Pumpkin Hollow Pen-Pal Program

[pumpkinhollow]

---

PUMPKIN HOLLOW'S PEN-PAL PROGRAM

---

Welcome to the Pumpkin Hollow Pen-Pal Program!

-

Letters have been something that has brought people across Concord closer together in spite of great distances. Being cut off from the greater world has not only left people lacking in outlets to write to friends and loved ones they may not have time to see every day, but left our local post office alarmingly dry of service.

That's where you can help!

By joining Marrow Isle's Pen-Pal Program, not only can you assist in revitalizing our postal service and help to keep our couriers on the move, but through our pen-pal lottery, you'll have the potential to write to an acquaintance, an old friend, or perhaps a new friend entirely! Participation in the lottery is entirely optional, of course, as you're always welcome to simply register and write to your current companions.

To participate, all you need to do is provide your mailing address via the form below, and the post office will provide you envelopes, paper, and ink, free of charge! We look forward to seeing new bonds formed through writing!

-Created with love by the Autumn Leaves Dormitory House, graciously hosted by the Marrow Isle Postal Service.

-

To sign up for a pen-pal, all you have to do is:

• Create a toplevel for your character that will serve as their pen-pal inbox, filling out the form below! For addresses, you may either the specific address you picked from the reference sheet or just their neighborhood if you haven't picked one.
• Reply to the Lottery comment to be entered into the lottery before the listed deadline. New lotteries to be assigned a new pen-pal will occur monthly, so feel free to sign up every month, just once, or as desired! (Be sure to have your toplevel comment inbox set up before pen-pals are assigned!)
• If you do not want a randomly assigned partner, no worries! You can simply have one of your characters send a letter directly to another character's inbox.
• When you are given your recipient, send them a starting letter in their inbox, and you will receive one from whoever was assigned yours! It will work like Secret Santa, resulting in two letter threads.
• Letter threads can last as long as you want, but if you sign up again the following month, you'll get two more. Budget your energy appropriately!

<b>To the inbox of <u>[Character Title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Mx., etc.)] [Character Name]</u>, [Character Age]</b> <b>Character Address/Area of Residence</b>

Comments

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS

[pumpkinhollow]

Got something that needs clarifying, or any ideas for the pen-pal system? Let us know here!

PEN-PAL LOTTERY SIGN-UPS

[pumpkinhollow]

One sign-up per character per opening! These will run during the Activity Check period at the beginning of every month. Please sign up underneath the comment for a given month!

JULY SIGN-UPS

[pumpkinhollow]

Freshly reopened after a break during Spring, the sign-ups for the pen-pal lottery will be closing on Saturday, 7/12! Assignments will be given on Sunday, 7/13.

INBOX: Dr. Neil West

[itsjustabaddream]

To the inbox of Dr. Neil West, Age 39
664 Prague Mill Rd.
Northwest Hollow

A letter from Cassandra de Rolo

[not_the_last]

[The letter is not in an envelope, but folded over itself and sealed with a blob of blue wax. There is no stamp on the wax, only a faint indentation as of a smooth flat pebble used to press it down. Inside, the following is written in deep blue ink, in a fine clear hand and an elegant, somewhat archaic script.]

To Dr. Neil West,

As I understand it, this program is intended to serve as a means of introduction for those who have not yet met. I therefore trust that as you have agreed to participate, you will not find it presumptuous that I write to you with no sounder basis for initiating a correspondence.

My name is Cassandra de Rolo. I hail from the city-state of Whitestone (on the continent of Tal'Dorei, of a world called Exandria), where my family has ruled for many generations. More recently we have shifted to a form of shared rule, in which my brother Percival and I both serve on a larger council that governs the country. I am also, in a sense, "from" the cursed ship of which you may have heard called the Serena Eterna, like many other recent arrivals on this island. My own arrival was a little over a month ago, and I am aware that I have much to learn about Pumpkin Hollow and its people.

In light of which: do I understand correctly that you are native to this world? I should be grateful for any guidance you might be able to offer me, in understanding the history of this island and its current predicament. (Far too mild a word, perhaps, for the situation. Please believe me when I say do not mean to minimize it, as I understand quite well what it can be like to have one's home under the sway of those who do not have its well-being at heart.)

