Doggie Delivery Service

[thedogkeeper]

Get a Message to the Dog Keeper

It is entirely possible to send messages to the Dog Keeper! While the Dog Keeper seems capable of sending text messages to characters, it does not seem like characters can find anywhere to contact the Dog Keeper directly through the phones. How strange! Oh well. Guess you'll just have to send the Dog Keeper a letter the old fashioned way!

Characters will have to write up a letter and put it in an envelope with "TO THE DOG KEEPER" written where a typical address would be printed. It doesn't seem like a return address is required! Characters will then leave their letters in their mail boxes (apartments and dorms have mailboxes in the lobbies that match to room numbers). They may also send the Dog Keeper items of any shape or size. To do this, if it doesn't fit in the mail box, simply set it by the mailbox. Seems like the Delivery Dogs know what to do! No item is too big or small- and the greatest part?

It doesn't look like there's any charge on postal!

To contact the Dog Keeper leave a comment below and the Dog Keeper will respond eventually. Maybe.

The Dog Keeper sends back letters- but they're all typed up. And of course- don't always expect helpful answers. Or any answers at all.

Get a Message to Someone Else!

While you wouldn't technically use this page to send a character letters/packages, you can assume that characters would be able to use the Delivery Dogs for similar functions with each other as well as the Dog Keeper.

Meaning if your characters makes up a package/letter that they want to send to another character, you would execute this by having the character write up an address like they would in the real world on the package or letter and then put it in their mail box with the flag up (apartments and dorms have mailboxes in the lobbies that match to room numbers). For objects bigger than the mailbox, they only have to set it down near the mail box and flip up the flag (if there is a flag to be flipped)! All deliveries are made within a day.

To execute this ICly, you would just proceed with usual inbox interactions as always.

This is just an assumed background action among characters. You do not need to make requests/make it known on this page that you are using the delivery dogs for this purpose.

Get a Message to Another NPC!

Currently it is not possible to send letters/items to other NPCs other than the Dog Keeper. This may change in the future.

If a character attempts to do so, they will find whatever item or letter they have sent in the mail box the following day....

....Only it'll look strangely as if it's aged several hundred years in one sitting.

How odd.

Comments

OOC Questions

[thedogkeeper]

Have questions about how this works or anything specific? Ask away here!

To the Dog Keeper

[shuttersense]

I thought you might want copies of these photographs. My apologies for not sending more sooner.

-Rei Kurosawa

[Inside the packet is photographs of the hotel before and during the masquerade. Most have been taken with a disposible camera, mostly of the dancing, of people, scattered here and there.

But there are also a few photographs of the Unmasked world-and one of the black deer.]

A Delivery Has Been Made!

[thedogkeeper]

(It takes some time for the Dog Keeper to respond. Not without reason. The silence, in some way, seems contemplative, and Rei may have noticed some of the Delivery Dogs watching her from time to time over the course of the week.

Then one day, she will find a simple envelope waiting for her.

Inside is.....

A clump of dog hair and a small note:)

Have you ever played with a rubix cube before?

There's a lot of different sides you can make out of this town and sometimes you just need to put yourself in the right state of mind.

Cheers!

Letter to the Dogkeeper

[justbeingknife]

We've never met, but I figured I'd take a shot in the dark and write ya.

You're the one who's been putting together those newsletters, right? Since it seemed like you were tryin' to help people out writing about the rain and the lions and all, I couldn't figure out why you'd send everyone those costumes.

At least not until I climbed some of those stairs. And saw the hospital.

Were you trying to get us to see the other Deerington, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

[thedogkeeper]

You might not have met me, but I have met all of you.

Do you know about trauma, Majima? Sometimes the brain will isolate an incident and choose to forget it or cover it up with something much more pleasant. Funny how psychology works!

But that trauma is still there under it all, isn't it?

I hope you didn't leave the doors unlocked while you were exploring the hospital.

I'm just a humble journalist reporting on the things I see. That's all.

-The Dog Keeper

Letter to Sodder

[justbeingknife]

I wanted to thank you for the knife, only I don't really know how to reach you. I'll try this and the Basket.

??????

[sodder]

(Sodder does not respond in a traditional sense. There are times when she cannot.

This is one of those times.

Instead, one day, Majima will return home to find a curious sight on his front porch. A spider seems to have made an elaborate web while he was out, and spelled out in that web is a very simple: YOU'RE WELCOME. - S

Well, at least he knows she got his message.)

