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@dakota @esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter
Okay this is going to be a long post. I’m gonna post some of the parts Urwen and I have written together over the past who knows how long and haven’t posted yet.
First Cade and Kirat
—
Kirat sank to his knees, one hand still on the wall for support. “Please, sir, trust us to handle this.”
Cade looked so torn, that it made Kirat want to cry. Why did it have to be this way? Why was this the only way they could guarantee the Sparrow’s survival?
Why couldn’t the Outopian government try and see eye to eye with them?
Finally, Cade nodded. “I’ll go.”
Kirat gave him a tired smile. “Good luck, sir.” as Cade’s footsteps retreated down the hall, Kirat closed his eyes.
“I hope this was the right thing to do.”
—
Kirat smiled at Cade and Cade saw the weariness in his face as he said, “Good luck, sir.”
Cade smiled back and rose to his feet. He walked away. Then stopping, turned back and waved, then made the symbol of the sparrow and hurried off into the darkness. He walked along through the tunnels, getting away from Kirat as fast as he could before he changed his mind. With every step, the feeling of doubt in his decision grew. A feeling of guilt tugged harder and harder on his aching heart. And the tears welled up in his eyes.
What if they all get killed while I’m hiding? The nagging question tore his heart. That would be betraying his friends. Running off to hide while they were slaughtered.
He reached the manhole that led up into the street. But somehow, as he stood staring up at the underside of the cover, he didn’t feel strong enough to pull himself up this time. His head spun with a sudden attack of dizziness and he leaned against the wall. The tears were trying harder than ever to push into his eyes. Pain engulfed his heart. Why? Why did things even have to be this way? Why did the city have to be like this? Why did people have to hate and kill? Why couldn’t everyone understand? The sparrows were just trying to help. Just trying to make the city better. The government had cast them away in it’s suspicion, and now they had to work alone, trusting no one for fear they would be caught and thrown into prison.
And now, in their time of greatest need. The time when they needed the most needed a strong leader to guide them, here he was, running off to hide and too discouraged and weak to even pull himself up through a manhole. What kind of a leader was he? They should have chosen someone else!
He crumpled to his knees on the floor again and let his face drop into one hand. The other hand he pressed over his heart. The pain there was almost unbearable. The guilt was so deep he could hardly breathe. He tried to tell himself to pray, to not give up, to try again, but everything inside of him was hurting too deeply. He breathed in harsh, hollow gasps as he tried to hold back the tears. But his breaking point had come, he couldn’t hold it all inside anymore. He drew his knees up to his chest and lowered his head. For a moment, the outward shell of the unmovable leader was gone. Silent sobs shook him and tears of deep heartache flowed down his cheeks.
—
Kirat leaned against the wall, exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to fall asleep, but he couldn’t. He had to keep going. For Outopia, for Cade and for . . . Chanmi.
He sank to his knees, the side of his face pressed up against the cool gray wall.
Three weeks ago, Kirat had found a little girl on the streets.
She had been crying, her tangled blond curls framing two tear-filled blue eyes. Her tiny hands clasped close to her heart.
Her clothes were torn and dirty and her face was streaked with ashes and tears, but her dazzling eyes remained glowing brightly.
Chanmi had lost her parents to a fire prior. Her mother forcing her into the nearby alleyway before going back to get her brother. The house had erupted in flames while a terrified Chanmi watched.
She had sat in the alleyway for three days waiting for her mother to come get her, for some sign that someone in her family survived, but nothing ever came.
When Kirat had found her, there was something sweet about her, and they immediately bonded.
He had to keep going, for Chanmi.
But as he sat there, he suddenly began to feel drowsy, and a gentle calming sleep enveloped him.
Sold souls and dead promises
@dakota @esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter
Logan and Jin
—
When Jin opened the door, he didn’t know what to expect. Rhioe never knocked, because she had been giving express permission. And he didn’t know any other people who would.
So when he opened the door, and an officer was standing there, he started panicking.
“Hello, sir? How can I help you?” he asked.
