DEAR AATHER LETTERS

[dramatispersonae]

[ Here are your letters! Please reply using the Aather anon journal anninymouse (login information found in the post below this one) and make sure to sign every piece of advice with your team's birdsign somewhere in the signature. Because round one lasted longer than expected, this round will continue until 7:30 EST.

Edit: Part three is up! Vote for your favorite letters here. Part three has a hard cutoff of 8:00PM EST.

Edit x 2: Part two is over! Part three continues until 8:00PM. Go to endgame. ]

Comments

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

Pya. Pya?

- Bya

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Bya,

Bruuu. Pya. Pyaaa. Pya!

- Kingfisher Tail

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I think my purpose is missing. How do I find it? Memories and skills come back with games, but a purpose is different.

I looked in the clinic, but I only found medicine and condoms. I'm sure those are very useful to people who have a purpose, but I don't need them right now.

-- I Don't Know

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear I Don't Know,

Perhaps you should look beyond the clinic. Inside the Great Hall, for instance.

- Other Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

Is truth essential to you for friendship if it has been previously revealed that some present would hate you for it?

– Somebody

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Somebody,

You gotta be who you are. Past can shape you up, but it doesn't define you. You're who you are now. A friend might hate you for a past mistake — that's life. But do you really want them to love someone they don't know?

You gotta think about that, I think.

Macaw 2

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,
Someone told me that people having more than one boyfriend or girlfriend isn't uncommon here, and I guess that's being more than just friends. I don't know if that's true or not, I can't tell unless someone tells me anyway. Um... I just wanted to know... what's so special about having a boyfriend or girlfriend?
-- Without an Other

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Without an Other,

It's okay to have more than one boyfriend or girlfriend, but you need to make sure everyone's fine with it! Don't do anything without the appropriate communication or people will end up with a broken heart—!

As for the second part, having a boyfriend or a girlfriend is great. It's because people you love make you really happy, right? So just seeing them makes you smile, and you want them to smile, too. It's about sharing everything you have ... err, unless you want to hide it I guess.

But it's really good!!

-- Ibis Pretty

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I would like my own space and I don’t have one in my cabin. I don’t want to live there anymore, but I don’t want my teammates to make a big deal if I move out. I think it would upset them. Should I just do it, or should I talk to them first to see what they think?

— Ready to Pack Bags

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Ready to Pack Bags,

Does what your teammates want or feel comfortable with matter more than your own desires? Do it, then inform them.

- Other Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I want to get more tattoos next time there is a game with tattoo-ing (I'm not going to quest for tattoos, I don't want to pay for them), but I want to be able to get a PT job when I leave Aather, and the conbinis do not like if you have tattoos all over (I think) (it might depend on the neighborhood). Should I get them places where they can be hidden easily, or just fuck it and stock up on concealer, that job is not going to last anyways.

— I Wrote a Letter for an Excuse to Take Extra Paper

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear I Wrote a Letter for an Excuse to Take Extra Paper (And You're Very Clever, Too, but Not That Clever),

Damn, is this really that hard? Just do it on your back. Your butt. The inside of your thigh. Your boob/chest. Anyway, you're probably going to be too psychologically screwed up when you leave here to be worried about a part time job.

Think it through.

- Mindful Macaw

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I am a man with an eye for fashionable clothing. My outfits always match, and I'm always certain to keep up with the latest trends. But today, I woke up with a very pressing and concerning problem. . .

I couldn't decide if I should wear a red or orange tie.

Help me pick a color, Aather. You're my only hope at this point. Without your advice, I might look hideous, and none of us would want that.

Very Sincerely Yours,

— Color Confused in Camelot

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Color Confused:

Go with red.

-- Ostrich Eyes

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,
Can a person seriously change who they are? Has anyone here actually done it and had it stick? When I first started remembering doing terrible things, it was all horrifying and crap, and I even got sick over it. But now when I remember doing horrible stuff, it seems normal. I actually kind of like who I was, a little bit. At least I got stuff done. I'm trying to be a better person while I'm here, but part of me is wondering whether it's even worth trying, especially if there's this part of me that wants to keep being bad. Maybe I should just go back to being awful or whatever. What should I do?
- Slice & Dice

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear S&D,

You know baby birds change a lot as they grow? Even beautiful robins were once ugly and featherless. I think that's what it's like to start as an amnesiac. You're blind and featherless, and standing on your own is hard. But we're different from birds. We can grow into any number of things—not just what we used to be. If you want to change, then you can change. I won't pretend it's not hard, but it's not impossible.

