[ empatheias ] message box

[opportunitycosts]

Alvin will have acquired his own little carrier pigeon to send messages, so he'll have one stationed at the main carrier pigeon place that will come and find him.

In the meanwhile, this is the entry for any private messages that are delivered via the carrier pigeon system.

Comments

2/16

[young_oldman]

[Cheep Cheep there is a bird scratching at Alvin's window with a letter clasped firmly in its beak.]

I have a business proposition to make. Perhaps we can meet at the Square at midday? The noon meal will be my treat. I look forward to your response; kindly indicate on this letter and pass it to the bird; it will return it to me.

2/16

[opportunitycosts]

[Well this brings back memories. Lu Meng should get a response not too long after.]

A business proposition, huh? Sure I can meet you there.

Anonymous Letter, ooooh

[miraculo]

Roses are red!

Violets are blue!

I'd be honored

to go out with you!

I'd take you to dinner

for a steak that's seared,

'cause i can't deny

that i like your beard!

[ There. Everyone likes anonymous letters. This will be perfect to ask her ~sensei~ out for a date! And if he accepts, that means she wins their little deal she made one drunken night... ]

ring ring ring

[opportunitycosts]

[—Really.

Sanae, could you be anymore obvious—

He'll give her some credit though. For the rhyming. That's actually pretty impressive, haha. So after chuckling to himself for a good few seconds, he's going to "call" her up.]

Hey, Sanae. I think you got a rival.

[Herself.]

11/10

[gottacatch]

[ So. Red had tried to bump into Alvin the other day, but unfortunately that didn't go so well. Nevertheless, that didn't stop him from keeping an eye out for the man around the city and around the recovering restaurant, doing his own piece with other organisations to lend a hand or the strength of one of his partners to assist in the ongoing work.

For that reason, this very meeting could happen anywhere! Outside around the city, or Red popping his head into From The Hearth (is it still awaiting a door, poor store), to catch sight of the man, and to make his own presence cheerfully known. ]

Alvin!

[ Pay no mind to the bandage at the centre of his forehead and the scrape on his nose. No biggy. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[Alas, the new door won't be in for another day or two, but it has something of a door at least.

The interior of the restaurant looks a lot better from the first day of disaster, with a lot of the broken and ruined furniture removed and most of it replaced. A few more were still on the way, but it looked better. Alvin had even taken the opportunity to revamp and redo some of the original interior, changing the walls to have a more rustic texture and look to it. A large hole in the wall also allowed him to just make larger windows so more natural light could come in. It was still far from "reopening" ready, but it was closer.

He's in the back taking stock of the bar (because that's clearly important) and checking what was still needed when he hears a voice he hasn't heard in a while. It actually makes him straighten up to quickly look around.]

Red?

[He...knows what happened, and in retrospect he should have tried to find the kid after Ludger returned. But a lot had been going on and there's always the question of when and if someone who died would actually come back.]

05/12; what is ur favourite colour

[gottacatch]

Hey. Alvin.

[ Perhaps you already saw the kid, sitting there upon a stone structure (step, wall--) without being surprised by him suddenly piping up, despite being covered up in a jacket and hat for the chilling weather, and the darkening sky (is it after work again, who knows). But Red had spotted him before he just so happened to be making his way fairly close by too, only deciding to try for his attention upon passing, with head turned over his shoulder and peering from under his hat. His hands rest at his sides, with one gloved palm pressing down a collection of petals larger than it.

His voice is slightly neutral in tone, though that doesn't hide completely the curiosity when he asks, after a small pause: ] Who are you aligned to?

do you mean mine personally or alvin's--

[opportunitycosts]

[He's not startled, but he is a little surprised. Although they've at least made the bridge connections again, Alvin didn't make any presumptions that they had a functioning one. Maybe like a rope bridge in the middle of a stormy chasm. It'll hold, but not without difficulty.]

...Well that's out of blue. [He's more intrigued than bothered by it, though. Still, the question has to make him pause.]

Initially, Daimonia. But I'm working to change it to Piphron.

