criticalable

I don't know what counts as normal lives, I think that's subjective and even more around here, it's never dull. Pretty sure I saw somebody arguing with a goat outside Hatter's a while back.

Guess it's not surprising here, but the normality bar is pretty flexible.

So is talking to random strangers online like this higher stakes since they could be someone living down the street?

- Sparrow

Was it the goat that's on twitter? Or another goat? I wouldn't be surprised if there was more than one.

I guess so, yeah. We could already be friends and not know it, or be living right next to each other. Though hopefully the stakes aren't too high? I don't really see what could go wrong about this.

Sincerely, Criticalable

Oh, as a blushing, full-blooded romantic, I'm definitely hoping for love. This would be a wonderful story for a meetcute, don't you think? Meeting while writing letters! That just tickles my feathers.

Of course, I know it ain't good to latch onto the fantasy so I'm trying to keep at least one foot on the ground.

Maybe that's why I met you. You're gonna help me think more critically through this whole dang thing!

That would be a really lovely story. I don't wanna crush your hopes or anything! I think it's always possible! And even if you don't find "the one" through this, I don't think putting yourself out there could hurt, right?

Sincerely, Criticalable

It is definitely a unique and charming little town, that's for sure. It's nice to meet the diverse people that choose to live here.

Hmm. I think for me, I like the small town events that you wouldn't see in the city. They have such a charm to them, wouldn't you say?

Sincerely, briskthames

Agreed! The events have been a really great way to meet new people and get immersed in Swynlake culture.

Okay, question for you! This one is from a couple days ago, but I think it's a fun one. If someone described you as an animal what would the animal be and why?

Sincerely, Criticalable

Yes I did!!! Plus it's easier than using something like kelp to tie themselves in case something goes wrong but they use kelp for a lot of stuff too.

Oh yeah! There are a lot of really beautiful pigeons too. Like have you seen the pastel rainbow pigeon?

Friend to birds,

Pretzelarrow

That's beautiful! I hadn't seen them before, thank you!

I think it's amazing that there's so many different kinds of animals just around for us to see. It's really special just, like, being alive at the same time as them.

Sincerely, Criticalable

Hmm, well I'm still standing and walking around so I guess I haven't steered myself off the side of a cliff yet, lol.

But more seriously... yes, I think my gut is leading me to the places I'm meant to be. Even when I make mistakes, it's true what they say: you really do grow from them. And then I end up needing to call on those lessons when faced with other challenges, so I see exactly why I had to make those mistakes I did in the first place.

Maybe for some other people it ain't so clear. And it doesn't seem that clear sometimes. But... I got to keep the faith or I think I'd just lose all my gumption.

That's wild, that you haven't fallen in love yet! Is that what you're hoping for then? It would be awful romantic for you to fall in love over letters.

Well, good! I'd have to agree about making mistakes. They ultimately make us into the person we are now, or who we're becoming I guess.

I don't know if that's what I'm hoping for or not. I'd be happy making some new friends out of this, but if I happen to find love, I wouldn't turn it down. I do like the idea of it, though. It's a good story.

What about you? What are you hoping to find?

Sincerely, Criticalable

Around here I wouldn't be surprised if the birds had a union or were plotting to overthrow the town. That really just seems like something that would happen on a random Tuesday.

Sci-fi is probably my favorite, doesn't really matter if it's some of the newer stuff or the older because Godzilla movies are hilarious to watch, and action movies are good to as long as it's not the guy has to go take over a small country because his wife got kidnapped version, and I'm going to watch something like that I would rather watch the cliche superhero movies or fantasy stuff I guess.

I think the only type of movie I just don't really know what to do with are romance movies and I usually fall asleep during those and that's not really the best look when you're trying to watch a movie with someone.

What about you?

- Sparrow

Sci-fi is fun! The stuff they can do with effects is really impressive. I really like the superhero movies too, I like knowing that the good guys are most likely gonna win. Oh, and I really liked those Pirate movies!

I haven't really gotten into romance, but I know there's some classics that people really love. I think I just like movies with slightly higher stakes, compared to the "normal people living normal lives" kind of movies.

Sincerely, Criticalable

I'll do you one better!

After I read your email, I decided... you know what, why not make some salad pie myself! So I whipped it up the best I was able. It ain't much, but here we are:

This here is a cauliflower, onion, celery, and pecan salad pie! Yummmmmy! Say, I think I'm allowed to leave something in town hall and you could pick it up, if you're feeling adventurous and want a slice.

Now onto the rest of our conversation!

Hm, I don't think I do any weighing my options. I think I know almost right away what I should do. That makes me sound like a know it all. Really, I'm a know it none. I just have that feeling. For example, I knew I was supposed to go to Pride U for school, I just knew. There was no other school for me. There could have been, but when I saw that brochure, I set my heart on it.

