Letters for the Letter Carrier

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<div id="sidebar"> <div class="sidebar-header">  <div></div>  <h1 class="story-title" data-passage="gameTitle"></h1>  <div class="sidebar-toggle"> <span id="sidebar-toggle-icon" class="lnr lnr-menu-circle"></span> </div> </div>   <div id="sidebar-body">  <div class="story-logo" data-passage="storyLogo"></div>  <h2 class="story-author" data-passage="storyAuthor"></h2> <nav class="sidebar-nav"> <ul class="story-tools"> <li> <span id="restart-button" class="lnr lnr-redo"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span> </li> <li> <span id="saves-button" class="lnr lnr-download"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Saves</span> </li> <li> <span id="settings-button" class="lnr lnr-cog"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="story-menu" data-passage="storyMenu"> </ul> </nav> </div>  </div>  <div id="mystory" role="main"> <div id="passages"> <div id="passage-start" data-passage="start" class="passage"> </div> </div> </div>

<<nobr>>  <li>[[Player Guide]]</li> <li>[[Inbox]]</li> <li><<link "Credits" "Credits">><</link>></li> <</nobr>>

Letters for the Letter Carrier

by <a href="https://paragrasya.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Paragrasya</a>

<h1 class="linebreak">Player Guide</h1><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Internal Narrative Formatting'' The words in italics inside square brackets are some of the Player Character's internal thoughts, translated. Ex. [//Must have been the neighbors.//] <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div> ''Line Break Formatting'' The extra line breaks on the dialogue may be confusing because it is unconventional. However, this formatting is intentional because I find this easier to read and process. Personally, I also find it is easier on the eyes when the dialogue is at the very beginning, and descriptive sentences and/or tags aren't mixed in the middle. That, and dialogue not being in between sentences is a strong preference. Ex. "But that's why I decided to be a letter carrier in the first place! Letters are much lighter, no matter if I have dozens of them on my bag." You place your hands on your hips, nostrils flaring. "Coo coo coo," says another bird. ''Language'' The meaning for Ilokano and Kankanaey words can be gathered through context clues if not already directly given. The characters mainly speak and interact using languages that are not gendered, but if they were to use English, many would use multiple pronouns like he/her and she/they. ''Letter Submission'' If you write a letter and send it, it will be reviewed first before it is added to the game. If you want to add to the resources, you may also include them in the letter. We will try to update the game and include everyone's encouraging messages. You may also reach out to the writer, Paragrasya, through <a href="https://paragrasya.neocities.org/" targer="_blank">Neocities</a> or <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Tumblr</a>, to inform them that you have letters for the letter carrier. Thank you ❤︎ <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<h2>LSS Team</h2>''Writer'' Paragrasya <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/paragrasya" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> ''Developer:'' Puddinheadart <a href="https://puddinheadart.carrd.co/" target="_blank">Carrd</a> ''Playtester:'' Perry <a href="https://peregrinestudios.carrd.co/" target="_blank">Carrd</a> We're called the LSS Team because we have another, much larger interactive fiction that's in development called, "Loving Starless Skies". You can play it <a href="" target="_blank">here</a>. <center><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div></center> <h3>Development Info</h3>''Game Engine:'' Twine by Chris Klimas ''Twine Format:'' Sugarcube v2 ''Twine Template:'' <a href="https://vahnya.itch.io/twine-template" target="_blank">Twine Template by Vahnya</a> ''Fonts:'' - Parix Hybrid - Garamond - Merriweather - Open Sans - Quicksand - Roboto - <a href="https://opendyslexic.org/" target="_blank">Open Dyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez</a> ''Box Breathing Exercise Guide'': <a href="https://www.breathbelly.com/" target="_blank">Breathbelly</a> ''Custom Macros'' - <a href="https://hiev-heavy-ind.com/Sample_Code/Sample_Code.html#Countdown%20Timer" taget="_blank">Countdown Timer by HiEv</a> - <a href="https://twinelab.net/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2/#/fading-macros" target="_blank">Fading Macro by Chapel</a> - <a href="https://twinelab.net/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2/#/message-macro" taget="_blank">Message Macro by Chapel</a> <center><div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div></center> <h3>Special Thanks</h3>Big brother Bo, for funding the game. ... and of course, the players! ''Thank you!'' <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

<span id="timed-redirect"> <<timed 6s>> <<goto "Title Page">> <</timed>> </span> <div id="fadelogo"> <img src="images/twine-logo.png" alt="A logo of twine"> </div> <<script>> $(document).one(':passagedisplay.start-click', function (event) { $('#story').on('click.start-click', function(e) { if (passage() === 'Start') { $('#timed-redirect').empty(); Engine.play('Title Page'); } }); }); $(document).one(':passagegenerating.start-click', function (event) { $('#story').off('click.start-click'); $(document).off('.start-click'); }); <</script>>