14/12; messenger bird (HAVING FUN YET, ALVIN)

[gottacatch]

[ Look, it's a familiar bird! And that funny way of writing Alvin's name on front of the handmade-envelope. The contents are a little more sloppily-written this time. ]

I've been thinking a lot about questions we can ask the arehtei and how to help how everyone feels about each other. Back home if you wanted to find information you could go to the library or go on the internet or a newspaper.
We have the pamphlets for the newcomers to read to help them when they show up.
How about a pamphlet with everything we find out that can be shared for free to everyone?
People can send questions and we can share information about Sharnnath and the arehtei and anything else that comes up

It can be for everyone. A new one can be made monthly and the old ones can stay at the center where people pick up the newcomer freebies.
People leave questions for the arehtei there or what they think people should be asking the arehtei and then nobody gets to miss out on the answers
We can talk about topics that come up a lot
People who know what they're doing will need to run it though. I was thinking about asking one of the reprensentattives [ it's a hard word ok ] what they heard about Sharnath. They asked all the otherworlders about it a week ago. They'll know what people are talking about even if they don't run it.
Wouldn't it make their jobs easier too? Having a way to speak to everyone that isn't just in our heads.
Nobody but people from other worlds can hear that.

What do you think? It'll take a lot of work but different people can do it
I know I can't do it and you have your restaurant but there's the people from other worlds and from Verens who might want to
We can ask Thras if he can send us questions from people from his city too! The arehtei can ask people questions too if they want

Red

14/12; messenger bird (IS THIS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE FROM NOW ON??)

[opportunitycosts]

[Whoa, this kid definitely just wrote everything down that was on his mind, huh? He could have just used telepathy... Ah well, it reminds him of the old days, plus it gives him time to think about it a bit.]

So basically like a questionnaire or survey that people could use to ferret out information? That's actually not a bad idea. From what I understand, everyone's just been doing their own thing and asking their own questions whenever they meet with the Arehtei. There's also been some wrongful assumptions that everyone is asking the same questions, so they felt like they needed to share. I'm a guilty party, heh.

Definitely will need one or two people to organize this so things aren't lost or repeated. I'd say pitch it to the community and see if we have any takers. Shun's in charge of the pamphlets, so he might have a few ideas to help with that.

Speaking of representatives, I pitched your idea during the meeting yesterday.

-- Alvin

[...Yes. Yes that is EXACTLY how he ends the letter. With a cliffhanger.]

23/12

[gottacatch]

[ On this fine day at Alvin's place of work, Alvin may want to consider putting up wards to keep out menacing spirits from his office--because whether the restaurant is actually open or not, and nevermind if he was just in there a minute ago, the moment he walks in at whatever unspecified time of day the room will feel very chilly, and he'll get the sensation like somebody just walked over his grave.

And he'll get that feeling for the remainder of the day at the most random of times, as if stepping into his office placed a (very harmless) curse on him. Who was it?? Who could do such a thing? How spooky.

There's also a gift on his desk, wrapped up in brown paper, and a plastic bag of hard fruit candies. The wrapped gift contains a book on really bad jokes, with a message on the inside.

Alvin,

I thought of you right away.

Red

How did he do it?? Did he sneak in?? It is a mystery. ]

[ ring ring ring ]

[opportunitycosts]

[The moment he walks in, his hands immediately go to his arms, rubbing them to try and bring some warmth. What the hell—did someone drop a water core or something to freeze this place? Or..

Wait. Why does this feel a little familiar...

It's not until he notices the gift and sees the message that it all clicks.]

...He's definitely doing this on purpose.

[Although it is thoughtful and a nice feeling that Red sent him a gift, still. Really, Gengar? Really?

So now Red will be feeling that little bounce against his mind as Alvin sends the following thought to him:]

Got your gift. But you might want to choose a different courier. One that doesn't have a habit of making me feel like I'm walking through a haunted graveyard.

[hundredspells]

[ Nobody is surprised that Alvin has his own pigeon or at least Presa isn't. It is handy though because it saves a lot of time when it comes to sending him a message. She wrote his name -- Al -- on one side and a message on the other. The message contained this; ]

I would like it if we could meet.
I have a few more questions for you.
Presa.

