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

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

tune

Dear Jomei
This is an amazing drawing! You're very good. I would love to see drawings of your garden!

What kind of species are left on earth? On my earth pretty much nothing was left.

Which one of the star wars movies is the fourth? Fourth in story order or age?

I think I've seen one of the avenger movies, they are very good.

I've been halfway between earth and Dayene. Then we went in a different direction. The map says there is a merchant planet a couple of days ahead, we may stop there. We've been past a lot of nebulas and stars and asteroids and meteors and it's so big out here. We haven't stopped at any planets yet so this market will be our first one! I'm kinda excited.

An oxygen garden is a garden of scientifically enhanced trees that convert carbon dioxide in oxygen much faster than usual so we don't suffocate. That's why it's so important.

Godspeed,
Lucas

P.S do you want me to look for anything at the market for you?

Dear Lucas,
Thanks! I try to practice drawing every day, so I'm always getting better.

On my Earth, there are mostly vultures and raccoons. Basically anything that can scavenge for food. There are also a few mutated animals that used to be herbivores. And I can't forget about the fish. I read that once, the earth used to be about 70% water. Now, it's more like 95%.

I watched the Star Wars movies in chronological order, so the fourth movie was the fourth to come out. I don't know what it's called, though.

Merchant planets sound pretty cool! If you'd like, you can send me something from the market. I don't really have any preferences, so you can send whatever you see fit. I'll try to send you something when Market Day comes around again.

Scientifically enhanced trees? That sounds so cool! Do you have any ides how they're made?

Godspeed,
Jomei

_{oh shit this took to long}

-Dove

I’m sorry it took so long. Well I’ll start with what Dan is like. I’ve known him almost my whole life. He plays and guitar, and is my personal bodyguard. He also made a garden once, we would go outside when I was able too. Speaking of outside I can’t really go outside. Which is surprising considering my country is very cold, there’s a reason for that.. I don’t like to talk about that. Well I tell you about Anastasia by explaining the trip we went on to Madoxx square. Madoxx square is a very important place that was apparently a place for refugees during the breaking war (not the one we started). Madoxx square is named after the store for it, a family owned business, also turns out Alexa is a Madoxx. Also Anastasia is awesome. She’s nice. Alexa just doesn’t like the idea of her best friends getting married, that’s why she hates me Before meeting her I was already

Anyways that’s all I could write :)

-Thomas

(I included a reason from my story’s plot for why my response was so late lol)

Hey Alék.

I’m sorry it took me so long to reply to your letter, but something terrible happened to Vera City and we have had to find new housing for the time being. It’s…complicated.

Botany is my life’s passion, but I understand if people don’t feel the same way. My botany lab is one of the best things in my life and-

Moving on.

A proton engine is what we use to power and steer our ships, and it’s like a big machine inside of the ships that keeps them moving. The name of your island did not fully translate, so perhaps you could provide more detail?

The differences in your tribes sound rather major. Maybe you all evolved from different species but ended up filling the same ecological niche? I’d ask you to send a sample of tissue from two different tribes but my lab is… not functional at the moment.

Zol and Arítar sound like great heroes, and they seem to be great role models to look up to. You mention what I assume is a species called the Prokustos and a place called the Shadowlands, and the second term especially is curious because it sounds like it is not in your native language. Would you mind giving more detail for both of those things?

Karák sounds either very brave or very stupid to hold such a powerful entity inside of his own body. Do you feel like you have to prove something about those with your dexár or are you unaffected by that legacy?

Trust me, you are very intelligent to be able to understand those concepts, and because you seem so curious, I’ll send you a copy of the blueprints of a typical freighter class ship to show you what it’s like.

Could you maybe send me a sample of these metals or jewels? I’d like to see them for myself, if that is okay.

Goodbye for now.

End recording.