—-
Logan took a deep breath, trying to push Rhioe’s face from his mind. “I’m Police Captain Logan Blackmoore. I’m here to ask you some questions about the sparrows,”
—
The minute the words “I’m, here to ask you some questions about the sparrows” passed from the man’s lips, Jin’s heart began pounding,
“Yeah, sure. Do you want to come inside?” He held open the door, unsure of why the man seemed so tense.
Era tensed the moment Logan entered, Jin whistled, and she reluctantly went over to where he was standing.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Jin asked, glancing over at Logan, who shook his head.
“No thank you.” he replied, and Jin nodded and turned back to him.
“So, what’s this about?”
—–
Logan looked searchingly into Jin’s eyes for one, long moment. He took a deep breath. He didn’t want to be here. . . He didn’t want to do this. He wanted to go back to Leona and Rhioe. But he had to do his job. Somehow. His face was hard, no emotion stirred in his dark eyes, but inwardly he was in turmoil. Steeling himself against his own feelings, he spoke.
“I’m Captain Logan Douglas with the Outopian police force,”
Logan’s sharp eyes saw a sharp change in Jin’s face. The boy’s faced tensed and paled slightly and he shifted his position nervously. His eyes moved to the door, then back to Logan’s face. Logan could feel the tenseness in the air. Jin spoke.
“I’m Jin. But I’m sure you already know that.”
Logan nodded before continuing, “The Outopian government has reasons to suspect that you have been working for the rebel group known was the sparrows. Several sources reveal that you have often been seen around common sparrow meeting places,” he paused and licked his lips, “I’m here to ask you a few questions,”
Jin nodded. He opened his mouth, but at first no sound came out. Then he managed a quiet, “Go ahead Sir,”
“Does the name Knot House mean anything to you?”
—
“Does the name the Knot house mean anything to you?” Logan asked.
Pfft. Of course it does. Jin thought. But why would I tell you that? You’d just turn me in.
Outwardly, he kept his expression calm.
“I don’t know, sir. It sounds vaguely familiar. Why?”
Logan frowned, “it’s the place where the rebel group has been meeting. Yesterday the government sent a group to apprehend them, on information from a tip-off. According to our reports, you’ve been very active during these meeting times, and the authorities are understandably concerned that you might be involved.”
“If I were, I wouldn’t be likely to tell you.” Jin said, “would I?”
Logan pressed his lips tightly together. “Where were you last night?” he asked.
“Out. I took Era for a walk, we went to go visit a friend, my friend Rhioe. Then Era and I came home.” Jin said, watching Logan carefully.
Era barked in agreement, turning her cold blue eyes in Logan’s direction.
Sold souls and dead promises
@dakota @esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter
And the last part about Rhioe:
Once Logan had left, Leona turned to Rhioe with a kind smile,
“Let’s take care of you, shall we?”
As the widow began getting things ready, Rhioe’s thoughts traveled to Jin.
He had always been very kind to her, always willing to help, could he really be working with the rebels?The ones rumored to be planning to bring down the government?
Rhioe didn’t usually worry, she hardly ever had time, because she had too many things to keep her busy.
But how could she not worry? Jin was accused of working with the rebels, and what would happen to the street children? If she couldn’t walk, how could she do her rounds? It wasn’t like she could ask Judah to do it for her, could she?
Judah was one of the nicest people she’d ever met, but she couldn’t give this burden to him, not after Aura. . .
Tears welled up in Rhioe’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She needed someone to talk to, to understand her, but this encounter with Logan reminded her of how fragile things were. The tears spilled out of her eyes against her will, how could anything ever be the same again?
Sold souls and dead promises
@dakota @esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter
And introducing my new character Llewellyn:
A light rain fell on the dirty street making soft pattering sounds as each small drop hit and shattered in a hundred different directions. A harsh wind howled gloomily in the narrow alleys picking up pieces of garbage and slamming them into the sides of the buildings that lined the street.
The wet pavement was cold under Llewellyn’s bare feet. He walked faster, trying to keep his feet from going numb. It was so cold. Soon the rain would be turning into ice.
He dug his small hands farther into his pockets and lowered his head. He had to make it to work on time or his boss would take his pay away again. He couldn’t risk that. The children needed all the help he could give them. Even if it was only a little. Tears formed in his eyes at the thought. They were so hungry. . . He was so hungry. He bit his lip hard.
