forum Letters Across the Universe (Always open. Say you read page one stuff)

Started January 29, 2020 by @Althalosian-is-the-father book

tune

Dear Azrael,
Thanks for the clarification with the eye thing. That's really interesting. You said your brother, Grimm Reaper, also collects souls. Does he have the eye thing too? Also, I feel like there's some security there - even if you're in a life-threatening situation, if you're before the time you saw you won't die.
Also, it's nice that you have such clear-cut rules for time travel. Ours is like 1. You can't alter your present. 2. Figure it out, suckers. Theo and I are working on getting more concrete rules. And your interdimensional travel sounds like fun! Having a dimension where everyone is Irish sounds very interesting. I live near Boston, and basically everyone there is either Irish or fake Irish (no, you are not Irish if your mom's dog's nephew's cousin's owner's grandma's sister's cousin's granddaughter is Irish). But I don't think I can have the vodka though, I'm underage. Well, probably not in Ireland, but US citizenship and stuff. Something about me: one of my worst fears is becoming a really bad alcoholic and having my life fall apart. I'm convinced if I touch a drop of alcohol it's going to happen, so I think I'll steer clear. I need Theo to restrain me from eating all the chocolate in the house sometimes, so I can't imagine what having an alcohol addiction would be like for me.
Books I would recommend for you? I feel that you would like urban/high fantasy more than sci-fi, so I'll find something. Maybe I can get my hands on the first two volumes of the Paragon Chronicles, you said you like lore. They're comics, which is cool. It complements the high fantasy style well, at least from what I've heard. I think I might read them too, because Cody is definitely going to geek out about it and I don't want to leave him hanging. Besides, it'll be good for me to step outside of my comfort zone.
Weird dimensions I've been to. Well, something I found out is that the laws of physics and stuff work differently in different dimensions, so I went to this world that has no concept of gravity. Because there was no gravity, planets didn't fully form. So it's more like a bunch of small celestial bodies made of dust, rock, and ice that stuck together because they just rammed into each other and then just stayed like that. Life never formed there because with no gravity, there can't be an atmosphere, but interdimensional travelers inhabited the dimension. There is no sun, so it's really dark, except for the artificial lights that people brought. They also brought plants, so they have oxygen so they can breathe in space without EVA suits. It was really cool because you could bounce from one planetoid to another, but it was really weird. The people were nice though. This other time, I needed some parts for something Theo and I were building, but the parts were basically unobtainable on Earth so we went to the multiverse. We found out that apparently human snack foods are in high demand there, so we traded some a large amount of potato chips and a jelly doughnut for what we needed. We also went to this dimension where there were a bunch of Lovecraftian horror beasts. Theo and I thought we were going to die, until we saw that they were playing card games. I played spit with one of the guys who was made purely out of hands and won some interdimensional money on a bet I made. Theo had to drag me out before I developed a gambling addiction or before the house gave us the boot. We also didn't want to miss dinner.
I'll keep on the lookout for V. I'm going to call him that because I don't want to accidentally say his name out loud. Is it one of those things where if you say someone's name, bad things happen? I've seen lots of guys in tuxes and with canes, but none with crimson eyes.
Sincerely,
Chelsea

Dear Chelsea,

Yes, my brother also has the eyes thing. It's okay to write V's name, just don't say it. Yes, bad things will happen if you say V's name. I might come over to your universe to get an copy of the Paragon Chronicles. I might need to visit soon. Don't worry, you and your brother aren't due to die, yet. If you see an woman that has ghostly white skin, is 6ft tall, and wearing all black clothes, don't worry, that's probably me. So walk up to me and strike up an conversation with me. Just don't touch me, or you will instantly die, literally. If Mortals touch my skin, they die on the spot and that means more paperwork for me.
Some of my hobbies comprise of working out, scythe-play (like swordplay, but with scythes), and singing. All Immortals are angelic singers. Angels, Demons, Horsepeople of the Apocalypse, etc. People have been playing games with me since Eve ate the apple. For example, when someone dies, they have 3 options. 1: accept it. 2: Play an game of their choice in order to to gain up to 25 years or more life. Or 3: ask for reincarnation. You wanna know where the phrase "Cheating death" came from? People cheating while playing a game to gain more years of life. It's one of my biggest "pet peeves", as you Mortals call it. See you soon.
Also, Valentine's day in my universe is coming up, what should I get War?

