farro; BYRON (byfar) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-08-25 11:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | !owl, retired character: byron farro, retired character: caitlin carmichael |
who ? caitlin carmichael and byron farro
when ? over the last 12 months
where ? on paper
what ? letters!
status ? complete
[ooc: Owl Pals is a magical pen pal service. one submits a little blurb about themselves, and others can then write letters to them.]
submitted by byron farro, 1 june, 2001: I’m not very good at making friends. Mostly because I struggle to start a conversation rather than because I’m an asshole, but that’s the risk you might have to take. I like cats. And music. I’m here to find interesting conversations, so I’m not fussed what gender or age you are, as long as you’re happy to just write. Look forward to hearing from you. - B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 2 june, 2001: Everyone struggles with something, so don't worry too much about that. And look at you, you started this conversation and didn't even know it. I also like cats and music and I'm definitely happy to just write. I'm 18, female, and I work at a bank. Pretty boring, but hey, I like chatting so that's worthwhile, right? I hope to hear back from you soon. I will be looking forward to it. - C.
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submitted by byron farro, 4 june, 2001:
Hi, C.,
I guess, you are right, I did start this conversation, but I’m not sure it quite counts. I mean, I’ll still take the credit for it, though. I’m glad to hear you like cats and music, otherwise I’d be left wondering whether you picked my letter because I said that I might be an asshole, and that is doubtfully a great start. I’m not, by the way, an asshole. Or at least, I don’t think, I am? Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m 23 and male and I don’t work in a bank. Do you enjoy working in a bank? I’ve been in banks before they don’t seem very thrilling, but I guess behind the scenes that might be different. Do you get to ride around in the little train that Gringotts has? I opened got a vault with them just so I could ride it. They weren’t very thrilled when they discovered all I wanted to store there was some records.
Are you planning to always work in a bank or is this part of a bigger plan?
Thanks for writing! I hope to hear from you again!
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 6 june, 2001:
Hi, B!
It totally counts. You should definitely take credit for it. Baby steps. Before you know it, you'll be starting conversations all over the place. I did not pick your letter for possible assholeishness. Assholeism? Whatever. So far, though it has only been a brief few paragraphs we've exchanged, I do not believe that you are an asshole. Just a man who likes cats and music and that's definitely marks in the positive column.
I do enjoy working in a bank. I really like numbers, though, you see. I suppose that makes it a little more fun for me than for someone who is less than fond of numbers. I have gotten to ride in the Gringott's train, yes. It's quite fun. I have to say that it's one of my favorite job perks. I'm sure that they aren't thrilled with much of anything, to be honest, so don't feel too bad about that. What sorts of records did you store?
I don't know, honestly. I like working in the bank, but I'm not sure if it will be my forever job. I also like talking to people so I may end up taking a job that allows me to do a bit more of that. I suppose I've got plenty of time to decide.
What sort of work do you do? Do you intend to stick with it or do you have other plans for the future?
I'll look forward to another owl soon!
-C.
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submitted by byron farro, 9 june, 2001:
Hi, C.,
Baby steps are probably a good start, you’re right, though, I doubt I’m going to magically become better at starting conversations. But perhaps this will be a good practice! I’ve never done pen-palling before but it’s going well so far? I hope. It’s definitely interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever really had a chance to meet someone new by just starting chatting to them.
Yes, I can see how liking numbers is a good way to enjoy working in a bank. Do you work with accounts, then? Am I allowed to ask that? As I write this, I realise that perhaps it sounds like I’m casing the bank, which I’m not. Though, if you want to tell me the best way to rob Gringotts I shan’t stop you! (I’m joking, I don’t think I’d make a very good robber.)
Most of the records I stored are just old vinyl that I inherited from my Muggle grandfather. Majority of them have no value past that I put on them, really, but I still want to keep them in a safe place, just in case, you know?A job that requires talking to people sounds awful. You still have plenty of time to decide what you want to do with your life, so I’m sure if banking doesn’t turn out to be it, you’ll find it easy to switch to something else!
I work as a copy editor but I also play music with some of my friends. I’m not sure whether I will make a career out of either, but I enjoy both.
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 11 june 2001:
Hello, B!
I haven't done penpalling before either. It's definitely good practice for conversation, though! And, who knows, it might improve my writing skills while we're at it. Double positives! I find it very interesting so far. I'm sure we could learn a lot about one another through letters. I know I enjoy coming home to find a letter from you. I look forward to them, actually. I like meeting new people in person as well, but I think this is easier, in a way. I can sometimes be quite awkward during a first meeting. I've learned to be better at it, but the first meetings are always the most difficult. Getting tongue-tied and all that.
