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

( @Divine-Irish-Potato, I’m a little busy at the moment. Expect an answer tomorrow or Saturday)

(Sure thing CoffeeBean, go right ahead lmao)

(Of course. Thank you for being my character's "PenPal" lmao, I can't wait to see what each will discover about the other. I'm gonna do my intro as more of a "snapshot," since if I were to write out everything leading up to the response, you'd probably be bored to death.)

[A pale young boy of around twelve approached the box curiously, his shaggy blonde hair being flung around his face by intense wind. He reached forward to grab the box and jumped back in surprise at the sudden blue light. The boy scurried away swiftly, disappearing into the surrounding duststorm. But just as quickly as he left, he reappeared, but with some company in tow; a young man in his early twenties, with skin as dark as the storm that swirled around them and eyes as vibrant as roses. His ponytail of black curls lashed behind him as he quickened his pace upon seeing the box.]

[A few weeks passed by before the box was returned to the universe it originated from. The box seems to have been tinkered with, and almost seems cleaner than it was when it was sent out. There was also a cylindrical metal container attached to the box. Inside the container is a rolled piece of durable parchment. Once unrolled, the parchment seems to contain writing–a letter.]

Addressed to Number Eight of the Sanctuary,

Number Eight, I pray this message is able to reach you as you live, and that my letter hasn't arrived many years too late. I checked in the deepest corners of the archives in Paglia, but I found nothing indicating the existence of any places called "Sanctuary" or "Scornpost."

My name is Talrius. I was partaking in an assignment granted to me by the Kien when my Guide stumbled upon your intriguing box. I hope you don't mind my curiosity, but I disassembled and reassembled the contraption to get a better idea of how it worked. It holds a remarking resemblance to some of the advanced tools left behind by the Firsts. I know it's impossible for you to be one of the Firsts, as they're all dead, but I do wonder if you are like them.

If this letter is able to reach you, please do respond. Call it instincts, but I have a feeling we can learn much from each other.

Sent from Talrius of the Blodano, second Heir to the Kien and first son of Janawa

[In the upper left and the lower right corners of the parchment appear to be a design similar to emblems of a mythical creature, though what exact creature it is, is rather hard to figure out, though it does hold a familiar resemblance to a manticore. Near the bottom of the page, in the same hand-writing, is an extra message, as if Talrius may have forgotten to mention something during the bulk of his letter.]

Oh, I also cleaned it–you're welcome. It should hopefully improve the quality of your intangible message in time, or Hologram, which you called it.

[The box is returned in roughly the same amount of time as before. Of course, there is another metal cylinder containing another letter. However, when touched, the box loads a different video. It's a short clip of Talrius alone inside of a tent. He's close, and working on the box, tinkering with its parts, then turning to write down the information he gained. He looks up from his writing, confusion quickly turning into excitement as he rushed toward the recording box. The video clip abruptly ends as Talrius fiddled with the button on the side. The recording contains no audio.]

Addressed to Sire of the Sanctuary

Hello, Sire. I'm beyond relieved being able to hear from you again. Yes, there are other people out here. So many people. You aren't alone, Sire.

You don't know of Paglia? The capital of the Eight Nations? The home of the current Kien and her Court? Not to mention that you don't know the legend of the Firsts? I find all that hard to believe, but then again, stranger things have occurred. Of course, I'd love to answer as many questions as I can in the name of research, so long as you'll do the same for me.

I am from the nation of Blodano, though I retain few memories of my childhood there. From what I do remember, it's cold, and dark, and quiet–also very comfortable. I have plans to revisit soon, after my work here in Ligeatrek is done. For the majority of my life, I spent my time in the castle in Paglia, with the Kien and the other Heirs. It was until recently that I was granted permission to travel beyond the neutral borders of the capital. The permission, however, was not granted lightly. I had to prove to the Kien that my mission is that of a noble cause, and I had to ensure my safety by bringing along two able-bodied individuals, of which one had to be a Champion. Enough about myself, I digress.

I have no knowledge of these "Paranoia" monsters of which you speak. What do they look like? Or, perhaps I should be asking what they are instead? Either way, it seems I'm unfamiliar with those beings. What is it like where you are? Why are you so surprised that there are other people out there? How did you come into possession of a tool similar to that which the Firsts used? Most prominently, how do I get this box to "work"?

Apologies for my many questions, but some things just aren't adding up.

Sent from Talrius of the Blodano, second Heir to the Kien and first son of Janawa

( @Divine-Irish-Potato, I’m a little busy at the moment. Expect an answer tomorrow or Saturday)

(Thats fine)

( @ocean-bacon-needs-to-sleep whenever you have time dude)

(No worries!)

