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 Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 6:37 pm
Despite the invitation to write, Kuno had been surprisingly hesitant to send out his first letter. On the one hand, he was locked up at home and this was a good way to get to know Mero better! On the other hand.. what if she didn't get the letter, or decided to not write back? Their brief interactions had been a blast for him, but that was all it had been. Brief interactions with a pretty and upright girl that he had only seen a second time out of pure luck.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to try. Good thing he knew how to write. He'd had plenty of practice with writing to his other long-distance friend over the years. This was a new possible friend though, bringing on a new set of nerves.
'Hey Mero. This is Kuno.'
The smoothest greeting... Conversations were so much harder when he actually had time to think about what he was saying. It was easy to overanalyze and critique his words when he usually just said what he was thinking. Whatever happened with this first letter, he hoped the others would go much more smoothly.
'It'll be a while before I get back into Sauti. Believe it or not, my ma's a bit of a shut-in and expects us to be the same. But anyway, I hope the tea was good! Gonna keep this short just in case you decide to burn it instead of reading it.
So, if you feel like writing back, I think that would be fun.
Sincerely,
Kuno'
He sealed the letter and sent it off, eager to see what letter train might follow~
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:08 pm
Mero had never actually expected him to send her anything.
How many boys had she given her favor to, only to be let down each and every time? Sometimes they would pass her up for the newest tart in town or if they did bother to respond then chances were slim that any would retain her interest for longer than a letter or two. Kuno had been cute, for sure, but irritating. In all honesty Mero had thought that their interactions with each other were enough to deter him, and yet, here she was. The cobbler had offered her a spot at his desk where she could draft out a letter in return when she was ready, but she didn't have time for this! She had a basket full of old dresses that needed mending and fresh fruits for her mother.
Still...she opened the letter and read on anyway. "That's it? Where's the rest of it?" Honestly, what was the point in wasting anyone's time sending a letter this short?
Dipping her quill, Mero got to work writing out a response;
Dearest Kuno,
You should know that I'm less likely to burn a letter if there's a good story inside. I know what it's like to have a shut-in for a mother so you have my sympathy. Mine doesn't even like going to the village so asking her to go on any sort of trip is out of the question.
The mammu root tea had a bitter after taste that I didn't like at first. Mother suggested I pair it with something sweet so I drank it with a few berry puffs, and it's surprisingly good this way. I'll send some tea your way as well as the recipe for the berry puffs; try them when you get a chance and let me know what you thought about it.
You should also know that I've started looking for a magic tutor. The search has been cold, but I'm not giving up. One is sure to come through sooner or later.
Sincerely,
Mero
P.S.
You should send some tea back with your letter. It's only proper.
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:00 pm
'Hey Mero!
Okay, it's story time. So my mom is a shut-in because she's afraid of this guy who killed my grandparents and tried to kill her, so now my parents are hiding out in Zena with my aunt and uncle because she got pregnant with me and my brother and they wanted us to be safe but now we're just stuck here until she stops being afraid or until she hears the guy is dead! Whichever comes first, I guess. She's never actually talked about it, but there have been enough slips over the years. Fun stuff. What's up with your mother? If you don't mind, of course!
Thanks for the tea. I tried making the puff recipe you sent, but I apparently stink at cooking. Nearly set the kitchen on fire. Wouldn't be the first time I did... Asked my aunt to help the next time, and they turned out really good! Even better with the tea.
I've added some handroot tea for you to try. It's a sweet root that has a bunch of stems off so it looks like a hand. Self-explanatory, I guess. Hope you like it.
A magic tutor sounds really cool! I bet you'll do great once you find one. My dad and my uncle both use magic, but I don't think I have a spit of it myself, so maybe I'll send one of them your way! Maybe I can get them to convince mom that a trip will be good. It would be good for everyone, really.
Can't wait to hear back!