I don't think that anyone trying to rob Gringott's would make a very good robber, honestly. They'd be moronic, to start. I barely like saying hello to the goblins, I shall not even think about what a robber's treatment would be. Right now I'm an intern so I really do whatever they ask of me. Usually it's a lot of filing and making sure paperwork is in order. Boring, I know.
I'm sure the records are very valuable to you and that's all that matters. I bet they're wonderful, though. Still, they're definitely safe in a vault at Gringott's. Robbers don't frequent here, you see. ;)
That's the good thing about jobs; if you don't like the one you've got, you can always find something that better suits you. They're all over the place.
Your jobs sound like fun. Probably much more fun than paperwork at the bank. Enjoying them is really all that matters. Do what you love and love what you do, right?
You mentioned that you play music with your band, so I'm assuming that means you play an instrument. Which one?
-C.
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[ooc: letters skipped for practicality purposes]
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submitted by byron farro, 14 december, 2001:
C.,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I’ve been snowed under with work. Apparently everyone and their mother want to publish before Christmas, so I’ve had endless amounts of things to edit. Have you been well? I’ve also managed to catch a cold, so it doesn’t seem to be an excellent run up to Christmas, at least not for now, hopefully that will improve.
Have you got plans for the holidays? I think my mum would like for us all to go away so she wouldn’t have to cook, but I suspect that will be unlikely. We tried to go away for Christmas holiday once, when I was about fourteen, and the pipes in the house froze and we returned to an ice rink. I think my step-dad is convinced if we ever attempt a Christmas holiday this will happen again.
Now as I write this, I realise that I probably couldn’t go on a family holiday anyway, since we’ve got a gig on New Year’s Eve (which is quite exciting, even if it is working on New Year’s Eve). Have you got plans of how to celebrate it?
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 16 december, 2001:
B.,
No worries about the delay. I've been just as busy with work as it sounds like you've been. Lots of withdrawals, mostly. Everyone has to have money for presents and the like, of course. I'm sorry to hear that you've come down with a cold. Drink lots of tea and get some rest and hopefully it won't stick around very long. I've been well and can't complain. I have managed not to get sick, thankfully. I should probably not jinx myself though by saying so.
My plans for the holidays are the usual family dinner. My parents try to get myself and my brothers together for Christmas every year. We do regular family dinners as well, but with all of us being out of the house, they're not as frequent as they probably would like them to be. At least not with all of us. Someone is always busy with something usually so it'll be a nice treat to have everyone together.
As bad as springing a leak probably was, an ice rink inside does sound kind of amazing. I doubt your step-dad would agree with me, though.
A New Year's Eve gig sounds pretty awesome! I'm sure you'll do great. You'll have to tell me all about it afterward. I don't really have plans for New Year's myself. Probably just going to enjoy a quiet evening at home and ring in the new year with a good book or a sudoku puzzle. I'm envious of your much more interesting new year's plans.
Speaking of holidays, I've been wondering if I can send you a Christmas gift. I'm not planning anything extravagant, but I've quite enjoyed our conversations and consider you a friend so it only seems right to send you something.
Anyway, I hope you start to feel better soon!
-C.
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submitted by byron farro, 18 december, 2001:
C.,
If you send me a gift, does that mean I have to send you a gift? I’m not sure how good I am at picking presents. You might end up with a terribly boring book. Or one of those decor things that people own and no one quite knows how they appeared in your house. I suspect I can be very good at buying tat. But yes, you can send me a Christmas gift if you’d like, I’m hardly going to turn down nice things. Or even rubbish things. Free things.
You should go out for New Year’s Eve. Even I’m going out for New Year’s Eve and I’m shockingly terrible at partying. Don’t they say that the way you ring in the New Year is how you’ll spend the rest of the year? Then again, perhaps staying in pyjamas and eating pizza is the best way to ring in New Year.
I have been drinking lots of tea and my cold seems to be slowly going away, fingers crossed for a recovery by Christmas!
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 19 december, 2001:
B.,
No, you don't have to send me a gift. I'm sure you would be better at picking presents than you think, though, because I do enjoy a good book. I think you're too hard on yourself. I'll definitely be sending something along to you. Gives me an excuse to go shopping. Hopefully my skills in present buying are as good as I believe they are and it won't be rubbish. If it is, though, you can tell me. It won't hurt my feelings.
Maybe I'll venture out on New Year's for a little while. Just for you. Then I'll eat pizza at home in my pajamas because that does sound like far more fun, honestly. I like parties, but I guess it depends on the crowd. I often get lost in the midst of the masses if it's too big a party. I'm not the tallest person in the world, you see. Being 5'3" is hazardous in a crowded room, I assure you.
I'm glad the cold is going away. I'm crossing my fingers that it's drifted off entirely by Christmas!
