[ text ] | @traitors.replacement

[seaboard]

To All Whomst Live about This Lake, Most Kindly Residents, and their Spirit Kindred.

I write to you in the most sorry state, and I must beseech your goodwill to my lacking knowledge and skill so if that I write boldly with no invitation to do so you will look upon me with mercy if I have mistakenly given offense. You will do me the greatest kindness if you will take pity upon me, as I am now so far from home and so wholly without that which I know well. It is no small matter for me to be gone from where I came, I would not trouble your good humour with myself on anything less than the direst of situations.

It is paramount that in all haste that I send word to my homeland, as I have been assured no return is possible. There is a great matter for which it is my duty to attend and in such present circumstances as these, my absence will be a great misfortune. As I cannot leave in good time, I must at least send word to my Fathers that the succession has to pass to my sister due to this present situation.

I ask most heartily how I may do such a thing? I am at your mercy, please, take pity upon my lands, if not myself, for their are good and innocent citizens of the Isle that must be guided, as has been my family's duty for near 500 years.

Simply give me the means, and I will owe you a lifetime of gratitude, I have no more than the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet and the love of the Great Sea-Father in my heart. Ask and whatever you wish that I can give is yours if you will but help me with this.

In salt-air and In ocean wave, I plead as a faithful if a helpless servant of the Sea-Father,

Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

Comments

@wei.wuxian, from within the same house but fuck it

[mannerless]

To Miss Gilia St. Loe,

I must regrettably inform you that at current, we have no means of sending nor receiving word beyond this realm, or even beyond the cage we live in.

However, I also bear less regrettable news: There is no need for anyone's Fathers to fuss over succession and heirs and whatnot, as it's promised that we are returned to the precise point in time at which we left - which is to say, no one will have time to notice you aren't there to uphold your duties, however long you may be here.

I hope this eases your worries. If not, I'd like to introduce you to a marvelous thing called 'ice cream', which would surely do the trick.

Most sincerely and with unusual formality,
Wei Ying, courtesy name Wuxian, of the city Yiling

P.S. Would you like one of the pamphlets? They explain quite a bit about this mess, things I surely forgot to mention - like the time thing that I've mentioned above.

P.P.S. I've said it already but I'm saying it again: Please, if you get hungry, I really do insist that you feel free to eat whatever you might find downstairs. Keep a tally of foods in your head if you absolutely must and we'll settle such things later.

slow typing noise from the other room

[seaboard]

To Wei Ying, Courtesy name Wuxian, of the City Yiling,

Pray thee, I am undeserving of your kind returns. It grieves me to know I cannot be in correspondence but you relieve my heart of a great burden twice fold now! First in the kind offering of your chambers and now this knowledge. I am much bolstered by this news, I thank you. I could not sleep a sound moment to think my family might imagine I abandoned them and my duties.

If it does not impose on you, I would be glad to know of this 'ice cream'. I am at your leisure and pleasure when and where you will.

With a lighter heart,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

P.S. I would yes, so I may better familiarise myself with this place and of more use to you.

P.P.S. Your kindness does you credit, I fear I can never repay you these good turns. Please, allow me to prepare a meal for us all in residence here, I wish to show my gratitude as best as I am able as often as I can and as please you all.

[mannerless]

To Miss Gilia St. Loe,

I respectfully declare that statement nonsense, you seem perfectly deserving from where I sit. If you insist on debating the subject, we shall do so over ice cream. Have you heard of 'chocolate'? I've only learned of it since I arrived, but that's what flavor the ice cream claims to be.

Speaking of said ice cream - I hear that such a thing is best consumed around the hour of midnight, but seeing as you're now perchance able to sleep, I'd much rather let you do so. How does tomorrow afternoon sound, instead?

With great apology, as my formality is rapidly slipping,
Wei Ying
(you're welcome to call me simply this, if you'd like - I know that I introduced myself as Wei Wuxian, but Wei Ying is for friends and that's what I hope to be!)

P.S. I'll remember to share with you the pamphlet over ice cream - or would you prefer it earlier in the day so you can read it in privacy?

