[ Xenk has sent Toge a letter. An honest to god, folded up, ribbon-tied, carrier-pigeon delivered paper letter. Enjoy. ]
Young Toge,
I hope this letter finds you well and that you have been acclimating to life in Eltrut. I regret I have not had the opportunity to inquire as to your health sooner, so please accept my heartfelt apology as I correct this error.
How are you faring? Have you decided to reinstate your curse? If this line of questioning is too personal, please feel free to disregard it. I merely wish to ensure that you are well, and found your circumstances quite curious and similar to my own.
As I have not seen you aboard the Royal Fortune, I must assume you have been drafted as part of the Corsair Armada. I am familiar with several of their rank, thus I am certain you will be safe and well taken care of in their number. Alas, this also means we will likely not meet face to face for some time.
[ Oh god he sent a letter. It's a good thing Toge is alone because he can't help but giggle, and being alone means he can't influence others while he has a big laugh. Warm regards and everything! Geeze! The only people who would be this formal in his life are his family and god knows he doesn't want to talk to them. This is the funniest thing. When he's done giggling, he'll appreciate the sentiment and check his shellphone...yep he remembered to grab Xenk's info. Great. ]
Hey Xenk, I got your letter. You know this thing can send instant messages right?
I'm doing fine and yeah, I got a tattoo. It also came with ice powers which are pretty cool, but I mean, I didn't think it was safe to be defenseless. I don't know where I am and just, seemed like a bad idea.
[ Chat dots ... chat dots ... chat dots... To those in the know he's typing and erasing his thoughts over and over. ]
Thanks for asking about me, and I was recruited by Corsair. Exploring for treasure sounded really fun.
[ Xenk is wildly surprised to find his Shellphone displaying new words, and that the words actually come in multiple messages! Words that are from Toge, no less? (They aren't signed, but he assumes "cursedwords" must indeed be Toge.) What do the dots mean? Xenk probably had no idea what he was doing when they swapped info, but he's never one to back down from a challenge!
Thus, he "pens" his own response. Very slowly. ]
Toge, I was unaware of the capabilities of these devices. I heard some explanation as to their uses, but the words used largely perplexed me. What use is there for instant communication via text, when one could speak face-to-face? I see now that there is some value to it, though I hope you'll forgive the delay in my response. You are wise to have opted to regain your abilities. I agree that we must not take whatever strengths we have for granted. A known danger makes a finer friend than an unknown one. I am glad to hear you have settled in well among them. A desire for the unknown is a healthy pursuit. Though I am not your guardian and should therefore hold no sway over you, please kindly make sure you take care if ever you are asked to take any unscrupulous actions. The ways of dishonesty are a dark path, and I would much hate to see you stray thus. My thanks for your response, Xenk Yendar
[ Okay well a giant text is much better than getting a paper letter. Still makes Toge smile, but all the same. Easier to talk to him that way. ]
Okay, well this is texting, it's like the phones I had at home. I talked to my classmates a lot this way. Much easier than carrying pen and paper around.
Mine also does text to voice? I can make my shell phone talk for me if I need to.
I get it too. I hate texting people when I'm talking to them face to face.
Not having it doesn't mean I can speak, obviously, so there's nothing to be gained by giving it up. At least this way I can protect myself, if I need to. And my friends.
What do you consider to be unscrupulous actions?
Mm, hard for me to lie and hard for me to tell the truth, obviously.
[ Nope, he's a text spammer. Quick. Short texts. ]
[ Another twenty minutes later, his response reads: ]
Toge, The Shellphone speaks? How curious. I can understand how this would be a boon for you given your condition. The written word is at times far better suited for conversation, but this must be especially so when your voice carries the ability to compel others. As for unscrupulous actions, these include, but are not limited to, actions that go against the law, as well as selfish acts that may cause harm to others. Dishonesty and theft come to mind as the most likely offenders. Of course I understand that you must fulfill your duties, but I hope the Corsair leaders would at the very least provide someone so young with alternatives that do not lead down this path. With care, Xenk Yendar
It's an AI voice, but I'm guessing you don't know what that is. It doesn't sound quite human, but it will make the words I type audible.
At home I text my best friend because he's overseas and far away from me, but for the most part I don't actually text that much between me and my classmates. They all know what I mean when I talk. It takes time to figure it out but I guess they had nothing better to do.
I've never been interested in stealing at least, and I'm not planning on going on a murder spree, but I won't hesitate to do what I have to to protect my friends. Is that moral enough?
So far the only job I've worked on for them is delivering a box. So nothing too shady.
[ Ok, he's getting that he doesn't need to address him in every one of these. That's progress! ]
Indeed, I do not know what this "AI" means. Is it a manner of spell that reads your messages? I am glad to hear your curse does not transfer in this manner. I see. An ocean of distance would indeed make instant messages that much more enviable. Even a sending stone has its limits. But I am relieved that communication is not a problem between you and your friends. I should think your code of speech is not so difficult that it should pose a problem to anyone with an interest. Good. See that it remains this way. Protecting one's companions is a worthy goal, you have nothing to fear of morals so long as you act selflessly.
