bakerstreet | epistolary.

Entry tags:

epistolary.

Epistolary

It's all text messages and Facebook entries these days, isn't it? Maybe you're from a time or a world where letters are still being written or maybe you're just saying fuck it to your computer and your phone and to the fast paced contact methods of modern day society. Write a letter to someone you rarely see or can't for whatever reason see right now, because of distance or maybe personal issues that are more easily addressed on paper anyway. Come on, you don't need an excuse, just write that damn letter!

How to play -

1. Top-level with your character. Include prefs and the like, if you wish.
2. Others now leave a comment with a letter their character has written yours.
3. Have your character respond, then go tag around as you wish.
4. Be entertained!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( info and permissions in journal. f/f for shipping but let's start gen. either reply to this general starter or send something more specified my way, happy to au her into a non-magical world, but my preference is either historical or fantasy for setting. )

I saw the little white cat by the gates to campus again today.

It only substantiates my suspicion that it is a pet adopted by one of the students and while I'm aware that pets are not allowed on school grounds, thus in theory leaving me with no other choice than to take the animal to the headmistress, it licked my hand when I reached down to investigate how friendly it might be and for a second, I was transported back to a day in July, many years ago, when I stumbled upon another stray cat in a deserted backyard and sat with it in my lap, someone else sitting beside me in the sun, so I believe I may not bring this matter (or the cat) before Ms. Sanssol, after all.

You won't tell on me, will you? Do not make me have to change the memory, my own or yours, of this moment, please.

- Raqal

(ooc: extremely happy to go with fantasy!)

Of course I won't tell. If the student is faithfully ensuring the cat is fed, clean, and in good health, then it would only be robbing them of a good companion. Pet ownership teaches responsibility, after all. And who knows - the cat may develop into a suitable familiar and assistant to them. If anyone asks, how are you to know the habits of stray neighborhood animals?

I wish there could be some allowances made for you yourself to have your own. Surely teachers can be trusted more than the students. In the meanwhile, have you asked if you are permitted a small plant or two for your classroom? Some of mine itch for an adventure.

-B

I see no plants in any of the other teachers' classrooms, but I have set a precedent at this place before, I don't see why I should not do it again with a plant or two. They do not miaw or purr or otherwise draw attention to themselves that ought to be shown to my lectures instead.

If I should choose a plant, which comes with your recommendation? Nothing too flashy, I am unwilling to try my luck like that, but should it share with the class a single flower or two in vivid colour every once in a while, I can Screen it, if it proves distracting.

Then, only I will know the truth until class is over, but that is how it is with so many things, isn't it?

Pick a plant that taught you something. I would like to learn, too.

- Raqal

[OTA gen, shipping 20+ OTA. Castmates (especially JINUS), crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed CR, AUs, OCs etc all always welcome.]

[No incest but happy to play gen with anyone, otherwise castmates, crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed CR, AUs, OCs etc all always welcome.]

[ Down for Rescued!Mark having a penpal, or stranded!Mark working with hand-wavey 'the rover can get email isn't it a miracle' ]

[Castmates, crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed CR, AUs, OCs etc all always welcome.]

[ (permissions and notes). additionally, (emp). ]

Qifrey,

There has been...something of a mix-up.

I happened across something curious in my atelier after the girls slept over. I believe you may now be in custody of one of the lambs, as I appear to have found a new brushbuddy.

Please let me know when is convenient for you to switch.

Thanks,
Faust

[ a certain teacher to four fine witches has a sneaking Suspicion that this "mix-up" was no mix-up at all. ]

Faust,

It would appear that there has indeed been a "mix-up" of sorts. However, we may consider rephrasing it as two of our students were mutually complicit in their lovely demonstration of the barter system.

Tetia, for her part, implores that it is an educational activity.

I am not opposed, though we may need to consider a time-frame.

On that note, please be advised, the particular brushbuddy you are now co-habitating with ought not be fed past midnight.

Sincerely,
Qifrey

Qifrey,

I had thought this might be the case when I realised the brushbuddy was wiggling about under Shino's clothes. He was trying very hard to keep it still, I will give him that.

However, the lambs are still a little young. You may have to still bottle feed it for a week and help it wean... An educational experience indeed, Tetia...

For now, the brushbuddy seems to quite enjoy spending time with the sheep and in Shino's robes. I will try to pass your advice on, though I doubt he will listen. He did always prefer learning things the hard way.

Do let me know when works for your schedule.
Faust

[ It's less a proper letter and more a scrawled-upon scrap of paper tacked above the kitchen sink where it's unlikely to be missed. ]

Working on a tight deadline so don't expect to see me for a few days. Try and keep the kids from barging in--don't want anything exploding.

[ well! that certainly is a note. considering the nature of it, qifrey is not about to assume a note slipped under that less-than-effectively-labeled-door will do anyone some good. day one will find their intrepid and darling brushbuddy bearing note 1/?. it says: ]

As it happens, today we had some of our own near exploding experiences. Cooking remains an adventure, as ever.

On which note: take a break. There's food outside your door. The not-exploding kind, if you're worried.