P.P.S. You've arrived just today and you're already planning a feast, so ambitious is Miss Gilia St. Loe! Ask me again about this meal in a couple of days. We couldn't possibly accept before you've had a chance to get your bearings.

[seaboard]

To the most kind Wei Ying,

I have never heard of 'Chocolate', but with that recommendation, I will be eager to try it.

Tomorrow afternoon sounds most suitable. I will look forward to it immensely.

With a gladdened heart,
Gilia St. Loe.
(I would most gladly accept your friendship. Would it be improper to you to extend the same? Gilia is simply what my family calls me, and my advisors have told me Daughter-Sea or Second-Child is perfectly acceptable in less formal occasions, please call me of those as best suits yourself. )

P.S. If you could leave it for me by the door in the morning, so I may read it after morning prayers, I would be most obliged.

P.P.S. It is the least I can do for all your hospitality in allowing me into your hearth so readily. But as you wish, I will restrain it for a future point when you will allow me to show you the kindness you have given me.

[mannerless]

To Daughter-Sea (unless you would prefer simply 'Gilia' but that seemed presumptuous even for me),

I'm not entirely sure what to write in the middle here, as all that I mean to respond to is after my signing-off. I suppose, for the sake of some form of worthwhile content, I'll tell you that if you encounter a pale man with dark lines along his neck during your stay here, don't be alarmed - that's Wen Ning, he is a dear friend and ally and he's nearly as polite as you are, which is no small task.

It seems your gladdened heart is contagious, as I find my heart gladdened strangely as well,
Wei Ying

P.S. I will do just that. I should warn you now that you won't enjoy what you read. One more reason for delicious ice cream, I suppose.

P.P.S. You know, your eagerness to feed us reminds me a bit of my sister. Would you like to meet her? She lives just next door, and I think she'd very much like to escape the parade of boys and men she puts up with each day.

not here

[legbreakings]

[ Oh, so he can be polite to complete strangers but can't be arsed to bring his sword to avoid political incidents. Smh. ]

@Jiang.Wanyin

[legbreakings]

[ Seeing an actual proper letter on this network is enough of a curiosity that Jiang Cheng actually takes the time to read the very long and painstakingly polite letter properly instead of just jumping to conclusions.

Alas, the conclusions are pretty much exactly what his first thought had been and thus, the curtness of his response is only a little bit lessened.

He does hesitate a little at how to address her, the unfamiliar terms are obviously titles but which and how to address her by it? She's obviously gentry, so manners should be minded, to some extent, even if the sheer extent to which she lowers herself in supplication makes his hackles raise rather than convincing him to help. ]

Daughter-Sea,

You would do well not to make too many promises to strangers, or to put yourself at anyone's mercy just yet.

None of us prisoners can help you send a letter home. If anybody offers, it's a lie.

If you want to go home, help us figure out how to fight our captors and escape this place.

Jiang Cheng, courtesy name Wanyin, sect leader of the Yunmeng Jiang

[ There. That is polite, right? ]

[seaboard]

To Jiang Cheng, Courtesy name Wanyin, Sect Leader of the Yunmeng Jiang,

Would they lie to me about such things? That would be ever so cruel. It is not for myself I beg, I can come to accept this fate if it the will of the Spirits.

I am at your service to help in whatever form you wish. But I confess only to speak a truth, not to dissuade from the notion I will not do my best to assist - it is forbidden for those of my lands to ever take up arms against any foe. I have no knowledge nor gift in this matter.

My fondest regards and thanks,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

[legbreakings]

To Daughter-Sea,

I don't know if anybody would lie about that. But it is something that needed to be said, just in case anybody does try. It is better to speak unpleasant truths before harm is done.

I understand you have duties to return to. I appreciate that. I'm the same. I was taken from my sect right after a devastating battle, at a time of great political upheaval. I would need to be there to make sure Jiang doesn't become the scapegoat.

The pamphlets say that when our captors tire of us, they will take us back to the place and time they took us from but I don't trust anything they say. They have lied before.

My sister doesn't fight either. You can survive here as long as you have protectors but it is even more dangerous if you can't defend yourself. Since it is forbidden for you, I don't know what to tell you. Are you forbidden from all fighting, even in self-defense? It won't be against people, if that is what you worry about, we have mostly fought against beasts.