Translated from high Menna

What happened to you? I am worried.
I do hope you can do all the botany you desire.
I do not understand what this proton engine is, but I am content nonetheless.
The name of the island is Althalos. In Menna, 'os' means 'One who does' when it is attached to the end of a word. So 'run', 'kurexos'. {translation: runner}
All the tribes were once the same. When the Traprodis destroyed and poisoned the earth, we were given the gift of changing to survive. Each tribe leader called the wisest and decided what was good. So that is why we are different.
Arítar and Zol are both very great. We are gifted to have had them.
I do not know if the Prokustis are a species. We do not see them. They were the first creations. Servants of Theusont. {translation: Our God} They follow orders to protect us.
Od vasilm umbraskux. {translation: The Realm of shadows.} It is a terrible place. Karák is there. It is where those who become too filled with evil they forget all but themselves go. It is a place of darkness and madness and pain.
Karák was a fool. He was given all, and rejected it! And has corrupted the memory of our dexár. So there are some who fear me. They whisper that I too shall join the shadows. Sometimes… sometimes I wonder if Lord Sorás agrees. For he rarely speaks to me. And the looks he gives are never kind.
I have no things that I could give you.
But please answer quickly, for I fear for you. Loss of a home is a tragedy that seems to have come to you.

Hello Alék.

Well, to put it simply, Vera City is… gone now. There was an accident, and while nobody was hurt, we cannot live there anymore, and it’s been hard. Right now, we’re aboard Kaz’s ship and we are trying to find more permanent housing in the meantime.

Your language sounds intriguing, and I’ll have to ask Kaz to help me send you a recording so that he may ask you some questions. One upside of this whole situation is that I’ve finally been able to meet him in person, which is rather nice I suppose.

Your tribes got to choose the way that they evolved? That is… intriguing. Is breeding between the tribes common, or do you prefer to keep your bloodlines separated to keep the traits of your people pure?

How do your people worship Theusont? Are there any specific rituals or festivals that you hold to celebrate your god? The Realm of Shadows also seems like a terrifying place. How does one travel there?

I’m sorry that people seem to judge you for your dexár. I think that you are stronger that Karák and you will be able to control your abilities and prove them all wrong, at least from what I have read from you.

I thank you for your concern, but I am okay. However, the way that Vera City was destroyed is… rather suspicious, and I think I may need to investigate.

Goodbye Alék.

End recording.

Translated from high Menna

Hi Artimae.
How is an entire city destroyed? What thing is there in your world that can do such damage. It would take Morlús himself to do something like that.
I am much glad that you get to finally meet your friend, Kaz. How exciting! Even in sadness great happiness can be found.
Many of the tribes marry in the tribe. But there are few that object to marrying outside the tribe. The AlFen believe it is wrong to do thus; because they think they are best. But even some of them have been known to marry a Menna. Lord Sorás' wife is a child between those tribes.
There are different traditions for the tribes. The Dweorv have a day of teaching and singing from the their Mahz Mulm, who is their leader in all things. She also does prayer over all her people on other occasions, as when one has past a year or marries.
The Menna do not do such things. Unless they are of Od Fridólmo. {translation: The Brothers} They sing and pray every day and rarely leave their house unless they are sent, though they care for all who come to them, and are all tribes, though most are Menna. Most Menna do not do such things. We speak of Theúsont and read the Histories.
I do not know of the other two tribes. But it is said the Gobé Lin serve a strange god of bones and cunning. But we do not know.
No one goes to The Realm of Shadows. Arítar only. But he was a great hero.
Thank you. I shall try hard to prove that I am good and that my dexár is not of evil.
You think the destruction was planned? This makes sense. How else would something take place?
Vant.

[Attached to the letter is a small gem on a loop of string]

Dear Jomei
Sorry for the delay, we had a bit of engine trouble but not a big deal.

They don't sound like very nice animals. We didn't have any that I remember.

I got you this. I think it's a prayer bracelet from Etri's culture. It brings good fortune and the blessing of Eviti, their sacred deer. Otherwise, it just looks good.

The trees? I'm not sure honestly. I asked Violet and she said 'through vigorous tests and lots of breeding.' How do you breed trees? It's hard to see her as young as she is sometimes.

The market was INSANE! It was so cool! There were thousands upon millions of stalls from all sorts of cultures. I actually found some seeds for more flowers and we've started planting them in the oxygen garden.