[ He's not gonna ask what was in the box because he worries he'll regret it, so that sounds good enough for him!! ]
Not a spell, but rather a machine, kind of like the idea of a shell phone. It's a called a program really.
Yes, a lot of ocean separated us, but fortunately aside from timezone issues, we could still talk. Sometimes we did video calls too, where we could see each other and just speak. Technology is cool like that.
There's no worry there. I would always protect my friends. It's the least I can do since they're friends with me.
[ Oops I forgot to sign the last text, please know that he definitely signed it, Xenk is gonna sign ALL his texts. ]
You use yet more words I have no context for. Machines are not nearly as advanced in Faerun, we use magic for many of life's conveniences. One can use a scrying spell to connect with friends from afar, but it is a high level spell that not many are skilled enough to practice.
That is heartening to hear, my young friend. One should always seek to guard those close to oneself. In this life there is no greater sorrow than being alone.
Guess you've got me there, since I don't know much about magic. Cursed energy, yes, but magic is different, I think. Then again I have this ice thing working, that's more magic like.
Exactly what do you mean when you say "cursed energy"? We have a great deal of curses in our world, but I have never heard the term.
And I am glad you have them. I am sorry that you must be separated from them, while here. Would you describe them to me, if you wish to share their stories with me?
Someone like me is born with a different brain construction, that allows for me to have a reserve of energy. It's called curse energy, but it's more like spirits and ghosts, that kind of energy. It's primarily used by curses when they attack people so people like me have access to some to defend against them.
On top of the ability to have cursed energy and use it, I have my specific technique. I'm the only one in the world with it. The last cursed speech user has long since died.
I don't mind. My best friend is Yuta, and actually he showed up here which is great because he was overseas a long time. He got really tall, which is totally not fair. He's really kind, but very overprotective.
I'm also good friends with Panda, who is a stuffed panda. He's more like a construct, body-wise, but he has his own will. He's fun to hang out with and he and I train together sometimes.
And our last classmate is Maki. She and I mostly tease each other and bicker, but we're close too. Kind of comes with the whole dangerous situations thing. The underclassmen are pretty cool too, but I don't know them as well.
How curious, to be born with cursed energy. It sounds akin to magic in my world, yet clearly not.
Your friend arrived with you? How fortuitous that you should meet after much time apart. I am happy for you, Toge. The days are surely brighter with a friend by your side.
[ Xenk has no idea what a panda is, so he's picturing like... a construct? But those are things that exist in DND so it's chill. ]
It gladdens me to hear of your friends, certainly considering your otherwise strange circumstances. Friendship comes in may forms, but it sounds as though you are blessed with several good ones. I hope you are not kept from them for long and both you and your friend Yuta are able to return ere long.
Understandably. A curse quickly becomes a part of who one is, after long.
Godsspeed then, my young friend. I wish you the best of luck in your journey with the Corsairs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you require any aid. I would extend this offer towards your friend Yuta as well.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
regna
a physical letter
Date: 2023-09-07 06:04 am (UTC)A Text
Date: 2023-09-07 11:18 pm (UTC)Hey Xenk, I got your letter. You know this thing can send instant messages right?
I'm doing fine and yeah, I got a tattoo. It also came with ice powers which are pretty cool, but I mean, I didn't think it was safe to be defenseless. I don't know where I am and just, seemed like a bad idea.
[ Chat dots ... chat dots ... chat dots... To those in the know he's typing and erasing his thoughts over and over. ]
Thanks for asking about me, and I was recruited by Corsair. Exploring for treasure sounded really fun.
[ He's done. People don't sign texts Xenk. ]
texting in return, but like. twenty minutes later
Date: 2023-09-07 11:47 pm (UTC)Thus, he "pens" his own response. Very slowly. ]
Toge,
I was unaware of the capabilities of these devices. I heard some explanation as to their uses, but the words used largely perplexed me. What use is there for instant communication via text, when one could speak face-to-face? I see now that there is some value to it, though I hope you'll forgive the delay in my response.
You are wise to have opted to regain your abilities. I agree that we must not take whatever strengths we have for granted. A known danger makes a finer friend than an unknown one.
I am glad to hear you have settled in well among them. A desire for the unknown is a healthy pursuit. Though I am not your guardian and should therefore hold no sway over you, please kindly make sure you take care if ever you are asked to take any unscrupulous actions. The ways of dishonesty are a dark path, and I would much hate to see you stray thus.
My thanks for your response,
Xenk Yendar
[ Yeah, he sent that all as ONE MASSIVE text. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-08 05:25 am (UTC)Okay, well this is texting, it's like the phones I had at home. I talked to my classmates a lot this way. Much easier than carrying pen and paper around.
