OT: Epistolary 2

on December 29, 2012 in Other Tales


Galanthus 10th, 178
Dear Melanie,

Thank you for giving it to me straight about Brett. I’m sorry if my letter offended you. I’m a forthright person. We’re a forthright family. Even Brett is forthright in the few things he says when he say them, which is what made it so puzzling that he wouldn’t tell me what the matter was.

I can’t really blame you for breaking things off with him. I probably would have done the same. As his sister, it upsets me if I think he’s been treated unfairly. But as his sister I know his warts probably better than anyone. I was just surprised when he arrived home alone and even more surprised when he refused to speak about you. Your own parents haven’t said a word to anyone, about you or the whole thing, and I didn’t know who else to ask.

I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between the two of you. You’ve been around so much the past three years that I felt a bit like I had a sister. I think I could have learned to like having you for a sister-in-law.

Also, it’s just sad when something ends. You two had been together the whole time I’ve been in high school, and that feels like forever. I guess the lesson here is that high school isn’t forever. I guess I know in my heart that a lot of these school romances aren’t going to go anywhere but downhill after graduation, but it’s nice to imagine that young love can be true love.

Not that I have much hope of doing the high school sweetheart thing before I graduate.

Hopefully by the time you do come home Brett will be over it. I would like to think we could still see each other sometimes but it would be awkward if he’s still sore.

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Galanthus 15th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

I am a little ashamed to admit that I thought it was a bit annoying the way you hung around at first. Though I did get used to it. I tell you this not because I would not like to see you again but because you value forthrightness and I appreciate that now.

My family is not a forthright one. I know I have disappointed my parents but they won’t talk about that with me. If I mention anything of substance in my letters they do not reply. But then this week I got a letter from my mother saying that my great aunt had died and when I replied with the appropriate polite nothings she wrote me back and asked me about my classes in a vague sort of way.

She knows I’m doing something she disapproves of but she won’t ask what. I think this way she can pretend that I’m not.

The only person I have to talk to here are Samuel and my roommate Julia. I always feel like they’re teasing me albeit in different ways. Everyone here thinks Anonymity is a backwards province, even compared to the plains. They think I am not as worldly as they are even though we are all freshmen.

Which is to say that I appreciate the opportunity to correspond with someone back home. I always found you intelligent and charming and I hope you will not mind writing with me some more.

Love,
Melanie.


Galanthus 18th, 178
Dear Melanie,

Oh, Melanie, dear Melanie. Forthrightness doesn’t come naturally to you. You admitted at the outset that you found me obnoxious, which isn’t too surprising. I was your boyfriend’s tagalong little sister. But then you ended by saying you’ve always found me charming?

You don’t have to tell me what you think I want to hear to get what you want from me. What I want is the truth. Even if there’s anything in particular I’d like to hear, it wouldn’t mean anything if it wasn’t true.

But I will continue to write you, because I do miss you. I miss Brett, too, but writing to him is like casting a bottle with a letter into the ocean and hoping it returns with a reply.

What is it you are doing that your mother would not approve of, besides consorting with this Samuel rogue instead of coming home for the holidays?

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Galanthus 25th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

I’m sorry for my attempt at flattery. Here is one that’s sincere: you are so good at constructing similes. I once tried to describe Samuel as being like a clam who is addicted to toffee to mean that he doesn’t say much but I do not believe I got the point across.

Once he got to know me he spoke up more around me and now he’s fairly open about what he’s thinking as long as the subject isn’t himself. He seems to be a very deep person but it’s like the depth goes outwards rather than inwards.

Anyway to answer your question it is mainly that I am taking a self-defense class in the use of long blades (swords). My parents have definite views on ladies who carry weapons. My instructor Mr. Robert does too. He says it should be compulsory. He says we will not know the meaning of “polite society” until everyone is appropriately armed.

I would appreciate it if you don’t tell anyone about this because I’m sure it will get back to my parents. I’m including a picture of myself with my sword on my hip though because I need to show it to someone.