[ Short and sweet. Just like her. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[Given how many messages Red has sent him lately, he initially assumed it was from him. But seeing his rarely used nickname made him pause, with the message itself had him stare at it for a few moments. It's still not easy for him to adjust to Presa actually being here and , but he doesn't hesitate much longer.

So she'll receive a reply...but not with the bird. Instead she'll feel a small nudge, a little buzz at the back of her mind that may even feel like it's him as he opens up that telepathic connection between them. He's doing a pretty good job and presenting his usual self, anyway.]

You know, it would have been cuter if you had just left it with wanting to meet me.

[Yeeep. There it is.]

07/01

[gottacatch]

[ Hello, Alvin's office door.

Knock knock knock. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[Well. That's kind of rare.]

Door's open.

[Maybe it's an employee.]

05/01; the cr that lives in Alvin's inbox

[gottacatch]

[ BRNG BRNG MIND PHONE. Some time in the evening- ]

Hey. Have you got a minute?

[ Are you actually working for once or- ]

[opportunitycosts]

[Actually he is working. But he'll take any reason to drop it.]

Not many, so what's up?

Sometime before Selenium

[young_oldman]

Alvin, are you free? [Lu Meng sounds very tight-lipped and tense. Their connection will also reflect this; it feels stretched, as if a little more pull from either party's side will snap the line. He's obviously very upset about something, especially with this invitation that he's offering to Alvin.]

I am in desperate need for a drink, but because I can't I need someone else to drink it for me and rage drunkenly with me and on my behalf.

[opportunitycosts]

[Whoa, that is one intense vibe he's getting from Lu Meng.]

Uh, that's one of the stranger requests I've had. But yeah, sure. Do you just want to come to the Hearth? Or should I grab some of my favorites and meet you somewhere?

[If he's going to get into a drunken rage for a bro, he might as well do it while under the influence of the good stuff.

Okay, he actually went go that far, but the intentions are there.]

backdated to 2/1

[miraculo]

[ He'll feel a familiar ping over the amulet along with this message: ]

Alvin? This is Sanae. [ Duh, but she always introduces herself as a force of habit. Her tone carries concern and uncertainty, as well as some puzzlement. Something is bothering her, but she can't quite figure out what to do. ] ...It's about Lu Meng. I was wondering if we could meet somewhere to talk?

[ It probably sounds worse than it is. Really, Lu Meng is absolutely fine. Even better than he was before! In fact, when they went ice skating a month and a half ago, he even allowed her to hug him! But then just a few days later when they were discussing setting up the date between Elios and Peromei--- well. She'll explain when they meet. ] Are you at From the Hearth? May I come over?

[opportunitycosts]

[At first Alvin was concerned since he had spoken and met with Lu Meng not too long before her call. But it was less about his health and more about if he might have gone and done something about those grave robberies on his own.]

Sure. I'll be in my office unless you want somewhere else.

2/14

[shepherds_pie]

[Hey, Alvin. There's a delivery for you! It's a box of chocolates shaped like cute little teddy bears! He...he tried.

There's also a note.]

Dear Alvin,

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope the chocolates taste alright. I'm not the best at chocolatiering, unfortunately. I can switch to flowers next year if you want.

I hope you get a lot of chocolates and flowers today!

From,
Sorey

OH MY GOD LOL

[opportunitycosts]

[WELL.

THIS WAS NOT...WHAT HE EXPECTED..............AT ALL.

Okay Sorey, have a bird drop a message on your head at some point later that day.]

Sorey,

Thanks for the chocolates. I had no idea you liked me that much.

However, I feel that it is only right that I tell you that while I think you're a great guy, unfortunately you're just not my type. I know, I know, it's kind of uncool to tell you this through a message instead of in person, but if I saw you cry about it, I'm afraid my feelings would waver. I don't want to lead you on anymore than I have already.

I hope you don't mind if we can stay friends.

Best Regards,
Alvin


P.S. By the way, Valentine's is a time to express your ROMANTIC feelings toward someone. :P

P.P.S. Might want to cut down on the sugar next time.