<h1>The Story</h1>You are a bat-winged Cordilleran, an Indigenous local to the Cordillera mountains, and you work as a letter carrier. Times are tough and its just the first day of the second month. Perhaps you should look for something else but the job market is vicious. At the very least, you could look into aplications for the rest of the year, work until you can collect your 13th month pay, then quit. You are very stressed and in need of comfort. Fortunately, the people around you want to help, and will help. This is a day in the life of a letter carrier—during an era where emails are the norm. <div class="linebreak">ᗕ⁠━━━━✧•●•✧━━━━ᗒ⁠</div><h2>Notes</h2>''Game Jam'': This is an entry for the Single Choice Jam (2025). ''Mini-game'': This is a standalone mini-game. ''Age Restriction'': PG-13 ''CWs Include but are Not Limited to'': Blood and mentions of discrimination based on wing structure and if someone has wings or not. ''Single Choice'': The rules of the game jam requires only one choice, but allows for a timer to lead to a different scene when it runs out. The Single Choice is initially locked for a minute to encourage the player to breathe like the Player Character. ''Timers'': There are two kinds of timers. The first one is always a minute, and when it passes, the Single Choice is unlocked. The second one will have a countdown of different lengths, depending on the task. If they reach 0, the game notes it, but you must still click on the Single Choice to proceed. ''Ending'': Waiting for the countdown or not shapes the player character's thoughts and feelings, but does not change the ending. ''Disclaimer'': This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, entities, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. We recommend reading the Player Guide if its your first time playing! Thank you ❤︎ <<button "I understand" "Begin">><</button>>

<<nobr>> <<run forget("countdown")>> <</nobr>>''Date and Time'' ''February 1st, 12:00'' It's high noon, high time for you to be heading for work, but your limbs weigh like stone and your bed sinks like quicksand. Your second set of shoulders are sore, and your wings are limp. You realize with horror that you slept the wrong way, as pins and needles rise and fall from your wings' shoulder joint to the elbow joint. Your front isn't doing much better either. Claws dig into your stomach. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. One paw then rests on your collarbone and you feel like an ant under the weight of something 3 times heavier than you. Your cat stares at you. She can't help it. She is hungry and it is long past the time to break the fast. She starts massaging your neck and you gag. Groggy, you reach for your phone, turn off the incessant ringing, and check your notifications—jumpstarting your brain to work mode. You've read that's not healthy, that it first needs to be stirred, nudged, and fed. You can't help it. Habits are hard to break. Everyone's talking about it. All of it. Your servers, your group chats, your subscriptions, the socmed, the news. So many things are happening all at once. Anxiousness and irritation you with a headache creeping in, and your heart beats harder with every word you read. You can't help it. Feelings are hard to always control. Your stomach grumbles. Maybe the leftovers from last night are still there. You liked the hotpot with the silly name, shabu-shabu. You grin at the name translating to meth 2x, but then remember that damned War on Drugs and your smile falters. Maybe your folks already finished it and cooked something else. The only way to find out is to get up and see for yourself. In the small chance there's only rice, you can always open a can of sardines or cook some Pancit Canton noodles. Also, you need to go to the comfort room. You cannot resist nature's call, nor your cat's yearning to be fed. • [[Continue|Begin2]]

/* <<countdownTimer>> Widget - Start */ <<widget "countdownTimer">> <<set _seconds = $args[0]>> <<set _minutes = Math.floor(_seconds / 60)>> <<set _replacementPassage = $args[1]>> <div id="timer" class="timergreen">Time remaining: _minutes:<<= (_seconds - (_minutes * 60)).toString().padStart(2, '0')>></div><<script>> if (!recall("countdown", undefined)) { setup.countdown = { startTime: new Date(), lastStr: "", passage: passage() }; memorize("countdown", setup.countdown); } else { setup.countdown = recall("countdown"); if (setup.countdown.passage !== passage()) { setup.countdown = { startTime: new Date(), lastStr: "", passage: passage() }; memorize("countdown", setup.countdown); } } setup.countdown.intervalID = setInterval(function () { if (setup.countdown.passage !== passage()) { clearInterval(setup.countdown.intervalID); forget("countdown"); setup.countdown.passage = ""; } else { var curtime = new Date(), str, seconds = State.temporary.seconds; var diff = Math.floor(seconds - ((curtime - setup.countdown.startTime) / 1000)), min = Math.floor(diff / 60); if ((diff >= 0) && (diff < seconds)) { if ($("#timer").length) { str = "Time remaining: " + min + ":" + (diff - (min * 60)).toString().padStart(2, '0'); if (str != setup.countdown.lastStr) { $("#timer").empty().wiki(str); setup.countdown.lastStr = str; } if (diff <= 10) { if (!$("#timer").hasClass("timerred")) { $("#timer").removeClass("timeramber").addClass("timerred"); } } else if (diff <= 20) { if (!$("#timer").hasClass("timeramber")) { $("#timer").removeClass("timergreen").addClass("timeramber"); } } else { if (!$("#timer").hasClass("timergreen")) { $("#timer").removeClass("timeramber timerred").addClass("timergreen"); } } } } if (diff < 0) { clearInterval(setup.countdown.intervalID); forget("countdown"); $("#passages div.passage").empty().wiki('<<include "' + State.temporary.replacementPassage + '">>'); delete setup.countdown.passage; } } }, 200); <</script>> <</widget>> /* <<countdownTimer>> Widget - End */

<center><<countdownTimer 300 "TimeOut1">></center> You take a deep breath and look at the ceiling. <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice1]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

That was a lot of controlled breathing to do all while going to the bathroom and walking around the house. Congratulations on being more intentional! • [[Continue|CB1]]

Breathe in. Breathe out. You get up and do your business faster than usual, which is a feat considering how sore your wings are. Celebrations for managing quickly! • [[Continue|CB1]]