C.
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submitted by byron farro, 20 december, 2001:
C.,
You are tiny. I’m 6’2”. You are the sort of people I bump into because I don’t realise they’re there, so please accept my apologies. Also maybe make a lot of noise when you walk, it would be extra helpful. Perhaps I can get you a little bell to wear around your neck? Would such present be acceptable? And more importantly, welcomed? I’m only looking out for your well-being!
I shall send you your present in the next few days (it may even not be a bell), but I apologise in advance if it’s late, I’m off to visit my dad and then my mum for Christmas. The joys of being a child of a broken home, I guess. (I’m kidding, I love having two homes. When I was a kid that was especially great because I had double the toys.)
If I don’t get a chance to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to you, C.
B.
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[ooc: letters skipped again for practicality purposes]
submitted by caitlin carmichael, 3 june 2002:
B.,
I'm sorry my letters have been so few and far between lately. Seems like every time I have a chance to sit down and write you, something ends up coming up. If it's not work burying me, it's family things and social obligations. I don't want you to think I'm not interested in chatting anymore because I am. I miss our talks and wish that they were more frequent. I know you're probably just as busy as I am, though. Always know that I'm still around for letters, even if they're infrequent. I enjoy talking with you and would like to continue.
Summer's begun to roll in and the weather is turning warmer. Perhaps I'll spend some time at the beach before it's over. One can hope, right? Do you have any plans for the summer? How is your band doing? How are you? I hope that things are well and that you haven't forgotten about me.
I've been thinking that maybe one day we could go for coffee. Just a thought and if it totally weirds you out, just disregard it.
I'll look forward to hearing from you soon.
-C.
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submitted by byron farro, 2 july, 2002:
C.,
I think I have to start out by similar apologies. The summer has been hectic so far. We’ve got quite a few gigs but it has also meant much more practicing and writing. My editing has also kept me busy, summer book clubs and so such. I can’t even tell you how many beach novels I have read so far. I feel that at this point I could create a template for a boy-meets-girl romances. I edited one about pen pals the other day. It didn’t seem very realistic, to be honest.
Despite my infrequent letters, I also enjoy our letters. My summer plans mostly involve band practices and more work, they’re not very thrilling, I’m afraid. I hope your summer has been going well!I’d like to meet you, but-- I’m not sure I have the time to meet up for a coffee, but maybe one day?
Take care,
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 23 july, 2002:
B.,
Seems like hectic summers are going around. On the bright side, I'm happy to hear that your band has had gigs and that you've had a lot of writing to do. I'm sure that you've come up with some lovely pieces. Maybe as the summer bleeds into the fall you'll get something more interesting to edit as far as novels go. Surely there have been some gems in the midst of all the usual romances?
My summer has been quite nice. I've spent a large chunk of it working, of course, but I've spent time with friends as well. I'm sure your band practices are plenty exciting. I've always been envious of people who can play instruments. I'd be rubbish at something of that sort, I'm sure.
I understand. You're quite busy with the band at all. But yes, maybe one day. You'll have to let me know when things quiet down for you.
Speak with you soon,
C.
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submitted by byron farro, 8 august, 2002:
C.,
I edited one that involved a troll falling in love with a selkie. It was hardly a fantastic book but it was memorable, I must give it that. These books never appear to be terribly well researched, unless there really is some sort of a dating service that matches up magical creatures. I can’t see any possible benefit of one, but you never know.
I’m glad your summer’s been nice despite work. Summers should be there to be enjoyed, Merlin knows we don’t get many sunny days around these parts. You shouldn’t be envious of people playing musical instruments, you can do maths, and that seems much more challenging! I sometimes think I’m not even particularly good at counting unless it’s for music. I would certainly be rubbish at anything maths related, so perhaps I should be envious of your abilities instead.
Do you want a copy of some terrible romance novels? I seem to be gathering quite a collection.
B.
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submitted by caitlin carmichael, 15 august 2002:
B.,
That does sound like a memorable book. And you never know, there might be a magical mythical creatures dating service. Trolls and selkies need love too, after all. I don't really believe that they would need love from one another, but I shall not be the judge for that sort of relationship when I lack the ability to find one of my own.
I've tried to enjoy as many sunny days as I possibly can while they last. I know that the rain and the cool weather are just around the corner. I won't mind the nice warm evenings by the fire, though, so I can't really complain too much. You're right, it can be challenging. Most people give me this look of surprise when I say I like maths. It's a very much disliked topic, I've found. Someone has to like it, though, and that someone is me. It's really quite interesting, though. And it has pi. Who doesn't like pi(e)?
I'm very intrigued by what you consider terrible romance novels. I might just be interested.
C.