I hope you're doing well,
Godspeed,
Lucas

Alék,

Vera City isn't—wasn't—much of a city. It is a research station with seventeen inhabitants used to study the growth of plants in deep space. Seven days ago, there was an explosion, and a quarter of the station was obliterated on impact, but everyone was able to reach the escape pods and make it to safety. We have been unable to determine the cause of the accident, but since I was the closest to the location of the explosive at the time of the accident… everyone thinks that I made a mistake and caused the station to be destroyed.

Oh, Kaz! Get over here! We are doing the recording!

various shuffling noises

Um, hi. I'm Kaz Regor, navigation ensign on the space cruiser Beauty of the Skies-

-he got a promotion and he is doing quite well in his new position-

-and Arti is having me help her with this letter thingy to you. Oh, don't say that! All the other ensigns are way better…

Uh, if it's okay, I want to ask you a question about your language? Is that alright? Okay, um, because there are limited sentient species on your planet and on your island you seem really close together, do you have any trouble with lingual drift? Like, words changing meaning and arrangement over time and stuff? From what Arti told me, you're able to read texts from thousands of years ago without a universal translator, which is pretty cool. That's all, I think. Thanks!

reverse shuffling noises

Hello, it is Artimae again. Your letter reminded me of a question I had earlier about your suns. How do you measure a year on your planet with a double star system? And are there other holidays or celebrations your people have that aren't religious?

The attack on Vera City was definitely planned, even though everyone else believes to be an accident.

And my fault.

I'm doing my best to find out what happened, and with Kaz's help, I'm sure I'll figure out the real story

Goodbye!

End recording.

Translation from high Menna

Hello Artimae.
I understand now about your house city.
Artimae… How terrible. I desire for you safety and peace and understanding in your time of danger.
Tell Kaz that I send my greeting.
I shall answer his question. Our language is not the oldest language. Once there was only one language. But then the tribes appeared. But the language has changed. In the language I speak, high Menna (there is lower Menna, and that is more common, but those at the Kaspít Dodáskux are taught to speak high Menna) there is no sound (either written or spoken) for the first letter of Zol's name. We must use the letter of lower Menna in order to write his name. We have lost some words which is why even the teachers do not know the meaning of the name Althalos, though there are many who have possible answers.
There must be a misunderstanding. We have only one Solios. The other is Selun, the one who watches the night with his soft light. We have one celebration that all Menna celebrate. It is the celebration of harvest. There is much merriment and joy, all through the night with singing and dancing. There are also the birth vigils, but I have never been to one.
May you have could fortune in finding the real criminal.
Vant,
Alék

Dear Whoever is Unfortunate Enough to find This,

My friends convinced me to get a PenPal in a feeble attempt to "control the endless wildfire that burns within." Their words, not mine.
A feeble attempt…
Anyways, I'm a wizard (you call me a witch and I'll throw you) in training and my favorite past times are riding on my broom and singing. I also have a tabby cat name Fionto.
According to literally everyone I meet, I am "a danger to all of humanity" and "such a klutz that she trips on nothing and accidentally floods the Sahara Desert in the process." So that gives you a vague idea of what I'm like.
I've also been described as 'an explosive with an invisible fuse that's always lit. You never know when she's gonna go off.' I mean which I guess is true.

I have no clue if you'll respond to this! :D
-Jane Impala

Dear Whoever is Unfortunate Enough to find This,

My friends convinced me to get a PenPal in a feeble attempt to "control the endless wildfire that burns within." Their words, not mine.
A feeble attempt…
Anyways, I'm a wizard (you call me a witch and I'll throw you) in training and my favorite past times are riding on my broom and singing. I also have a tabby cat name Fionto.
According to literally everyone I meet, I am "a danger to all of humanity" and "such a klutz that she trips on nothing and accidentally floods the Sahara Desert in the process." So that gives you a vague idea of what I'm like.
I've also been described as 'an explosive with an invisible fuse that's always lit. You never know when she's gonna go off.' I mean which I guess is true.

I have no clue if you'll respond to this! :D
-Jane Impala

I love your last name! It makes me think of the band Tame Impala! that new album is sick.

P.s may i join?