[And just in case it wasn't clear: yes, he's trolling.]

21/02

[gottacatch]

[ brng brng mind messages. ]

Alvin, it's Red--are you free? I just heard the message about the discovery in the mountains. Did you?

[opportunitycosts]

The one from Milla? Of course.

[He lives with the spirit and Indiana Junior wannabe remember.]

What about it?

2/9, the CNY fallout - Messenger Bird

[young_oldman]

[Oh hey Alvin. By the time you get back to your house, there'll be a cross bird there at your doorstep. It's almost if Lu Meng's trained it to be as grumpy as he is, because the first thing it does when it spots Alvin is to give him a wingslap on the head.

But then it sticks out its leg, and there's a message there.]

Contact me via crystal as soon as possible - Lu Meng.

[opportunitycosts]

[Due to certain events that happened the night previous, Alvin is in a very good mood. Granted he's also kind of having to sneak in the house but whatever.

Getting a bird wingslapping him, however, is not what he expected. Even more surprising is it's not the usual bird from Red. His brow furrows a bit at the message before he digs into his stash of bird seed to give to the bird. With all the bird correspondence with Red, lately, he kind of stocked up.

After at least getting a shower and a change of clothes, he finally gives Lu Meng a buzz.]

Did you train that bird to hit people?

31/3 We're doing this BRITISH STYLE

[young_oldman]

[There's a crystal ping at lunch hour for Alvin's favorite samurai! Who...sounds a little down, actually. The fact that he's even letting his emotions show means that

1. Alvin's a bro, and thus someone he can trust; and
2. It's that bad that he can't hold it all back. ]

Good day, Alvin. ...I apologize that the last few time we have met, it has been due to my personal issues. And I'm sorry, but I need to impose on you once again.

[A pause.]

I'm in need of some company tonight. Would an evening drink suit you? I don't want to keep you too long away from your family.

ewww

[opportunitycosts]

[Normally, Alvin would crack a joke at Lu Meng's choice of words, but he can sense that unusual flow of emotions. Figuring the guy's emotion state when it wasn't going haywire has always been a challenge given how well guarded the man is, so it could only mean that something was up, and it wasn't exactly good.]

My family... Well I don't know if I would really call it that. [Just a light remark to try and ease the tension.] But yeah, sure. Got a place you want to meet?

14/5

[clumsyjesus]

Alvin! I need to talk to you. Could you please come to Lloyd's apartment and meet us there? Also, bring some friends.

[opportunitycosts]

[Well this is a surprise.]

Something up? You'll also need to give me directions since I've never been there before. And how many should I bring?

[So he says in the most natural manner but he can pretty much guess that there's some kind of get together or party along. ...Mostly the "bring some friends" and he doubts Colette needs them to beat someone up.]

A day or two after The Spine's meeting with Alvin

[clockworkcopper]

[Just a couple days after The Spine had gone to meet with Alvin, Alvin will be receiving a bird pecking at his window, written in an unfamiliar hand.]

Hey there! You're the person The Spine went to talk to about gigs, right? He says you've got a good offer for us, but as the brains behind the act I'd like to see it with my own eyes first! When's a good time to meet?

[opportunitycosts]

[Well, well it's been a while since he's had a messenger bird stop by his window, and an unfamiliar one at that. There's a bit of a grin as he reads the message before he sends one back to her.]

You got it, and I take it you're Rabbit? You can stop by the Hearth at anytime during the week. Actual open hours are Prote through Pempte, 11 to 8 if you want to see the place when it's in action. But if you want something more private, I can set up a meeting whenever.

02/07; voice

[gottacatch]

[ AALVIIIIN, BRNG BRNG FROM YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING-INSTIGATOR. ]

Alvin! How's your dunamis training going!

[ Straight to the point!! (Also you better have said something to him during his brilliant ritual announcement yesterday because if you didn't HE'LL DEFINITELY BUG YOU ABOUT THAT IN THIS CONVO--) ]

[opportunitycosts]

[WOW IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE CALLING YOURSELF NOW]

Hey, Red. [Slightly amused.] Not too bad. Don't really have a lot of time to really work on it, but better than the nothing I had before.

