Character Castle 2.0
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Awww, that is so sad (and rather sweet) with Ehud! Writing a response right now..
"I threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell."
Ehud flung himself at Colma to hug her. She embraced him back and laughed as he exclaimed, “You’re not dead!” Suddenly, though, she was aware of what felt like rain-drops spotting her shoulder. Surprised, she glanced up and discovered that Ehud was trying, yet failing, to hold in tears.
“S-sorry…I’m sorry..” he gasped, obviously attempting to control his small gulpng sobs.
Colma’s first impulse was to withdraw herself. Whenever it came to being emotionally vulnerable, she always cringed inside. It had been her personal rule to disengage herself from as much intimacy as possible. But now she found she couldn’t do it. Ehud had been there when she had lost it and broke down, and he had tried to comfort her. Now it was her turn to help him. Perhaps Ehud had seen those awful vision-things before they were transported to the roof as well.
But she didn’t know how to be console people. Colma, who had previously loosened her grip when he started crying, tightened her hug, still wondering what to say.
Colma held him for a moment more, allowing his tear drops to plop onto her shoulder, before she looked at him at arm’s length. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. “You don’t have to only be there for others, to be the one who pretends nothing’s wrong. I can be there for you, too. And I’m also sorry for…” her throat tightened and the words dried up in her throat. Colma considered stepping back and not continuing, but she forged ahead with what she was saying. “And I’m sorry for lying to you. My name’s not Calixta. It’s Colma. I lied because… because I’ve–I’ve done some bad things–really bad things– and I was afraid you would recognize my name. But now I think–” she swallowed– “I know you’ll think I’m crazy, but I think that we may be from different worlds. I’ve never even heard of a ‘gun,’ but Erin has one, and you seem to know what it is.” Colma didn’t know why she told him the truth or voiced her opinion, but she felt that it was only right to be straight with Ehud. But now she must be just another one of the people who had lied to him. What if he hated her now? “I’m sorry,” she repeated, a tinge of desperateness in her voice. “I never should’ve lied…” And Colma was truly regretful.
Ehud had seemed to like her, and now she’d ruined it, like she ruined every relationship she’d ever had. “I’m sorry.”
Colma heard the fox saying something. She did a double-take. The fox could talk? In fairness, thought Colma, dragons can talk in my world, like griffins. Maybe it’s not so strange. But did that mean all foxes could speak? She made a mental note to ask the fox after she saw Ehud’s reaction to the truth.
"I threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell."
@mischievous-thwapling
Wow. That was really good. That part where Colma says he doesn’t have to only be there for others, I felt that.I totally cracked up when he said . “Yeah! I hate dying!
Hehe, he’d gonna crack every corny “dying” joke in existence every opportunity he gets XD
He froze when she squeezed him. People didn’t really do that, did they? Ehud relaxed a little, enough he could breath without choking. Without the blinding panic of expecting to be yelled at for being weak, he could take a moment to calm down. He really wanted someone to just take over being strong for a while, he wanted to be able to rely on somebody else.
After a moment she held him out at arm’s length, which was something Rosario usually did after he’d bowled her over with a hug. Ehud stared up at her, too dazed to even try to stop his tears.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to only be there for others, to be the one who pretends nothing’s wrong. I can be there for you, too.” she said. Someone being there for him wasn’t something he’d ever expected anywhere other than in fairytales. Neither of his parents had ‘been there’ for him, and even though his brother tried to be he was too busy trying to keep them both alive. He had always just assumed that was how life worked.
“And I’m also sorry for…” she hesitated “and I’m sorry for lying to you. My name’s not Calixta. It’s Colma. I lied because…because I’ve-I’ve done some bad things-really bad things-and I was afraid you would recognize my name.” People had lied to him for many different reasons; to convince him to do something, to avoid getting caught, to keep him sympathetic with them. The one he hated the most was when someone lied to protect him because that sort of betrayal never came from his enemies.