I can be like that in love too. I get a feeling and that feeling is a compass, locked on my true north. I have to see it through and if it turns out to be wrong, well, that's how I'll figure it out!

That would be amazing! I'd be happy to try a slice.

It sounds like you have strong instincts. That's a good thing, as long as it hasn't gotten you in too much trouble! Do you feel like it generally works out for you?

I guess I haven't been in love before, so I don't know if I'd be more of an over-thinker or a jump in head first type. I think with that kind of stuff you should try to trust your feelings, though.

Sincerely, Criticalable

I think it does. I think a lot of jobs don't require too much improving right? But then, I only really know about the field I'm in so I may be wrong about a whole demographic of jobs.

And I was born and raised here! Went away for school for a couple years, but Swynlake is my home. What are you loving the most about living here now?

Sincerely, briskthames

Cool! I think the town is really cool, with all the events and stuff. And the people have all been really nice. I mean, I get to meet people like you and everyone else doing this letter thing!

What do you like most about Swynlake?

Sincerely, Criticalable

Oh yeah it is amazing! There's been so much interesting research done into the earth and fossils. I don't know a lot about it, but I like learning more whenever I can.

I'm so bad at picking favorites! There's just so many amazing animals and I start to feel bad if I've missed something or been unfair.

Like, otters are amazing! They're one of the only animals that use tools and they've figured out all kinds of ways to stay together as a group. But snakes basically have a super flexible spine, so with their strong muscles and the spine they're able to move int hat slithering way. Or did you know that hippos can run up to 30 miles an hour? Even the fastest human alive only ever made it up to 28 miles an hour! Honey badgers are completely resistant to venom, partially because they eat venemous snakes. There's just so many cool facts to learn!

Do you have a favorite? Or are they dinosaurs? Do you have a favorite dinosaur fact?

Nerdily,

Pretzelarrow

Otters are so cool! Did you know they hold hands while they sleep so they don't float away from each other? Snakes are also a good option, there's so many different kinds! I think the little ones are really cute.

I think my favorite are pigeons. Did you know they're domesticated? We used to keep them as pets, but now they're seen as pests. How messed up is that?

Vitrealis Sour. First part is a moth, second part is the taste I leave in peoples’ mouths.

Kidding. Kind of. But only about the second part. It is a moth, it was a random name that I thought sounded cool. Are you, like, really good at things? How able is critically?

That's really cool! The moth part, that is. And sour stuff can be good sometimes, like sour candy.

I guess I was thinking about critical thinking, mostly. I really like learning and pushing myself to think about things in new ways. So being able to think critically!

Sincerely, Criticalable

I like to learn too. There’s just too much happening in the world to not be curious about it. I’m definitely a sciences person, what subjects do you like most?

I agree! I’m more of a history person, I guess, but I try to cover a wide range of topics. I like English too, and maths and science a little less.

What kind of science are you most interested in?

Sincerely,

Criticalable

I try my best, but I think it's important to listen to your gut too! It's usually trying to tell you something for a reason!

I think it's a lovely name. Delightful, even! Wait, what's salad pie? I was thinking it was delightful, salad, pie.

Sincerely, Criticalable

Well, that's certainly one way to read it. I like salads and I like pies and both surely are delightful! But a salad pie is a real thing. Tell you what, you google it and you let me know if it's something you might eat or not!

Since you're a critical thinker, I'm curious... are you also a risk taker? Or are you more of a 'Look before I leap' type of person?

Well, I googled salad pie and I found a few different things. Can you send a link to the one that looks most like what you picture? In general, I’m willing to try any new food once! I think that’s the only way to discover your new favorite food.

I guess I try to balance thinking deeply about new things and also trusting my gut when it comes to personal decisions. Ideally I’d try to learn as much as I can about my options and then go with the one that feels right. What about you?

Sincerely,

Criticalable

Yeah, that makes sense. I haven't bothered with the apps. I've heard such crazy stories about them, I just don't think it would be for me. But some people have good luck with them, so who knows!

Those both sound like pretty good ways to spend the weekend. I'm no stranger to picking up an extra shift! I honestly have a hard time saying no to my coworkers if they ask me to cover for them.

My usual weekends are probably one day working at one day just seeing what Swynlake has to offer, finding an event to go to or just kinda wandering. You meet lots of interesting people that way!

Sincerely, Criticalable

Yeah the apps can be kind of crazy. Can't say I blame you there. Though they are quite useful if you just want a quick fling or a hook up. Anything beyond that though feels rather dicey.

For me it's really not about what coworkers are asking for. I just love y job. I want to improve in it and do more. But I think it is nice that you want to cover for yours when they need it.