Letter to the Dogkeeper

[justbeingknife]

Wait, what do you mean 'sleeping through the day'? You were takin' a nap the whole time?

And why the deer're trying to eat the power lines? Seems kinda counterproductive, what with the imminent risk of electrocution.

Those dogs of yours are lookin' a little off lately.

[ Included is a package of jerky. ]

[thedogkeeper]

I didn't sleep through the day INTENTIONALLY. I've got work to do! I'm a busy body! But I was just so sleeeepy!

Beats me. I'm not a deer mind reader. It really messes with my dogs though, I'll tell you that much.

I'm trying to help them out. Thanks for the jerky! They'll hopefully be okay sooner than later.

Might need to give them a break for delivering for a while.

Early November!

[thenovice]

[Not quite a typical message with names or questions — but Diarmuid does eventually seek out any place to deliver news to the Dog Keeper during the start of the November spectacle that is dolls and cabins. Or he'll simply give the basket to the dogs, should they prefer it. He will simply leave a basket with tightly rolled parchments, likely made of goat or deer skins, something that came with his doll box. There's a teeny note made with a sliver of the writing material:

TO BE BRIEF AND SAVE THE PARCHMENT -
FOR YOU TO USE IN CASE YOU LACK PAPER THIS MONTH.
IN THE CASE OF NEWS YOU MAY NEED TO BRING.

He doesn't leave a name, and is alright with not having a response; he just wanted to make sure these went to good use for their little town, since he's unsure if this Dog Keeper fellow even has a place or materials to write from... if he's even around right now.]

To The Dog Keeper

[shuttersense]

[It's been awhile but things had been happening. It was just...super busy with everything. But what Justine told her...

Rei finally wrote a letter. It was in two envelopes: one with the letter folded around another envelope. But this one was labelled: WARNING: UPSETTING IMAGES INSIDE.]

Dog Keeper-

My apologies for not keeping in touch. Things have been busy and going forward, as they always do. I'm just glad that I have paper to write you with.

But...I know you warned me. I know you warned all of us. But I went down. I went into the darkness.

I don't understand any of what I saw, but one haunts me the most.

If you want more, you know how to contact me.

-Rei.

[And inside...are two photographs. One with a disposable camera, one with a spirit camera.

They have the same caption on the back. "Same spot. Same spot. Same side."]

To the Dog Keeper, likely at the beginning of May.

[quipsandthwips]

Dog Keeper,

My name is Peter Parker, and I have a question, if you don't mind me asking.

Who was it who sent us the post cards? When we were sick from the Erasure Virus.

It ended with 'Sodder' but... the writing sounds nothing like them from the first letter we receive — and the handwriting looks like it belongs to a child. It's been bothering me ever since I received it, and I'm curious if you know anything about it. I'd just like to talk to them if I can, about their experiences (since they apparently saw this virus before), but... I'm not sure how to deliver messages outside of the Sleepers.

Anything helps, honestly.
We can all help each other if we know both sides of the coin.

Thank you,

Peter

A letter a little late in reply

[thedogkeeper]

Peter Parker -

Questions are what keep the world spinning, so ask away and I can try to answer when I can.



No it would not sound like the first letter, would it. That letter was made a very long time ago.

The post cards you received were from Sodder directly. And I mean d i r e c t l y. It takes a lot for her to do that

I can try to get a message to Sodder for you, but I can't guarantee it'll work or that she will be able to get back.

I do what I can. I can't always help. Know that when I am absent, it is because someone is making me absent.

Good luck Peter Parker

-TDK

To Sodder

[quipsandthwips]

Dear Sodder,

This is Peter Parker. I figure you probably know that already. Maybe Doug tells you; that's the Dog Keeper's new name, by the way. Doug. Hopefully you approve, I think it's a great name, but I've been told I'm the worst at naming things.

I'm sorry to ask questions, and I know you've been unwell, but if you can just... give me even just a one-word answer, maybe there's a way we can learn enough to try and help you. I've heard about your mother. About Cynthia Sodder. I heard something that implied that your abilities manifested early on, and she was worried for your safety; I think for good reason.




Are you in the lab on Mount Rheum, Sodder?





- Peter

[sodder]

(It takes some time for Sodder to respond, but eventually she does. Though, as always, it is never quite in the way anyone expects.