“But now I think–I know you’ll think I’m crazy, but I think we may be from different worlds. I’ve never even heard of a ‘gun,’ but Erin has one, and you seem to know what it is.” That was the most reasonable explanation for all of this Ehud could think of, it explained why she (had) used an axe and Erin had a type of gun he’d never seen before. Colma paused, searching his face for a moment. “I’m sorry, I never should’ve lied…”
He hadn’t been close to finding out she was lying. There wasn’t any reasonable gain to achieve by telling him. She was in trouble like he’d thought earlier. Rosario never actually told him anything about her past, probably to protect him, but he always knew she was in some sort of trouble before they bumped into each other.
“I’m sorry.” Colma repeated. Ehud swallowed, not sure what to say. She didn’t stand to gain anything by telling him the truth, in theory he knew he probably had a right to not be lied to. But he never really expected people to respect him, except his two friends, everybody looked out for themselves.
“Thanks…” He fumbled with his jacket pocket and didn’t know where to look. “…for telling before…I got in a bad position cos I didn’t know all the facts…”
Rosario had warned him before he trusted people too easily but he had a sense Colma wouldn’t try to use him, although his best friend probably wouldn’t be all that ready to let her in that fast. Ehud glanced up quickly and Colma still seemed anxious how he’d react, so he blinked misty gauze out of his eyes and smiled sheepishly.
“Are the talking foxes from your world? It’s kinda freaky…” He hesitated and ran a hand through his hair, shoving his other hand in his pocket. “Why did you?-…do bad things I mean?”
He didn’t know any better way to judge whether someone was trustworthy or not than by their motives. Ehud really wanted to trust her but he didn’t have either of his friends to rely on so he had to be more wary but it kind’ve hurt to him, he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. He hoped he wasn’t being rude.To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
Aw, thank you! It’s something I can identify with as well. And man, I loved the part where you said: “The one he hated the most was when someone lied to protect him because that sort of betrayal never came from his enemies.” Wow, how true is that?
Sorry this one is kinda short. And I liked how you added “(had)” to the axe part. Very true, that axe is never comin’ back 😛
“Why did you?… do bad things, I mean?” Ehud asked uncertainly, running one hand through his hair while burrowing the other in his jacket pocket.
As soon as he’d said it, Colma recognized that he was sizing up her trustworthiness. Back in her world (as she’d begun to call it subconsciously), people did the same thing all the time. But that wasn’t what caused her expression to harden or her posture to grow rigid; it was the question itself.
But the inquiry also surprised her. Nobody ever asked why; they usually reacted by estranging themselves. They never requested to know why she’d done it. Ehud truly was different–but a better different.
Nevertheless, he had ventured into a guarded place that still hurt too much to reflect upon, much less discuss it. Colma wanted to simply ignore it by answering the fox question, which she found rather amusing. But she knew that would seem suspicious, and probably make Ehud even more wary. “I had to,” she said stiffly, successfully managing to prevent her voice from cracking. “There wasn’t any other choice.”
"I threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell."
And man, I loved the part where you said: “The one he hated the most was when someone lied to protect him because that sort of betrayal never came from his enemies.” Wow, how true is that?
oh thanks, variations of that were marinating in my subconscious for a while and now it’s on paper 😀
The moment she stiffened Ehud knew he’d pushed too far.
“I had to,” Colma’s voice was strained “There wasn’t any other choice.”
She wasn’t ready to talk about that to anyone, but she was honest with him about. She told him her real name and she didn’t have to. For as long as they’d been here she hadn’t threatened him or anything.
“Ok!” Ehud wasn’t a naturally suspicious person, he figured she was at least as trustworthy as everybody else here (which may or may not be very much). He wasn’t sure how to tell her everything was fine between them so playfully jabbed her shoulder.
“What’s your world like? Do you have an…” He was going to say ‘any friends’ but something about her eyes already answered that. “What’s your favorite color?”
A drop of rain pricked his nose and Ehud looked up. “Oh I forgot, you asked me what I was saying that it’s about to rain an’ all. Since we’re on a roof maybe there’s a door or something to get inside. I’m gonna go see!” He darted off, humming Hotel California while he scanned over the roof, still processing everything that just happened. At the same time he glanced back to see if she’d answer his questions while he was looking around, he had an easier time holding a conversation if he was doing something while listening.
