ph_memes | Pumpkin Hollow Pen-Pal Program

Pumpkin Hollow Pen-Pal Program

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[John’s been busy as hell. He was planning the barbecue, he made his choice to pledge himself to Serranai—and he saw Sims a couple times so he didn’t forget the letter…

…but the Blight happened. And Sims came by. And somehow, John hadn’t realized he never read the letter.

When he opens it and does just that, he wonders if maybe this was by design. Maybe Serranai had a hand, because this? This is eerie good timing.

The next letter from John comes on actual stationery this time. Boy has gone into town to buy nice paper, he’s taking this seriously.]

Hey, Max!

I’m sorry it took me so long to write back, but I’m planning this thing for the vets in town, and the Blight bullshit kicked everyone in the ass. I hadn’t actually read this until now, and I think maybe it’s by design.

It’s really nice of you to pay me that kind of compliment, I appreciate it.

[No one has to know John is blushing even now, knowing cute boy thinks he’s cute. Nope.]

I am curious about your relationships though. Not in a nosy personal way, so feel free to tell me to pound sand, but I didn’t actually know until talking to a friend of mine that such a thing existed. Having relationships with more than one person that were serious and not immoral I mean.

(When I say immoral, I mean hiding and stuff. Cheating, lying, being dishonest. Hurting people, that kind of immoral.)

This is really new to me, and I guess I’m just curious about how it all works. I don’t see how it can be harmful if people are happy and healthy, but when you say you have open relationships but also girlfriends, what does that mean? Are the three of you all together? Or are the relationships separate? Can these kinds of relationships be committed? I have no judgement, zero, just a lot of confusion.

But speaking as a vet, if there were more guys like you in the world? There would be fewer guys like me, and that’s a good thing. So no, I don’t think you sound greedy. World needs more love.

…and I kind of feel like I answered a few of my own questions saying that, but I’m still gonna send this. I’d like to read or hear what goes on in your head. If you’re half as smart as you are hot, you’ve probably got some incredible insights to share.

[Yes, John Rambo just did a flirt. He must mail this before he faints.]

I want to say something about how much what you wrote means to me about the stuff I shared. Not judging, I mean. I’m not looking for pity, but that? Giving a guy like me a chance to just be something more than the war made me?

[There’s something written below that—a very short sentence, but a telling blob of moisture blurred the words. It appears that John tried to write over it, to no avail, so a line was drawn through it.

A keen eye, however, may be able to make out the words Thank you.]

I have some issues with eating and drinking anywhere but home, but I’ll still buy you that beer. Or invite you up to the ranch for one—and if you bring some of those samples I’d love to try them. I cook a little myself—only real baking I know is a recipe from my mom. Navajo fry bread, I’m pretty good at. Next letter, I’ll send you some with it.

I tend to stick with the training regiment I picked up in the Army, but the running club thing sounds interesting. I’d be in, if you’re running it. Maybe a riding club, too. If you ever want to ride or get a horse for yourself, I’m really interested in breeding. We could work something out.

Also, if you ever want to get adventurous with your baking come talk to me. Survival training I picked up with Special Forces has its perks: there’s lots of great forage in the forest and I’ve been playing with a few things. Making wine and mead, different syrups—hit me up. We could figure some stuff out.

Hope to hear from you, or see you around, real soon. You’re a cool guy.

Regards,
John Rambo

John,

No need to apologize at all. It sounds like at least with planning your vet event it was a good kind of busy. And no one can blame any of us for letting some things slide while the Blight was happening. I actually got sick during it so, yeah, no hard feelings about that at all.

Sounds like maybe it really was fate, like you said. I don't mind talking about it at all. (I'll take any excuse to talk about how much I love Ylva and Valdis. You'll be sick of hearing about it before long.) By the way, I agree with you completely that cheating on people or sneaking around behind their backs is bad and I'd never condone that. This kind of relationship only works if everyone is on the same page about what is and isn't out of bounds.

I can only speak for myself in all of this, but we call each other girlfriend and boyfriend because we have committed our hearts to each other in deep way. I love them with all that I am, and I know they love me too. And I know that if I am capable of loving both of them this deeply at the same time, then they are too, so I have no reason to doubt or be jealous when they have other people they feel that way for. It doesn't work for everyone, but it feels right for me.

In my case, my girlfriends are not also romantically involved with each other. There can be relationships where all three or four or however many people are all together at the same time, but not always. This is one of those things where you have to figure out what's best for everyone involved, you know? Ylva and Valdis both have had other romantic partners and are free to have more deep and committed relationships, girlfriends, boyfriends, lovers, whatever, that don't involve me directly because that's what we all agreed we were okay with. I know that sounds like it can get complicated and, well, it can. It takes a lot of talking to each other to make it work. We check in with each other, and if something ever comes up where things feel unfair or hurtful, we all have to be willing to find a compromise that makes us happy. It means being really open and honest with each other about ourselves and our needs. I'm not saying we always get it right, either, but we love each other and we trust one another and as long as that stays true, we'll be able to approach any obstacles we face together.

For instance, I live with Valdis in her farm house because I really need to live in a house to be comfortable. But Ylva doesn't do well in houses. She's a wolf so she prefers her den in the woods. When we talked about what our ideal living arrangements might be, we figured out that we weren't compatible in that specific way, so she lives in the woods and I live in the cabin and we both are happy. It doesn't matter if it's the traditional way of doing things or not because it's the right thing for us. My point is, if you go into it with the mindset that you're looking for what's best for all of you, it's a lot easier to make your own perfect life together. Who cares what anyone else says?