For Peter it seems she has a particular idea of the best way to reach him. It is not through a traditional note, but instead a heavily spun spider web that appears over his bed one night.

In the web is stitched a very simple, very legible: "YES"

Hopefully he'll be able to figure out who the message is from and what it's concerning.)

To Sodder!!

[tagartist]

Hey girl, important question;

What is a ghosts least favorite room?

Take your time, I know you got shit to do prob, but hit me up when you know the answer.

- Chloe

[sodder]

(After some delay, Chloe gets a message painted on one of her blank canvases in her basement in blue paint. The writing is very shaky, and at some parts a little illegible:

Hello woman;

theater 4 at the movie theater. always showed r rate movies. wasnt allowed to see
so nothing goes on there. monsters never go in or come out. no ghosts either

- Sodder)

To Sodder!

[sinnabon]

[ this letter comes with a picture attached, because peter said draw things for her, so he drew things. he is not an artist and neither is his player. the letter is scrawled on some notebook paper ripped from a school spiral, not in the greatest of handwriting, but legible. ]

Dear Sodder,

I'm sorry for the stick figures. I wasn't sure how good I'd be at this. The stick people I drew are friends I've made in town. Sort of. I don't think Billy knows what a friend is. Anyway, they're good people, and I wanted you to know you've been helping them, all of us.

People in the town are working really hard to figure out how to get to you, and hopefully we can all see you in person soon. I know you're probably in pain where you are, or scared. I wish we could be there with you, so you wouldn't have to face it alone.

They discovered something that happened with your mother the other day - Cynthia. You could tell she really loved you. She said people were calling you a monster, but you're not. People said the same thing about me, and my mother fought so, so hard to protect me. After she was gone, the people who took care of me did the same. While you're in that place on the mountain, remember that people love you, and that you're worth that love. You're not a monster, and you can and have done good in this place. You'll have a family again someday.

We're trying to find more about what happened to you now. We know that your mother's address is listed as the Mayor's house, but we can't get in there. Do you know a way in?

Anyway, Spider-Man said you like drawings, so I hope you like bad ones too. We'll see you as soon as we can, and I hope you get some rest soon. Thank you for looking out for us.

— Jack Kline

[sodder]

(The reply takes quite some time, and when it comes, it is not in the form of a message...But a deer.

Or more accurately: a fawn. It had more spots than the average fawn, and its eyes were a pale and unblinking blue lacking a pupil. It did not seem to ask for entry, but rather simply casually found its way into Jack's home one day and wound up curled up on a pillow on his bed.

Around its neck is a flower crown composed of wild flowers. Only it is far from an ordinary flower crown and as much is obvious. The flowers are in a constant state of change. One will blossom open into a rose only to have the petals thin out and spike upward, transforming into a snapdragon. The process goes on and on for each bud, soft, fluttering.

This flower crown is a gift of gratitude, though there is no note with it, Sodder had used most of her energy in making it. The kindness and understanding was more than she had experienced in a long, long time and she had wanted to send in a proper thank you. A token of friendship.

This flower crown can only be destroyed by silver or golden blades of any sort. The crown itself isn't just a pretty thing though. Whoever wears the crown will be protected from the elements: meaning they won't freeze to death in a blizzard, get heat stroke from blazing summer days, or other weather related complications. They will also feel quite comfortable in all weather, even if they are wearing completely inappropriate clothing for said weather- all as long as they are wearing the flower crown.

The flower crown can be blown off of heads by the wind or pushed off as easily as you'd expect a flower crown to be pushed off- so make sure you hold on tight! If it's lost or destroyed, it cannot be recovered.

Once Jack discovers the fawn, it will stand and dip its head to drop the crown in front of Jack. The fawn might just stick around for some pets- he's a very soft, very affectionate fawn, even though he can't really seem to see at all.)

To Sodder

[sinnabon]

Dear J. Sodder,

Here's some puzzles for you. I hope you have fun with them!

- Jack

PS: Thanks for the lion cub guide. I named him Raja, we've been going on adventures together :)

[ along with the note will be two puzzle games, one a sack full of wire puzzles and the other a 3D maze. have fun, sodder! ]

To Jack, Much Later

[sodder]

(It takes quite some time before Sodder responds, but when she does, she does accidentally go a little overboard. Jack will find a simple red string leading to his bedroom, and upon entering, he will discover a whole lot of red string hanging from his ceiling in the corner.