I hope you will forgive the brevity of this introductory letter. I will close by asking that you tell me about yourself, and let me know what else you would like to hear from me, and thus I trust we shall have more to say to each other as we go on.

Yours in fellowship,
Lady Cassandra Johanna von Musel Klossowski de Rolo

[Inscribed below the signature is an image of a sunburst, looking a little bit like this.]

INBOX: Dr. Elias Coldwood

[arcanegrasp]

To the inbox of Dr. Elias Coldwood, Age 52
100 Black Jade Road
The Bluffs

INBOX: John J. Rambo

[theydrewfirstblood]

To the inbox of Capt. John J. Rambo, age 37
c/o Baker Ranch
486 Juniper Dr.
Northwest Hollow

Penpal Letter (August)

[apocryphalarchivist]

The letter, in a crisp envelope and paper folded just-so, is hand-written with great care. Even so, there's a few small smudges - a tell-tale sign of someone getting used to writing with ink, but has, for the most part, gotten the hang of it.

Hello Captain Rambo,

I hope this letter reaches you well. I've received your assignment for the pen-pal program, and though I'm very glad to have gotten it, you'll have to pardon if this isn't the smoothest letter to begin with. I've never had the opportunity to do join one of these programs until now, but I'm looking forward to it.

I don't think I've shared much about myself in our prior exchanges, and I'm sorry for that. I'm from London, England, but I grew up in Bournemouth. I've dabbled in hobbies here and there, but never quite found any that have stuck as much as I might like them to. I've been an avid reader all my life, enjoy documentaries (topics that I gravitate towards depend on mood and circumstance, but all in general), and though I couldn't find many opportunities to do so, playing tabletop games, particularly Dungeons and Dragons, was a favourite pastime.

These days, I've taken up a bit of gardening when I'm not on the fishing vessel The Mipha's Grace, but I don't think I've gotten a green thumb as of yet. My flowers continue to live, but the zucchini plant is miserable - such is life. I'm not much for drinking, but the game nights at the Oak & Iron are frequent stops of mine. It's nice to find little ways to feel like a part of a community, especially with work that keeps me out of town as often as it does. I've considered trying to write a novel, or possibly take up painting. I'm not nor have ever been particularly artistically inclined, but if there's ever been a time to try, now would be it, wouldn't it?

I hope things have been alright on your farm. I noticed a few horses during my visit - are you keeping them as a hobby, or working towards being a horse breeder? They're beautiful animals, I can see why someone would want to work with them. What was your home like, before you came to Marrow Isle? Do you take up any hobbies during your free time, or spend the time relaxing instead? Has anything particularly exciting happened lately? I'd be happy to hear about any and all of it.

I apologize if this letter has rambled on a bit, but I appreciate you reading even still. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Sims, your pen-pal

INBOX: Laios Touden

[gruesomegourmand]

To the inbox of Mr. Laios Touden, age 26
The Oak & Iron
Room 206

Hi pen pal!

[maximumcake]

[A letter arrives with Laios's name and address printed carefully in neat lines on the envelope. The actual letter inside, however, is written in looping script, but it still has the same precision and legibility as if it were produced by a machine rather than a man. (It's all those hours he spent practicing his handwriting so he could get it just right on his cakes.)]

Dear Laios,

I've never had a pen pal before so I'm not really sure what I should write. I'm just going to go for it. Hi, it's me, Max. I know we've already talked a little but this feels like a good way to introduce more about myself. I hope that's okay. You can skim it if it's too boring.

Things about me: My favorite color is navy blue (plus gold trimming), my favorite food is macarons, my favorite animals are wolves, I'm six feet and four inches tall, and I'm 29 years old but I'm going to be turning thirty on December 20th. (That's a little scary to contemplate. Wow.) I used to live on Earth, in a place called the United States. It was a really big place so they divided it into states. I lived in the one called Missouri. I went to culinary school there, too, but I didn't get to finish my degree. I had to [here there is a blacked out block of text where Max started to write "fake my death to go live with my master..." before thinking better of that and scratching it out.] quit and go live somewhere else instead.