My mother will find out when the grades are mailed out. I can’t remember if they sent midterm grades out to our home mailing addresses or if they only do that with the final grades. Either way I know I’m only postponing the inevitable but I’d still like to postpone it if I can.

As for the “rogue” Samuel he is not actually bad though my parents would find him reprehensible. I keep thinking that I should even though I cannot find a reason why. It’s like he’s evil in technicality but good on the whole. He says things that are indecent but he treats me decently.

Love,
Melanie.


Galanthus 29th, 178
Dear Melanie,

What does he say that’s indecent? Is he lewd towards you? Of all the girls I know I can imagine you appreciating that the least, though you might put up with it all the same.

I hope you’re not considering a future with any guy who treats you less than fabulously. I know I said that I liked You and Brett being together but I have my doubts that he really deserved you.

The picture is downright dashing, but you realize you’ve sent me a picture I’ll have to keep secret? I’d hide it under my pillow except that’s the first place anyone would look.

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Polyantha 5th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

Well then don’t do that! I’m sure you have a place for your private thoughts and secret things. I know I had a few. I think that all girls or at least most girls do. Even those in forthright families must have things they keep to themselves.

And when I say indecent I don’t mean lewd. I mean that he is very free with the things he says about for instance religion or morality or propriety. Which is odd because he is not otherwise very immoral or improper. He’s a gentleman who speaks like he has no use for gentlemen.

I don’t know if this would shock you or not. I know Brett was not particularly pious by the standards of our town but I confess I know nothing about your religious standing beyond that your family is Khersian. But Samuel is positively irreligious. He has no reverence for the gods at all. I thought he might be an Arkanite because he is full of questions but he says he has no more use for the Veiled One than he does anyone else.

(On the subject of shocking religious pronouncements I will never get over hearing Mr. R dropping the D— H—– when he swears. I’m sure he’s earned the right but even that gives me the willies. You’d think there would be a rule about doing that in front of ladies or freshmen.)

Anyway I don’t envision a future with Samuel or with any boy at the moment. Classes are starting to pick up and I’m sure I will be too busy soon for any distractions.

It’s strange how quickly everyone seems to have forgotten the trouble last years and gotten over it. I include myself there. It had slipped my mind until just this moment when I was thinking about how disrupted everything was for a while. I’m sure Samuel hasn’t thought of it either as he’s stopped talking about going away. The further away we get from it the freer he seems to be in his mind. He must be a sensitive boy to have been so haunted by it but he is willing to talk about that less than most things that touch on himself.

Funny how the snow and the turning of the year and a new semester can make everything else feel new. I guess that’s just a sign that it’s over and belongs to the past. They say it was a wandering monster possibly a demon though no one says for certain. But they also say that it was probably at the edge of its terrain and encounters with it should be extremely rare.

Love,
Melanie.


Polyantha 11th, 178
Dear Melanie,

Yes, I certainly do have some secrets I keep from my family.

I can’t tell you how worried I was when that happened last fall. Everyone in town was talking about it, with the two of you out there. I was more worried for you than Brett. He’s always been able to take care of himself, and you’ve always had a kind of vulnerability about you.

But I have to ask you something. I dread the answer, and I’ve been putting off writing you for a few days for fear if it, but if it’s the truth I want to hear it. When you said you’ll be too busy for distraction, was that your way of letting me down gently? Please tell me the truth. I don’t need you to sugar-coat it. If you no longer have time for me or are growing bored with this, I’d rather know for sure than linger in uncertainty.

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Polyantha 14th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

Oh no of course I want to continue with you. It doesn’t take much time to write a letter and I can pick it up and put it down as I need to. It is in some ways very convenient compared to dating a guy who will just be coming around and demanding my time.

I suppose that’s part of what I liked about Brett. He demanded so little from me. I mean he did have some expectations though nothing out of the ordinary. Not anything I would discuss with my parents but not anything I would be ashamed of. But I could be with him and still have the space to be inside my own head and it was nice. Still that might be why I don’t really feel like I miss him. There are things I miss about him and I have been surprised to realize that I am alone for occasions where I expected to be with someone like today.

