bakerstreet | Ways to begin...

Entry tags:

[meme] epistolary

Ways to begin...

WAYS TO BEGIN...

Depending on whom you're writing and your relation, a correspondence can start in a myriad of different ways. Which one you choose may have a bearing on the rest of the exchange - or your communication may evolve beyond the initial starting point. Write that letter or that e-mail to find out!

1. The Official - We all know it, having to write someone in an official capacity. Here goes all your to whom it may concerns...
2. The Romantic - Writing a good love letter is an art and not everyone masters it. Do you? Maybe we should let the recipient decide...
3. Penpals - You only know this person the epistolary route, but that doesn't mean you can't have a deep and meaningful relationship...
4. Congratulations - Something amazing has happened in the other person's life, they've gotten a new job or are getting married. This is the time to be merry...
5. Condolences - The opposite. This person has lost someone or something and it's time to be sympathetic and lend a shoulder as well as a few words of comfort...
6. Vacation - We all know the postcards or short, sun-infused, photo-attached e-mails from the person who's on vacation and there's a special place in ~~Hell~~ our hearts for those...
7. Wildcard - Isn't it on the list? Make it up!

How to play -

1. Top-level with your character. Include prefs and the like, if you wish.
2. Others now pick or RNG or what have you a prompt and leave a comment with a letter their character has written yours inspired by it.
3. Have your character write them back, start a correspondence!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ota! ]

[ It's all written in a teeny tiny, neat handwriting on the back of a postcard where the front shows a sunlit, beautiful picture of the Tsar Bell, Moscow. ]

It's cloudy in Moscow, everything looks grayer, do not be fooled by the beautiful postcard: Kremlin is not quite as charming when it's drizzling every twenty minutes.

Other than that, my Railway experience is off to a good start and I'm playing proper tourist, tasting borscht and attending the ballet. The train hits the tracks tomorrow and we're off, across Mongolia. We'll be sleeping in yurts underway!

How are you spending your summer, Esther? I hope you get to visit Italy, properly. And the Netherlands, if you absolutely must.

Just kidding, just kidding...

Sending you my best thoughts,
Bea

[ The postcard's a lovely, unexpected thing to find in her post box, and as soon as she's back upstairs in her apartment, Esther's reading it properly once the kettle's on to boil. Or at least trying to with Hades desperate for attention.

Once he's settled though and she has her coffee, Esther sits, and puts pen to paper. Or she tries to, anyway - the mention of Moscow has her distracted, maybe a bit sad if she were willing to admit it.

She considers mentioning her own ties to Russia - and Moscow specifically - but thinks better of it, and starts her reply again on a fresh sheet of paper. ]

Hi Bea, Thanks for the postcard, it was nice to hear from you. I'm glad you're having a good time, it all sounds very exciting! My summer's been woefully uneventful so far, sorry to say - mostly just consisted of writing some more music that's not entirely awful to listen to, and keeping my dog out of trouble. But who knows, the year's still young. Maybe Italy can still happen. Stay safe, Esther.

[ Next postcard's from Irkutsk. It's bigger than a normal one, looking wet around the corners, like someone's dropped it in water along the way. She did curse some about that, Esther, sorry. The front of the postcard's a photo of the Clock Tower at night. ]

I had the choice between this and a postcard featuring Kazan Church (which is beautiful, by the way, those colors), but thought you'd appreciate this more. Isn't it just like something out of a Victorian ghost story? They call it "Big Ben"!

We've passed Lake Baikal, possibly the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. The water's so clear and there's so much of it, too. Irkutsk is very beautiful, I think I like it better than Moscow, though the Russians are... Well, very Russian.

What kind of music is it? Am I allowed to ask?

Ah, by the way - shoot, not much room left on this postcard [ Her handwriting gets almost impossibly tiny. ] - but I'm visiting Venice and Verona in early October, something something "church safari", but you should consider joining me. I can visit churches during the day and meet up with you in the evenings for dinner.

It's an offer, make sure to decline if I'm being too forward.

- Bea

[ When she finds this one, she's in a foul mood, and almost doesn't notice it at all until she's sorting the relevant post from junk mail and takeout menus. Of course when she does find it, tucked between her council tax bill and some update from the power company, she has to smile at least a little bit. She flops down on the sofa, and reads.

Bea's reply comes in the form of a postcard back, not of anywhere exotic Esther's travelled to, but just one from London; not an awful, touristy one. Or maybe it is, who knows.