Leave the tray back outside when you've finished all of it

[ a threat (?) affectionate (.) ]

[ Everyone loves the brushbuddy, and Olruggio will never turn down a meal even if he winds up picking at it over the course of a few hours. Their fuzzy little friend will return to Qifrey at some point with another little note. Even cute critters have to earn their keep in this household. ]

Thanks for the food. Didn't hear too much of a ruckus so I'm guessing no one got hurt. I know you can handle things, but get me if there's an emergency, deadline or no.

[ everyone truly does their part, it's true. so it happens that when resident brushbuddy delivers the reply, they're in the midst of a lesson. timing is everything. the note olly will receive in kind is not written in qifrey's handwriting at all. rather, it is several someones' penmanship!

one is just a drawing: it...might be olly. or. not? it is, looking like he's on day 5 already.

the others just little messages -- go to sleep, did you eat your breakfast? :c, good luck master olly!

a second look at the brushbuddy will reveal another piece of paper though! ]

Completely harmless, so you're right on that one, and the only emergency we're prone to having in the kitchen is finding that we're out of one thing or other we're in need of.

That said, if a fresh eye would help, you need only ask, as always.

[ a not so subtle nudge to let him check on him, at least once during the deadline's window! ]

[Gen only, she's a Catholic Nun. But anyone can write to her, she works in an orphanage, so she's used to it.]

[ would prefer gen unless canonmates, some prefs in journal. ]

( voice testing. )

[ info in journal, open to gen and shipping. 20+ preferred for shipping unless you're offering a canonmate for something pre or mid-timeskip. ]

[The letter arrives in a plain envelope. With no return address. If Matthew runs his fingers along the outside, he will find that in addition to the inked address, his name is printed in braille.

Once he opens the envelope, he will find the entire letter has been printed in braille.]

~~Matthew,~~

My Dearest Son,

Since discussing this in person is too difficult for me, I am writing this letter.

The most important thing for you to know is that I love you. I have always loved you. I left because I knew I couldn't care for you properly, you deserved love and care that I couldn't have possibly provided at the time.

By the time I was well enough to care for you again, I had already professed my vows. So, I locked you and Jack away in the depths of my heart. The only luxury I allowed myself was to pray for you every morning when I got up and every night when I went to bed. My personal prayer times.

The day you came to St. Agnes, was at once the happiest and saddest days of my life. God had provided a way for me to raise my son. But, he took my son's father away from him to do it.

You have always deserved so much better than what I could ever provide - even with all the resources we had as an orphanage - I wasn't able to give you what you really needed - a proper mother.

I told you once that I'm impervious to bad attitude. But that wasn't quite true. Like many things since I returned to the convent after your birth, it's another wall I constructed in the hopes of protecting your heart.

Yes, I did it to protect you. A son should never know; never feel the pain his mother holds in her heart over his sufferings. But I do see them, Matthew. Every time I stitched one of your wounds, I wondered about all the other scars I saw. I cursed myself for not being there for you when they happened.

You have done so well with the gifts God has given you: exceptional student, lawyer, and hometown hero - Devil of Hell's Kitchen. Is it any wonder that when I stood before you: hearing your demands, seeing your pain, knowing your agony, that I am at a loss?

I couldn't comprehend why you would even want anything from me - coward that I am. You've done so much better - gone so much farther without me than you ever did with any of my guidance. How could such simple words from me change that much for you?

Knowing these things, doesn't change the basic facts that I am your mother and I love you more than words can ever express. Even when I am too weak to give you want you want.

You know where to find me should you need anything.

"May God bless you, guide you, and let His perpetual light shine down upon you."

Love always,
Maggie

[book and movie familiar.]

[Open to all canons and assumed CR. Happy to write the starter - he's likely to send old fashioned letters sent via avian carrier. Bio | permissions/info.]

[Castmates, crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed CR, AUs, OCs etc all always welcome.]

[Castmates, crosscanon, crossmedium, assumed CR, AUs, OCs etc all always welcome!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

epistolary.

raqal beau | original fantasy character | ota

no subject

no subject

Shane Hollander | Heated Rivalry

olruggio | witch hat atelier

Rumi | KPop Demon Hunters | OTA

Daenerys Targaryen | Game Of Thrones | OTA

dr. mark watney | the martian | ota

Nami | One Piece Live Action | OTA

esther moreau | original | ota

qifrey | witch hat atelier

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Sister Maggie Grace | MCU | ota

caleb widogast | critical role | ota

spencer dutton | 1923

edelgard von hresvelg | fire emblem: three houses

faust, mahoyaku

Matt Murdock | MCU | OTA

no subject

brynden rivers, a song of ice and fire.

Logan | Fable 3 | OTA

abby anderson — the last of us

eva stratt | project hail mary

phyre | bloodlines 2 | ota

Weiss Schnee | RWBY | OTA

arthur morgan | red dead redemption II

Chrissy Cunningham | Stranger Things

elia martell | asoiaf | ota

James Moriarty | Young Sherlock

Usagi Tsukino | Sailor Moon | OTA