I had one sister (younger than me by three years.) We were raised by just my dad. He was the best dad I could ever have asked for. I miss my family a lot, but I've made new friends that feel like family since, so I'm okay. I also have two girlfriends, Ylva and Valdis. I love them a lot, too. But, like I said, there's room for me to love more people. We're all open to more relationships. I had a lot of fun with you the first time so if you ever want to do more of that call me! You're really cute and I'll always think so.

I guess that's enough about me. Tell me more stuff about you. Especially your favorite food.

Sincerely,

Mr. Max Maximum

INBOX: Radar O'Reilly

[incomingchoppers]

To the inbox of Cpl. Radar O'Reilly, Age 19
336 Briar Road
Downtown Hollow

INBOX: Jonathan Sims

[apocryphalarchivist]

To the inbox of Mr. Jonathan Sims, Age 31
429 Millers Lane
The Bluffs

A letter from Martin

[lofi_charm]

The letter arrives in one of the envelopes that the Oak & Iron uses, so that it looks like it's from the establishment. However, inside is a letter written to Jon in a familiar hand whose letters are small and loopy in a sort of half-cursive.

Hi Jon,

I joined the pen pal program to try and make a new friend here, and somehow the lottery decided that I ought to be writing to you! At first I kind of thought that was silly, seeing as we know each other, but I realized that in all the... stuff... going on in the Institute, you and I never really got to just talk. So I figured maybe we should just roll with it?

Anyway, I guess I should tell you some stuff about me that maybe you don't know yet. Let's see... Well, my favorite animal is a stoat. I guess that's a strange place to start, seeing as I'm nearly 30, but I saw one today and was actually pretty excited about it. I love that there's wild stoats just running around on this island. Also, I recently started working as a barista at the Oak & Iron. I don't know if I'll do it forever, exactly, but it's something to keep my mind and my hands busy for now. I do end up pretty sore at the end of the day, though. I might see if the apothecary lady can re-invent Ibuprofen. It's been fun otherwise, though. I have some lovely coworkers. I even started dating one of them recently.

His name is Laios. He's kind of an odd one, but he's really into nature and animals and cooking. He makes the best food, and has even gotten me to go walking more. It's been kind of hard to get used to all the little adventures he wants to go on, but it's good for me, and he's just so happy when I agree to go. Besides, if I ever, I dunno, threw out a hip or something, he's strong enough that he could probably carry me. He's built like a brick house. He's kind of out of my league, but he seems to think I'm handsome, so... I guess I have to trust him. Maybe this place will end up being good for me after all. If nothing else, it's been good to get out of the office and back into some semblance of a real world again.

Anyway, I probably should let you get back to whatever you were doing. I hope you're okay. I've heard a few things about you that have made me really worried. Please try to remember that you're still you. And also that this is a small town and gossip gets around really fast, so if you're doing things that are questionable, people are probably going to find out. But mostly the first thing.

Stay safe.
---Martin
P.S. Reading this back I realize I just rambled about random stuff the entire time and I'm sorry. But also this is the most I've "talked" in a long time, so... I guess I'm rusty.

INBOX: Felix Gaeta

[not_a_traitor]

To the inbox of Lt. Felix Gaeta, Age 28
115 Goldleaf Street, Apt. 1C
Downtown Hollow

A letter from Dr. West

[itsjustabaddream]

The letter arrives in a crisp ivory envelope sealed with red wax. The imprint of a sun in the center has been painted gold.


Dear Felix,

Hello there! I do hope it is alright if I address you by your first name. We've not talked much yet, but I feel as though the act of becoming pen pals affords a bit of familiarity. But do correct me if you feel differently! Either way, I am pleased to be writing with you.

Traditionally, first letters in such chains are used to make personal introductions--- a custom I'm happy to uphold, as I would love to know more about you. My name is Neil, and I am the island's lone mental healthcare professional. I work as a therapist, both for regular talk therapy and some specialized sleep therapy, at West Dream Analytics. I have been here for just about 15 years, I believe. I am also the head of the Ocularum, an occult research group attempting to help deal with the barrier by attacking it from a perspective of magic and science.