Sincerely,
Kuno
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:24 pm
Darling Kuno,
You aren't lying to me about your mother, are you? Because if you are I'll be very upset! If you're telling the truth then your mother has every right to be scared! I had to read over that twice just to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. The man who tried to kill her is still loose?! Aren't you worried that he'll come for you and your brother? Stop going to random villages and stay safe, for her sake!
My mother had me later in life and isn't much for travel. After her husband died she met my father and had me. It's been the two of us for as long as I can remember. She's a seamstress and we help watch the hunters children while they work. In exchange they make sure we're taken care of.
It was a fancier way of saying that they relied mainly on charity to make it day by day, but he may have figured that out by her choice in tea pots. Mero didn't like to talk about it much, just because it was always a blow to her pride, but they made it by as best they could so she should be proud of that instead, right?
Did you even really try to make the puffs? Or did you just mess up on purpose so your aunt would make them? Either way I'm glad you liked them; it's my mother's recipe. As I'm writing I'm drinking a cup of handroot tea and you're right, it does look like little hands! More importantly the taste is delicious, so you aren't as hopeless after all.
So far I haven't been able to find a tutor, but I'm managing. I've taken up a job working with the cobbler so I'm hoping to save up enough money to go to Zena and study. If your uncle or father have any old spellbooks laying around that they wouldn't mind parting with tell them I'll gladly pay.
Sincerely,
Mero
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:52 pm
'Hey Mero!
With the gods as my witness, it's all true as far as I know! Some life, isn't it? I'm not too worried. Apparently, the guy doesn't come into Zena that ma knows of. Guess he sticks to routes in Sauti.. which is why we've stuck here hiding out. Besides, he wouldn't know me even if he saw me! Never met the guy.
The letters gave away my little trip, so I'm pretty much imprisoned here until next harvest anyway. It was worth it to meet you though!
I can relate to that. We do a lot of work to help out here at my aunt's place. She runs an animal shelter, but they get a lot of other people randomly stopping to stay, too. We get told to leave them alone though, so I mostly only see the family and the animals. I guess you two watching the all kids makes it seem like you've got a bunch of siblings! You get to send them home at the end of the day though. I'm stuck with my bro!
I'm hurt! I did try making them myself. There are marks on the ceiling to prove it. I'm glad you like the tea! It's super good to warm up with on the chilly mornings here. Should I send you some more?
That's awesome! You could stay here like everyone else does when you do come. I promise I won't be too much of a nuisance. Guess that depends on where in Zena you're studying, but we've got lots of room if it's nearby. I talked to my dad and he gave me this book for you to have! Says you can pay if you want, but he's also fine giving up a book he's "too smart" for. It's a wonder I turned out so well with a wise-arse like him for a father.
Sincerely,
Kuno
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:11 pm
Kuno,
If you knew that writing to me was just going to get you into trouble then why did you do it? It sounds like you're safer there, though, so maybe it was for the best. Work on building those muscles up so you won't have to worry your mother so much, and maybe if you're focused on something else you won't mess with anymore girls.
You make it sound like a normal job! Sometimes the kids spend the night with us because their parents are out on trips and they don't have anyone to care for them. It's a lot of hard work, but I can't really complain. I'm never lonely here. What kind of animal shelter does your aunt run? Is it just for Zenan creatures or does she deal with more exotic things?
Yes, please, I would love more tea! I'm pretty sure my mother ended up drinking the last of it even though I tried to hide it from her. And I'm sure your family would just love for a random girl you met on a trip you never should have taken to show up. Even if I do make it up north it won't be for a while, but I will make sure to see you so long as you behave.
Tell your father thank you for the book! It's been really helpful. I can pull in rainwater on my own now so we don't have to rely on the well anymore. I think it's a little strange that anyone who shares your blood could be "too smart" for something, though; from what I saw it seems like you all could use all the help you can get.
In any case I'm sending a knife with this letter. My boss gave it to me today to keep safe, but with my magic I won't need it. I know it's old, the hilt leather needs to be rewrapped, but the blade is still good.
Sincerely,
Mero
P.S.