Either way, it features London's own Big Ben. A pretty decent shot too - or at least it's one of the better ones without any obnoxious text plastered over it. ]

Hi Bea, My google search history keeps mysteriously filling with all these places you're telling me about; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't living a little vicariously through each postcard I get from you. 'Big Ben' really is beautiful - my favourite ghost stories are usually the Victorian sort, so that really hit the nail on the head. Just the horrendously self indulgent sort, nothing game changing. But it's better than letting Pyotr collecting dust. (Yes, I named my violin, don't laugh at me :( ) It's an amazing offer, if I'm free I'd love to join you. But only if you're sure...? - Esther

[OTA for gen, F/M for shipping.]

My Dear Doctor,

I am writing to you, because it seems the most human way to communicate with you and I do know how you love your humans.

Things on Gallifrey are progressing well, between your advice and Leela's recommendations, we are slowly making progress to open the Academy to all who might qualify to enter and not limit it to Gallifreyans. It might even be possible for humans to attend one day.

There are dissenters, of course. Darkel seems to be the ringleader of that lot, though I am not sure what her aim is, beyond deposing me and taking over. She has to have another reason, beyond controlling Gallifrey, but I am honestly at a loss.

I know and understand why you try to stay away from Gallifrey as much as you do, but could you at least provide some insight to an old friend? Since becoming president, I seem to have fewer of those than ever.

Yours,
Romana (Fred)

[ The envelope that arrives is blue (I'm sure you can guess which shade), covered in novelty postage stamps, with only a "?" in the return address spot, and is addressed to "Fred". ]

Dearest Romana,

I'm delighted to hear from you, if not a little surprised in the mode. I haven't had an excuse to write a proper letter in far too long, so I'll have to thank you for giving me the opportunity.

Using the words "Gallifrey" and "progress" in the same sentence isn't usually something I expect to see, at least in any positive way. That's wonderful news, though I can just imagine the looks on some of my old teacher's faces if these changes manage to come about. I can think of a couple humans that would do well to shake things up. It's almost tempting enough to drop in just to see it. (Please Note: I said almost.)

But it would hardly be Gallifrey if there weren't dissenters to any form of progress. Why am I not surprised to hear Darkel is leading the way?

You're right to question Darkel's motives. She's ambitious, but if you're lucky all she wants is to depose you, control Gallifrey, rule the Universe, etc., etc. You would think conspiring to overthrow the Lord President would be enough aspirations for anyone, but maybe that's just me.

As for providing some insight, I wish there was more I could give you. I'm afraid I'm a little out of touch of the current politics back home. The best advice I can give you right now is to keep your guard up. And be careful.

Faithfully your friend,
The Doctor

P.S.
Humans have a saying that it's the "quality" of friends that matter, not the "quantity". I know your position makes friends all the more necessary, but I hope one makes up for the other.

P.P.S.
Any time you truly need me, you only need say the word.

[Several weeks (in both their timelines) go by before Romana can write again.]

My Dear Doctor,

I am writing today from the catacombs. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a moment to myself these days. Besides, if the Council knew we were in contact, they would override me and summon you back. I'd rather you return of your own discernment, if that could possibly happen.

Thank you for taking the time to write and for your recommendations in your last letter.

Offering advice is always easy, offering the proper advice is harder, following good advice can be the hardest of all.

For myself, I've stayed my hand at recalling you to Gallifrey. If only because my reasons for doing so would not be 'presidential' but personal. I have K-9, Leela, and even Leela's K-9 unit. But none of those can be compared to the one who brought us all together. Though, I wouldn't say you are needed here. Simply wanted.

I don't know if you remember Narvin or not. He is head of CIA these days. While he doesn't seem to want me as president, he doesn't seem to have the malice that Darkel does. I can't say I trust him yet. But he also hasn't given me a reason to not trust him.

The vote to open the academy to all those capable, regardless of residence will be taken up in about eight weeks time. Currently, it seems the vote is in favour of opening, which would benefit all. The vote isn't want worries me. Either it's open or it's not. What worries me is if opening it is approved, how do I ensure everyone's safety? For far too long Gallifrey has been isolated - worse insulated. Many of the Time Lords still speak of purity. After all my adventures with you and spending time in E-Space, it all seems rather speciesist.

I do hope that human saying is correct, as it seems the circle seems to be getting smaller.

Yours Always,
Romana

(something canon divergent works just as well for me as something more in line with canon, so let me know if you'd like to hash out any ideas. same if you'd like cross-canon or some such! i can start off with a letter as well if you like, depending on how you want to kick things off.)

[Canon date of 1918 or modern times both okay.]

[ voicetesting ]

[ Multiple Aus available, cross canon & cr loved.
- Nana hides her personality behind being annoying & silly &/or really affectionate
- Looking for Funny/fun &/or emotionally charged instances! ]