And, in case you're wondering why it's worth that much more effort to have multiple partners, that's easy for me to answer too. I have so much to love about people. The best part of all is that everyone is a little different. Valdis and I connect about different things than Ylva and I do. We share different interests, different talents, and help each other grow different parts of ourselves. When I have more people to love and learn from, I feel like a more complete person in return. I also won't lie, I need a lot of extra emotional support sometimes, too, but I don't feel quite so much like I'm putting it all on just one person this way.

John, you deserve to be happy. You're so much more than what the war made you. Just to prove it, I can tell you that from the moment I first spoke to you, I didn't see a soldier, I saw a tender soul looking for acceptance. You've got it from me. Always.

[Pay no attention to a couple small puckers on the edge of the paper that look suspiciously like dried tear marks.]

I'd be happy to brings things over to you. We could even have whole days together where we can teach each other. I'm aways eager to learn more about foraging and I'd really love it if you could show me your mother's recipe for fry bread. It would be such an honor. My mother left when I was only four, so I never got to learn anything from her.

I'd love for you to show me horse-riding too. Valdis has her horse and she's let me ride him some but I'd love to try on one that's a little less stubborn. (Don't tell her I said that.)

You will for sure see me around soon, because you're a cool guy too and I am looking forward to getting to know you even better.

With love,
Max Maximum.

The following letter is enclosed in a small parcel that contains a batch of fry bread wrapped in wax paper and twine...

Hey, Max,

Promised you some fry bread, hope you like it. It's good for tacos, or with some preserves or something. Hope you like it!

I had to definitely send you some when you told me Ylva was your girlfriend--small town, cause I fucking know her and she's goddamn awesome. We met during speed dating, too, and talked a little at the beach bbq earlier this summer. Saw her wolf form and I think it's gorgeous. Listen, if Ylva's den is out near Juniper Drive? You got carte blanche to come by my place any time to crash for an easier commute, so to speak. My property line actually extends into the forest areas, and I know the area. Or you can just stop in for a little civilization if you're visiting with her. Door's open if it makes it easier to spend time with her is the point.

I gotta thank you for all of this, too, man. Explaining how this all works for you--I get it's not a 'one size fits all' sorta thing, but understanding the nuts and bolts? It clears up a lot, and I appreciate it.

Thing is, I kinda tried to have something for myself here. I met someone, someone I fell in love with, but being who I am, what I am? It all went tits up, and there was no saving it. We sort of parted friends, but I'm pretty sure I'm only gonna hurt someone else if I try to reach for something I got no business touching. Does that make sense? Probably sounds like self pity or some shit, but I kinda feel like you do. There's...someone else. Someone amazing--there's a lot of incredible people here and I can see where a guy might just fill up with so much love for other people it needs a dozen different places to go.

Then I think about what happened with the guy I fell for, and I hate myself when I think about causing any of those people that much pain. I can't let that happen.

It's okay, though, cause I'm used to it. I haven't really had a lot of human contact in the last twenty years, give or take--at least not the kind that wasn't trying to kill me or something. Gotten to where it hurts just to shake hands, so I'm probably better off.

What Valdis doesn't know won't hurt her, promise. I'll introduce you to Helga, my mare. She's sweet as sugar and smarter than Danforth, my cart horse. He's a good boy, and has a great nose for finding his way home, but kind of a scaredy cat. We love him anyway, though.

Speaking of seeing you around, I heard there's this big shindig in September for Dahlia Leeds' birthday? I guess she invites the whole town--I guess I should get some threads for the event, but it's like I said: never done much with suits. Only ever had to wear my dress uniform.

Wanna help me shop?

Jotted below, in case he's interested, is John Rambo's phone number. Do with that what you will, Max.

Your pal,
John

[Max excitedly opens the package and takes delicate nibbles on the frybread as he reads, not wanting to finish it too fast despite how delicious it tastes. For one moment, he considers going to grab some jam to eat with it like John suggests, but he decides he'd rather not cover up the taste the first time. He could see these being good with honey on them, too.]

Dear John,

Thank you! I loved the frybread so much I couldn't stop myself from eating it all the very first day. That texture was so perfect I couldn't stay away.

I'm just as happy to know you and Ylva get along so well. She's wonderful and she deserves to have such generous friends like you. I'd be so happy to come by and stay on occasions, on my way to a from her den. I don't mind sleeping over with her inside her den sometimes, just not all the time. Actually, I can turn into a wolf, too. Not as big as her, I'm more like a dog in size, but it's not as hard to sleep in a den when I take that shape. Fur is really warm. If you ever see a wolf-dog that's all black with a white stripe going down his front, that's me! I won't bite, I promise. I can even speak telepathically like that, too, so I can say hello to you.

I'm so glad my explanation helped. I wasn't sure if it would make sense, since I've never tried to write it all out like that before. I'm also so sorry to hear you got hurt like that. I understand not feeling ready to try again, but I think you're being a little too hard on yourself. I got used to living in a way that really wasn't right for me and I told myself something that sounds a lot like what you said. It took me a long time to realize it didn't always have to be that way, but I promise you it doesn't. I'm so much better off now, and I think you can be too. Putting ourselves out there for people is hard, and it's a risk. No one but you can decide if it's worth it, but I hope one day you will feel ready to try again. Whatever you think you are, you're not unlovable.

On a happier note, isn't it fun how animals have such different personalities? My Fidough, named Crumpet, is a lot like me. She loves people and is really excited to meet everyone, but she's not the best at listening when I tell her not to jump up and lick people. We are still working on her training. Would it be okay if I brought her with me sometimes? Meeting other animals might be fun for her.

Say no more! I'd love to help you pick out a good outfit. We can go together, because I need a new suit for it too. I'll give you a call really soon and we can set up a date. I just need to find out what color Valdis is wearing first. I like to match her, you know, cute couple stuff.

Really looking forward to talking to you,

Max <3

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Pumpkin Hollow Pen-Pal Program

[Sent just after the Blight]

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