Letters to Edward...

[kagemusha]

July 11th, 8016

Dear Edward,

You may be looking at that date and wondering to yourself if I've finally cracked. I'm not so sure right now if I haven't. You always said watching all those tokusatsu's were going to mess with my head one day and you're probably right. They say--and when I say "they", I mean this device I've been given who's ever so polite--It tells me I've been shanghaied to a distant planet countless lightyears away from earth, and even worse, it claims it's seven-thousand years into the future! I can barely fathom it right now. With dwindling hope I wonder if this letter to you is written in vain.


...That I'm simply typing into the void. You might be long gone, Edward. You might have noticed I never came back to visit you one day and wondered if I had forgotten about you. That I moved on without you. I want you to know that isn't nor was it ever true. So I'm hoping against hope that this gets to you somehow. That I find a way to send these letters into the blackness of space and you receive them one day to know the truth behind my disappearance.


This system of government has people divided into a strange caste system where people of light hair are on the bottom of the totem pole, and people of dark hair rule from the top. I could easily change my appearance and take advantage of this bizarre system, but I've heard the danger that lurks if I'm ever caught. So for now, I'll be laying low. Lower than I've ever been before. I asked how much it would take to send a capsule into space and the price was as exorbitant as I thought it would be so...


...It may be a while till I'm able to send this out to you. I'll compile all my letters into one batch once I've earned enough to do so. I'm sure you'll have quite the story to read. Better than any of the Hero fics I had you read, I promise! I'll try to make it exciting for you.


I'm so addled right now, I don't really know what else to say. I wish you were here. But at the same time I don't. I wouldn't want you to experience this place. Everyone's a huge pervert. It's like one of my hāremumono, only in space, and I'm the self-insert protagonist with no personality. Almost like real life, but not. I can't go anywhere without seeing some kind of outdoor burlesque show. I don't know how much more I can take. My head heats up so often I feel faint from the constant head-rush.


This letter turned into mostly complaining... sorry. I'll try to be more positive in my next letter. Until then!

Always and humbly yours,
Ivan

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[kagemusha]

July 18th, 8016

Dear Edward,

I messed up. It's only been a couple days and I already messed up so bad. Not long after my last letter I found that this city holds its own conventions for the celebration of their unique culture. You would think this is something I'd take a keen interest in, right? I did and at first I was fascinated, but that fascination quickly gave way to horror once I realized under all the glitz and glamour there was an underlying stench of corruption that makes Ouroboros pale in comparison. My first tip off should have been the convention's name: Pet Conference. I thought it might be a dog show, but to my disgust I was made aware that those so-called dogs were actually people. People being shown off and sold like animals. It's apparently completely acceptable and such a norm on this planet most don't bat an eye at the idea of human slavery.

I didn't know it at the time that slavery was exactly what it was. It was sold to me by a charlatan, a man with a scarred face, telling me it was merely 'sponsorship'. A scarred face, another red flag. I thought not to be too judgmental, he seemed kind and his voice was smooth. A smooth talker. I was confused and didn't understand what it was that was happening in this place. Why were people so willing to put themselves under the financial care of another person? As it turns out, most mongrels--that's what they call us with light hair--are desperate to become Pets. It's known as the surest way out of poverty. That man told me it was nothing like slavery at all, in fact it was "exactly" like back home with my sponsors.

I was so stupid, Edward. I signed my life away. I did it willingly. I got swindled and cheated out of my freedom because I thought if I had a sponsor I'd at least be able to afford to be a Hero here. I got stripped of my clothes and my dignity and thrown up on a stage like some trick-pony at auction. There were hundreds of people just like me backstage, only they had been stuck in this sordid business for years, hoping, truly hoping someone would buy out their misery. It reminded me how the brothel women in the Red Lights district had to sell their bodies to pay the debt of their families... or how they wished a danna would buy their freedom.

I looked pretty pathetic up there, I felt even worse. I was sure no one would buy me, all I could think to do was that one geisha dance I showed you. The audience was pretty confused and a few even laughed. Yet somebody raised their hand and I was sold to the only bidder.

You're probably thinking why I didn't just cut and run well... The technological security of this place is beyond even Sternbild's. I had no chance to transform and even if I did, if I was caught I would be "processed". Shape-shifters basically defy the caste system of Amoi and if they knew of my power I would either be executed or used for nefarious purposes. I couldn't take that risk.

Not even with the other Heroes here. Yes you read that right, it's unfortunately not just me. Sky High-san, Barnaby-san, Golden Ryan-san, and even Judge Petrov-san are all here! They've all been very competent of this world's dangers... I should have stuck to them, but I was foolishly feeling independent. Now I'm chattel to a human being and I can't...

...I can't tell any of them. Not yet, anyway. I'm still trying to process the weight of what I've done. I feel so sick, Edward. I don't know what to do. I'm trapped in a system I can barely fathom.

I guess I should tell you about my so-called "Master". I shouldn't be as relieved as I am, but my inner Japanese spirit cries to me! He's a samurai, Edward, a real samurai! Not a cosplayer or a history-reenactor, but a dyed-in-the-wool Edo-period samurai! I know what you're thinking and I can imagine the face you're making, but please bear with me. His name is Jin and he's from the Takeda clan. With all my might I'm holding back the urge to detail to you how great this clan was so please have some appreciation.

Master Jin told me he bought me with the intention of setting me free immediately, yet he relayed that he was hesitant for he knew what would happen to me if I were put back on the streets as an "Ex-pet". There were a multitude of consequences including extreme prejudice from the local population and job prospects, as well as the very real threat of becoming euthanized. I would essentially become a stray without a owner. I reasoned then, that if we're to cohabitate with one another I would like the honor of becoming his disciple, rather than bending to the typical Pet/Master dynamic of this world.

With some moldering over, he eventually accepted me.

I shouldn't be happy about this. I'm terrified. But happy. Happy. But terrified. I dreamed of something like this, Edward. Yet I knew I lived in an era where it would never be possible. I had to recreate that feeling of honor and chivalrous servitude through Origami Cyclone. I know in my heart I'm just a facade... I can only mimic what I see, but is the soul of Japan there? I think through Master Jin's teachings I can for once truly realize it.

On a offhand note, he has a lover--I think--named Fuu living with him and a brother named Yukimaru I've never met. Fuu is.. so cute. She's the essence of cute, kao hayushi! Or more specifically, Mechakucha Kawaii!

The highest form of cute! (´,,•ω•,,)♡

...I clammed up as soon as I saw her and I barely got out a 'ossu' before I shut myself up in my room. ♡(｡￫ˇ艸￩)

I haven't talked to her since, I'm such a coward. I can't into girls like that... she reminds me of my pen-pal. Oh...

I depressed myself again, sorry. ๑•́ㅿ•̀๑) ᔆᵒʳʳᵞ

I said my next letter would be positive, I'll try again next time. Till then!

Always and humbly yours,
Ivan