Sincerely,
Azrael

Dear Azrael,
If you visit soon, I'd love to see you! How cool would it be to know that I met Death herself in person! And I'll be careful not to touch you, I understand. Paperwork is nasty.
All Immortals are good singers. Is that just a thing you guys have when you're born? Who'd you inherit it from?
For options two and three of 'what do you do after you die,' I have some questions. If people cheat at the games in option number two, then you know that they're cheating. Can't you disqualify them or something? That seems unfair. Or is it a win-by-any-means type of thing? And how long does that process take? Does no time pass immediately after they die while they're playing the game? Because what if their body was already put into a coffin by the time they came back if they won? And how does the reincarnation thing work?
When is Valentine's day in your universe? I don't think I'm the best person to ask about getting people Valentine's day gifts, but one of my friends, Cody, is a gift overachiever. He'll write down anything you mention you like and then get something or make something amazing for your birthday. Anyway, your wife is War, so I'm assuming she likes weapons. But maybe she has a lot of those already and it would be cliché. Could you tell me more about her and her interests? And chocolate and a card is always a nice wholesome gift, if also a little cliché.
Also, I need some advice. You've existed from the beginning of time, or something like that, right? You must know how to deal with annoying people. Because there are these two kids, Yash and Victoria, who seem to really dislike me. Yash is an annoying kid who brags about his grades to me all of the time and talks about how he has higher grades than everybody, which is not true. Theo's grades are the highest out of all of the freshmen. Anyway, he's really competitive about academics and recently, I accepted a bet that Yash made (I haven't lost a bet to this day) stating that whoever out of the two of us had better grades on every history assignment until the end of the term gets $500. I shouldn't have been impulsive, but I knew a few things: 1. I could certainly use $500, 2. History is Yash's "worst subject," (he sees history as a worthless subject, so he is rude to the teacher and puts in very minimal effort, but still gets correct answers. However, he loses points all the time for conduct issues), 3. I'm good with betting. I probably shouldn't have been impulsive in accepting, but if I win, he will leave me alone for all eternity, and I just don't want to put up with his nonsense. I'd been experimenting with ignoring him (I'd known him since elementary school, so I've tried a lot of tactics to deal with him) up until that bet. Well, I bet-ter win, or I will never hear the end of Yash's ego.
Victoria, she's one of those rich blonde girls. She hates me for no apparent reason, and I think she wants me expelled. She tattles on me for dumb stuff. I was building a prototype for a treehouse that Theo and I wanted to build in our backyard on a bonsai tree in one of my classes, and Victoria snitched. The thing is, we weren't doing anything at all in that class (the teacher was watching cat videos) and we already did the assigned work. Another time, I accidentally stepped on her shoe (I swear, this was an accident. I don't spite my enemies, I kill them with kindness and a cool head because getting mad does not put out the fire). Then she called me a name (it was probably 'shrimp,' which I don't mind, or 'sea shanty,' which I actually think is cool - people give me nautical nicknames on account of my sea-themed first two names) and then tried to hit me. I used the tiniest bit of self-defense, which was probably overkill because even if she did hit me, I would've been fine, but I wasn't in the mood to be slapped around, so I stopped her. Then she went to the teacher and told her that I hit Victoria. Then I got sent to the office, and that was awkward, because the principal is Victoria's mom, but she didn't seem to believe her own daughter. I am convinced Victoria wants me expelled. I've been killing her with kindness by making myself focus on the nice things about her. I don't hate her, and I don't want to. I also apply this to anyone I dislike or anyone who dislikes me. I could just ignore, them, but that's hard when they are continuously pestering you.
If you have any advice for me, I would be grateful.
C'ya round!
Sincerely,
Chelsea
(Sorry this took so long! Theo and I had to rebuild part of our roof, because we hired a handyman who just ran away with our money, so we had to do it ourselves. Theo and Cody eventually chased down the guy and got our $250 back.)