Anyway I have learned my lesson about being honest with you. I cannot imagine the circumstances that would cause me to write you any less often than I could but if it happened that I didn’t want to or couldn’t keep writing to you please believe that I tell you directly.

You can trust that every word of these letters is the heartfelt truth. And every letter of these words! That is just a joke so if it confuses you please forget it.

Anyway I could hardly stop corresponding with you when you’re my only source of information about what’s happening back home. Though you rarely talk about that. What’s the news?

Love,
Melanie


Polyantha 17th, 178
Dear Melanie,

Your joke was darling, as are you. I’m happy you’ve decided to keep me around even if only so I can play town-crier for you. Well, I’ll be happy to do that if you’ll keep me in the loop as well, and with more pictures, please. You know what everything looks like here. I can’t imagine you on the campus of a college I’ve never been to if I can’t see pictures of you there.

Of course, there’s not a whole lot to tell. Blaine’s Apothecary has changed hands, but the new owner says he’ll be keeping the name. I don’t know the family, though they have a son who is a few years behind me in school.

There is some hot diplomatic water at the moment, as the Emperor Across The Sea has just sent his latest round of gifts. It happens every year, but HIM Magisterion XI likes to act like it’s a brand new outrage every time. I don’t know why we can’t just change the name of our province and be done with it. Oh, well, actually I do know. It would be considered an unpardonable insult and then we’d be at war again. Still it would be nice if they could either both learn to ignore it or else remember that we’re not at war and are supposed to be allies. You keep hearing them talk about the close ties our empires share and our common history and culture. You’d think that a few place names in Magisteria that remember the days when we were part of the old empire would just be a warm and cozy reminder of those ties. Or that they could be if men didn’t have such ridiculous egos.

Yours,
Jennifer

N.B.: My name is Jennifer Margaret North and I do affirm that I am the daughter of a loyal citizen-subject of the Imperial Republic of Magisteria. Attached is a notarized copy of my father’s seal of fealty and citizenship records, in compliance with the Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post of 141. Khersis save the Emperor, the Emperor save the Republic.


Polyantha 25th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

I have to admit you seem to be much more politically minded than I am. I’ve never paid much attention to the relations between the Imperial Republic and the Old Empire except for the mostly-annual dance around the naming issue. The whole thing just seems a bit silly to me. I can’t imagine a situation in which I’d have to invoke the I.D.C.L.P. just to get a letter to go through. Though I really don’t think you said anything that questionable but I suppose it is better safe than sorry if there is extra scrutiny on our province.

What were the gifts this year? I always looked forward to mine. It was like a second Khersentide even if sometimes they were overly practical or simply puzzling. I remember the year when he evidently decided that everyone in the province needed an egg beater and a bottle of olive oil. I know we should not speak ill of the dead but I am not sure if he remembers what cuisine is.

I’ve enclosed some pictures, as you requested. Samuel took most of them. I tried to get him to be in some but he resisted. You can see me in my dorm room although I tried to artfully conceal what a mess it is. I never promised that my pictures would be the truth!

Love,
Melanie.


2/26/178
Ms. Hahler:

This is regarding your letter dated 2/25/178, which has been confiscated in accordance with the Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post of 141, of which it was found to be in violation. The Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post exists for your safety and convenience. In its absence, a young lady such as yourself could find your family charged with conspiracy, incitement, disseminating speech likely to erode the public trust, or even disseminating speech defamatory to the emperor. The Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post is your shield against your own poor judgment, given to you by the bounty and grace of His Imperial Majesty.

I can tell from your pictures that you are a nice young lady and so owing to your age and sex, you have been placed under postal probation in order that you might have a chance to rectify the error rather than simply suffering the consequences for it. Until such time as you have satisfied the requirements of the relevant Decree, you will be permitted limited use of the Imperial Post only as is necessary for you to do so. We hope you will prove to be more prudent in the future, and refrain from labeling an affair as “silly” simply because it is beyond your comprehension.