A harsh cough shook his thin shoulders. For a moment he leaned against a building, trying to recover his breath. He raised his Irish blue eyes to the cold gray sky and sighed softly. Shutting his eyes, he shivered and leaned his head against the wall. A tear slipped from under his eyelid and slid silently down his cheek.
He had to get to the factory. It would be warmer there. He just had to keep going. After a few more minutes of leaning against the wall, trying not to cough, he straightened. He sighed another soft sigh and started off again.
Sold souls and dead promises
Wow, amazing job!
I am so, so, soooo sorry for falling off the face of the Earth!
I have had way too many stories going on, and I feel really bad for neglecting this one, but I haven’t put aside enough time for it.
I’ll keep trying, and hopefully my brain cooperates.
I wonder what I was thinking whenever I re-read my old, well-loved stories
*clapping* Great job, you two!
Just have one thing to say: In one place, Logan says he’s Captain Blackmoore and in another place he says he’s Captain Douglas. I believe Blackmoore is the correct name but I just wanted to bring that to your attention.
Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.Great job. I really liked those ones.
How we chose to fight is just as important as what we fight for
@esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter
*scrambles atop the Tower and calls out through bullhorn*
Hello everyone!
It’s been a long time since there has been any action in here. I know we are all busy and don’t always have time for things like this, which is fine. But I have been asked by @emberynus-the-dragonslayer to call out to you all and keep this story alive.
Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.@esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @naiya-dyani @kayla-skywriter @dakota @emberynus-the-dragonslayer
!!!
I’m soooooooo sorry. . . aggggggh doing my next parts has been on my to-do list for a while now. That’s it. I’m scheduling it. I’m going to aim to have them done by tomorrow afternoon. *intense nod*
Hearts are like matter--they can be beaten down, torn, and burned, but they cannot be destroyed.
O.K.A.Y.!
So so so so so so so sorry, everyone! I’ve had so much going that I very nearly forgot about this story!
And I also realized I forgot about several characters a while back. . . . . *cough cough*
I know a part for Sandrye is long overdue, so I’m just going to brain-dump right here and post it. Hopefully it works alright.
I’m not 100% sure where we even are in the story right now, but I do know I left Sandrye in quite a dismal place known as The Closet, and in the story he was supposed to be going to the Sparrow Meeting.
What happened.
Anyways. . .
Sandrye walked through the abandoned tunnels, carefully searching through each by the flickering torchlight to ensure the Sparrows had not left anything behind in their rush to escape the government.
He didn’t know where the new meeting place would be, if there would be one at all, and despite the necessity of finding at least someone as soon as possible, they weren’t doing any good captured or dead, either.
The most important thing was remain untraceable, so there was always a chance to do more.
Echoing footsteps sounded from further down the tunnel, and Sandrye paused, extinguishing his torch and dropping it.
The soft thumping continued, getting closer, and wisps of light that wasn’t his flickered down the path.
Sandrye pressed his back against the wall, trying not to panic. Who would be down here? It couldn’t be a Sparrow.
There.
His eyes narrowed, watching carefully as a young girl ran past, holding a dying torch before her as she headed towards the north tunnel.
She didn’t seem familiar.
And she was heading for a rather important Sparrow meeting ground.
Waiting only a moment until the girl’s footsteps were completely faded out, Sandrye started down the tunnel after her, running easily across the jagged path he knew so well.
He had to catch that girl and find out what was going on.
Soooooooo. . .
Super short, but hey, it gets me started. I’ll see what I can do.
And, for the record, the girl is Saydra, because i did figure out where I left her too.
Hopefully I can do something with this, I don’t really know.
I wonder what I was thinking whenever I re-read my old, well-loved stories
@dakota @emberynus-the-dragonslayer @esmeralda-gramilton @mayacat @urwen-starial
Thanks Dakota, for bringing this back to attention.
I have not forgotten this for a moment, however I accidentally got all my characters stuck at red lights. I have a part prepared, but I can’t post anything at this point in the story unless I try to do a flashback or something, which I think would add unnecessary confusion. As soon as the necessary parts are posted and the plot moves a bit I’ll be right here waiting with my parts.