Dear Conner,
Man, that must be really hard for all of your friends. Props to all of them for sticking through everything, and to your parents for being so welcoming to everyone. I'm bi, and I'm really lucky to have parents who are accepting of that. Tell them all to keep staying strong. Man, I bet they must be so excited about the all of you moving in together when it happens.
I'm doing fairly well, and I hope everyone with your group is too.
My group's going through a bit of a rough time, because Chelsea has always acted strangely less warm towards Aysen, even though he's a really sweet dude. She said she just didn't trust him, and we had no idea why she was acting up at the time, because she's really friendly. I mean, she opened up towards him because they share a lot of interests, and she basically respected him just as much as everyone else in our group. But recently, he told us that he suffers from this thing that's like a compulsive desire to steal (I forgot the word, Theo would know though) and he also has issues regarding hacking and some other stuff. Chelsea, as you can imagine, was pretty hurt and a little self-defensive but took it surprisingly well after the initial shock, and we've been trying to support him as he's trying to gradually get away from these destructive behaviors. So I guess that's a thing that happened. It's been cooling down, and it'll take a while for Aysen to completely eradicate these habits, but those events kind of helped because now we all feel more comfortable about being open in regards to our problems. I'll probably be next in line, regarding my "condition…" Anyway, time heals all wounds, or more accurately, wounds usually heal with time, so I'm not too worried, and I'm sure everything will work itself out.
I feel like Jason would have a lot of fun talking to Theo. I don't know, their interests seem to line up.
Anyway, my friends say hello, and I hope everything's doing well for your group!
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Meryn

Dear Allison,
Sorry, I meant periods in general. Wow, game development? Modeling? I don’t think I’d be able to do that haha. I admire you, ma’am. Dove likes to write/draw those kinds of things too. I’m still not sure how magic here works, but my mom says she knows someone who’s researching it. I do know that I was born with it, that my powers manifest at will, and some things are harder than others. But I still have questions. Anyway, my mom said the hatred of witches has a long history. Partly because of religion and misogyny (though mom says there are boy witches too), partly because of possessed witches (I don’t know much about these). They used to torture and execute a lot of women who weren’t even witches. Nothing like that happens anymore, but I’ve heard of underground witch hunting groups that target certain witches and hidden witch towns. Kind of like the Mafia. It’s why we have to have an alias for ourselves.
What happens if you use mad up Latin? Does it affect what you’re doing or does just not work? Why is enchanted a weapon hard? Is it just inanimate objects in general?
All the best,
Crow
P. S. Dove wants to know if you have a drawing/ writing pet peeve

Dear Crow,
It takes a long time to enchant things, that's why it's more difficult. We can enchant both living and non-living things, but it's harder to enchant living things. It usually has a .1% success rate, compared to a 99% success rate on non-living things. If we use made-up Latin, nothing happens. I hate it when people use stereotypes in books and are lazy when it comes to lore and plot. Also, the usage of adverbs at times when it's not needed irritates me. Also, don't call me ma'am, I'm like 27. Not to be rude or anything. So, how do you use your magic? Is it verbal? Silent? Sung? Tell me, please!
I'm currently traveling between dimensions with Azrael Reaper (the Angel of Death), Vozreal (villian-turned-good-guy), and two 14-year olds named Leo and Kelsey, I think they're called?
Sincerely,
Allison

I'm currently traveling between dimensions with Azrael Reaper (the Angel of Death), Vozreal (villian-turned-good-guy), and two 14-year olds named Leo and Kelsey, I think they're called?

(Nice one lol)

I'm currently traveling between dimensions with Azrael Reaper (the Angel of Death), Vozreal (villian-turned-good-guy), and two 14-year olds named Leo and Kelsey, I think they're called?

(Nice one lol)

(Thanks)

A shiny, black tape-recorder. Small with tiny, faint fingerprints that can be made out on it.

Amyr: Hello… Mordecai. Are you alright? Your recording ended quite abruptly and seemingly in a panic. I would hate to be sending a recording to another missing person. Also, what was that noise in the background? It almost sounded like another person talking. Also, the recorder you sent has a strange red liquid on it. What is it?

Amyr: That aside, the rumbling was something at the very core of the planet. Its name is Corpiksia. It is an unknown species and resides within the center of our planet. People believe it to be in slumber, every-so-often moving around in its sleep. Though I'm pretty sure it is awake and just deciding to spare our pitiful planet.

Amyr: The subjects you are… oh my, what is the English word for it..?

Belynnia: Learning?

Amyr: That is the one! Learning. The subjects you are learning in school are intriguing. I have a feeling they would be much different here on Syridia, but it sounds very interesting. And the fact that you were formerly in your school's choir is lovely.