Regards,
William Redding
Imperial Postmaster-Secretary, Plains & Wetlands Region


Polyantha 27th, 178
Dear Mom and Dad,

I am so sorry I haven’t written you lately. Things have been busy for me here and what with one thing or another it has been some time since I’ve been able to sit down and write.

The reason that I got it into my head to write to you now is that I need Daddy’s seal of fealty and citizenship. It was supposed to go on the record with his permission for me to attend classes but apparently somehow it was overlooked I guess. They are saying that if I can’t provide it I will have to be sent home and while I’m sure there is no real disgrace in it I can’t help but feel that this would reflect poorly on the family.

Love,
Melanie


2/28/178
Ms. Hahler:

Do you really think that lying to your father is what constitutes a prudent use of the Imperial Post? Try again. You’re lucky I have a daughter your age.

Regards,
William Redding
Imperial Postmaster-Secretary, Plains & Wetlands Region


Narcissa 1st, 178
Dear Mom and Dad,

I apologize for not having written you but I have to ask you for your help. I have made some trouble for myself by not properly understanding the Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post of 141 and I must have a copy of Daddy’s seal of fealty and citizenship records in order to establish my standing and use the post again. I am sorry for any distress this has caused. Luckily the Imperial Postmaster-Secretary of the region is a very kind and patient man and a good man to have on one’s side and through his noble graces I am sure that our family will suffer nothing for my lapse.

Once my postal privileges are restored I will certainly be more dutiful and attentive towards you.

Love,
Melanie


Narcissa 4th, 178
Dear Melanie,

I don’t mean to be the pesky little sister again, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard from you and I’m wondering if you haven’t found yourself busier than you expected to be. Is everything alright with you? I hope I haven’t said or done anything to offend you.

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Narcissa 6th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

I’m sorry! I’m so sorry I did try to respond to your last letter but I had some trouble understanding the nature of my postal privileges. Fortunately the very nice Imperial Postmaster-General, Wiliam Redding, helped me sort out my problems. He is a good man and a kind man and I hope you won’t blame him for me breaking the promise I made to you and which I will be keeping again from this point forward.

I’ve had to get new pictures taken but the good news is that I coaxed Samuel into one (he refused to be in the last set). The only reason that we are standing so close together is that he’s holding the camera at arm’s length and it was the only way we could both fit in its view. Please don’t mind the awkward angle.

I’ve enclosed pictures of the lodge (which is a social building for students with many mixed events) and the campus belltower and the tower of high sorcery and the temple and also the herb gardens. I’m taking herbalism this semester and really enjoying it. The lessons are interesting but also seem somewhat deficient. We are told where the plants we study are likely to be found in the wild but are give no opportunity to see them in nature. I’m not saying that I would welcome a walk through the wild woodlands but it does seem like our education is missing a practical piece.

Still it is only an entry level course. Perhaps the later courses aren’t like this.

Love,
Melanie.


Narcissa 6th, 178
Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you very much for your help with my problem. Your terms are very reasonable. I promise to be more open with you in the future about my plans and to be more considerate of your feelings and to write more often.

Love,
Melanie.


Narcissa 9th, 178
Dear Melanie,

You have no idea what a relief it was to hear from you again, and to see you again. I completely understand what you mean about breaking your promise. All is forgiven.

I can’t say I like the look of Samuel, but that may just be something about the position he’s in.

I’m sorry if I overreacted to your silence. I have to say that I really enjoy reading your letters, especially when I get to the end of one. It’s bittersweet of course, because that means the letter is over and I’ll have to wait to hear from you again.

Yours,
Jennifer.


Narcissa 18th
Dear Jennifer,

Samuel may have been sulking a bit in that picture. It took a lot of wheedling for me to get him to agree to it.

He’s been on edge a bit for the past week. This man has been visiting him. I don’t much about him except that Samuel doesn’t like him. I don’t like to speculate but from the way he dresses I almost fear that Samuel owes money to the wrong people if you know what I mean. He won’t say anything about it.