In my free time, I enjoy practicing and teaching magic and assisting the uninformed with magical and metaphysical literacy. I also am fond of cooking, reading, herbalism, and playing the cello, though I seldom have the time for the last item on that list these days. Prior to coming to Pumpkin Hollow, I lived on the Grand Fairisle in a city called Providence, which is a large metropolitan area in the northern region of Braxtony. It is sometimes called the City of Brass, not for its wealth, but rather for its metal architecture and infrastructure which is based in a combination of clockwork machinery and arcane power. This innovative fusion of magic and machine was very unique to the area, and the reason why I became so enchanted (forgive the pun) with the practical uses of magic and science.

Anyway, now that I have sufficiently prattled about myself for a good long while, I shall seal up this letter and send it off to you! I eagerly await your reply, and with it, the chance to know more about one of my neighbors.

All my best,
Neil

INBOX: The Ancient Fuelweaver

[fuelmayor]

To the inbox of Mr. Ancient Fuelweaver, Age [Someone appears to have spilled ink on the label card, but from what can be discerned, the number written in the space had at least four digits.]
337 Briar Road
Downtown Hollow

[abhorrently]

[the letter that comes is in a slightly messy script, as if the writer had been jotting down things as they thought about them.]

Ancient Fuelweaver,

I've never had a penpal before, so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to write in one of these. They were asking those of us who work in Town Hall if we'd like to sign up, and it sounded fun. Plus, I've never really sent letters to people before either, since everyone I'd send a letter to was traveling with me. But I'm glad every time I can try something I don't have any memory of doing. Life is full of many things, and I'll never figure out what I like or don't like unless I try.

What about you? Why did you sign up for this? If you have any more idea as to the etiquette, I'll follow your lead. Otherwise, we can simply have a conversation, just in ink and paper rather than each other's voices.

Yours,
Fever

P.S. Is Fuelweaver your last name, or is it all one name together?

INBOX: Nimona

[yournewsidekick]

To the inbox of Nimona, Age [illegible ink smudge]
YOUR MOM'S HOUSE
The Oak & Iron, Room 202

INBOX: Lady Cassandra de Rolo

[not_the_last]

To the inbox of Lady Cassandra de Rolo, Age 21
Northwest Hollow

Penpal Letter (August)

[incomingchoppers]

The letter arrives in an unremarkable envelope, its writing... well, Radar did his best to keep his handwriting neat, but there's only so much a guy can do.

Dear Lady de Rolo,

This is your penpal Walter E. O'Reilly, but everybody calls me Radar. I'm pretty sure I've seen you around Town Hall on account of us both working there sometimes, so maybe you've seen me too even though we haven't talked yet. It's nice to finally "meet" you through the mail!

A little about me. I am 19 years old and a corporal in the United States of America Army on Planet Earth. Before Mortanne brought me here I was the company clerk at the 4077th MASH (that means Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). You might have met two of the other people in my unit, Dr. Hawkeye Pierce and Father Francis Mulcahy, seeing as they're both here on the island too. They're swell guys, and if you ever need a doctor or a Father they're some of the best there is. We're stationed in Uijeongbu, Korea but home for me is really Ottumwa, Iowa, U.S. of A. If you write back and want to ask about Korea, don't worry if you can't spell "Uijeongbu" right away. I only know how to spell it because I have to write it on a lot of paperwork.

Most of the time since I got here I've been at Town Hall, helping Miss Leeds as her personal assistant, or working at Baker Ranch run by Mr. John Rambo. I have three pets and hope to have more someday: Tiger Junior (a dog who's part bread), Treble (who's a kind of animal I don't know much about), and Nibbles (a rabbit, which I named that because he's always chewing on things -- sort of like how I'm called Radar on account of knowing things sometimes before everybody else does). So far I've only died once, which wasn't very fun because I lost my glasses for a whole day, but Miss Fever who also works at Town Hall helped me get home and I found my glasses eventually, so it's okay now.