The dining room is empty. The house is empty except for you and the cat. You curl a finger over the hook of the plastic dome protecting the dishes from flies. Swatting away the bothersome buzzing, you grab a plate. There's still some shabu-shabu left, enough bagas ingredients for one person and enough soup for two bowls. You notice newer options like eggs, bread, and still hot boiled kamote and saba. [//Must have been the neighbors.//] The sweet potatoes and bananas must be harvests from their gardens. There's a scratching on your door. Not knocking, scratching. You know who it is. It always is... Your dog. He can't help it. He hears you shuffling in the kitchen, which he associates with food. You open the door, and he comes in, wagging his tail. You close it immediately before your cat even has the chance to dash out. It's hard to quickly move when your wings are hurting, but at least the pain is subsiding. You heat up the shabu-shabu, and then take the food bowls of the cat and wash them. After cleaning up and putting food, medicine, and water for her, you turn to shut off the stove just in time. You are alone, except for the pets, and there are no rules. A thought crosses your mind. You cannot help it. The temptation is strong. You drink a glass of water before eating. You do not bother transferring the hotpot in a bowl. Instead, you make the pot your plate, directly eating from it with a spoon and not a ladle. The soup is good and the warmth spreads over your chest and heats the pit of your stomach. • [[Continue|CB1.2]]

<center><<countdownTimer 900 "TimeOut2">></center> You take a deep breath then blow on the steaming food. <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice2]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

Wow, you ate faster than usual! Celebrations! More time to be less late. The at-least-one-minute breathing exercises seem to help. • [[Continue|CB2]]

That was a lot of measured inhales and exhales while eating a hot dish. Congratulations on being more mindful! • [[Continue|CB2]]

<<nobr>> <<set $inbox to true>> <p class="choice">New Emails!</p> <p class="choice">New Texts!</p><</nobr>> Placing the dishes on the sink, you make quick work of them. The pins and needles have dissipated by now, but the arms of your wings do still feel numb. Lock and keys in hand, you head for the door when you notice crustless milk bread on the table—food you asked your father to buy. You grab a few slices and spread ube on it, biting into the bread while your hands lock the house. Bread hanging from your lips, you set off into the sky. It's 12:30, just enough time to clock in at 1:00 pm. You open your most beloved and loathed thing, your inbox. There's some forwarded emails about work from your boss. In your personal messages, you have a text from Amihan, a coworker, thanking you for covering their shift this weekend. Luzviminda, another coworker, linked a news you skimmed over earlier. The headline reads: ''"Sure, physical messages are more secure than electronic, but can you really trust your letter-carrier?"'' "Putaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa." As the requests for physical letters increase every February, so do the conspiracies. You're typing a very heated complaint, especially when having batwings make you a particular target. Suddenly, your mouth feels lighter. Pairs of mountain shrikes have teared off your sandwich, while the local pigeons around you just fly beside you with wide, pleading eyes. "Hoy!" You regret the word as it falls from your mouth. How could you not when the sandwich falls at the same time. • [[Continue|CB2.2]]

<<nobr>> <<set $offer to true>> <p class="choice">New Text!</p><br> <</nobr>>"Ukis ti sabam!" you yell. It's not a hard-hitting curse, it literally translates to "your banana peel", but it does sound somewhat intimidating when you yell like that. A pigeon lands on your left front shoulder, cooing. You sigh in defeat. These are stressful times, surely you can forgive yourself for forgetting that flying with food means fighting thriving birds, yes? Surely. You wipe the tears from the corners of your eyes. The milk bread was so fluffy. Not to mention crustless! And expensive. You get another message from Luz. It reads: "If u come earlier than 1 pm, there will be more letters from folks okay with bats up north. If you come later, I'll just go ahead and take them with me bc the pakidgis I'm delivering are around the area." You look around. There isn't much traffic in the air, you could probably rush to work within the speed limit and get there 10 mins earlier. [//Packages, huh?//] • [[Continue|CB2.3]]

<center><<countdownTimer 180 "TimeOut3">></center> You take a deep breath and think of how to respond. <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice3]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

You count your breath before you text. The air is thin up here. Celebrations! Your quick reply meant they quickly saw it too. • [[Continue|CB3]]

Controlling breath work so high up in the air is impressive! Congratulations on doing it while texting despite the thinner air! • [[Continue|CB3]]

<<nobr>> <<set $accept to true>> <p class="choice">New Text!</p><br> <</nobr>>"... Thank you, that'll save me a trip," you add in your text. "K!" They reply. You breeze through, gliding as more and more pigeons ride on your back. "Tell me, purple-green pigeon on my left shoulder, should I apply for package deliveries too?" "Coo coo." "But that's why I decided to be a letter carrier in the first place! Letters are much lighter, no matter if I have dozens of them on my bag." You place your hands on your hips, nostrils flaring. "Coo coo coo," says another bird. "You're right, blue-green pigeon on my right shoulder, it's not like delivering is the only job I can do." "Coo," the birds on your back say. "Its just so hard," you sigh. "The chronic pain will get worse, I can't just keep lifting heavy objects... Should I do sex work instead?" "Coo coo coo." "You're right, that also takes a lot of work and stress. Gah! I wish someone would hire me to be their personal assistant instead! "Coo?" "A nice boss, of course. Someone not super strict but very specific in the tasks they want me to do." Giggles pass you by. That's when you notice the smirks of other flyers, people who probably heard your conversation loud and clear. • [[Continue|CB3.2]]