Her character was solid enough nothing had come up on his intuitive antenna except that she was in trouble not that she was the trouble. Rosario was a private person too and she’d never told him anything about her past yet. Ehud shook off the thought and tried to focus on…whatever he was supposed to be focusing on. Aside from the Foxy Fox, there were two new people on the roof he didn’t recognize.
“Wow, new people just fall outta sky here! I’m Ehud, by the way.” Skidding to a stop, Ehud waved to them before continuing his search for a way back inside the castle. By now it was drizzling.To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
That happens in my writing A LOT!! Well, to me it looks like the thoughts brewing in your head are the coolest.. Mine are useless and bizarre…. REALLY bizarre.
I love Ehud so much!!!! I’ll write a response post ASAP 😉
"I threw stones at the stars, but the whole sky fell."
Wen slipped into the shadows beside her cousin as more people arrived. “Odd how they all keep being warped here…” she murmured, checking the surfaces of their minds to see if they were trustworthy.
What she saw made her stand still. One girl.. She was as broken as Eltar or Aernus. A killer that regretted her actions.
A boy was extremely energetic to hide his fear. His fear of himself.
And so much more. All of them.. every last one.. Had been broken. Wen couldn’t stop herself from wondering.. Could this sentient castle be their healing?
As she mused, the energetic boy skidded to a stop nearby them. Wen raised an eyebrow when he spoke.
“Wow, new people just fall outta sky here! I’m Ehud, by the way.” Ehud waved at them before dashing off again.
Wen smiled slightly, creating an invisible umbrella over their heads as the downpour began. “Brin and the girl with a ship are over there. Think we should help them?”
Eltar shrugged.
“Okay, then.. Let’s follow Ehud.”
Wen caught up to him and smiled slightly as he flinched away from her sudden presence. He needed to watch his back with the former rak and asasssin around.. Well, not really, but she enjoyed messing around with people. “I don’t believe my cousin and I gave you our names. I am Wen (I decided to stick with just Wen) of Avarya. My cousin is Eltar of Ibia. He is an elf, while I am a halfen.”
Could one steal past those watchful dragons? I thought I could.
-C.S. LewisBrin moaned as it started to rain. She hated rain. It made her fluffy coat feel heavy and…well…wet. She had learned everyone’s name (except for the weird tiny human thing that has flown by a while ago), the two who fell from the sky where Wen and Eltar, the girl who was standing on the edge was Erin, the guy who had dropped her was Ehud, and the the girl who had just appeared was Colma (she had overheard the last two names).
She was now thoroughly soaked and her fur clung to her tightly making her look skinny and miserable. She was miserable, and probably skinny to. It was sometimes hard to find food in the forest and the last time she had eaten was earlier that morning. A meager pile of berries. The only thing good about the rain was that her leg didn’t feel as stiff and sore.Brin glance around for cover and noticed that Wen and Eltar where dry.
what?
That wasn’t normal (or fair). Brin raised her snout, she smelled nothing unusual. she listened and heard a faint hum, the rain, and what sounded like a waterfall.
Maybe how they get down is by jumping of the roof and into a pond underneath it. The pond can be In a garden and they can eat things from the garden and maybe get a night’s rest before jumping\falling into the next crazy place we have planned for them.😉 of course, this is all after Ahab and Allen join the party. If anyone has a other idea that works to though.
Beautiful things don't ask for attention
@mischievous-thwapling
No, your’s can’t be useless! And, anyway, there are no ideas too biza–*me running through all the ideas I get at two in the morning after a weird dream* …well…ok I actually can’t argue with that one…but cotton candy is bizarre and we still love it!
Heh, I really enjoy writing Ehud, he’s basically my gut reaction to everything which may or may not be a good thing…:)Maybe how they get down is by jumping of the roof and into a pond underneath it. The pond can be In a garden and they can eat things from the garden and maybe get a night’s rest before jumping\falling into the next crazy place we have planned for them. of course, this is all after Ahab and Allen join the party. If anyone has a other idea that works to though.