If you have teammates, talk to them. If you don't, talk to your friends! Or other knights! Anyone you think you could trust with this. You're trying to change, aren't you? So some part of you wants to be better too, and you can't ignore it. Get some friends to figure out which part of you has the strongest desire, and then use those friends to help you stick with it.

Handsome Robin

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

You all like love problems, right? So, with that in mind, I have a... but of a complicated problem. I'm romantically interested in someone, but there are a couple problems with it: First, it's a teammate. Second, I've heard him at one point say that he is absolutely never going to be in a romantic relationship. Both of these make it... Kind of of complicated.

Any confession is going to mess with a lot of stuff, right? I just... don't really know what I should do in this situation at all, so any help would be good.

-- Monochrome Love

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Monochrome Love,

If he's doesn't want to be in a relationship, don't push it.

-- Newb Emu

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

When there are no good choices, how do decide what is 'right'? How do you live with what you've done in the Ring?

- Without Direction

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Without Direction,

I don't know about it. Living with what you've done in the Ring and outside, maybe — it's really hard. But we have no choice, right? So all we have to do is push forward. I think it's okay if you regret or are scared or want to run away... when it comes down to it it's probably worse to deny something's wrong at all.

Maybe it isn't a matter of deciding what is right, but just what's less bad for you. I think maybe in the end it's just -- keeping what's dear to you safe. I don't know...

-- Ibis Pretty

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

This is something I've been getting a lot of conflicting messages about, and it's something a lot of people are really passionate about: The treatment of Knights. I... don't even really know how to ask this question, to be honest: Are knights being treated fairly? Are they not? But that's not really what I'm trying to ask here.

I know knights are kind of a mixed bag in general, and I've met knights that are genuinely helpful to people, but I've also met knights that seem to consider being a knight justification for doing whatever they like. I've personally seen several knights manipulate teams, turn teams against each other, and even exploit teams for their own benefit. And the general response I get when I mention this to people is "Oh no, that never happens." And yet it kind of seems like if someone does that to a knight, the knight has been victimized by the horrible team that did it to them. The impression I get is that Knights have no need to take responsibility for their actions, while any team that does something is immediately declared evil without anyone even putting thought into it.

I guess my question is this: I get the impression that Knights are expected to be treated differently from teams, like they're more important than teams and are free to do whatever they like to teams and nobody should care. Is that... Really the way it should be? Isn't there anything we can do to fix this situation?

-- Knightless Night

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Whoa! I'm a knight, if I knew anyone did anything like that I'd either want them to take responsibility or want to make them take it. If this is something that you've seen a lot, it's news to me, and you should tell people about it. Of course we're not more important than anyone else here.

If anything, a lot of knights feel like we're here for you guys and get upset about it when teams shut them out, because what else are they supposed to do here? It's hard to say "knights" all do something because there are a lot of knights and we're really different. So whether it's fair or we're treated differently is weird to answer, but people being jerks is always wrong, and almost all the knights I know would agree with that!

Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

Recently, I got into a relationship with two people! It was a little sudden at first but things worked out and recently I confessed my love to one of them. I want to confess to the other person too, but they're a tactless jerk and I think they'll say something stupid. It's fine if they don't say anything back but I don't know how to force them to shut up!! What do I do...?

— Concerned lover

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Kissing should work.

Handsome Robin

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

How do you deal with terrible memories? Especially ones that you know are coming, but you have not received yet? The thought of swearing off memories entirely and forging a new life is tempting, but not entirely satisfying. Taking memories isn't very appealing, but it remains my life. Perhaps I lose something greater, if I decide ignorance is the answer.

How do you reconcile this?

- Is Amnesia a Gift?

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Amensia,

All I can say is get support. We can't stop the memories from existing and we have to take them eventually if we want to go home or at least be able to take a better stand against the Darkness. That's what I tell myself anyway.

- Kingfisher Tail

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

As I continue to climb in years, I find myself with a problem that certainly never bothered me in my youth. You see, with ages comes a certain . . . flaccidity in areas that were previously quite firm. I've tried herbs and exercises, but nothing seems to be helping. Are there any suggestions?

- Limp in Camelot

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Limpy,

Why don't you quest for some porn?

- Mindful Macaw

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:
I have a boyfriend at home. Or a guy I make out with and treat kind of like a boyfriend, anyway. And recently a guy I'm friends with here confessed that he has a crush on me, so I told him that I wasn't sure what to do, but that we could make out and stuff while I figured it out. And now I'm basically treating him like a second boyfriend, just not Officially. Is this cheating?
- The Best Kisser Ever

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear ... Kisser,

Uh.

It's cheating. It's definitely cheating.

- Quail Two

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

One of my teammates insists that he's sexy, but I don't think he's that great after all. But when I asked my teammates to pick who's prettier between us they didn't give an answer at all! I really want them to admit I'm way prettier. But I can't show off because I'm taken! Should I make an aather-wide poll? I'm really sexier...!