You scrunch your face at the butterfly-wing and feather-wing havers, rolling your eyes at them. "Ignore them, they're the type to think bondage is super kinky when it's really a common kink. Talking with birds as a flyer is hardly odd." You look to your side and it's a person you haven't seen before. They have pointy, sky blue glasses, a black and blue ombre hair, and black iridescent wings that's as glossy as your chickens' feathers. "Thanks," you shrug. They point to your red uniform and then at theirs. "Oh!" They chuckle. "New hire." "First day?" "Second. Started yesterday. I'm Maya!" You nod and introduce yourself. Flying forward, you chat about small things, how you were busy yesterday and didn't see them, and how he thinks letters are very romantic. They're quite talkative, but your ears pick up their occasional nervous laughter too. Before you can ask how he's settling in, a Philippine eagle—a monkey-eating eagle—the largest eagle in the world, nearly collides with you. Both of you dodge each other at the last moment, but you lose your balance and down you go. "Hala!" Maya screams. Arms flailing, you try your best. You manage to keep yourself afloat, but you are still spiraling down. The speed you're falling is rather slow, but it doesn't make you feel any better. You crash on the ground, and the comfort of grass is rather spicy and you wonder if it was worth steering away from the pavement. "Are you alright?!" He asks, landing the same time you do. You lay unmoving for a moment, face buried into the dirt. You thank the stars the dew from last night's rain has long since dried, otherwise the scent of petrichor would have been unbearable. Raising your head, you see he's offering a hand, and you have no reason to not take it, but its incredibly embarrassing all the same. You wave a hand and get up by yourself, patting your clothes. Your right cheek stings a little and tears just pool on your eyes as dirt and dust invade it. • [[Continue|CB3.3]]

<center><<countdownTimer 120 "TimeOut4">></center> They offer a handkerchief. <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice4]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

It takes a level of courage to let yourself cry in public, whether its from embarrassment, pain, or eye irritation. Celebrations! You grow more comfortable with feeling your feelings. • [[Continue|CB4]]

You take your time wiping the corners of your eyes and sniff, resisting the urge to rub your eyes like a child. Blinking away the tears, you notice they aren't there. [//Did they go? I guess we are close to the workplace.//] Eyes closed, you look up at the sky and feel the warm sunlight on your aching cheeks. It was only for a few seconds, but it was enough to let your guard down. A sudden hand on your shoulder startles you. "Here. Would you like me to apply it for you?" He holds a small medical kit, with a bottle of eye drops pinched between their thumb and index finger. "Oh, okay. I mean, I can do it. Did you dash to buy that?" He nods, then gives a big wave to someone behind you. The voice that greets is deep and booming, and you don't have to turn around to guess who it is. He approaches nearer, carrying a 20kg sack of cat food. "You two! We have some letters with special requests, nothing a scar can get in the way of." Big, muscley, and loud, Inga-an is aptly nicknamed that because of his sharp ears. He clearly heard what Maya said and noticed the kit, putting things together with her quick wits. Its in these moments that solidify your belief that she intentionally acts clueless when he thinks he's about to be roped into someone else's business. "Sige, sige." You both reply. Turning back to you, Maya asks, "Can you walk?" You look down, noting the scraps and small bruises on your legs. "Yeah, its not that bad." The new coworker leads you to a nearby bench and you tilt your head all the way back. The over-the-counter eyedrops provide much needed relief and you blink. "I'll tend to your legs." • [[Continue|CB4.2]]

It takes a level of courage to let yourself cry in public, whether its from embarrassment, pain, or eye irritation. Congratulations! Maybe someday, you can get more used to this vulnerability since you have no reason to be ashamed of and deserve to take the space. • [[Continue|CB4]]

<center><<countdownTimer 180 "TimeOut5">></center> You feel a hand on your calf and you blink faster. He is disinfecting the wounds on your leg. When he sees you staring, he grins and reaches into his bag. He shakes a small bag of potato chips, with sour cream and onion flavor, and places it beside you. "Here." <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice5]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

<<nobr>> <<set $ch5 to true>> <</nobr>>It is reasonable to accept food that you already eat and like. Celebrations! You are quick to serve your stomach. Eating this takes your mind away from the fact that a stranger, or rather a coworker you just met who—though nice—decided for himself to kneel for you. • [[Continue|CB4.3]]

While eating, you think of how to have a conversation later with Maya. Even though helping you with your wounds is nice, he did say he subconsciously tends to act overly familiar, and that he appreciates being told about it. Quick hands make quick work, and soon, he's adding the final touch with a square, adhesive, pain relief patch on your cheek. "Salasalamat. Iyaman. How much in total?" "Ay, madi. Don't pay me back. Sorry I wasnt able to help you up there," he says as he points to the clouds. You shake your head. "It would've been more of a disaster if you did." "Would be quite a sight though? Black-winged flyers falling down from the sky!" He spreads his arms, and makes his voice rounder, deeper. Laughing, you both finally make your way to the bahay-kubo. The stilted bamboo house is a single-story, but is unnaturally wide, big enough to almost cover a basketball court. Two people are talking near the entrance, with one holding a large box full of letters. "Ah, my fallen angels! Right on time." "Hi, boss," You and Maya greet at the same time. "What happened to you?" Bàsil, the short, salt-and-pepper haired receptionist asks. "Uh... Fell," is all you can say. Both your boss and Bàsil raise an eyebrow. • [[Continue|CB4.4]]

<<nobr>> <<set $ch5 to false>> <</nobr>>It is reasonable to accept food that you already eat and like. Congratulations! After much deliberation, you conclude that denying yourself the snack does you no favors. Eating this takes your mind away from the fact that a stranger, or rather a coworker you just met who—though nice—decided for himself to kneel for you. • [[Continue|CB4.3]]

