your letter like you have a much tougher job than I do. You could tell me about that. Or your partner, tell me about them, they sound like a lovely person.
I mentioned your letter to Nath and they said to ask if you were wealthy and to ask you level of education. I told him is wasn't polite, but he insisted that I at least ask. So there.
That's about all I have to say, cheers to you and to your partner.

                                                     Best wishes,
                                                            Wilson Nouret

Dear Wilson,

Yes, comm stands for communicator. I suppose it's like a telephone but a little more…transportable. Like those smartwatches.
Nath sounds like an interesting person. I've spent a fair amount of time around scientists and doctors who hated their jobs, so I was pleased to hear that Nath enjoys what they do. Or maybe he doesn't. It sounded like he did.
May I ask what an Unishian is? I've never heard of such a thing. I apologize if that's a rude question, I'm just curious to know. Are they close to Shards or humans? It at least seems like it.

You asked how I was holding up and I would like to say I'm okay, except my situation is a bit odd. I'm not sure how much I can say about it now, there's still a chance someone could intercept this letter, but maybe soon I'll explain what I can. I, like you, don't exactly have a job. I've just been trying to contact my friends, but as I'm sure you know, cities can be quite big and complicated and it can be hard to find people.
My partner is a very unusual person. I love him with all my heart, but sometimes I get a bit concerned about his sense of humanity. I don't blame him, of course, not with everything that's happened. (oh! and his name is Jordan).

Tell Nath that it wasn't a rude question, that I am wildly not wealthy, and that I had an average education until I was 16. And remember that sometimes it's better to say things sooner rather than later. Use that as you wish, I suppose.

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Dear Rome,
What makes a watch smart? I mean, it tells time and everything and I suppose that's pretty remarkable, and you can sometimes use the ticking for a metronome if your quiet enough but I don't think that's very smart. Can your watches do algebra or something? And portable telephones? That's ridiculous! They're attached to the wall, they don't work without a cord! I swear when I read that I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.
I keep forgetting we're from different worlds, I'm sorry for confusing you with strange geography.
Unishians are people from the northern island Unish and almost everyone there is completely human. Though most would like to think
You know what? This is my letter and I'm not going to finish that sentence, I'm going to stay positive. My humanity is already in question as a lycanthrope, I'm not about to bring race into it. Too many people think we're savages and whores for that conversation right yet.
I honestly don't know If Nath enjoys his job. He's always complaining about how awful academics are, but he spends hours of time in his study and seems particularly chipper about doing so. Suppose if you do something for two-hundred years it'll grow on you.
I'm glad to hear that you're doing alright. I am sorry to hear that you've lost your friends though, I hope you find them soon. By the way Jordan sounds like a lovely person, I'm just wondering what might make you question his humanity? I've been the subject of more than my fair share of these debates, and I have a reputation for being a Nosy Nancy, so I'm just a bit curious is all.
Now, I've read Nath the final paragraph in your letter and they say that first of all they agree with your… advice and they tell me that you've either said that because you have a secret to share or because you think I have a secret to share. (Though I'd just like to say that I've been nothing but honest this whole time. My father always set that secrets are like broken glass: attractive and tempting to protect but they usually harm more people than they help.)
Nath also says something about you not having enough time to better yourself and then he went on his tirade/lament about how "those poor things don't even have enough lifetime to do what they like" and that turned into his anti-capitalist rant and then he went upstairs, I assume he'll drink himself to sleep tonight. If he doesn't I'll bet he'll be up in witching hours doing something like re-filling or working on his car. (Even though I've told him it doesn't need any work done, it's absolutely pristine he still insists on taking it apart and putting it back together.)
Oh, enough about me now. What about you? How are you on this fine autumn day? Are the seasons different there? You mentioned that you were in a city, is it anything like Brass City, or more like Khechien? What sort of music do you like?
I'm sorry for this letter being so long, it's been a week since the I sent one and I'm bored out of my mind.

                                                Best Wishes
                                                    Wilson Nouret 

Dear Will,
I don't know much about you and yet I'm positive that the assumptions people make about your race are wrong. I would know as well. Shards aren't exactly the most loved people in the world, you know. Or perhaps you don't. Do you have Shards in your world? Or similar people, perhaps?