Here are some questions for if you write back:

1) Where are you from?
2) Do you have any brothers or sisters?
3) What's your favorite place you ever visited?
4) If you could keep only one animal as a pet for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Well, I should probably put this in an envelope and send it before it gets too late. I hope you write back soon, but maybe I'll see you at Town Hall even before you do!

Sincerely,
Your penpal,
Radar

INBOX: Fever

[abhorrently]

To the inbox of Ms. Fever, Age 🙂
115 Goldleaf Street, Apartment 2E
Downtown Hollow

[redlightgreenlight]

(The letter appears one afternoon, written in an elegant script)

To my dearest friend,

I know we cross paths often, but sometimes things are easier to say in a message, where my heart can flow freely without shame.I never really got to thank you properly for your gift. I have lived so long without much thought to a birthday that I never really felt the need for one. Before the Eterna, there was never anyone I wanted to celebrate with, so despite my many fake birthdays, they never held meaning. On the Eterna, there was never a need to celebrate in such darkness. But here, as much as I protest, and as much as I still desire only something small, I find myself eager to see what you and the rest of my loved ones will come up with.

I hope we can soon spar, though I understand if tensions are still too high for us to accomplish it without harming one another. If nothing else, you should come for tea, Max attained some that is quite lovely, I believe it has rose petals and lavender, both very soothing and fragrant flavors.

Sincerely,
Valdis

INBOX: First Aid

[lovinglefthand]

To the inbox of First Aid, Age 22
Winterbottom Clinic
Downtown Hollow

NOTE: Please mark all personal mail with "PERSONAL" at the top.

"Penpal" letter (August)

[not_a_traitor]

(...oh, gods, this has to be a cruel prank. Gaeta stares at his assigned penpal's name for a good five minutes before he can even think about what to write. His own frakking fault for signing up, he guesses.)

In handwriting so neat and tightly restrained it looks like it could've come out of a typewriter:

TO: FIRST AID
PERSONAL

I'LL KEEP THIS BRIEF. IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A CORDIAL EXCHANGE WITH A NEW FRIEND, YOU WILL NOT GET IT FROM ME. I HAVE NO INTEREST IN TALKING TO A SENTIENT ROBOT. I NO LONGER HAVE A HOME, LIFE, FAMILY, OR CIVILIZATION TO SPEAK OF BECAUSE OF WHAT MACHINES LIKE YOU DID.

I RECOMMEND YOU SPEAK TO THE ORGANIZERS OF THE PENPAL EXCHANGE FOR A NEW ASSIGNMENT, IF YOU WANT ONE.

--F. GAETA

INBOX: Cmdr. John Crichton

[ss_buttcrack]

To the inbox of Cmdr. John Crichton, Age 33(ish)
516 Meadowlark Lane
Northwest Hollow

INBOX: Lord Erik Osborne

[lordoftheozarks]

To the inbox of Lord Erik Osborne, Age 1034
272 Pumpkinvine Street
Downtown Hollow

INBOX: Max Maximum

[maximumcake]

To the inbox of Mr. Max Maximum, Age 29
666 Prague Mills Road
Northwest Hollow

Pen Pal Letter (August)

[theydrewfirstblood]

The letter comes on simple, smaller sheets of white paper with a jagged edge along one side--torn from a blank notebook and written in bold, but very neat, cursive in razor sharp pencil with the odd smudge where something was erased...

Dear Max,

My name is John Rambo, I'm part of the new pen pal program. Pretty sure we've met before, though: you were at the speed dating thing a few months back, right? I know we didn't talk long, but you were fun to talk to. And, if I'm being honest, you're pretty good looking. I'm reasonably sure that's okay to say, right? I know some folks who were already paired up did the whole deal cause of charity, so it's not a come on. Just a compliment.

Anyway, I'm trying to remember what I said about me at that thing. Guess a recap's not bad, plus I'm better at putting my thoughts to paper than talking in person. Socializing makes me kind of nervous, people tend not to like me when they learn more about me. It's different here, but again: I get nervous.