"I'm fine now though. Maya patched me up." "It was an eagle!" He supplies. "Why is there a Philippine eagle around here anyway?" Bàsil's widened eyes grew even larger. Immediately getting up from his chair, Bàsil runs towards a sectioned area of the house. "He's gone!" Bàsil shouts. Your boss pinches the bridge of her nose and shakes her head. "Bàsil's cousin visited with some animals she was rehabilitating. She went out for a bit and asked Bàsil and some others to watch them. As you can see, he decided he would watch the national bird while working," your boss explains. Bàsil has tears in his eyes, shaking while holding up a large, empty cage. "Come back behind the desk. I'll go look for him." "Oh, thank you! You're the best boss ever!" Boss turns to the two of you as she puts down the box. "Luz already took some letters on her way. There are 35 letters left." "35?!" Maya squeaks. "That's... 30 times more than usual," you add. "Yes. Seems like a large group's exchange letters event, mostly. I've sorted them into two. Please note the special requests. I've sifted through all of them and most just say to bring flowers, bite some flowers, bring chocolates, or speak like an old man." "Eh?" "It's imperative you also wink if you get requests to deliver while biting a flower's stem," you explain to Maya. "Huh?" "I'll leave you to it. Now how do I catch that eagle?" Boss mutters as she leaves. "For batch 1, here's a list of the requests and the payments for extra service. This is for batch 2." Bàsil explains. "I'll take the 1st batch then," you say. "Alright. I'll take the other." "Take care then!" Bàsil waves. "Also, again, I'm sorry for the eagle. I'll treat you both to lunch tomorrow! I insist! You both relent and agree. Both of you head to the flower shop stalls before separating ways to buy specific sweets and snacks. • [[Continue|CB4.5]]

You have 19 letters to deliver in the area. The first 7 houses further confirm that it is indeed an exchange letters event. Teens greet you when you call their name as you give the accompanying flowers and or snacks. Some look excited, while others put up a face that is unreadable. All these letters request for something similar to the line, "A letter from your admirer." One stands out by asking you to say, "A letter from your rival, one who will surely take the #1 spot from you". The receiver with glasses and a book in hand just snickers and asks you to be the same one to deliver their reply, to which you agree. They quickly draft a response and tuck the letter neatly into an envelope, writing the address in cursive. This makes the total number of letters 20. "Here is the payment. Also, I'd like you to say, 'From your admirer', please." "Oh?" "To mess with their head," they cackle. You nod. When you reach the house, you ask the routine question of whether the receiver is present. "I'm here, I'm here!" "You have a couple of letters po." "Oh my gosh, really?" they gasp. "Am I... Popuuuuuuulaaaaaar?!" You give the first letter, the one without special requests first. Then, you take out the second letter. With a hand on your chest, you do as instructed. "You also have another letter. A letter from your admirer." Their mouth falls. When they see who its from, they crumble on the floor. A few moments pass and you understand they won't be moving for a while. "Well then, I will take my leave!" You decide to say cheerfully. "Huh? Oh, ah, yeah. Thanks," they say, looking up to you but not rising from the floor. You simply nod, close the door, and take flight once more. You wish them the best. • [[Continue|CB4.6]]

5 addresses have no special instructions so you just slip the letters into the mailbox or leave it with someone in the house. There are 4 other people who also got double letters. Your 17th letter, and remaining deliveries are addressed to houses farther from the town. This one requested both flowers and dark chocolate, with the special line, "deliveries from the devil". "Tao po? Is anyone here? Deliveries!" "Coming!" The door opens to a someone who looks about your age, hair in a bun, with a cup of noodles on one hand. You clear your throat. "Deliveries from the devil." She tilts her head back and laughs. "I like your wings," says the wingless customer. "Thank you." She flips the envelope and raises both brows. "Eww, no." That's not usually the reaction you get, but it's not unusual. • [[Continue|CB4.7]]

<center><<countdownTimer 120 "TimeOut6">></center> She hands you the back the bars of chocolate and walks out to the front porch. Continuing to eat her spicy noodles, she takes a seat. <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice6]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

It is only natural to accept chocolate being offered. Celebrations! You are quick to serve your stomach. <<nobr>> <<if $ch5>> <br> Last time, it was a snack from your coworker, which is more acceptable and reoccurring than food from a customer, even if you were the one who purchased it. <br> <<else>> <br> Last time, you were hesitant, but at least here, the customer didn't pay for the snack. <br> <</if>> <</nobr>> • [[Continue|CB4.8]]

"Ugh, its my ex. Tell me, if you were me, would you forgive him?" Oh, gossip. From the source. You have time, plus, she gave you the chocolates. "What did he do?" You ask, breaking the chocolate bar with your teeth. "He cheated on me! Gago!" Her voice is strained, and you notice her grit her teeth. "So, what would you do?" "Probably... Not continue to date the devil?" She giggles. "He had the same wings as you, and really embraced the bad things people threw at him. Its just... I don't know. He often said he didn't deserve me, so I encouraged him to improve himself. Of course, I improved too. I don't know. Maybe... Self-sabotage? Or I'm extending him more understanding than he deserves?" You chew your chocolate. "Is that why you're not opening the letter?" She slouches even more and even sinks into her seat. "Maybe." "What will you do with the bouquet of roses?" "I'll... Pick apart the petals? Burn the letter, read the letter, burn the letter, read the letter," she laughs. "Sounds time consuming." "Yeah, I better get started. Thank you. I'll text later if I no longer want to receive anything from him." "Noted. Iyaman." "Take care!" You finish the bar of chocolate and stuff the trash in your pocket. You rummage for the next letter. There is no need to take flight, since the next letter is going to her neighbor. • [[Continue|CB4.9]]