He seems quite interested in you though which is no surprise since you’re not him. He moves his eyebrows a lot when I read your letters aloud to him though he won’t say what it signifies.

I’m glad that my letters make you so happy even to the very end of them. But how is it bittersweet to come to the ending? I can understand the bitter part if you do enjoy hearing from me but I don’t understand how it’s sweet.

Love,
Melanie.


Narcissa 29th, 178
Dear Melanie,

It’s the part where you say you love me.

Yours,
Jennifer.


Lathyrus 11th, 178
Dear Melanie,

I’m sorry if my last letter shocked you. I could say I’d forgotten that you’re more delicate about some things than I am, or I could say that it’s simply my nature to be forthright and you asked me directly, but the truth is I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I had an awful premonition that I was making an awful mistake and I hope to Khersis that it wasn’t. I would never wish any trouble upon you but if it turns out you’ve simply hit another minor snag with the imperial post office then I will be so relieved.

I really hope you’re well. I would love to hear from you again.

Yours (hopefully),
Jennifer.


Lathyrus 16th, 178
Dear Melanie,

I’m sorry to write you again without giving you a chance to reply, but the news out of Prax is so scary right now. I hope that you and Samuel and Julia are all safe. Do you think they’ll close the campus? If this silence is about what I said, well, I can’t take it back because it is and was true. But we don’t have to talk about it. Just let me know that you’re alright.

Jennifer.


Lathyrus 29th, 178
Dear Melanie,

Let me tell you the news from home! There’s a new store being built on Market Street, nobody seems to know what it’s going to be but the old men who hang out in front of the apothecary are pretty sure it will be a liquor store or an antique store. I think they’re just saying that because there are so many of each already, but that’s why I’m hopeful it will be something else. It would be nice to have something more cultural in our downtown.

I hope you’re well. It sounds like things have calmed down out there. It’s hard to tell since the news here doesn’t talk about Prax when awful things aren’t happening, but it seems like the fires have stopped?

Your friend,
Jennifer.


Convallaria 3rd, 178
Dear Jennifer,

Things have been terrible here and no doubt. Samuel is miserable and I’m sure he’s going to fail at least some of his classes. There have been days when he just won’t leave his room. I even went into the dormitory hall to go talk to him though I did not stay long as he would not open the door to his room. It would be worse if I were caught in a boy’s room than in the hallway but the difference is that in the hallway being caught is more certain.

He is mostly out of his funk now or at least out of his original funk but now he seems to be in a new funk about the state of his grades. I’ve tried to convince him to go to his instructors and explain his troubles to them but he balks at that. Of course he won’t even tell his best friend what his troubles are but I think he could trust a professor to be discreet about whatever they are. Especially if it’s a matter of flunking out or not

He’s promised to think about it. I hope he thinks quickly as the semester is almost over.

Of course that means I’ll be coming home soon. I would like to keep up our correspondence but I think it would be best if we don’t see each other. It wouldn’t be fair to Brett.

Your friend,
Melanie.


Convallaria 7th, 178
Dear Melanie,

I’m glad to hear from you again. I have to ask, though, if in writing the last paragraph of your last letter, if you might have forgotten your promise to me.

Your friend,
Jennifer


Convallaria 11th, 178
Dear Jennifer,

I’m afraid I might have and I’m sorry for that. I would like to ask you to forgive and forget. Forgive me for lying to you again and forget what I said. I need a friend Jennifer I really do. After what Samuel told me I really need someone I can talk to and not through the darn imperial post. He dropped a real fireball on me and I can’t talk about it to ayone here. If you can accept my friendship for what it is I will be very happy to be able to see you in person as soon as I’m home.

Your friend,
Melanie.

P.S.:

My name is Melanie Hahler and I do affirm that I am the daughter of a loyal citizen-subject of the Imperial Republic of Magisteria. Attached is a notarized copy of my father’s seal of fealty and citizenship records, in compliance with the Imperial Decree Concerning the Liberty of the Post of 141. Khersis save the Emperor, the Emperor save the Republic.