Nath seems to know what he's talking about, however strange he may sound. Sorry, not strange, that makes it sound bad. He sounds…what's the word for it? I'm sure David told me at some point. Oh well. I'll think of it at some point. At least tell him he makes sense for the parts you told me.

Jordan is a lovely person to me. I love them to death. The issue is, the last time I saw him, he had gone a little off the rails. Not fully crazy, we've still got a while to go before that happens, but they no longer have anything keeping them from doing whatever it takes to get what they want. It's beginning to worry me. Oh, well. I'm sure nothing bad can come of it. He wouldn't go to extremes, I know him that well.

It's not quite autumn here yet, it's still fairly warm, however the seasons should be turning fairly soon. My city is…well, I'm not sure exactly what your cities look like. Mine is quite large, with towering skyscrapers. They're good for hiding if you know how to get onto roofs easily. As for music, I never got to choose it. It was always my mom putting it on, so I had to suffer through whatever she wanted to listen to. Oh, well. I've still got plenty of time to find out what music I like.

Oh, and I remembered the word I was looking for! It was eccentric. Nath sounds eccentric. (God, that's a difficult word. I'm not even sure where David heard it. But oh well). Till next time.

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Rune,
No, I'm afraid we don't have shards here. We've got all manner of violent monsters and a few non-violent ones as well, but as of now most governments don't include anything but humans under their bill of rights.
Don't get me wrong, you aren't exempt from the law if you're fae or happen to have an anti-terminal illness. In fact they come down twice as hard on suspected individuals…
But I'll not dwell. It's not pleasant and I don't want to talk about it.
Eccentric seems about the right description for Nath, he's got one or more couch in every room of his house and he doesn't know how to wash windows. In his defense, when he was growing up you only had a window if it was hewn into the wall.
Your city sounds a lot like Lugisweil, they like building skyscrapers in Vittany. Brass City–which is the capitol of Scarburry– has a lot of boxy buildings and a lot of banks. Though, not as many banks as Crescent City (also in Scarburry) which is practically just suburbs, a VFW, and banks.
I've never been to Vittany, you'll have to tell me about it.
Also, mothers do have a way of finding the most banal and annoying music to enjoy.
Well then, I'm sorry this letter is so short, I'm just running out of things to say. I've been shut up in this old six-room cabin for… graces, almost a month. I do terribly hope something happens soon.
Give Jordan my best.

                                                             Best Wishes, 
                                                                  Wilson Nouret

Dear Wilson,

I hope you're at least going outside every now and then. I know what it's like to be cooped up inside for much too long and I know it isn't easy or fun. I hope you at least have some sort of hobby to keep you busy? I used to play violin, a long time ago, and I can assure you that if you're bored, learning an instrument is a good way to keep yourself busy. Or reading? Nath seems like he would have plenty of books in his house.

I don't have much to do myself except travel and practice. Do you know how fascinating some people's minds are? It's really neat, actually. Being able to hear it all and stuff. I try not to intrude but people tend to think too loud and I eavesdrop. It's quite sweet to hear someone think about how excited they are to get home to their family. I am too, and I'm sure you are. Sorry, I've been ranting about this too much. How are you? Still trying to convince Nath to get a cat? Sorry this letter is short, I'm bit low on supplies and time right now. Until next time.

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Rome,
Unfortunately, I can't go outside. Something about how the land around the cabin is government owned but the cabin itself technically doesn't have an owner because Nath was supposed to have died two hundred years ago. Very long and confusing and there's a lot of fun little twists, but it's not worth going over.
I do have hobbies, but for most of them I need certain supplies like yarn or flour and for that I have to convince Nath to go into town. Again, if i go outside I will be arrested.
I have tried doing other things, I've tried to take up whittling, but I feel like my knife is too dull. An instrument sounds like a good idea though.
I'm very intrigued by your comments about hearing other people's thoughts. Is it a curse thing? That sounds like a curse thing. The trickster god something-you-think-you-want kind.
To give water to your assumption, I miss my family a lot. What I wouldn't give to tell Taffeta about all the pawn shops in Brass City… but I think I've moved on. My childhood home is still my home, but it's not "home" anymore. I think that I've grown up a bit. Had to leave. And seeing them would be nice but it wouldn't be as cathartic as it probably would be for you to see your family.
Also, to answer your question, I am still trying to convince Nath to adopt a cat. He's still worried about his couch, but I think I'm wearing him down. I've already found a cute hairless one at the shelter in town and I'm going to name them Hollis after my uncle.
I feel bad now, making you waste your time and resources on me, If you don't want to write me anymore, I'll understand. And don't worry about rambling, I don't mind at all. I'd actually rather you ramble than have a tiny letter filled with nothing but weather updates. Don't get me wrong that would be great too just… ramblings are preferred to nothing.
Anyways, my best to you and your partner