It is only natural to accept chocolate being offered. Congratulations! After much deliberation, you conclude that denying yourself the chocolate does you no favors. <<nobr>> <<if $ch5>> <br> Last time, it was a snack from your coworker, which is more acceptable and reoccurring than food from a customer, even if you were the one who purchased it. <br> <<else>> <br> You're usually hesitant to accept things like these, but maybe there is something otherworldly at work trying to tell you something considering the food you've been receiving today, starting with the harvests of your neighbors this morning. <br> <</if>> <</nobr>> • [[Continue|CB4.8]]

This one has a rarer request. It asked you to buy flowers and baby diapers, but you can easily guess what it's for. It may be large, but you're grateful the brand specified that you buy is compact and light. You knock on the pink door with fairy lights and a star lanterns still hanging above, decorations usually put up for new year's eve. "Tao po? I have deliveries!" The door opens to a winged person holding a tiny baby with even tinier wings. The little creature is eating her hair. Her lips part, confused expression on her voice, and her jaw drops even lower when she sees the diapers you put forward. "I didn't order anything yet. Or did I?" "An accompanying gift for a letter delivery!" "Ay!" She reaches over and takes the letter. "No payments?" "No need," you shake your head. She smiles as her eyes look over the envelope again. "It's from my friend. I haven't seen her in so long. She went abroad and focused on work, while I settled down naman." Her lips quirk to an uneven smile, and her tone is full of fondness, but you notice the grip on the letter holds tighter and her eyes look a bit more watery. "Mamama," the baby babbles as it chews on her shirt. "Gods, it will be even worse when you start growing teeth," she chuckles. "And when the child learns how to fly," you add, unhelpfully. She snorts. "Thank you. Agayamanak. I needed more diapers, and this is the brand we use, haha." "You're welcome." "Why not rest your wings first?" "Huh?" "Wait." She takes the flowers and turns to put the baby on the floor on the living room that you can see from the doorway. She carefully arranges the flowers on a vase. With her back on you, you notice that one of her butterfly wings look a bit lopsided. More than that, there's an eye-catching disruption on the pattern of her wings. The black and white stripes suddenly stop and are replaced by a black and yellow color combo instead. It's likely the result of a wing transplant. She returns shortly and takes the bag of diapers. "Will you be flying again? I can always tell when wings are tired," she says, pointing down to her own. "Oh, uh..." • [[Continue|CB4.10]]

<center><<countdownTimer 600 "TimeOut7">></center> <img class="instructions" src="images/instructions.jpg"> <img class="instructions" src="images/breathing.gif"> • <span id="help">==Help yourself==</span> (Please wait for 1 minute for the choice to unlock. Why not try breathing like the Player Character in the meantime?)<<nobr>> <<timed 60s>> <<replace "#help">> [[Help yourself|Choice7]]<</replace>> <</timed>> <</nobr>>

You can't deny that you are tired. Celebrations! You know when to take breaks and usually follow that instinct. • [[Continue|CB4.11]]

You can't deny that you are tired. Congratulations! You know when to take breaks, but are sometimes reluctant to, but taking this one is a step in the right direction. • [[Continue|CB4.11]]

<<nobr>> <p class="choice">New Text!</p><br> <<set $father to true>> <</nobr>>You sit on the wooden bench and stretch your legs. She comes out with two pitchers or water, one ice cold, and another at room temperature. "Sorry, I haven't done my groceries yet. What snacks do you eat? And I'll see if I have them?" "Oh, no it's okay. I do have some chocolates if you'll share them with me?" Her sparkle at the mention of chocolate, and eagerly takes a seat after retrieving her baby. You both snack in silence, and you stretch your torso. You even let the baby do a death grip on your finger while he also pokes and prods at your wings. After eating, you still sit and wait for the baby to release you while the parent sits across from you, also taking a break. The baby lets you go as it starts seeking food. You and the mother thank each other for the company, and you roll your shoulders back before setting off again. Earphones on, the music is interrupted by a message. It's a text from your father—for even winged creatures find them more efficient. The text reads: "I fed the animals. Brownie is still with ur insan. Ur cousin said he will bring back the dog next week. We will go out to attend the wake, will be late." You give a short reply acknowledging his message. [//It must be his cousin she's referring to. Also, does that mean the cat was double fed again? Ugh, I already left her enough food for a day.//] • [[Continue|CB4.12]]

The last two addresses are close to each other but are also much, much father away from the town. You've been flying around a lot today, and its getting late. You wonder if the eagle is back with Bàsil by now. The sun is about to set when you reach the barangay. You knock on the house, but no one answers. "Maga, nakibirthday!" A neighbor shouts. "Oh?" "In the house of Mrs. Banawe!" The person points to the direction. [//Ah, that sounds like my other customer and looks like the same house too.//] "Come, I'll show you! Makipangan ka!" The neighbor strides to walk beside you. She is topless and barefoot, nothing surprising, but what catches your eye are the long scars on her arms. "I got these from fighting a croc," she says, raising her right and flexing her biceps. "That buwaya was so big and tough! Delicious too." "Whoah," you exclaim and gently clap. "The house is not far, we'll be there soon!" She was right, the walk was short, but made even shorter by her stories of fighting wild animals. • [[Continue|CB4.13]]