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39 Responses to “OT: Epistolary 2”

  1. Note: The month “Polyantha” was sometimes referred to as “Primula” in past stories, due to sketchy/incomplete notes by myself. It’s partially because of this and other calendar errors that I decided to do a round-the-academic-year story, in order to nail more of this stuff down in the canon.

    It might become “Primula” again. I’m not sure which I like better, but I’ve temporarily canonized Polyantha because it seems to have come up first.

    Current score: 0
    • Jennifer says:

      So, then by my count, its:
      Galanthus (January), Primula/Polyantha (February), Narcissa (March), Lathyrus (April), Convallaria (May), Verbena (Summer), Rosa (summer), Astra (September), Calendra (October), Chrysanthema (November), and Ilix (December).

      What is the 12th month?

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      • Ilix. 😛 (Or rather, Ilex. And October is Calendula.)

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        • Christy says:

          Polyantha sounds better for a month name. Primula sounds weird for being a second month and doesn’t sound very month-y to me.

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          • Alendria says:

            At first I read Polyantha as ‘Polyanna’ which kind of fit in a weird way.

            Primula makes me think of Count Dracula made out of prims but that probably means I spend too much time on SecondLife.

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        • Jennifer says:

          : p

          Don’t suppose you’d tell me what month I’m missing, then?

          Thanks for the clarification, at least… I’m not the worlds best speller! 🙂

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        • Kim says:

          What about Canturbury?

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    • Sejemaset says:

      There’s a few cases in history in which people could not agree on the name for a specific month, which explains the discrepancy and could add a little flavor.

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    • Ducky says:

      I thoroughly appreciate the clarification. Another of my favorite authors has made several similar mistakes, but since she’s not self-internet-publishing, I don’t get to know the canon answer.

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  2. dale says:

    Approved

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  3. Amelia says:

    I have to be honest in saying that after seeing the title, the third Other Tales in a row, I was tremendously disappointed, and upset. Then, I put that aside and took the time to read it. I think I might have enjoyed this story more than I’ve enjoyed any of them in a long while. Thanks for a lovely tale, and I look forward to reading more!

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    • It’s going to be this story for a few weeks… I need some breathing room to get Mackenzie’s next book lined up. But on the plus side I’m doing a much better job of getting through Melanie’s academic career, which shows my versatility. 😛

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      • zeel says:

        I would love to see the homecoming in more detail. Like with the winter break chapter, only more.

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      • Not her, the other girl says:

        Thanks for the heads up about the change of pace. I just finished rereading MU from the start and I really want to know what happens next (what about Jaime? or Callahan’s class??), but I understand needing breathing room to get things set up the way you want. And I am enjoying these stories in the mean time while I do my best to be patient.

        Oh, I did want to add that seeing Mack from year one week one vs Mack in year two is awesome. She’s still her but she’s so much more pulled together.

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  4. Zukira Phaera says:

    Best so far of these imho. Sweet candy for the mental mouth.

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  5. Darthbeandip says:

    I’m looking forward to more of this story. I’ve been wondering about the details of the previous half-demon student and the riot, as this seems to be leading up to. It seems to be a matter of public record, yet neither Mack nor any of her friends seem to know much more than a half-demon was involved in a riot that destroyed most of the campus, including the death of Ariadne’s lover. It’s something I would expect them to look into more, at least Two and Amaranth, as Two was studying up on demons and Amaranth is, well, Amaranth. In particular, I’ve always wondered what happened to said half-demon after the riot.

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    • Marian says:

      He(?) was killed. Or destroyed as it was told to Mackenzie.

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    • pedestrian says:

      I was of the impression that the death of Ariadne’s husband, the Ranger, had occurred before she came to MU as an instructor. And that it was Ariadne’s festering anger against demons and demonkin that has compelled her to acts of bigotry against any perceived target.

      But so far, Ariadne has not appeared in the epistolary, so we must not presume that she is involved in this specific event. If I remember correctly, there have been more then one occurrence of mob violence blamed on demonkin during the University history?

