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

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

(sorry it took me so long to post, i've been procrastinating <3)

(posting so the thread doesn't die <4 please somebody take an interest, this is really fun and great for worldbuilding and character establishment)

(ayo can I join this? it looks really cool!)

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 

(boost)

(yo sorry this took so long I was wrapping up school)

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

Dear Wilson,

I do wish I could stick to coffee, but Jordan cut me off a while ago. I'm only allowed one cup per day. With one shot of espresso. I wish I could say I love them, but they're currently depriving me of one of the only things that's keeping me alive. Oh well. Singing glasses is quite a resourceful hobby, I guess, although I'm sure Nath doesn't appreciate the noise.

I've never heard of the language you talked about. Peiataph? My first language is Spanish, although if I hadn't heard of yours, maybe you don't know about mine? You tell me.

As for your question about Shards, it's a little complicated. Or at least it seems to be. We're not really all that different from normal humans. We have everything else the same, it's just that our bodies have something else. I forget what the scientists called it. Pure Energy? Absolute Energy? Something like that. Anyways, I just remember that it runs in families and it's what gives us our "unnatural" abilities. I couldn't tell you why people think we're so separate from humans that they feel the need to call us Shards, as if we're broken from humanity. We're not. Anyways, by the sound of your world's workings, it seems like you have plenty of similar rants you could give.

And as for Nath and Hollis the hairless cat, I hope both get home safely to you, and that you take good care of him. Hollis, I mean. Not Nath. Although I'm sure you take good care of him too. Now I can tell Jordan's going to yell at me for staying up too late (a result of the whole "one cup of coffee" rule), so I'm going to end this letter here. Till next time.

Fair winds and bright stars,
Rome DeCatólico

Rome,

What. Is. Spanish?!

That sounds so weird, is it from a place called Span? Or is more of a diminutive, slang language from an existing language called Span?
I'm very intrigued.

It stands to reason you've never heard of Peiataph, it's pretty rare, even here. It's a regional dialect for Peiata in Provence Honey back in Unish. My family, The Nourets, are actuality in possession of a master codex for Peiataph written by Fern Mother Monks. Not my parents specifically, maybe one of my great great great aunts or something.

It's really fascinating to me how magic in your world is treated like lycanthropy here. Magic here is just so old hat that it's a bit… off to think of it as worth being killed for.
Not to belittle your claims, I understand completely. I'm just getting hung up on the semantics of arguing for the sake of comparison.

You were correct in that I have a dozen rants about this stupid world, but I wouldn't wan to impose on the letter midway through.

Or… I'm paying for postage on this, you can skip my ravings if you're bored of my handwriting.

So first of all, It sucks that I was almost tossed in the pit, it sucks that those exist, it sucks that I can't travel commercially lest I be thrown off the boat or turned in for ransom or whatever they decide to do to me. It sucks that I lose my teeth every month and they still don't think I feel any pain. It sucks that I can't leave this damned house but for court appointments and medical analyses and I swear to furies and fates if I have to sit on another therapist's couch and explain that "Yes, I do have agency and can think real thoughts. No I've never jury anyone. Yes of course I'm angry, I was just accused of being a murderer by a stranger for the seventeenth time in a row!"
And all of them do it in the same way, they look at me and say "Well of course it's him look, he's exactly what I pictured when you said 'werewolf.'"
It's just… frustrating.

I'm sorry for putting all that on you. You can just…

I do have good news though, to continue the saga of Hollis the Cat. Nath brought them home a week ago and they've been adjusting well. Their favorite spot to sleep is on top of the table in the dining room and that annoys the hell out of Nath. He works on that table and Hollis loves to knock papers around just to watch them flutter to the floor. They also like to sleep on the foot of our bed and wake us up at odd hours for the soul reason that they were cold.
They are absolutely adorable though…

That's it, really. Sorry it took me so long to write you, I was in the hospital for a short time, then I had a bit of a stint in the court system. We're appealing though and it's a lot less of a wait than I thought. What's fun though, Nath convinced them that he was a competent enough caretaker to deal with a feral fugitive or whatever they were calling me, so now I'm on house arrest for six months until our appeal.
At least I have Hollis.

Give Jordan my best.

                                                    Fair tidings,
                                                          Wilson Nouret

(Can I join? •o•)

(i've done this before with a character but can I rejoin with a different character? it doesn't say anything ab that in page 1)