The buwaya fighter forgets to mention her name, but remembered to shout for your customer. A human carrying a winged toddler makes his way towards you. The neighbor heavily pats your back. "I'll leave you to it then." "Yes, thank you po!" You say, bowing. "Letter ba?" "Yes, for Sibulan?" "That's me," the person says, jumping a bit to resettle the child napping on his shoulder. "Here you go." "Thanks, come, eat with us, makipangan ka." "Ummm, I'm still working though. Where is Mrs. Banawe? I also have a letter for her." "Oh! Ay! Birthday girl! Over here!" Heads turn but the chatting continues. An old person with large, brown feathered wings approach. Her afro hair is styled into a star shape. You note the wrinkles on her cheeks, and the wrinkles on their forehead. They seem to have lived a rather fulfilling life, if the cheerful crowd with festive fairy lights are anything to go by. As she gets closer you bow, and reach out your hand. She takes it and you touch your forehead to the back of her hand. "Mano po, lola. I have a letter for you" you say. "Oh, iyaman, and welcome. Who's child are you?" [//Ah, here it comes.//] "I'm the child of Waywaya and Mayumi!" It takes a lot of asking, names thrown around, schools, adresses, even the guests of the party join in to inquire. They eventually connect the dots and Mrs. Banawe figures out she knows someone who knows someone who went to elementary with your mother. With that matter settled, you are pulled in to the rectangular table and served a banana leaf with rice, watwat, pancit, fried chicken, and adobong baboy. "Help yourself," the host says. So you do. • [[Help yourself|CB4.14]]

After you wash on the sink, you take a seat and eat with your hands. You eat and engage with the other guests, and they mostly do the talking, with one telling you about his school days adventures with your father. One of them pats your shoulder. "Who was the letter from?" "Oh yeah. If they were greeting her, why just a letter? No flowers?" "Hey, don't judge!" The buwaya fighter says. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it came from you!" Someone accuses the buwaya fighter. "Nope!" "Still, now that you mention it, is is odd," someone else says, leaving your group pondering. "Hahaha," is all you allow your mouth to say. "So, who is it?" You're asked again. You dart your eyes away and it meets with Mrs. Banawe's. She laughs loudly. The person beside you gasps. "Is it a secret admirer?" The crowd teases, but she just shakes her head, a secret smile lingering on her lips. • [[Continue|CB4.15]]

You spend a bit more time socializing, sometimes singing along with the local songs you know. Some kids stare at your wings, with a few asking if they could touch it so they can compare it to the other locals with similar wing structures. You indulge them a bit, especially the children who have bat-wings too. When the sky turns dark, they finally let you go. Mrs. Banawe beckons you over and gives you some leftovers. "Here, take these with you." "Oh, thank you so much." When you're done saying your goodbyes, she sees you to the door, away from the crowd. "Ingat on your way home!" "I will, agayamanak, lola! Here are some chocolates. You said you don't like things that are too sweet, so I hope you like these dark chocolate." "Awww, bless you, anak." You both hug before you leave. When you look back, you see her place a finger on her lips, a gesture only you see, and you repeat it in turn. The letter had the same name listed in "from" and "to", with the date on the side going back to 30 years ago. [//A letter to the future you, huh? Maybe I should try that?//] • [[Continue|CB16]]

<<nobr>><p class="choice">New Text!</p> <<set $letter to true>> <</nobr>> You get back to the workplace soon enough. "Ah, you're back! You just missed Maya!" Bàsil says. "Did you deliver everything?" the boss asks. "Yeah, plus one letter added by a customer I delivered to." Bàsil nods and notes the details you provide. "Keep the payments then. Go home now, it's late. We're getting ready to leave now too." "Thanks boss, goodnight." "Goodnight." "Goodnight!" Bàsil says. "Oh wait! I have something for you!" She gives you a sealed, cardboard box. "What's in it?" "Drugs!" "Bàsil," your boss says, exasperated. "Open it when you get home!" "'Kay. Thanks, bye." "Bye!" You get home, shower, eat again, and hang out with your pets in the living room. The mangoes hanging from the tree near your room are ripe for the taking, and you think of taking some, along with the dragon fruits in your backyard, to give to your neighbors in the morning. Remembering the box, you take a cutter and open it. The ginger cat happily gets on it after you empty its contents on the sofa. There are a bunch of letters from people you know in and out of your work. Many are screenshots of messages from previous customers, all with encouraging words. You help yourself to one and open it. • [[Continue|Letter1]]

Dearest letter carrier, Hey there! I hope you're doing well. I know things have been tough, especially with what's been happening with politics and global conflicts. I organized the links I sent before! With a few new ones, too. Hope these can help you or help someone you know. Let me know if you have suggestions! We owe each other hope. We owe each other care. Don't worry too much about contributions and whatnot. You existing is enough. I'm glad you're here. Thank you for being here. Mwah ❤︎ Regards, Paragrasya P.S. Below are the topics of my Trello Boards with a friend. There are many subtopics under each. I forwarded the links too, of course, check your beloathed inbox. • General Resources • MLM Resources • Palestine and Lebanon • Misc Resources • Health and Wellness • Sudan and the DRC • Anarchist Resources <<message '2nd letter from... Puddin (click to open)'>>To my favorite letter carrier, Hi! How are you? I just wanted to check in on you, it's been a while since we've last seen each other. And I know it sucks that life has a habit of getting in the way, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm always thinking of you, my friend! You're a great person and I'm glad you exist. I hope you continue to bless other people with your humor, your wit, and most importantly your existence. There's no one quite like you in this world. Thank you always for being you. Please continue to take care of yourself. (❁´◡`❁) Best wishes, Puddin<</message>> <<message '3rd letter from... Perry (click to open)'>>Dear Letter Carrier, Remember, to sit in quiet and be content is a radical act. We live in a world where we are meant to always be consuming, never content. Pause and find meaning in the small things—find delight in the shapes of the shadows of leaves, the rhythm of the rain, the scratch of pen against paper, the warmth of a mug—and sit in the comfort that you, too, belong with these small wonders. "It is a kind of love, is it not? How the cup holds the tea How the floor receives the bottom of shoes Or toes. How the soles of the feet know Where they’re supposed to be." - excerpt from The Patience of Ordinary Things, Pat Schneider Warm regards, Perry<</message>> Send your own letters here: https://paragrasya.atabook.org/