Mine also does text to voice? I can make my shell phone talk for me if I need to.
I get it too. I hate texting people when I'm talking to them face to face.
Not having it doesn't mean I can speak, obviously, so there's nothing to be gained by giving it up. At least this way I can protect myself, if I need to. And my friends.
What do you consider to be unscrupulous actions?
Mm, hard for me to lie and hard for me to tell the truth, obviously.
[ Nope, he's a text spammer. Quick. Short texts. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-08 02:32 pm (UTC)Toge,
The Shellphone speaks? How curious. I can understand how this would be a boon for you given your condition. The written word is at times far better suited for conversation, but this must be especially so when your voice carries the ability to compel others.
As for unscrupulous actions, these include, but are not limited to, actions that go against the law, as well as selfish acts that may cause harm to others. Dishonesty and theft come to mind as the most likely offenders.
Of course I understand that you must fulfill your duties, but I hope the Corsair leaders would at the very least provide someone so young with alternatives that do not lead down this path.
With care,
Xenk Yendar
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-08 04:03 pm (UTC)At home I text my best friend because he's overseas and far away from me, but for the most part I don't actually text that much between me and my classmates. They all know what I mean when I talk. It takes time to figure it out but I guess they had nothing better to do.
I've never been interested in stealing at least, and I'm not planning on going on a murder spree, but I won't hesitate to do what I have to to protect my friends. Is that moral enough?
So far the only job I've worked on for them is delivering a box. So nothing too shady.
[ It was probably very shady. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-08 07:33 pm (UTC)Indeed, I do not know what this "AI" means. Is it a manner of spell that reads your messages? I am glad to hear your curse does not transfer in this manner.
I see. An ocean of distance would indeed make instant messages that much more enviable. Even a sending stone has its limits. But I am relieved that communication is not a problem between you and your friends. I should think your code of speech is not so difficult that it should pose a problem to anyone with an interest.
Good. See that it remains this way. Protecting one's companions is a worthy goal, you have nothing to fear of morals so long as you act selflessly.
[ He's not gonna ask what was in the box because he worries he'll regret it, so that sounds good enough for him!! ]
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-08 08:59 pm (UTC)Yes, a lot of ocean separated us, but fortunately aside from timezone issues, we could still talk. Sometimes we did video calls too, where we could see each other and just speak. Technology is cool like that.
There's no worry there. I would always protect my friends. It's the least I can do since they're friends with me.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-09 02:12 am (UTC)You use yet more words I have no context for. Machines are not nearly as advanced in Faerun, we use magic for many of life's conveniences. One can use a scrying spell to connect with friends from afar, but it is a high level spell that not many are skilled enough to practice.
That is heartening to hear, my young friend. One should always seek to guard those close to oneself. In this life there is no greater sorrow than being alone.
Sincerely,
Xenk Yendar
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-09 02:43 am (UTC)I know all about that. My friends are all I have.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-09 10:29 pm (UTC)And I am glad you have them. I am sorry that you must be separated from them, while here. Would you describe them to me, if you wish to share their stories with me?
--
Xenk Yendar
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-09 11:22 pm (UTC)On top of the ability to have cursed energy and use it, I have my specific technique. I'm the only one in the world with it. The last cursed speech user has long since died.
I don't mind. My best friend is Yuta, and actually he showed up here which is great because he was overseas a long time. He got really tall, which is totally not fair. He's really kind, but very overprotective.
I'm also good friends with Panda, who is a stuffed panda. He's more like a construct, body-wise, but he has his own will. He's fun to hang out with and he and I train together sometimes.
And our last classmate is Maki. She and I mostly tease each other and bicker, but we're close too. Kind of comes with the whole dangerous situations thing. The underclassmen are pretty cool too, but I don't know them as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-10 01:29 am (UTC)Your friend arrived with you? How fortuitous that you should meet after much time apart. I am happy for you, Toge. The days are surely brighter with a friend by your side.
[ Xenk has no idea what a panda is, so he's picturing like... a construct? But those are things that exist in DND so it's chill. ]
It gladdens me to hear of your friends, certainly considering your otherwise strange circumstances. Friendship comes in may forms, but it sounds as though you are blessed with several good ones. I hope you are not kept from them for long and both you and your friend Yuta are able to return ere long.
Xenk Yendar
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-11 08:59 pm (UTC)Yuta showed up, that's pretty cool. I'm glad he's here because it's been way too long and yeah I like my friends but I'll manage with just Yuta.
This place might be really fun, so it's okay if it takes time to get back.
(no subject)
Date: 2023-09-12 11:31 pm (UTC)Godsspeed then, my young friend. I wish you the best of luck in your journey with the Corsairs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you require any aid. I would extend this offer towards your friend Yuta as well.
Warmly,
Xenk Yendar