If you do need me to post now, I could write another part for Altan and Tawny. Let me know if you want me to do that to keep this moving.
Nice post, Esmeralda
How we chose to fight is just as important as what we fight for
@naiya-dyani Take your time and have fun! 🙂 And don’t beat yourself up about it.
@esmeralda-gramilton Good job with the part. It works for me. 🙂
@kayla-skywriter I don’t think you need to post anything now, so no sweat. 🙂Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.@esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @kayla-skywriter @dakota @emberynus-the-dragonslayer
Okay!!! This has taken me ALTOGETHER too long! I’m so sorry for holding people up for so long. At long last, here are my three characters’ parts!
___
Cold. Hard. Oh, that hurts. . .
Kiet’s eyes fluttered open as a breath of dank, musty air filled his lungs. His leg throbbed painfully, but when he tried to shift it, a sensation stopped him. He stifled a sharp gasp, glancing up and tugging at his arms uselessly. Thick, rusty iron chains clamped around his wrists and bound them against the cold, wet stone wall. A frigid shard of panic shot through his heart, and he struggled to suck in a deep breath. Calm down. Panicking won’t get you free any sooner. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, trying to ease the trembling running into every limb.
After several minutes, he managed to open his eyes again as his head cleared. Right. They shot me in the leg and captured me, then they were going to interrogate me when. . .
His brow furrowed. What happened? What got in the way? He dug back through his memory, struggling to find a seedling of what had happened. That woman took care of my leg. They took me into the room, and then. . . Kiet’s eyes widened. Oh, right. There was a knife on the table. He shook his head. I must have panicked. . . but did I somehow go unconscious? Did they knock me out? A faint smile touched his lips. Well. . . at least they didn’t get a chance to press me for answers. Yet.
Heavy footsteps echoing off the stone walls broke through Kiet’s thoughts. As they grew closer, his heart raced. Don’t tell me they’re going to try again so soon. In the midst of his anxiety, weariness made his shoulders slump. I just need a break. Too much has happened tonight. I need a break. . .
The metallic screech of the cell door to his left ricocheted off the walls enclosing him. Kiet peered through the bars blocking off his cell but could see nothing from his position. A low, gruff voice muttered words he couldn’t make out as chains creaked and footsteps clacked. Finally, the door shrieked shut again, a lock clanked, and the footsteps retreated down the staircase.
Kiet swallowed and turned his head toward the left wall of his cell. “Hello?” he called softly.
___
Gerik gritted his teeth and winced as the bruises on his cheek pounded with pain. The voice from the other cell called again. “Is someone there?”
“Who’s asking?” he managed. Blasted Mockingbirds. Why does their first method of getting information have to be a bruising. . .
The other prisoner hesitated. “Just—a sixteen-year-old with—” The boy gasped with pain. “—unexpected trouble tonight.”
Gerik let out a harsh laugh. “Join the club.” He narrowed his eyes at the wet, grimy floor. “They caught me out in an alley and brought me here under suspicion of being a Sparrow.”
The prisoner caught his breath. “You too?” he whispered.
Gerik’s eyebrows shot up. “They’ve really been dragging suspects in after that crashed meeting. . .” His voice trailed off. Great. Now you’ve gone and basically told him outright you’re a Sparrow.
“So you are one?” the boy’s voice came softly. Before Gerik could try to back his way out of it, he continued. “I’m sorry you got caught. I’m. . . sort of one. I’m not sure. I was planning to decide at the meeting tonight. But. . . everything went south.” His words halted with a sharp intake of breath and a moan.
Gerik’s mouth twisted. “What, did they beat on you for information, too?” Sympathy twinged in his chest.
“Er—not quite. They haven’t really interrogated me yet. But they shot me in the leg earlier—it really hurts,” the boy finished with a whimper.
Gerik’s eyes widened. “Wait,” he snapped, “are you Kiet?”
“Um—yes. How do you. . .?”
Idiot. You’ve already given him too much information. “Keep your mouth shut about this if you know what’s good for you.”
“Huh—what? I’m not going to—”
Gerik shifted to face the wall he shared with Kiet. “I know your kind. Your people love to cause pain. So I’m telling you now—don’t you dare turn me or any of the others in, or you’ll regret it.”