Have you been in Swynlake long or are you still discovering it?

Sincerely, briskthames

It’s great that you love your job! I like mine well enough, but it’s not really something I can improve at much more at this point, if that makes sense. I just show up, work hard, and go home.

I’ve been here long enough to know most things but not quite long enough to be considered an expert. But I really love it here! What about you?

Sincerely,

Ha, that's really fun to say! I really like your name! Does it mean anything special? Or is it just something that sounded cool?

I'm really excited to be writing to you. I think this whole thing is really fun. Is this your first time doing anything like this?

Sincerely, Criticalable

I like forest animals so I wanted something nature-y. Isn't it nice? Do you feel connected to your name at all? I think a username can say a lot about someone, though I guess my usual Twitter/IG one isn't that clever.

I've never done anything remotely like this! Technology isn't something I'm that familiar with. It's a good way to meet new people!

Warmly, Deerdoodle

That makes sense! For my name, I was thinking about critical thinking and how I’ve been trying to cultivate that more, and then I just liked the way it sounded with -able.

I’m kinda new to the whole technology thing too, but this seems a lot easier than some other tech stuff! And I’m excited to get to know some more people.

So our suggested question today was about hobbies. What’s your most unique hobby? Or just your favorite hobby?

Sincerely,

Criticalable

Probably everything, those guys see a lot I'd guess. Can't trust em.

It took me a second to figure out your name which made it much more entertaining, brilliant. Already having a great time and the conversation just started.

Do we just get the supposedly encouraged 'favorite date idea' question out of the way first to appease the Swynlake social interaction gods first then have an actual conversation?

- Sparrow

I see, so your conspiracy about the sparrows is that they have a lot of conspiracies? I'm glad you like the name, I was pretty proud when I came up with it!

Well, I suppose the question can't hurt, right? I think my ideal date would be a picnic and a walk by the lake. I love being out there. What about you?

Sincerely, Criticalable

They're always gathered up chirping about something, they have to have secret plans. Probably have tiny evil headquarters and plots to hit bird seed factories. Or whatever. No idea if bird seed factories are a thing.

But this is a magic town. Sparrows could have an agenda.

Can't say I go to the lake often, but sure, I guess so? The people usually make the date more than the location so I'm not overly picky. Anything distracting.

If I had to pick? Probably movies and hanging out, but you have to be flexible, right? Find things the person you're meeting likes doing? Get creative.

- Sparrow

Bird seed factories… seems plausible. They definitely know where to find all the food around town, why wouldn’t they go big?

Movies and hanging out sounds like a fun time! What kind of movies do you like? I agree, you gotta lean in to what the other person likes to do.

Sincerely,

Criticalable

I don't have a lot of dating experience either, but I think I agree. You should be with people you enjoy spending time with, and the main point should be spending time with them. But maybe there's something I'm missing.

The science museum sounds really fun! Is that the one with the huge fossils? I think dinosaurs are so cool.

Sincerely, Criticalable

There is a dinosaur section! There's also sections all about the history of different kinds of machines and different clocks and the history of flight and the study of brains and all kinds of things. That's part of what makes it so exciting! It's easy to forget sometimes that science touches everything we know and there's so many things to learn.

Why do you like dinosaurs?

Curiously,

Pretzelarrow

That sounds really cool! It’s great that they have such a wide variety of topics. I guess I like dinosaurs because they were on a totally different version of earth and it’s just amazing that we even know anything about them. It’s kind of a miracle we even have those fossils!

Question for you! What’s your favorite animal, dead or alive?

Sincerely,

Criticalable

Vitrealis Sour. First part is a moth, second part is the taste I leave in peoples’ mouths.

Kidding. Kind of. But only about the second part. It is a moth, it was a random name that I thought sounded cool. Are you, like, really good at things? How able is critically?

That's really cool! The moth part, that is. And sour stuff can be good sometimes, like sour candy.

I guess I was thinking about critical thinking, mostly. I really like learning and pushing myself to think about things in new ways. So being able to think critically!

Sincerely, Criticalable

Probably everything, those guys see a lot I'd guess. Can't trust em.

It took me a second to figure out your name which made it much more entertaining, brilliant. Already having a great time and the conversation just started.

Do we just get the supposedly encouraged 'favorite date idea' question out of the way first to appease the Swynlake social interaction gods first then have an actual conversation?

- Sparrow

I see, so your conspiracy about the sparrows is that they have a lot of conspiracies? I'm glad you like the name, I was pretty proud when I came up with it!

Well, I suppose the question can't hurt, right? I think my ideal date would be a picnic and a walk by the lake. I love being out there. What about you?

Sincerely, Criticalable