Is your mother from Sauti? Does that make her a native? I thought one of your parents must be, but I wasn't going to pry.
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 6:23 pm
'Hey Mero!
I was hoping they'd believe me when I told them you were a friend from here that moved out there. If anything, this shows I need to get out more so I can actually have other friends worth writing to! It can get pretty boring here with the snobs that live nearby. ..So, you noticed my muscles, huh? I'll be sure they look even better the next time you see them~
The younglings actually stay? Never mind then, that sounds like it sucks. Still, I'm sure they like having you be their big sister while their parents are away. Speaking of your ma, I've sent a little extra tea so that she can have her own. This one is mulberry. It's a bit like the mammuroot; on the bitter side but very good with cream added.
You tease, but I bet they would love to meet you! You're about as sassy as ma is. You'd get along. ...Maybe that's reason enough to make sure you don't come. This place would probably shake apart with the two of you nagging. You'll end up sleeping in the stables! The animals will be good with you though. It's not just Zenan locals. We've got all sorts. Even had a janarim from Oba at one point.
Great to hear the book's been helpful. I had no doubts, of course. ..I admit I'm not the sharpest blade in the kitchen, but dad's no slouch. I guess you'll have to find out some other time.
Thanks for the knife. We've got plenty of materials around here for me to give it a good new handle. At least that was something I was able to do on my own. It's good and sturdy now.
And yeah, ma's native to Sauti, and my dad's a mix of Zenan and Shifter. Your turn! Where are your parents from? Clearly at least some Sautian in you, but what else?
Sincerely,
Kuno'
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 7:30 pm
Kuno,
As convincing an actress as I am, I doubt I could make anyone believe I was from Zena. Is living up north anything like what I've heard? I know the council's based in Zidel, but if the others aren't savage hunters then they're stuck up from what I've been told. Thankfully you don't seem to fit either of those types, or you could be better at lying than I think.
Our village doesn't have much so everyone helps out however they can. I don't mind watching the little ones; my mother's always done it so I wouldn't know what to do with a quiet house. Speaking of mother, she wanted me to thank you for the gift. She said that you didn't have to send her anything, but it was very generous and if you ever had extra she wouldn't be opposed to taking it off your hands.
Oh, so what your saying is that your mother needs backup keeping her rebellious boy in line? If your brother is anything like you then she has my full sympathies! Should the day ever come that I make it Zena and you try putting me in the stables you'd best move out their yourself because I'll take your room before I let that happen.
My mom's from Sauti as well. I've never met my father, but from what she says he was a half blood from Tale and Matori.
So, what's life like living at a sanctuary? Do you take lessons and help out or is it all pretty much physical?
Sincerely,
Mero
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 7:50 pm
'Mero,
If there are any savage hunters, they don't come to town very much. The hunters I've seen aren't all that savage either. They can get a bit gritty, but I guess you gotta be gritty to work out in the wilds like them. The others are totally as stuck up as you hear. Maybe not all of them, but it's common enough. They're especially bad when it comes to anyone not pure Zenan, so that's fun. They've finally learned to leave me and my bro alone for the most part, for sure.
We keep plenty of food here that can stay good for a long time just in case of a crowd or getting snowed in. It's always more about working together and helping each other out anyway, right? Sharing tea is no problem.
Rebellious? I prefer to think of myself as adventurous and spirited. Plucky, if you will! The stables aren't that bad. I've slept out there before. Cuddle up with the raptrix pups and you're golden! Just be sure they don't have any fleas. Besides, my bro, who is sadly nothing like me, has a much comfier room for you to steal anyway.
It's alright here. Often a little too quiet for my taste, but I like it enough. The work I do is mostly physical. Feeding, cleaning the stables, giving the animals training and exercise. It might be quiet, but it does keep me busy. Can you blame me for wanting to see anything outside of these walls? I fully plan to see Sauti again. Maybe you, too?