“What do you mean?” Kiet’s voice turned seemingly bewildered and distressed. “Who are you? Why—”
“I’m Gerik,” he said, voice tightening. “And just because the people at home—and here—seem to trust you doesn’t mean I’m going to be fooled. I tried to protect our village from you, and I’m going to keep you from destroying the Sparrows if it kills me.” Gerik sat back, breathing hard. He can protest all he likes—say he’s not like the others, say he’s on our side. I’ve heard it all before.
“Believe what you want.” Gerik blinked as Kiet’s voice returned, stiff and low. “I’m done listening to your accusations. You took them far enough in Cresba.”
Both boys fell silent. The chains felt colder around Gerik’s wrists. Grinding his teeth, he glared at the ground, heart thrashing about wildly like a sparrow in a box in his chest.
___
Kedori’s eyes widened as Pasha’s hackles rose. The young woman paled and backed away. Kedori quickly patted his leg. As the dog looked at him, he threw a few rapid signs out. Don’t attack her. Slowly, the dog’s fur settled and he stepped back beside Kedori.
He let out a sigh, then gulped and looked back up at the woman. “Sorry,” he whispered. “He’s protective.” He cast a glance toward the Tower. “Is. . . he alright?” With a wince, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. We’ll need to sign or write. I’m—deaf.” Please, answer the question and let me go. . .
___
@dakota ^but please don’t. 😉 If you want to continue Rob’s part with Gamma 6.5 you can; you can honestly do whatever you want with that Gamma guy. XD Or you can just skip Rob to a future point after he splits off from him or something. Whatever floats your boat.It’d also be interesting if Megyn helped Kedori break Kiet out. Do you think she might do that?
Hearts are like matter--they can be beaten down, torn, and burned, but they cannot be destroyed.
Not sure why those tags didn’t all work :/
@emberynus-the-dragonslayer @mayacat @urwen-starialHearts are like matter--they can be beaten down, torn, and burned, but they cannot be destroyed.
@naiya-dyani Great job on the posts with Gerik and Kiet!
This alright? @emberynus-the-dragonslayer @mayacat @urwen-starial @kayla-skywriter @esmeralda-gramilton
A soft tapping made her look up. The youth was patting his leg, eyes widened and fixed on the dog.
The dog turned his head. Instantly, the youth’s hands threw out a rapid command. Don’t attack her.
Slowly, the dog’s fur settled. His hackles relaxed. Spinning around, he stepped back beside the youth and pressed his head against him.
A long sigh escaped her as she exhaled. That’s was close.
He let out a sigh too, then gulped and looked back up at her. “Sorry,” he whispered. “He’s protective.”
Megyn nodded, smiling a little. “It’s okay.”
He cast a glance toward the Tower. “Is. . . he alright?”
With a wince, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. We’ll need to sign or write. I’m—deaf.”
So that’s why! Immediately, her eyes filled with a genuine sympathy as her heart softened. She could imagine how difficult it must be for him to be an agent and be deaf. Not many people back home were proficient signers or spoke in a way that allowed for lip reading; how could here be any better?
And he must have suffered at someone’s hands because of it, she thought Bullies are everywhere.
Quietly she knelt down and signed, He has a nasty wound but the bleeding is stopped and bone isn’t broken.
A sigh escaped her. I doubt the wound will heal though, she thought as she let her hands rest on her knees. Not in that dark, dank place.
Lifting her hands and focusing her eyes in concentration, she signed Sorry if I am hard to understand. I haven’t practiced my signing in a while. I’ll do my best.
She paused, then signed, Are you alright?
___________________________________________________
Hmmm . . . Megyn might. . . if like she got permission as a medical professional to keep him at the hospital until his leg healed. I think that could work.
I’ll just say that Gamma took Rob to his place and they hid out there until the raid was over. Rob was a bodyguard, so he’d probably stick close to Gamma 6.5, especially since he is an older person. But he is still available to interact with someone else.
Dayton probably found a really good place to hide and, yet at the same time, spy on the raid. It’s her thing. After that, she caught up with everyone else and fit back into her normal groove. I think she’s available.
And Matt I’ll have to work on a part for him.
Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
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