It seems this is counterproductive. Why bother with a pseudonym if the first time you respond to a story comment your ID is revealed? I know the story messaging ability is a newer feature, this seems like a bug to me.
If the assumption is that authors using pseudonyms aren't supposed to post story comments, then a warning seems warranted.
You have one account, and one ID.
You access mail under that id. However, you can split the inbox, just select the pen name from the menu on top to see who the message is for.
When you reply, the recipient sees the pen name they sent the original message to. Not your personal account id.
UPDATE: Are you talking about the messaging system or the end-story comments?
Even the story comments, the default in the menu is your user name account, but you can select to post a comment as your pen name.
Sorry, I was in such a hurry to respond to a charge to 'stealing' my own stories that I didn't notice the drop down at the top of the page.
In an entirely unrelated issue, could you kindly delete all of my "Crumbly Writer" messages to that story?
I didn't do a complete inventory of my before and after scores, but I just checked. I hate to say it, but it looks like many of my regular stories took a direct hit as of today. It wasn't a big hit, as there were only 3 protest votes of the story in question, but it highlights why we need such protections.