Like a whole lot. Only upon further inspection one would be able to identify numerous string figures throughout. Not only that, but when someone finally looks at them, the numerous string figures will begin to pull themselves apart and arrange themselves appropriately.

Sodder is doing simple string tricks for Jack. Once the tricks have been performed, of which there are dozens, the strings will eventually fall away to the floor.

Hanging from the very middle is an odd looking Red Queen of Diamonds playing card on which a small note is written on the back:

Thank you for the puzzles! Some were really hard! But it was nice to focus on something fresh and new for once.

Red is the best color dont you think? Ramona taught me a LOT of these strong tricks. Arent they neat?

P.S. I am glad you have a companion. Animals have always helped me too. )

Around 8/21/19

[quipsandthwips]

[It's about a week before he's killed that he gets the red paper from the deer that wanders Deerington.

Once Peter figures out the purpose of it (which is admittedly too long, even if only a day of investigation), he goes for a pen and sits to write Sodder's name on the slightly crumpled paper while at his desk ( which is... embarrassingly scattered with notes and trash and needing a thorough clean-up). There wasn't even a second thought as to who he'd use the protection on, honestly. The people here, at least he can try to reach and keep safe; Sodder, not so much... and this way. Well, this way, he can at least do something to try and rescue them all from worser and worser.]

... Here goes nothing, I guess.

[sodder]

(The reaction is almost instantaneous. Peter's desk might have been messy before, but he'd have a new problem to deal with in a few seconds. As the paper catches fire and the cardinal is lifted up out of its flame, the spot where the paper was begins to grow over rapidly with moss. The moss grows over the rest of the desk. Some grows across the floor and even a little bit onto Peter's shoes- at least it's easy to scrape off!

Then little flowers begin to open up and grow out of the moss, and the cardinal hops around them until a little batch of white daises grows roughly in the shape of a...baby? The cardinal moves towards the batch of flowers and nudges its beak at it. The flowers give a tremble and then a little figure sits up out of them. She's no taller than the pen Peter wrote the message with, and for a couple of seconds, she just blinks her one blue eye in a dazed, confused way. The cardinal is nearly the same size as the small figure, and hops around, chirping softly.

Eventually, the little figure speaks, and her voice sounds hollow and porcelain- not quite right, but it was there. In the flesh.)

...Peter? (Sodder seems to realize that she was speaking directly to Peter- or well. As directly as she was able. Her small porcelain doll hands go up to the sides of her strange mask and she just stays that way for a few seconds.)

I have a body! (There's some shrill excitement in her tone, and it's hard to fully gauge whether it's more of a child's voice or a young lady's voice. She rushes to stand up but instantly falls flat on her face. Welp.

A doll's body wasn't exactly what she was used to. She did her best.

Anyway, Peter, you get to have a real conversation with Sodder "face to face".)

To the Dog Keeper

[mypartnerintime]

[She's sick and bored and completely obsessed with her recent run in with that one Waste, so she does the only thing she can think of that might not draw the attention of the mayor or Mother Superior. She leaves a handwritten letter in her mailbox and waits for one of the dogs to pick it up. Said dog will get a bit of food and some pets (if it lets her), and whispered instructions to please deliver the letter to its owner. Then she hopes to the high heavens that no one steals the letter, and it makes its way safely into the hands of the Dog Keeper.]

Hi friend,

Just asking out of curiosity, but what do you think of the college? It seems like a nice place to hang out and maybe grab a snack or two. Though it's not always as private as I'd like!

Max ♡

Backed a tiny bit to end of September

[thedogkeeper]

(The pets are definitely warmly accepted, and the dog has a bit of a full body wiggle in response to them. It almost seems like either the dog didn't deliver the goods or the Dog Keeper had no intention on responding...

But the one day a dog comes trotting along and is waiting outside of Max's bedroom specifically. With a letter, of course.)

It's a nice place to think sometimes.

And it's a better place for friends.

No, it isn't too private. But in the right angle it can be.

-The Dog Keeper

to Sodder

[earpiest]

Dear Sodder,

We haven’t spoken before, but I hear that sometimes people are able to get in touch with you. My name is Waverly Earp, I just arrived a few weeks ago.