                                                              Fair Tidings,
                                                                    Wilson Nouret

Dear Wilson,

May I ask what the hell Nath is taking that keeps him living for hundreds of years? Coffee just doesn't seem to be doing it for me anymore and I need something else to give me energy. (I'm obviously kidding - unless he does use something to keep him going?)

I feel like your blade being too dull for whittling is some weird metaphor like the ones David made all the time. Maybe you just need to find a good stone to sharpen the knife with. Whatever. Words were never my forte, Jordan always told me that. I used to talk in a different language whenever I didn't feel like talking to someone. It worked quite well for a while, until Jordan decided to translate everything so I was talking to them anyways. Guess it doesn't matter anymore, huh?

The whole hearing people's thoughts things isn't exactly a curse, but it might as well be. It's something I was born with, like the rest of the Shards. Jordan can heal people and David can control electricity. I have a couple other friends who can control fire, charm people into doing whatever they want, bend metal, all sorts of things. But I got the lucky ability to read what anyone thinks at any point. I hate the fact that any of us can do any of these things. It makes life so much harder for all of us. But I won't trouble you with my own world issues.

Tell Nath I'm on board with you getting a hairless cat named Hollis. It's a good name for a cat, too, and something else to keep you company. I'm sure it must get boring with only one other soul there to keep you company. Let me know if you succeed in it, okay? And stay safe. I wouldn't want your next letter to be written from prison.

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Rome,
So, last time I asked Nath about how he survived for as long as he has, he just said that it was a "Misunderstanding" and that he "didn't want to talk about it." He also implied that his mother had something to do with it. In unrelated stories about his mother he also said that she stabbed his eye out, and was struck to death by lightning. Like, a lot of lightning. A "god's punishment" amount of lightning.
I just asked him about it again and he says that his mother was the cause for his immortality, and that she was a "Filthy cultist sheep," who "hated me and tried to kill me." So make of that what you will. Though it sounds to me like you should just stick to coffee.
I'm sorry to tell you that the blade wasn't a metaphor. I would have liked it to be, at least then I could claim to have written something interesting, instead I just have a useless knife. Speaking of hobbies though, I've started to learn how to play singing glasses. I can play two songs now, both of them annoying.
To comment on another thing you said, I can relate to ignoring people by refusing to speak the same language as them. It's an innovative way to snub somebody and I'm here for it. Though, it sounds a little idyllic being in cahoots with somebody who speaks your first language. I'd give my good leg for one conversation with Nath in Peiataph. I'm a little scared to visit my parents again because I haven't spoken conversationally in so long.
I'm a little curious about Shards now, are you considered a different race or sub-human? Maybe a different species? I think that would be strange, most of the things you listed can be done with simple spells or a really general sidgil. I think I had a book when I was a kid that told you simple, one off spells, levitation of something light, plant growth stimulation, color changing, little things. I think it might've had a confidence or persuasion charm and I know there was a page on how to light your finger like a birthday candle.
It's not like I could use any of the spells, whatever… condition I have made sure of that, but I helped Taffeta learn them and she's wonderful at commonplace magic.
That's sort of how I got so good at housekeeping. Though, occasionally, I'll get a strange look if someone catches me lifting furniture with my hands or doing any sort of gardening. Damn, I miss gardening.
On the front of Hollis, the cat. Nath is in town as I am writing, so I don't know if he will bring home my lovely cat child. I hope he caves and at least stops in to look for them, I swear he can't say no.
Fingers crossed!
One final note, you said you hoped I didn't have to go to prison. I mean, I hope I don't either, but I might be able to sue my way out of whatever sentence they throw at me. It's been about three months and my case is still getting media coverage. It would be nice to get some changes in the wardening system…
Anyways, I hope you and Jordan have a wonderful… Night? Morning? Does time even exist where you are? Whatever, I hope you enjoy your time of day.

                                         Fair Tidings,
                                               Wilson Nouret