[(OKAY OKAY GOING WE HAVE TOO MANY THREADS)]

Backdated to 7/13

[lightthedarkness]

ALVIN! Good morning! You know how I mentioned my best friends and how they're all really sweet and beautiful? Well, my friend Minako Aino was wondering if she could work at the restaurant!

[opportunitycosts]

Morning—and yes, I do remember.

She'll still have to do the whole interview process, but another cute girl at the restaurant? How can I say no.

[If he hired clumsy Usagi, really the bar is not that high. For the record, same goes for handsome guys—ALVIN KNOWS HOW TO WORK THE "ATTRACT CUSTOMERS" GAME.]

early august idk / amulet

[gottacatch]

[ BRNG BRNG, ETC. ETC. ]

So, Alvin! Don't you think Shaarnath would have a lot of interesting dishes that'd be great to have at your restaurant? Or you know, even the foods! I bet there's a lot of great business opportunities just waiting down there for a restaurant owner, huh?

[opportunitycosts]

[Hah.]

A little late kid—already been thinking about it.

9/something idek [Voice]

[trademark_skull]

[Hey, guess who hasn't given you a call in awhile? (Or ever?) This has to be something special if he's doing it now.]

Hey...You got a minute?

[opportunitycosts]

[Well this is definitely unexpected.]

Hey, what's up?

11/18

[lostapprentice]

[In his mailbox, Alvin will find a simple square box, inside of which is a pocketwatch. But the watch isn't the typical kind, since most things on the island aren't—it's fitted with a golden crystal in the cover, which (as explained by a note from the maker inside) glows and supposedly gives the wearer a gentle feeling of encouragement when faced with doubt.

There's a simple handwritten note inside, in cursive but still somehow sharp. There's no signature or any other indication as to where it came from, aside from the message itself.]

To living without regrets.

[opportunitycosts]

[Alvin is a little surprised to see the box, and upon opening it, impressed by the contents. It's not too difficult to assume it's a late wedding gift (although not really that late), but from whom...?

The message is indeed a clue, although it would have been difficult if he hadn't already received gifts from possible suspects already. So that left...

...No...

...No.....

....................Could it?

The possibility that it could have been from that guy is a bit amusing.]

Well this is definitely not how I expected things to turn out. [Spoken to no one as he examines the watch and the note one last time before heading inside to prepare for the extended trip.

Should he send a message? Or should he wait? The guy left it anonymous—and granted, Alvin can't be 100% sure. Then again, the handwriting looks similar to when he first actually "talked" to the guy. Hard to miss such sharp, fluid lettering. The watch is also rather fancy, something he could imagine him picking up.

In the end, as he and Presa depart, he sends off a messenger bird. Maybe it'll drop the message on Kylo's head. Maybe it'll leave it at his window or door. But the little card will just have a short reply.]

And to second chances.

[There were a variety of things he could have said, but he end up with those instead. While the words hold true for him and Presa, it may be a subtle message to Kylo as well.

Alvin has no idea where he really stands with the guy aside from "neutral" and "let's not have a repeat of last time," and he's not exactly trying to be overtly friendly. But...maybe. Maybe if he can help prevent Kylo from being a complete disaster (or more of one than he already is) at least in this place, then things might go better for everyone.

And he can have a happier, peaceful marriage.

(Ssh he can have selfish reasons)]

12/25

[umbredna]

[Alvin gets a little purple crochet cat by bird, since Edna isn't sure if you two are still honeymooning.

If put by Presa's, the tails make a heart]

around christmas!!

[gottacatch]

[ From Red, Alvin is getting a nice(??) tie as well as a kerchief to go with it and cufflinks. While the material used is decent, it also comes with the added benefit of encouraging confidence around the person-- of course, it works for those who can be naturally confident. No tie will save a lousy talker.

There's also a bottle of gin and wine for him and Presa. He got help buying it, ok. ]

12/19 backdated

[spyrited]

[Ring ring over the amulets...]

Hey, Alvin. Are you busy?

[opportunitycosts]

Not really, what's up?