I have a lot of questions, and I figure that you probably can’t answer all of them, because when is getting information ever that easy? I’m starting a research team with some friends of mine to help us understand things better, and try to work out the best ways we can help you and the town. We’re called the Research Ravens - although I guess maybe you knew that already. If you're ever up for answering some questions, though, we'd all really appreciate it.
(Thank you so much for the team sweaters in my blessing basket, they’re going to be so excited. Maybe not as excited as me, but pretty excited.)

More important than all the questions I have though, I really wanted to thank you and your deer for protecting Wynonna. She was hurt really badly, and she even admitted it was a close call, which is a big deal. Wynonna tries to joke her way through everything, you know? One of your deer saved her life, and I can’t thank you enough for that. It feels like although we’re stuck somewhere so dark and complicated, we’ve still got people looking out for us. When you’re away from so many friends and family from home, it means a lot. Thank you. I owe you.

I haven’t got any drachma yet, but I’m going to explore your heart. Unless that’s invasive and you don’t want us to? But I figured since it’s there and stuff maybe you did want us to? After the messages and stuff, I mean.

Anyway, please let me know if I can ask you questions sometimes or if that’s super duper not okay, and if the heart thing is like “go, girl!” or “girl, no.” Sorry I’m rambling, I hoped I’d do better with writing it down, but I’ve never attempted correspondence with a god before.

Yours faithfully,

Waverly Earp

ps. Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you.

pps. I hope you like the snacks I collected. The library wasn’t specific on what you liked to eat, but I went for regularly deer food.

( The parcel includes a couple apples (not in the best condition, but precious given the current state of things) and a large collection of acorns. )

Forever Later

[sodder]

(October is not known for being kind to Sodder, and it's taken her some time to revitalize. Her answer comes slowly, but it does come.

In the shape of a small glowing canary. The canary is flitting about Waverly's room whenever she returns to it one day, full of life and pleased to see her. It flies to her head, maybe tugs a little at her hair before flying away. It certainly isn't shy.

Eventually the canary begins to say in a soft, feminine voice, a little distorted by the bird's capability, but it seems like somehow Sodder's managed to "record" a sort of response for Waverly:)

Hello Waverly. I'm sorry it's taken so -- long. October is difficult. Research Ravens! How cute! (The canary flutters its wings hard at this, and it really does seem to genuinely approve.)

I am -- so happy your sister is safe -- I've never had a sister before. I do know though. Ramona -- she was like that -- some women try their hardest so others don't -- have to.

You may enter. If anyone can see my heart -- it would be all of you. It is why -- I wanted to open the Great Sleep -- So I can show you more than I am -- usually capable of. It is just easier to -- bring you to me -- rather than me come to you.

You may ask -- I will try to answer what I can.

If it is easier -- you may -- record your message back through Butter -- do you get it? Because she is yellow. (The canary. Yes, Sodder has a sense of humor even if it's pitifully punny.)

Just -- tell her what you'd like to say -- and she'll get to me a little faster -- than the dogs. They are -- tired right now -- I want to let them rest -- Dog Keeper already -- tries.

I'm not sure -- if I'd call myself a god -- but you are -- sweet. I am just -- a girl.


Thank you, Waverly. I thank -- all of you.



Apples are -- delicious!

[thenovice]

[Diarmuid had gotten an idea one unpleasantly dreary day in October, to make use of the bowl in his possession; after all, is it not his duty to do whatever he can, in order to find more answers? So with that in mind, he intends to try and see where four particular people are — if he can.

J. Sodder.
The Dog Keeper.
Mayor Sodder.
Mother Superior.

Offering his blood to the bowl, he looks for each, holding his breath to see if it works for them as it had for the other people in Deerington.]

Apologies for the delay!

[sodder]

For J. Sodder:

At first it looks like the image wants to shape itself. The water quivers, vibrating, and there's something. It looks vaguely like a child's drawing of a deer on a wall, but then it's gone almost as quickly as it had arrived, and out of the bowl comes a horrendous shrieking. If Diarmuid has been to the Lab on the mountain, he may recognize the shriek.

For The Dog Keeper:

The image is the outside of Deerington College beneath some of the bleachers. There's a few Wastes huddled in a tight circle, a soft murmuring between them, and sitting in the middle appears to be a stronger looking Waste with a Dog. The Dog is surprising since it's the only Waste dog around, and it's not one many people have seen. As a matter of fact, up until Diarmuid, only one other has seen the Dog.