So I'm from Earth--that's something you have to say in a place like this. Specifically, I was born & raised in Bowie, Arizona on a horse ranch. Mom died when I was young, but she was Navajo so I spent a lot of time on the reservation with the older guys who sort of took me under their wing. Dad was pretty straight laced, and was a lot to deal with. Pretty typical stuff, you know? Small town kid, enlisted when I came of age and drafted pretty quick. I served a couple tours in Vietnam, got discharged, came home, and I

(There is a line that has been erased and rewritten so many times the paper is not only badly smudged, but worn pretty thin. The text on this portion is printed, very cautiously given how light the strokes of pencil are, but resumes normally below.)

I had some serious issues when I got home. War changes you, and I saw a lot of really bad stuff.

I ended up in some trouble because of it, and I thought I was dead, but that didn't happen. I'm not sure if it's ever happened to anyone else, but I actually went back to my world for a few years. The night I thought I died? Turns out I didn't, but I got into some trouble, like I said. I ended up getting court martialed and was doing an eight year sentence in Arizona when the military called me back into action. That was a shitshow of another sort, and I ended up getting killed again. I'm hoping to change that, of course, just like we all are, but short version is I ended up coming back.

Not sure what else to say. I like music, I run a farm out in Northwest Hollow (I'm on Juniper Drive, Baker Ranch), and I hunt a lot. I'm pretty handy, I have a pet chicken and a female bunny named Co and Bao respectively. I named them after someone that means a lot to me, who I lost when I died back home. I'm pretty sure the term 'confirmed bachelor' still fits for someone like me--I'm single, but I think it's gonna stay that way. I've had bad luck with relationships, so it's safer for everyone if I just keep to myself. Been alone since high school, anyway, so I'm not missing anything.

I'm always happy to make new friends, though, so if you hear about any costume parties or fancy cocktail affairs? Hit me up. Maybe you can even help me figure out what to wear.

No pressure to write back, but if you see me around town? Come say hi, I'll buy you a beer.

Regards,
John Rambo

INBOX: Elsie

[hereticofthewilds]

To the inbox of Elsie, Age 23(?)
The tree marked Elsie

INBOX: Shen Qingqiu

[xiaoxiuya]

To the inbox of Mister Shen Qingqiu, Age 35-ish (it's complicated)
515 Meadowlark Lane
Northwest Hollow

Pen-pal Letter (August!)

[gruesomegourmand]

The envelope that arrives to Shen Qingqiu's mailbox is largely plain, but there's a few little doodles on it: a couple small birds towards the top, simple but present. On the back of the letter, there's a small deer on the back; all three animals are ones that, should someone look, can be spotted in Northwest Hollow!

Inside, the handwriting is a bit messy and the thoughts are a bit disjointed, but brimming with enthusiasm.

Hi Mr. Shen Qingqiu!

I've never done one of these before, but I'm excited to be trying it out. I think I've heard about you from some of my friends before, but we've never met. It was nice to recognize the name I got from the lottery, though!

My name is Laios, and I'm 26, from a world really similar to this one! Even the weather here on Marrow Isle is really similar to home. I used to be an adventurer, exploring the dungeon with a group of people who wound up turning into really close friends of mine. In my world, dungeons are specific types of environments, not just the basements of castles. There's a magical energy in the whole world called mana, but it's highly concentrated in dungeons, and because of the high concentration, monsters live there!

Right now, I'm a cook at the Oak & Iron, and I really love my job. My friend, Senshi, who I met in the dungeons, is an amazing chef, and taught me that there's as much joy in cooking the food as there is in eating it. I've been specializing in a few specific things, specifically steak, a few different recipes for fried rice, and uncommon proteins in general. I feel like there's a lot of types of meat that make for really good food, but because they're not the usual three or four types, people don't try them. I'd love it if you came in sometime! I could make you whatever you want. If it's a recipe I've never tried before, I could even try to recreate it from a description!

I asked a friend of mine what else we put in these kinds of letters, and she said fun facts are a good one, so here's a few about me: I really love art (even if I'm not great at it, but I practice!), I've been learning how to train dogs since I got here, and my favorite food is cheesecake.