Sincerely,
Kuno'
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 10:55 am
Kuno,
So Zena really isn't all that different from Sauti; just colder. Almost everyone who lives in my village is like that; gritty, not snobbish. We're so cut off from a lot of the bigger settlements and nomadic tribes that I don't get treated so differently for being a hybrid anymore. I did when I was younger, but they've pretty much gotten used to it by now.
It's nice that your family is able to stock pile. My mother and I don't aren't able to, but the village comes together to help us out when they can because of what we do for them. So, in that regard, I can completely empathize. When things get back all you've really got is each other, right?
You can come back only if you come riding in on a raptrix. Make a big show of it and I might spend the day with you. I've always wanted to see one, but the closest I've gotten is some stories from passing fur traders and they weren't exactly...glowing. Maybe we'll go on a trip one day. I can show you all the beautiful rocks of Sauti and you can show me your walls. We can be perfectly trapped together.
Sincerely,
Mero
P.S.
I'm adding this because I feel as if you would be proud of me. A girl in my village has always teased me because of my hair ever since we were kids and today I'd had enough. I copied you and added ink to her washing oils. Turns out pretty blonde hair doesn't stay blonde for long if you add enough black.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:23 pm
'Mero,
The snobby ones tend to stick to the bigger villages, so they're a little easier to avoid. I actually like when we get the hunters coming through. They've always got interesting stories and usually have something interesting to trade. One time, this group came in and this guy was missing an eye! He said it was from an encounter with a chiavi along the border, but the others said he accidentally caught the pointy end of an arrow there while he was cleaning it. Not that the other end being in your eye would fare any better, but I definitely liked the chiavi story better. It's much more interesting and exciting. I can't wait until I'm able to go out hunting and get stories of my own!
Exactly. it's nice having the extra, but that's not what keeps me going in the end. Having someone love you and that you love back, or just being part of a group that actually cares what you're going through.. some guys would trade every scrap of gold they have for it.
Bad reviews? But raptrix are so cool! They're big and friendly and loyal and fun and strong, they're willing to let us ride them to town, and they're usually super fluffy. Some might get territorial or agitated, but They've got personalities just like we do. I'll be sure to get Bubs trained a little more and get him over there for you to see what a good boy he is. A little excitable, but he's still young. At the least, it would make getting stuck with me more tolerable for you~
It sounds like that brat deserved it! Absolutely so proud of you and your pretty hair!
Sincerely,
Kuno'
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 6:55 pm
Dearest Kuno,
You mean you don't already have any stories? So you're really just a boy and not a man at all. Everyone from my village already has a tale or two to spread; myself included. Have you ever seen a sermal in the flesh? They're massive; like perzi, but big enough to ride. Some parts of their fur have these big spikes that grow out and their teeth are big enough to tear a grown man in half! I saw one last year when it came down from the mountain. Apparently it had been trailing a hunter; smelled the blood from his last kill. I outran it before it got me. There was a little space between the rocks that I could squeeze in and it couldn't, no matter how hard it tried! Thankfully the hunter got to it, but if I wasn't fast enough you wouldn't be getting any letters at all.
Are you the kind of guy that would trade all of his gold for love? If you are you're a fool. You can't fill your stomach with love and it won't keep you dry in the rain. It's nice to have if you can, but there's no point in love if you sacrifice yourself just to protect it.
They weren't bad words against the raptrix; they were comments made by fur traders, Kuno. They hunted the raptrix themselves. It isn't nice, but it's reality. Raptrix fur is thick and durable so it fetches a high price to the right sellers. One day I'd like to see Bubs if he's as sweet as you say, but if you bring him down be careful not to leave him alone.
Sincerely,
Mero
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 4:36 pm
'Mero,
You're a harsh lady. Of course I have stories, but I don't really have stories like those old hunters do. Remember my paranoid mother? Hard to get any real adventures in when she's watching like a chiavi all the time. We've had a few hunting trips, but it's always been as a group and we never got very far from home. Most of the excitement around here comes with training the animals.