It's the Dog looks right at Diarmuid, and it gives a friendly tail wag, but it makes the rest of the Wastes startle. They scurry quickly away, gasping.

For Mayor Sodder:

This image opens up into a very sophisticated looking room. One can see windows beyond, and if Diarmuid or someone else has an eye for detail, they will recognize that the perspective is looking out onto the streets of Deerington just outside of the Mayor's house. It looks like you might be in the Mayor's office.

There's a large leather chair with its back to the image, creaking gently, and crackling music can be heard, even through the bowl, and it sounds almost like it's in the room with Diarmuid.

Then a very clear, deep voice sounds out: "Spy on me all you like, little boy. See what good it does you. Children shouldn't dally in the affairs of grown-ups."

Almost immediately after, tentacles will snap out of the bowl and try to grab at Diarmuid. They are ultimately harmless, but they can be startling. They withdraw almost as quickly back into the bowl.

For Mother Superior:

When the bowl comes to this one, Diarmuid will find Mother Superior staring straight back at him almost within seconds. Her haunting face ever concealed by her gas mask, and she merely stares. Then she lashes her hand out at the image, and on Diarmuid's end, all of the water in the bowl, as well as Diarmuid's blood, will turn rancid and black, bubbling over the edges of the bowl. The bowl can be cleaned out and used as normal, but it will smell quite badly for a while after. Diarmuid will get this reaction every time he attempts to see where Mother Superior is. Some contact will be more violent than others.

To Sodder

[borntolove]

Sodder,

I want to thank you for the opportunity you've presented me with. Usually - Well - suppose it's good someone twisted this old alien's arm behind his back. That doesn't involve me risking my life.

Thank you for giving me this chance with Rose that I probably wouldn't have taken fully ever.

You probably won't show but you are invited to our wedding on Christmas Day.

The Doctor

PS -

Thank you for the stabilizing gem for my psychic abilities

[sodder]

(Sodder does not respond to this message right away, but on the Doctor and Rose's wedding day, they will find that there is indeed an additional guest with a simple gift.

A solid white deer with an antler full of white roses will approach the Doctor and Rose at some point and present them with a lovely wreath made out of red and white roses. Perfect snowflakes dot the wreath. The wreath and snowflakes are all real, and both have been enchanted to stay alive for as long as Rose and the Doctor are together.

There is a simple note attached to the wreath:

Congratulations!!! I've always wanted to go to a wedding.

I'll have to settle for sending a gift. I'm sorry it's not much
Keep each other forever if you can manage it
The universe is a much better place when you share it with someone
Being alone is agony.

You are welcome, Doctor. I hope it serves you well.

Have a beautiful wedding. I am sorry if my deer friend eats any of your food.

-Sodder

PS. Marry Christmas!! (I hope you see what I did there)

At the bottom of the card is a children's doodle of two deer seeming to get married, a little heart scribbled over them.)

ooc - a record of (some misguided) attempts to do stuff to contact Sodder via other means

[earpiest]

1. deer pumpkin carvings for Sodder

2. trying to create safehavens for the deer to bring them back during October + shrines/pumpkins for Sodder - cw. severe effects of sanity sacrifice

3. Waverly attempts to sacrifice a heart for Sodder - cw. severe effects of sanity sacrifice, self-harm/attempted self-sacrifice, traumatic injury, gore/description of bone and flesh injuries

To Sodder

[shiro2hero]

[It's wrapped up in a note. But it's one of the vials. One of the silvery vials from fighting the Moon Presence.]

Sodder,

I don't know if you can use this. But I had to try. Stay strong out there. We're still trying our best to get to you.

It's going to be okay.

- Shiro

[sodder]

(One day Shiro will return home and find a baby deer sitting neatly on his pillow, chewing a little on it. Sorry Shiro. As soon as the deer sees Shiro though, it will start to bleat happily, getting up on its wobbly legs.

There is a loose twine around its neck with a note attached.

Shiro -

Thank you so much for this gift. It has given me enormous relief, even if temporary. I was able to contact Ramona for just a few minutes too.

Please let me know if there is anything I can try to answer or do for you while I have the strength.

I hope you stay strong as well.

- Sodder)

To The Dog Keeper

[soulmakingsound]

[There's a small box filled with acorns, berries, and fresh baked cookies. Also a few leaves she found to be very pretty. Some stones that are the perfect size and smoothness.