<center><h1>Inbox</h1></center><<nobr>> <<if $inbox>> <div class="text"> <center><h2>Emails</h2></center> <div class="text"> ''From: Boss'' <br> ''Forwarded Message: Weather this week'' <br> <p class="message">Clear skies! Perfect for flying. Wear sunscreen.</p> </div> <div class="text"> ''From: Boss'' <br> ''Forwarded Message: Air traffic today'' <br> <p class="message">Be careful of birds and other flying humans! More traffic this month where love is in the air.</p> </div> <div class="text"> ''From: Boss'' <br> ''Forwarded Message: Increase of letters with special requests. Increase...'' <br> <<link "Lots of letters being sent, almost as much as the letters for New Years!" "boss1">><</link>> </div> </div> <br> <div class="text"> <center><h2>Texts</h2></center> <<if $letter>> <div class="text">''From: Patatas'' <br> <<link "Below are the topics of Trello Boards I made with a friend. The..." "inbox1">><</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $father>> <div class="text">''From: The one who let my cousin borrow my do...'' <br> <<link "I fed the animals. Brownie is still with ur insan..." "dad1">><</link>> </div> <</if>> <<if $accept>> <div class="text">''From: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'' <br> <<link "K!" "luz3">><</link>> </div> <<elseif $accept is false || $offer is true>> <div class="text">''From: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'' <br> <<link "If u come earlier than 1 pm, there will be more..." "luz2">><</link>> </div> <<else>> <div class="text">''From: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'' <br> ''Forwarded Message: Sure, physical messages are more secure than electro...'' <br> <<link "Look at this shit!" "luz1">><</link>> </div> <</if>> <div class="text">''From: Northeast Monsoon'' <br> <<link "Hey! Thanks for covering my shift this weekend! It..." "amihan1">><</link>> </div> <</if>> <</nobr>> <center><<link "Return to game" $return>><</link>></center>

''Patatas'': Below are the topics of Trello Boards I made with a friend. There are many subtopics under each! Here are the clickable links. Let me know if there's anything u want to add or or if u have additional, important info about the existing ones. • General Resources: https://trello.com/b/zKgaoHab/1-general-resources • MLM Resources: https://trello.com/b/9XAX9Ar6/2-mlm-resources • Palestine and Lebanon: https://trello.com/b/mRP8Stdd/4-palestine-and-lebanon • Misc Resources: https://trello.com/b/YVGDb3mM/7-misc-resources • Health and Wellness: https://trello.com/b/e21SgAld/6-health-and-wellness • Sudan and the DRC: https://trello.com/b/IqrseEQg/5-sudan-and-the-drc • Anarchist Resources: https://trello.com/b/rFWtaEri/3-anarchist-resources <<back "Back">>

<h3>Forwarded Message: Increase of letters with special requests. Increase of item deliveries. </h3>''Boss'' Lots of letters being sent, almost as much as the letters for New Years! There are a lot of the usual special requests. Deliver letters with fresh flowers, buy ice cream and chocolates yourselves so they're not melted, bite a rose while delivering, etc. <<back "Back">>

<h3>Forwarded Message: Sure, physical messages are more secure than electronic, but can you really trust your letter-carrier?</h3>Knife skills for peeking, writing skills for forging, did you know delivery folks are trained to be to use knives efficiently and know calligraphy? Do you trust your delivery person? <center>---------------------------------------</center> ''Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'': Look at this shit! <<back "Back">>

''Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'': Look at this shit! ''Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'': If u come earlier than 1 pm, there will be more letters from folks okay with bats up north. If you come later, I'll just go ahead and take them with me bc the pakidgis I'm delivering are around the area. <<back "Back">>

''Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'': If u come earlier than 1 pm, there will be more letters from folks okay with bats up north. If you come later, I'll just go ahead and take them with me bc the pakidgis I'm delivering are around the area. ''Me:'' The legendary bat-winged human flyer! I am honored! The strongest of us all and can lift twice her weight ❤︎. Thank you, that'll save me a trip. ''Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Pilpinas!'': K! <<back "Back">>

''The one who let my cousin borrow my dog without my permission'': I fed the animals. Brownie is still with ur insan. Ur cousin said he will bring back the dog next week. We will go out to attend the wake, will be late. ''Me'': Brownieeeeeee °՞(ᗒᗣᗕ;)՞° ''Me'': I am in tears ''Me'': Ingat <<back "Back">>

''Northeast Monsoon'': Hey! Thanks for covering my shift this weekend! It was such an emergency, but it's sorted out now. I'll treat you when I get back. <<back "Back">>