first letter ☂ text

[dearmajor]

Hello. My name is Violet Evergarden.

I have received the initial briefing and read the introductory documents about living here, so I do not have any questions that are answerable at this time. However, I would appreciate being informed should anyone come to cross paths with a Major Gilbert Bougainvillea.

I hoped to ask a more personal question instead, as many of the messages here do. In my own home, I was an Auto Memory Doll -- tasked with writing letters on behalf of those who are illiterate, or who need assistance putting their thoughts and feelings into words.

I have heard that our existences here can be fleeting or particularly long-lived, and so I was wondering...is there anyone you would want to write a letter to, if you could?

Comments

Audio

[purple_reign]

You were a...doll? Have you thought about what you want to do just for yourself?

-> Audio

[dearmajor]

[Violet makes a small 'o' with her lips when the sound comes out of her device. Something that can send letters and transmit a person's voice like the phone she's seen in Hodgins' office...she's a little bit fascinated. It takes her a minute to figure out, but she manages to switch her feed to audio too.]

...It is something I have chosen to do, for myself. I received no orders to take on such a job.

[If Violet had more of a sense of irony, she might feel it now. Becoming an Auto Memory Doll was in fact her first independent decision, after all.]

[purple_reign]

[ It's a little surprising to hear of someone willingly choosing to be a doll, but to each their own. ]

Well, as long as it's your choice...

I don't have anyone left that I'd write a letter to. Everyone that I still have things I need to say to is here already.

[dearmajor]

That is very fortunate.

[A beat, then:]

Sometimes people write letters to others if the words won't come when they are face-to-face, but if you are not in that situation, then you are doubly fortunate, I think.

text

[am_i_a_monster]

Hi Violet. Welcome to this world.

You mean write a letter to anyone at all? Living or dead?

text

[dearmajor]

[There's a pause, at that. She thinks of Luculia, and her own letter -- and then starts to type.]

Yes. Anyone you would want to write to.

text

[am_i_a_monster]

Then I'd write to my mom. Let her know I was able to have a life here.

text

[dearmajor]

I see. Did you and your mother endure many hardships, then?

text;

[maevelous]

An Auto Memory Doll sounds like an odd title for someone doing what you described. Do you only write letters for these people?

text;

[dearmajor]

It was originally a term for a machine that was created by a doctor for his wife, a novelist who had gone blind. From there, it extended to refer to the industry of writing for others.

But we are not limited to letters, no. We will write anything we are hired to.

text;

[maevelous]

A harmless reason to create a machine at the least. What happened to the original? Is it still in existence? Or is that long forgotten history?

text; faceinhands i had to go digging for this info, sorry for the delay.

[dearmajor]

Yes, there are still some of the original machines available to purchase or rent. However, many prefer the service rendered by a living Doll, who is able to decipher their thoughts and feelings from what they say, and put them to paper.

text;

[codeofiron]

Major Gilbert Bougainvillea?

text;

[dearmajor]

[ ! ]

[A sudden flutter of hope blooms in Violet's chest, and she clutches the communicator tightly for a minute before she can even respond.]

Yes. Have you seen him?

text;

[codeofiron]

[Brandon please learn to actually communicate so you don't give people false hope.]

No, but I'll watch for him. What's he like?

text;

[dearmajor]

[oh..............

crushing disappointment tbqh. good thing we're on text huh.]

He is....a kind man.

[How do you describe a person that was once your entire world? Even now, when she understands a little better, what it is to say I love you, she struggles to express the nature of the feelings she possesses toward the man who took her in and raised her--who gave her a name and a home and a purpose in life.]

Composed in demeanor, as well. He does not speak overly much, though when he does, he speaks forthrightly and without hidden meaning.

[There's a pause, those little "..."s looping for a couple minutes.]

I am sorry, I am uncertain what kind of description you are looking for.

text;

[shutterbugged]

Sorry, I've never heard that name, but I'll keep an ear out. But hey, welcome. How're you enjoying your kidnapping so far?

"My mom" is the obvious answer, but thinking about it, if I had to pick just one person it'd be my friend MJ. We're not as close as we used to be, but she knows me better than pretty much anyone, and if there's anybody I know who could take a letter from me in another universe in stride...okay, that's a lie, she'd freak out. But she's the person I'd like to know first.

text;

[dearmajor]

I am uncertain our present circumstances qualify as a kidnapping. The entity responsible for our relocation, Lachesis--she has not stated any demands, has she?

As for myself, I do not hold any particular opinion about the city I was assigned to at this time. My health is normal, however, and I am not experiencing any significant emotional distress.

Please, tell me more about this friend, MJ. What would you want to say to her?

text;

[shutterbugged]

I'd say that's part of the whole problem, but if you want to split hairs...well, honestly, I don't know what else you'd call it other than a kidnapping. Any suggestions?

Uh...good to hear you're adjusting well. [ A very slight pause before the next message. Because what do you say to that, really. ] Let me know if I can do anything to help.

As for MJ, huh. Just that I'm here, that I'm doing all right and wanted her to know, but also that I'll be home before she knows it, literally, and she doesn't need to worry about me. Maybe a bit about some of the people I've met here who I can see her having liked. [ For example: an alternate version of her late best friend, Peter's younger clone-sister...his and MJ's daughter and nephew from a reality where they stayed together. Y'know, just some folks. ]

Who would you write to?

[vanto]

I'll keep an eye out for this person. You never know when someone shows up.

[dearmajor]

Thank you.
He is about six feet tall, with deep green eyes and short, dark hair. There is a scar on his cheek and above his eyebrow on his left side, and ...

He may bear lingering injury to his right eye and perhaps his side.

[yanno if he. survived at all. which she wants to believe, but also. yeah.]

[vanto]

Don't worry, if he shows up hurt there are people here who are good at patching up injuries.

text;

[fridgeflower]

Oh, GOSH. I've written a ton of letters that aren't send-able! I guess that makes them more diary entries than letters, but who's keeping track?

Welcome, Violet. I'm afraid I've never heard of a Major Bougainvillea, but I'm definitely not the be-all-and-end-all of the imPort social scene.

text;

[dearmajor]

I believe the difference is that diary entries are not written as if directed at a particular individual. But it is true that it would be troubling if someone were to be tracking others' private writings.

[Violet ... it's a rhetorical question, girl.]

Thank you anyway. If he is here, I am sure we will cross paths eventually.

text;

[fridgeflower]

[ Welp. Okay, then. ]

Your job sounds interesting. Did they give you something similar here?