The collection of a hopeful child.

The letter itself reads:]

Dear Dog Keeper (cc: Sodder, if possible),

This place sent my brother to me in the form of a ghost. Everyone says it's impossible, but I'd very much like to keep him.

Please. I need him here with me. Please don't take this away from me, too.

Yours most sincerely,
River Tam

To Sodder

[borntolove]

[These handcrafted steampunk reindeer have been left in the basket as thanks]

To the Mayor (who is actually surprised by this honestly)

[gaylic]

Mayor Sodder,

I know you are a busy man with likely far too much on your shoulders considering the overwhelming and extreme circumstances that your town has been put under, so please do not feel as though you must respond to this letter of inquiry. I am aware this would have been better timed over the summer games when you were more readily available for discussion, but admittedly, your announcement came with unfortunate timing for myself. I apologize if this letter finds you at an inconvenient time.

I would like to preface these questions with my sympathies for the lack of consideration you were shown by my fellow Sleepers. A knee-jerk response to paint everything you have done in a negative light purely because your daughter appears to be no more than a child is unhelpful. We all do what we must in times of crisis; the line between good and bad actions are never as clearly defined as those here would like to believe. I hope none of these questions cross personal boundaries and extend further apology should they unintentionally do so.

Was there a specific event or series of events that led to your decision to contain your daughter?
Can you share the details of this/these event/s?
Are you aware of how long she has been bringing in other "Sleepers"?
Are her powers limited to this dream world or have they impacted the world outside of this dimension?
It's been clear that there have been "Sleepers" coming into Deerington for quite some time; do you know how long?
Are you aware of anything that we could do in order to help you restore this place, no matter how small? I know few if any of us showed an interest in assisting you with your goals. Admittedly, it's hard to know who to trust in this place, but the extremity of their aggression seems misplaced. That is a common practice with the Sleepers, even among ourselves. I've seen how they can blame those with the best intentions purely because they are an easy target for their grief and anger.

Having experience with holding a political position of power back in my own world, I understand that you are limited in what you can convey to the general public, and as such I fully understand if any of my questions can not be answered, if you have any answers to them at all. There is only so much that we as guests within your world can expect. Please do not feel obligated to give more information that you believe we should be privy to.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Dr. Moira O'Deorain

for the Mayor.

[hedgemony]

( Time to make some attempts. )

Mayor,

I'm not any kind of wordsmith, so I won't try to make this sound pretty. My name is Kady Orloff-Diaz, I'm a magician. In my world people like me are called hedgewitches. We're the outliers who aren't classically trained, and we have powerful enemies. That's not necessarily relevant to your concerns, but just know that while I'm in someone else's playground, I'd like to be on the side of the power and authority.

Can we meet? This doesn't seem like the most discrete communication we could go for.

Kady

to the dog keeper, sent back with the dogs at the start of december

[hopecanruinyou]

Dog Keeper,

I don't really know what I'm hoping to accomplish with this, honestly. I don't know enough about how things work in this town, or what the right things to ask even are. But I feel like I have to at least try to do something, and starting with you didn't seem like the worst idea so.

First, I noticed that you didn't send out a newsletter with your dogs for November, and I hope you're well. Also that the dogs themselves don't seem to be in the best state right now. It's probably presumptuous considering how much you do for us, but if there's anything I can do to help regardless, please let me know.

Second-- and I know I'm being presumptuous now, but if I don't even bother to try and ask it's just going to keep bothering me until I do-- I was curious to know how you're able to warn us like you do. To get things we need like incense and vaccinations sent to us at the perfect time. Is is some form of precognition, or are you just incredibly observational?

Lastly, is there anything I can do to help? Big, small, it doesn't matter, I'd just like to feel like I'm doing something to help change things for the better, even just for a little while.

Sincerely,
Thom Creed.

Sometime when convenient...!

[thenovice]

Remember when Diarmuid attempted to see certain key people in the special bowl he has? Well, he's here to try again. To look at those he'd originally looked up, sure, but to also look into new potential names he's learned over his stay.

He places in the following names, and some that are... not quite names, for which he hopes it may work:

The Masked Deer of Death.
Ramona Derwin.
Cynthia Sodder.
J. Sodder.
The Dog Keeper.
Mayor Sodder.
Mother Superior.