Dear Chelsea,

First off, Original Immortals (an example being myself) have always existed and always will exist. But yes, we all are great singers. Recent Immortals (examples being Queen Elizabeth who is one of the two Immortals that is human and alive, Chuck Norris, and Mahatma Gandhi) also can sing really well. If they cheat, I know they are cheat, and I disqualify them, which means they don't get another chance at life. And no time passes in what
I call "The Death Limbo", until you actually die. Reincarnation works like you think it would.
Valentine's day is February the 14th. I think I might get her an new motorcycle, since I broke her old one while waiting for mine to get repaired.
My advice for people that are annoying to you? Ignore them. I mean, you won't even remember them once you're out of school. And they won't remember you, either. And that's a good thing. And as an last resort, you could always say that you know Death herself. I highly don't advocate this, however. I don't can't how long you have to take, take as long as you need.

Sincerely,
Azrael

(Okay, new letter go:)

---

A voice recorder. It's dated 2 years ago. It's dusty. You can see the remains of a muddy footprint.

?????: Do I have to do this? [silence] Fine.

?????: Greetings, otherworlder? [pause]

????? much quieter: That didn't sound right. Hello…? Greetings, human? [pause] I didn't mean for that to be an undertale reference. [louder] Ugh. Ignore that crap I just said.

Soft footsteps. Something scraping across a wooden floor

?????: Greetings, whoever receives this. My name is Nadia. And I'm 16 years old.

Nadia: Someone I-

Long pause

Nadia: Someone I know suggested using this uh- using this recorder to communicate with other worlds. [chuckle] I'm pretty sure he was just indulging me at the time; Nathan is the biggest sceptic in Norwich. [sigh]

Nadia: Right, questions. Questions, questions questions…

Sound of knees crawling across the floor. Shuffling of papers

Nadia: So, uh. I guess the typical 'Who are you?' questions are kind of implied already so, I'll skip that. How old are you? I'm 17 years old.

Nadia: What's your favourite colour? Are you in school? I'm in 11th grade at a K-12 school. What do you like to do?

Nadia: What's different about your universe? Wait, how'll you know that I'm from a different one? Let me think of important events.

Nadia: Um… The president of the USA is Donald Trump. There was a mass shooting in L.A. Hurricane Irma- [mumbling] Fine, I'll just ask questions.

Nadia: What country do you live in? Are there countries? Wait, are you even on Earth??

Nadia: Why am I doing this? [giggling] What am I even doing right now?

Nadia: I'll just end it there. I doubt that I'll get a letter anyways. Bye.

The recording ends.

Syth,

Apologies for the lateness of this letter, I was preparing for the trial. Speaking of which, I won, but I have to abide by the Wartime clause of Veriviane's Law (this is basically an assurance that although we are apart, nether of us send a Dear John letter, and/or use Wartime as an excuse for infidelity.)
And yes, Love has so many laws and constraints. You can't so much as hold hands without pretty much entering into a ten year lease. The marriage vows here happen to be beautiful though.
I am actually very well versed in the Strange Codes and in God's laws, Even Yonderside Conduct and Regulations, I could be a lawyer. (instead im stuck pulling my assistant's head out of a tuba)

I send hugs,
M.G.

P.S. Git it boiiiiiiiiii

-this letter was sent in on an old menu for a Chinese food place-

Hello, Daniella :D

Well, if you couldn't tell, I'm not very rich on paper or in general, so yeah. I had to deface this poor, poor menu. Welp, no one was using it anyway.

No hobbies? Well, that's not very… fun. Though from what you're saying, I'm guessing you don't really have time for much fun. Well, what kinds of books do you read? Do you have a favourite book? I'm not really much of a reader as I am a writer, but I still do tend to enjoy literature.

I guess your powers make more sense now. At least, I believe I understand how they work. It seems kinda cool, but I sure as hell don't want it. Too much responsibility. And I suppose you should learn to resent your trainer less? I mean, you've already admitted he's right, so I suppose there's no harm in letting go of your harsh feelings towards him? It seems he's only trying to do the best he can for you.