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      • Lyssa says:

        She was there. She describes having seen “that thing” in the middle of the riot, in an earlier OT.

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        • Ducky says:

          She’s also notorious for seeing what she wants to and remembering things with added flavor.

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        • pedestrian says:

          Yes, Ariadne was at least at one of the riots but which specific riot? And, I would suspect her of instigating a measure of the resulting violence.

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      • Zukira Phaera says:

        my thought is the same as to yours regarding the death of Ariadne’s husband being prior to Samuel’s being at campus

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  6. Schulze says:

    So, what does evoking the IDCLP do, exactly? I don’t think I understood that part. Like, at all…

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    • Mike says:

      Sounds like they’re basically saying no disrespect or treasonous thoughts intended. Kind oflike someone sympathizing with communists post WWII. You could be jailed (or worse) just for saying “Hey, maybe those Russians aren’t so bad after all.” The girls are just covering their asses so they don’t end up in the pokey for having independent thoughts.

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  7. tomclark says:

    Dropping the D— H— while swearing?

    Only thing I can think of in-universe that fits those initials is Durkon’s Hammer (https://www.talesofmu.com/story/book02/46), and it’s not in any way apparent from context why that would be considered an obscenity.

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    • Author_Unknown says:

      Dark Herald is my guess, it is what Callahan uses.

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      • Ducky says:

        She usually says something along the lines of “sweet Dark fucking Herald,” so maybe that was confusing.

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  8. HiEv says:

    Considering that these are letters, this may or may not be intentional, but if it’s the latter, “I don’t much about him except that Samuel doesn’t like him.” should be “I don’t know much about him”.

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  9. Trel says:

    i’m with the crowd here, so far these OT are some of my favorites.

    Thank you for the excellent stories!

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  10. Zathras IX says:

    Forthrightness doesn’t
    Come naturally to young
    Melanie Hahler

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  11. Erm says:

    It’s the part where you say you love me.

    Saw that coming =) (though it wasn’t hard to see)

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  12. Readaholic says:

    About Araidne Einhorn’s husband, etc…
    https://www.talesofmu.com/story/other/bonus-story-old-pain

    I suspect the Emperor’s gifts are very pointed insults politically, hence their seemingly nonsensical nature, like the egg beaters and olive oil.

    “I know we should not speak ill of the dead but I am not sure if he remembers what cuisine is.”

    Still laughing at that one.

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  13. Oni says:

    Huh. I think this is the first confirmation that the Emperor Across The Sea actually is some kind of dead/undead being. That’s remained one of those little things that I’m curious to know more about, and has always struck me as odd that the “rough analog” of Great Britain (in the sense that it seems that the region where most of ToMU takes place was at one point a colony of this other location) is ruled by an and ividual hinted to be a damned zombie or something without ever specifically being addressed (on that note: booooooo for the history lessons never covering it).

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    • Trystia Indraea Olyphis Farrower says:

      As I recall, it’s been stated/implied that he’s a lich who claims to be a deity.

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  14. Censorship of the mails: SO CREEPY.

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  15. pedestrian says:

    Alexandra, thanks for the clue about Cindy you dropped in your latest newsletter. I will have to reread all the epistolary in order to reevaluate her part in all this.

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  16. asdfasdf says:

    William Redding is awesome. I wish the government agent that rifled through my mail was so cool

    -ps thats right I know you’re listening special agent Eckerman. Tell Obama to stuff the patriot act his party allegedly hates but clearly not enough not to extend its duration or make more use of it than previous administration dared…I see another drone in my airspace I’ll shoot it down. 😉

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    • asdfasdf says:

      and now that you’re burned I’d appreciate a reply every so often you antisocial bastard.

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  17. asdfasdf says:

    “pretty sure it will be a liquor store or an antique store. I think they’re just saying that because there are so many of each already, but that’s why I’m hopeful it will be something else. It would be nice to have something more cultural in our downtown.”

    ah…of course, thats why…antique store=adventurer’s pawnshop

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