Amyr: The Syridian people have been on this planet for multiple… what's it called… gigayears? That sounds right. Either way, we've been here for a long time, though our ruler keeps the exact origins of our people a secret for whatever reason. [pauses]

Amyr: In all honesty, I have no clue what "Iroquois" is, but it sounds interesting.

Amyr: So, you… humans name these things called hurricanes to keep track of them? Interesting. Maybe I should spend a little more time on Earth. Though from my experiences there, I do know what a tornado is.

Amyr: On Syridia, aside from the rumbling, there tend to be holes that appear in the ground. Not quite what people would call a sinkhole, but more of a temporary splitting of the planet. When this happens, hot air rushes out, enough to burn someone to their fragile bones if they're close enough. And then there is a large vacuum effect that pulls in things that are close. Though some unfortunate souls, such as my sister, have the holes appear right below them and they fall in. People say it's completely unpredictable, but I think that it's just Corpiksia breathing.

Amyr: From the way you described him, this Donald Trump person doesn't sound all too great. Although I am confused… what's abortion and what's gay marriage? I've never heard of either of them. I've heard of marriage, but what's gay marriage? Perhaps I know and just don't recognize the word… oh whatever. [pause]

Amyr: Earth, from what I've seen, isn't at all as… distraught as it seems to be in your universe. Though I've only been to what's called the "eastern hemisphere". I oughta go to the other hemisphere sometime. You humans are interesting though, though it's not pleasant being stared at like I'm a maniac when I'm there. [whispers] Maybe it's my eyes…

Amyr: Oh! And the technology here is, uhh… umm…

Belynnia: Ugh, mucyi, Amyr. I'll explain it. The technology here is advanced in some areas and not so much in others. It's all because of what we put more of our time into and need more, like preventing break-ins. So while we are still riding on the backs of animals to get places, we've made it so that only set people can get into private establishments by voice recognition down to the finest detail as well as facial recognition for mute people. So even if someone has a great impression of you, it'll be one, recognized that it isn't your voice, two, seen that it isn't you. That's just a small example of how our technology kinda works and prioritizes.

Amyr: So, some question–

Belynnia: Nuh-uh. I'm asking the questions. You've probably heard my name, but not my voice, so hi! I'm Belynnia! I have a few questions. What's your technology like? Since your apparent secession from the USA, what's life been like? Are there people trying to get Alaskans who fleed to Kanida? Do you do anything for fun?

Amyr: Those are enough questions Belynnia. We look forward to hearing from you again.

Amyr & Belynnia: Nakausoura!

the tape ends

Yes, a recorder.

Mordecai: Hello again Amyr, and nice to hear you from you, Belynnia.

Mordecai: Thankfully, what happened at the end last time was a false alarm, of sorts. The liquid you saw was, uh, blood. We had a run in with some trouble that day. [clearing throat] Right. Speaking of we…

?????: Hi. That background noise you heard last time was me. My name's Nathan.

Nathan: Sorry I couldn't speak clearly, I… wasn't feeling well…?

Mordecai: Sure, we'll go with that. You should answer the same basic questions from last time.

Nathan: Okay. I'm… technically 17 years old? Not sure if you could hear it, but my favourite colour is grass green. ^{Mordecai: Magenta is better.} Grass green is superior and I would fight you if it was possible. [Clearing throat] I was in grade 11 3 years ago. I used to play a lot of video games. Those are just regular games, but digital. That covers it right?

Mordecai: Yup. Anyway, a creature at the center of the planet, huh? That sounds insane. Earth just has super heated minerals at the center. The Corpiksia sounds a lot more interesting than lava. What else do you know about it? Is your planet some kind of egg for it or something?

Nathan: So, 'Iroquois' is the name of a native people who originated on the land we're on. They're one of the reasons why Kanida has been peaceful in the past millennia. They're pretty lucky, compared to other natives in the region. Those people were… not treated as well by white people- err, colonials.

Mordecai: Most of our people's history is public knowledge, fortunately. It's odd that your ruler wouldn't want to share it with the people. [Pause] Well, it would be odd in human terms, perhaps it might be more common on other worlds or other universes.

Mordecai: Those… I'll just call them sinkholes, for lack of a better term. They sound horrible. We don't have anything close to that on Earth.

Nathan: Yeah, I can't think of anything like that here.

Pause

Nathan: You're right about Trump. Unfortunately, Americans have chosen him to lead them, so there's not much anyone can do.

Mordecai: Assassinate him.

Nathan: …[clicks tongue] Not much anyone can legally do. So, abortion. To put it in the most plain terms, it's technically the removal of a human fetus from a female's womb. That's the least controversial way to say it.

Mordecai: Women do it for different reasons; They're not in a financially stable condition to raise a child; The would-be mother's life is at risk if they give birth… They're too young to give birth; or they didn't want to become pregnant.