I'd love to hear about you, too! What was it like, where you came from? Do you have any cool stories to share? What are your favorite hobbies or foods? How has it been going on your end?

Also, I included a little present for fun. One of my friends taught me how to press flowers, and now I have way too many of them. I hope you like it!

Your pen-pal,
Laios Touden

True to his word, behind the letter, with only a petal or two lost in transit, is a small pressed daisy, clearly placed with great care.

INBOX: Valdis

[redlightgreenlight]

To the inbox of Lady Valdis, Age 25+???
666 Prague Mills Road
Northwest Hollow

[xiaoxiuya]

(The following letter is written in a fine, artistic hand. Shen Qingqiu pulled out all the stops to make it look nice will still being legible.)

Madam Valdis,

I have not yet had the honor of meeting you in person, but your reputation as a powerful and courageous protector precedes you. Although circumstances required me to take a leave of absence from the enforcer's office this past month, still I feel fortunate to count myself a member of that doughty organization. I hope we may yet be afforded the opportunity to work together, side by side, in the future.

For now, however, allow me to tell you a little about myself. My family name is Shen, courtesy name Qingqiu, and I am both a cultivator and a transmigrator twice over, this being the third world which I have been blessed to call home. Although I was born into a world lacking in magic, as an adult I studied the arts both spiritual and martial on the sacred peaks of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, and earned a reputation as, if not an exceptional warrior, at least a serviceable one. It is these skills which I have been honored to pledge in the defense of our little town.

I must confess that even considering the dangerous conditions, I've quite enjoyed my time here so far. The locals are so friendly and personable, are they not? I find myself looking forward to the work that must be done to restore them to a place of safety; perhaps you feel the same?

In eager anticipation of your reply, I remain,

Your servant,
Shen Qingqiu

INBOX: Martin Blackwood

[lofi_charm]

To the inbox of Mr. Martin Blackwood, Age 29
The Oak & Iron, Room 210
Downtown Hollow

[lovinglefthand]

Mr. Martin, hi! You must be pretty new in town if we haven't met yet, so I'll give you the same spiel I give everyone else: I'm First Aid, a sentient robotic lifeform who works at Winterbottom Clinic. My people originated on the planet Cybertron, but I was built on Earth to be an assistant and protector to humanity. In fact that was the name of my team: the Protectobots! We're a combiner team with a special bond, but right now I'm the only one here.

It's so great to meet you! If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to stop by the clinic and ask for me. I'm always happy to help out. :)

(Yes, he really did draw a little smiley face at the end of his letter. That's just the kind of person First Aid is!)

INBOX: Dahlia Leeds

[thethirteenthchild]

To the inbox of Miss Dahlia Anastasia Leeds, Age 25
1 Leeds Road
Founder's Hill

[cacophonish]

[ Jeff's handwriting is messy and inconsistent, like it can't decide whether it wants to be letters or art. Oh, and speaking of art: enjoy the doodles he's littered the page with! It's an assortment of pumpkins, flowers, stars, and spirals. ]

Hey Dahlia 🌼

Do you have a sec? cuz I need some advise. Its okay if youre busy, I'll wait til you've got some free time

🎶 🎵 🎶

🎵 🎶 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎶 🎵

🎵 🎶 🎵
ok are you free now?

so I'm trying to work on a song but I've got TOTAL writers block. ❤️love❤️, heartbreak 💔, blah blah blah everything sounds so fucking clishey 🙁

so here's my question

if you could listen to a song about anything at all
and I mean ANYTHING
even a song about how you stubbed youre toe on an orphan the other day

what would that song be?

[ And then, on the back of the paper: ]

oh yeah this is from Jeff

[suenoimposible]

To the inbox of Don Quixote, Age (unintelligible long ink smudge) as old as Justice!
Northwest Hollow

INBOX: Father Mulcahy

[lovethyneighb_or]

To the inbox of Fr. Francis John Patrick Mulcahy, 48
371 S High Street
Downtown Hollow

INBOX: Phil Connors

[goodweather]

To the inbox of Mr. Phil Connors, 48
499 Winter's Avenue
Northwest Hollow