I've never left Wyoming, mainly 'cause I 1) can't afford to and 2) my dad won't let me. It kind of sucks.

Well, uh, my mom's kinda dead, so that's a thing. But I mean, it's alright I guess. I just kinda miss her. That aside, I'm not going to waste what little space I have on this menu with my tragedies.

I mean, I would get help, but I don't know who to get help from. And the last place I'd want to go is to my school counselor because I just know he'll give me some "solution" that won't actually work.

Well, with this sentence, I am running out of room to write, so I leave you with a parting question. If you were an animal, what would you be? Why do you think you'd be that animal?

Au revoir!
-Kyle

P.S. I'm thinking of getting my name changed, is that weird?

Hey, Kyle.
Are you okay? Your not having any paper to write on on hand makes me concerned for your well-being.
Yeah. I was in softball a while back. But it's been like ten years and I really don't care.
I'm not sure about a favorite book. I honestly kind of like a lot of the stuff I had to read in my English classes though, though I was never really into Shakespeare. Did you?
What do you mean you don't read much? I would think it essential that a writer reads a lot.
Silas might be doing his best for me in his own mind, but I know it's not the best. He shot me once! Over and over for a day! He healed me afterwords, but that's no excuse.
Yeah, I get that. I rarely ever left the town we moved to until my last year of highschool.
I get that too. I'm not really sad about it anymore, it's just… it would be really nice if she was still around.
Have you tried your counselor before? I don't know, but I would think there would be someone who could help.
I haven't really thought about it. A bird probably. An eagle maybe? They're protected, and I think it would be nice to be able to just fly away sometimes.
Why in the world would you change your name? It sounds very weird.
All the best,
Daniella

Dear Azrael,
Getting a new motorcycle for your wife sounds like a great gift! You could get it inscribed with "Warhorse" something as a personalized touch. I hope you have a good Valentine's day!
Anyway, I really will try to ignore them. I suppose it would be pretty memorable to me if I got expelled, though. But everything will work itself out, probably, so it's fine.
You said you're a horsewoman of the apocalypse - are you just reaping souls in the meantime while you're waiting for the end of the world? What exactly happens during Armaggedon?
Sincerely,
Chelsea

Dear Chelsea,
What will happen in Armageddon? Well, I'm not exactly sure, but Heaven and Hell will have one last Great Celestial War, to see whose side is the best. The whole "Heaven will win" thing? Pure propaganda. If it were like that, there wouldn't be a Great Celestial War to begin with. It's really an 50/50 chance on who will win.
As for the motorcycle, I will do that. Thanks for the tip!
I'm reaping souls because I have to. Got any more questions? Feel free to ask!
Sincerely,
Azrael

Dear Azrael,
You said that hell has angels and demons and stuff, and is kind of like Earth except with hellfire and the souls of the damned. But what's heaven like? What is the purpose of you guys fighting? Is it just because you're opposites, or destiny or something? Man, if I was immortal, I think I'd go nuts without having plenty of stuff to keep me busy because if I had all the time in the universe to think about random stuff like this, I would constantly trigger migraines. Yeah, it's hereditary.
Also, how's everything going in your town? It's Paradox Vortex, right?
Sincerely,
Chelsea

Dear Chelsea,
Who said I haven't gone insane already? I'm kidding with you, man. Heaven is like Earth, except perfect. There's the soul of the Blessed up there. It's so perfect, it's sickening. The purpose of Heaven and Hell fighting is because it's destined to happen. So, yeah, destiny. What type of music do you like? I like Heavy metal, especially Death Metal.
Yeah, it's Paradox Vortex. We just visited a ghost town not too far from here. Everything going well, for now.
Sincerely,
Azrael.

(Heeyy, my babe would like a pen-pal, if that's okay? Okay maybe I'm forcing them to get one I know I have to ask permission to join, but I have no idea how to do…literally anything else required xD)

(I'd be down to join. Dom, tell me who to use.)