Nathan: That's not to mention how the woman just might not want the child. Some people argue that it's murder, to kill an unborn child. That it's inhumane. Others say it should be the woman's choice. That it technically isn't murder because it's not killing an unborn child. At the stage that abortions can happen, the child wouldn't have developed a mind of its own yet.

Mordecai: The thing is, just because they made it illegal, doesn't mean the abortions stop. It just means they'll become more dangerous for the mothers. People will perform abortions in a dirty alley.

[pause]

Nathan: On that note; gay marriage.

Mordecai: This is a lot easier to explain.

Nathan: In order to have a child, you need to have one male and one female. That is just a fact. Some people believe that marriage should be only one male and one female.

Mordecai: Those people are wrong. There are people who can be both or neither or can change which one they feel they are and–

Nathan: Mort. [Sigh] However there are people in relationships where both humans are the same sex–

Mordecai: Gender.

Nathan: Right, same gender. So a female and a female, or a male with a male. Those kinds of people are referred to as homosexual, or 'gay'. People think that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. That's the gist of it without diving into a whole lot of other things.

Mordecai: Your universe's Earth sounds a lot better than ours. We are in the Western hemisphere, but the Eastern isn't that much better.

Nathan: Our technology is level all around, I guess? I have no idea how to gauge it. I haven't been a–

Mordecai coughs

Nathan: -aaaaware of most current things. [a slapping sound can be heard from a distance] I've been living in isolation for 3 years. We don't travel by animals anymore, haven't for a century, actually. We use sunlight to power engines in vehicles. Our privacy mostly revolves around locks, for the general public.

Mordecai: Now, I've only been living here for the past 4-ish years, so I can't say much as to how the whole Alaska thing went. Nate?

Nathan: Honestly, Alaska joining Kanida was something everyone has been waiting for for the past few decades, so there wasn't too much backlash when they officially seceded. I've heard reports of Alaskans fleeing the rest of the states that were on holiday and such. But I don't think we got much of that here in Alberta.

Mordecai: Nowadays, neither of us do much for fun. Him being… isolated, and me-

Long pause. Like, 5 minutes. Indecipherable whispers.

Mordecai: Best way to put it is that I've been um… forbidden from entering town. So, neither of us do much for fun these days. Questions, right. I was listening to your first recording, and you said something about enjoying hunting an animal? What is it? Is it the Corpiksia that you mentioned?

Nathan: Is it a dragon? ^{Mordecai: Shut your whore mouth.} You are no fun. So, Belynnia, since I had to answer the basic questions, how old are you? Are you in school? What's your favourite colour? What do you like to do?

Mordecai: We need to go, so hear from ya soon!

Nathan: Wait I wanted to ask them about Na-

The tape finishes

( @ocean-bacon-thinks-u-look-cute-today Should I just tag you at the ends of my letters, then you can respond whenever you're ready? Lol)

( @Divine-Irish-Potato, I’m not sure how to reply. Allison didn’t ask Crow any questions, and I don’t want the letter to be awkward or rant a whole bunch. Plus, if you’re characters are interdimensionally traveling, I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to write something)

( @Divine-Irish-Potato, I’m not sure how to reply. Allison didn’t ask Crow any questions, and I don’t want the letter to be awkward or rant a whole bunch. Plus, if you’re characters are interdimensionally traveling, I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to write something)

(Please rant and stuff, i would love it,)

(Hey @CoffeeBean , sorry for such a late reply. I've been trying to write Talrius's response, but schoolwork seems to keep getting in the way every time–approaching finals week and all. I probably won't be able to muster a response at all. I'm sorry.)

( @Divine-Irish-Potato, I’m not sure how to reply. Allison didn’t ask Crow any questions, and I don’t want the letter to be awkward or rant a whole bunch. Plus, if you’re characters are interdimensionally traveling, I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to write something)

(Please rant and stuff, i would love it,)

(Also i changed it so theres a question now)

Dear Allison,
Don’t call you ma’am. Noted. I guess my magic is silent? At least, my mom has shown me plenty of ways to use it, but none of them involve speaking/singing. Usually easier stuff like turning into a crow can be done at will. Sometimes, like when using a crystal ball for divination or sending a message, it involves blood. The hardest things to do are when I have to summon magic out of me, like a ball of light or something. I’ve only done that once, and it barely left my fingertips and I was so exhausted afterwards. Almost as hard as enchanting living things, I guess.
I want to know about your magic too! I find it interesting that you use verbal magic. Of course, I’ve seen those kinds of cliches in books and stuff too, but it fascinates me, to a degree.
Anyway, hope you have a good trip! Why is Leo and Kelsey traveling with you? I’m curious.
Safe travels,
Crow