Jiang Wanyin

[seaboard]

To Jiang Wanyin,

I shall never be caught, I know that truly, for I am gifted many things by the Sea-Father, to aide in our agreement. Perhaps I might show you it, so you can help me prepare myself. I know all the matters a woman of my position must ready herself for. But I can escape almost all things if I am alone, should they so truly seek to harm me.

But please, pray tell, who would seek to harm us that this weighs so upon you? Is there a villian in these lands that does these things you say?

With a worried heart,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

[legbreakings]

To Sea-Daughter Gilia St. Loe,

Didn't you read the pamphlet yet? We have been kidnapped by these people who keep us as their pets to be experimented on. We are in a very large cage and this place isn't anywhere near as harmless as it looks at first. Everything here can suddenly turn out to be deadly, or something attacks you out of nowhere.

You should be worried.

And you're caught, like the rest of us. We can only try to escape. I don't know how. We tried it before, the lake drained and a tunnel underneath was revealed but it ended up nearly killing us all, and in the end we had to come back.

Jiang Wanyin

@former.bank.robber

[bombshelled]

TLDR

learn to text like a normal fucking person ok???

sincerely yours,
Lana

[seaboard]

To Lana,

My sincerest apologies, I will amend my ways most certainly, but please, take mercy on me, what is 't l d r' and how may that allow to me to write like a normal person?

I meant no offense, I hope to make amends as I can to your goodwill.

With a regretful heart,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

[bombshelled]

look, Gilia St. Loe-ser, TLDR means "too long, didn't read." if you want people to answer your questions then you need to just ask them straight out instead of hiding it inside all this flowery language.

& you don't have to sign every text with your name. I already know who I'm talking to.

[seaboard]

To Lana,

But will that not be very rude? I did not know it was flowery, I am very sorry. I will attempt some brevity in future if that should be your wish.

You do? However do you know that?

@derring.do

[notpunkjustdaft]

you sing to the ocean??

[seaboard]

To Unnamed Sir,

I do as is the custom of my lands to do so, many sing to the sea. But I alone, as part of my morning prayers, sing the Ocean's Lament that spared my ancestor when the Great Sea-Father saved him. It is to honour his actions and remember our fore-father, St. Loe and commemorates our families rising. If I may be permitted such a thing - I have great pride that I have been chosen from amongst my family to do it. It lets the Sea-Father look upon my people kindly and ensures the harvests from the sea are ever prosperous.

From Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

[Text, @atlas]

[theprezident]

[ What in the world is going on here it's amazing.

Since she's already gotten some answers, he's just going to change the subject completely. ]

What year are you from?

[seaboard]

Dear Sir,

By the moon year or the sea year?

My regards,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

[theprezident]

Uh, I don't know what that means, so... both?

Oh, and I'm Rhys.

[seaboard]

To Master Rhys,

The sea-father counts his life a very long time and says he has counted 65 million years, and he calls it the 65,345,986 year. But by the universal calendar of all the isles, it is 1262.

My regards,
Gilia St. Loe, of the Isle St Loe. Daughter-Sea to the Spirit of the Great Ocean, Second-Child of the Isle, She Who Sings with the Ocean to Give Prosperity.

@brick.master ; text

[backpacking]

that's kinda long but uh
are you just asking if there's a way to send messages back home?
pretty sure that's impossible. but actually do let me know if somebody else said there's a way to do it
but yeah. i think this place is cut off /: sorry

[seaboard]

To Brick.Master,

I am much obliged to you for telling me such. Others have informed me of such as well, as much as it grieves me that I cannot do so. I long much for my family, and to give them some consolation to my absence.

My regards,
Gilia St. Loe.

[backpacking]

oh. you can call me ellie. brick master is kinda like a joke.
sorry about your family. maybe one of them will show up? i've got somehow here from back home.

[seaboard]

To Ellie,

I am very glad to meet you, and thank you for your kind words. Is there anyone you long for, in this place?

My regards,
Gilia St. Loe.