— Sexy Boy

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Sexy Boy,

I'm having trouble deciding if your self-esteem is too high or too low.

But if you already know you're more attractive, why would you need a poll to reinforce that? Bask in the knowledge that you are the prettiest, even if your team won't admit it.

- Other Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I'm a detective who is outclassed in every way by my rival from home. I don't stand a chance against his talent and intellect. How do I deal with this inadequacy? It's driving me crazy.

— An Outclassed Detective

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear An Outclassed Detective,

Give up.

- Other Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

I'm the newest member on my team, and my team's been really welcoming and all, but there's one kind of big problem: Since I'm the newest team member, it seems like everyone keeps trying to baby me. I mean... It's kind of hard to explain. I want to be able to help too, and while I might not be good at leading or know pretty much anyone here, it seems like... Everyone wants to protect me even when it hurts them to do it? If that's the case, I think I'd rather just be hurt instead.

Still, is there any way I can get my teammates to not baby me as much? Or failing that, at least treat me like I'm a member of the team and not someone that has to be protected at the cost of the team?

-- Team's Little Girl

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Team's Little Girl,

I can't imagine that anyone wants to see their teammates get hurt in any capacity. Especially not if you're very new to Aather and the games we have here. It sounds like your teammates really care for you and just don't want to see you hurt. If you're worried about it, though, you should talk to them about it. They may not want to see you get hurt, but I'm sure they'll understand that you don't want to see them get hurt either. It may take discussions in games when people are actually getting hurt to determine who will be the one to protect whom, but don't be afraid to step up and tell them that you want to protect them as well. It's hard to accept someone getting hurt for you, new or old here.

Just talk to them. Holding it in won't help them understand your feelings about things.

-- Flaming Albatross

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

Everyone seems to have someone that fullfils them. Even getting your memories back or being happy with the people around you. What do you do if you don't have that? Where do you find the point in living other than just surviving for the sake of it?

— ...

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear ...,

Don't look at others. You gotta start living for yourself before you even think of others. The way I see it you're not gonna find anyone who can fulfill you if you don't love yourself a little first.

"Surviving for the sake of it" is still living. Try to value yourself a little more, and the rest will come in place. You've got a reason to be here, boy.

-- Macaw 2

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

How do three people have sex? How does that work?

- Confused and Just Wondering

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Confused and Just Wondering:

With practice.

- Other Albatross Knight

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

A friend of a friend of a friend of mine (not me) had their good friend arrive in Aather. All excitement and condolences aside, it seems like that friend doesn't take well to that friend of a friend of a friend due to discrepancies in memories. Patience doesn't seem to be smoothing any barbs in conversation. What should this friend of a friend of a friend do while they wait for certain memories to be regained?

- A Helpful Friend of a Friend of a Friend (Definitely Not Me)

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear AHFOAFOFAF(DNM),

Maybe your whatever-friend should just leave them alone.

- Newb Emu

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

My memories are really, really confusing. Like I'm not talking "I don't really get what was happening in my life" confusing but being totally different people levels of confusing. The thing is I know that taking more will clear up that confusion but they're always terrible and I think something really, really awful is coming up. I can't not take my memories but taking them is also bad for me! BUT if I try to spread them out they start adding up, so that doesn't work either. Can anyone suggest a strategy to take them which will help me out?

- Muddled Memories

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Muddled Memories:

Never take a memory alone. Only do it around people you care for. They will probably hold your hand and make things clear to you.

-- White Emu

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather:

This is stupid. This idea is stupid.

— I don't know how to ask for help without feeling stupid

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Feeling stupid is natural, but... It's something you have to deal with sometimes. You can't ever learn if you don't look like an idiot sometimes, after all.

-- Ostrich Eyes

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

A certain somebody is under the mistaken impression that they wear the pants. What methods would you suggest for proving them wrong?

— Topping 101

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Topping 101:

Take all their pants away. That will clear things up.

-- White Emu

(frozen comment)

[dramatispersonae]

Dear Aather,

Almost my entire family here and they're a pain in the ass and drive me up the wall. No matter what I tell them, it's always my fault that things are messed up. They blame it on me when it actually comes from them.

And if I say it's a foregone conclusion that things will be messed up, that's on me, too.

Any advice?

- Permanent Black Sheep

(frozen comment)

[aninnymouse]

Dear Black Sheep:

That kind of thing just kind of happens. It's best to take things one step at a time, and maybe distancing yourself from them as much as possible. If they're treating you like that, you may as well take yourself out of their family.

-- Ostrich Eyes