You got away from a sermal! ..Are you sure you didn't just glare at it and scare it off? I'm gad you were fast enough. Some rich guy went through town with a small one on a harness that I got to see. I'm willing to bet he didn't have it for too much longer once it grew enough. It probably made him its breakfast. I'll stick with Bubs.
Well sure, coin can buy things you need, but I'm not talking about just surviving. What about living? It's more efficient to forage for food when you've got someone gathering with you, and building a shelter is safer when you've got someone helping you hold the walls up. Is a bag of gold going to go for help the next time I break my leg? And if you're sitting up in the evenings having conversations with your money, I'd be quite concerned.
The next time you see those fur traders, you just send them my way. Bubs and I will give them a good lesson they'll never forget, and I'll end up with a story for sure! Bubs would definitely like meeting you, and anyone who tries anything while we're there will regret it. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we can get out there!
Sincerely,
Kuno'
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2021 5:29 pm
Kuno,
I suppose it would be hard to get any decent stories with your mother watching over you like that. With any luck she'll loosen her apron strings and you'll finally be able to get out of her skirts. Don't misunderstand, I know why she's doing it, but she can't keep watch on you forever.
Now whose being harsh! I'll have you know my eyes are as soft as a lake in spring and twice as pretty. Shame you'll never see anything like them that far north.
You can have support without love. My entire village helps one another, but you should hear the way some of these hens cluck at each other! At least with gold you can ensure you'll always be taken care of when someone who says they 'love' you eventually leaves. Because you're right, if one wall falls whose going to help you fix it? But if it's left to you and only strangers how many do you think would stop to help if you didn't fill their palms?
Hopefully your sanctuary isn't too full. I'm sending up a sailscale; one of the children found it down by the water. You can probably tell why I've sent it up. It's left wing is in pretty bad shape, and some of the hunters wanted to put it down, but I thought if your family really was at a sanctuary....Well, they can be the judge on THAT call.
Sincerely,
Mero
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 6:24 pm
'Mero,
I can't even imagine my mother in an apron! That would be a sight. Pretty sure she'd use it to strangle my dad before cooking with it. He only calls her 'cute' when he want to put his life on the line. Do you have one of those ma's that is cute and wears an apron while cooking? What does she do with all those extra kids around there?
At the risk of sounding like every other guy out there that you probably put up with, you can rest easy knowing I haven't forgotten about your lovely eyes. Still, I can tell they'll go sharp as a blade the moment you need them to. Trust me, I saw a peek of that before! Maybe Zena will get lucky and you'll be able to get those lessons out here soon and grace us with those pretty peepers.
Yeah, they'll help you until your gold runs out, and then what? Those bums will just move on to the next open purse and leave you hanging loose in the wind. I can't always afford to pay for help, but I can exchange help with those willing. Maybe "love" is a little strong a word for that kind of thing you're talking about.. That kind of love, so I hear, is hard to find when it's not already there. I know I got pretty lucky with my family...
But hey, if I ever run out of love and coin, there's always my winning personality and charms!
There's always room for one more up here! That sailscale is in good hands with Aunt Tally. The critter's not too happy about being holed up, but the wing is braced properly and Aunt Tally thinks it'll make a full recovery. It had a nasty infection in its hind leg that is clearing up nicely, too. Looks like it just barely avoided becoming something's snack. Probably that sermal that tried getting you before! We'll hopefully have it all set and ready to return to Sauti in a couple months.
You should also be happy to hear that knife you sent came in handy on my last trip to the trader. Found myself a weywa on my last hunt and had a good haul to take in. Fur, fat, meat, the works! Met a couple of jokers on my way there who figured they could mooch off of my hard-earned prize. It's usually just one guy that I can take care of easy enough, but he brought a friend for backup. I also had backup, and they both ran off with their tails between their legs.
So here's another batch of teas. You'll want to be careful with this stuff. It's made from the sap and bark of the trees here and can be rather strong. It'll get you through a day of hard labor though.
Sincerely,
Kuno'
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