Oh yeah! Ehud might jump down testing if his paracord is long enough to reach the bottom but not making a tight enough knot. For some reason I want them to have to fight skeletons, can they fight skeletons, I’m not sure why skeletons are in my head but it’s almost Halloween anyway and that’s weird but I might as well suggest it XD.
He could feel a prickly sensation like he was being watched and jumped when he noticed the two newcomers right behind him. The girl had an decidedly eery, mischievous presence.
“I don’t believe my cousin and I gave you our names. I am Wen of Avarya. My cousin is Eltar of Ibia. He is an elf, while I am a halfen.” Said Eery Imp.
“Oh…” Ehud scrutinized the place around them which wasn’t getting rained on and instinctively started feeling for a wall or something. “What’s a halfen?”
Still trying to touch something solid above them, he made an attempt to get close enough to them to be under their…whatever.To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
Erin tapped her foot and crossed her arms. “Does anyone have any rope?”
Rope would certainly help in repelling down but there was little to tie a rope to anyway. Maybe the biggest person could hold the rope while everyone else climbed down.
But how would that person get down. And how does one get a freaking fox down?
Erin rolled her eyes. She just wanted to get her ship and she was going now and anyone who wanted to come better come.
Walking to the other side of the roof, she spied a pond. But how to discover if it was deep enough to jump into…?
“Fox person, come here.” The fox would be light enough to jump into the pond without getting hurt if it was shallow and could then tell them how deep it was.
One day you'll be someone's favorite author.
“Fox person, come here.”
Brin’s ears lay back against her head. Why did she have a feeling that she wasn’t going to like what Erin said? Maybe she found a way to get down. Brin hesitated a moment then slowly walked over, careful not to get to close to the edge. ” My name is Brin.” She said flatly, ” not ‘Fox person’. What do you want? Did you find a way to get down?” She asked cautiously. why did she have that feeling of dread in her stomach?
P.s. Brin will never work up enough courage to jump so it would be ok\hilarious if someone threw her. 😉😉Beautiful things don't ask for attention
Erin could tell that by the way Brin acted that she was terrified by heights and would never do what Erin wanted of her own free will.
“I did find a way down,” Erin said cooly, taunting the fox by easily pacing on the very edge of the roof without any outward expression of worry. “Are you glad about that?”
The fox nodded timidly.
“Then you’d be happy to help. Right?” Erin cooed, squatting down by her.
Brin cocked her head.
“Brilliant.” Erin scooped up the fox and before Brin had the time to register what she was doing, flung her from the roof.
One day you'll be someone's favorite author.
Allen had a lot to do. He still had to get the claws to Calixta, or more appropriately Colma. The fox was wounded and needed some minor healing. And Ahab was still MIA. Allen also had to report to Erin. As the highest ranking officer, she was, by military law, commander until proper chain of command was reestablished.
“Fox person, come here.”
What was up? Jokingly tilting back as if to peer from around a wall, Allen felt himself being pulled back by the weight of the claws. Quickly righting himself, Allen hit himself for being stupid. Then he saw Erin throw the fox over the side.
Dropping the claws, Allen reached out and grabbed the fox with magic. Pulling her to safety, he let her down.
“What was that for?!”
“Someone needs to find a way down.”
“Then ask me! I got wings and ain’t injured! I’m small enough that nothing notices me! And I ain’t afraid of nothing!”
With that, he dove off the edge. What an officer! Did he have to follow her orders! Scratching his head, Allen looked down. The pond was rising fast. Water lilies and reeds lined the edges while dark water stared up like a great eye. Splashing against the surface, Allen dove into the depths.
Using magic, he searched the muddy water. Outside of the plants, there seemed to be no other life in the sludge. The depth was sufficient for a jump by a human, if they landed in the center. The pond’s cutaway looked like a flying “V” like you would see at a western ranch.
Satisfied with his search, Allen began his ascent. He had cooled off now. He would apologize for his actions and report for duty. Everyone was just jumpy. Things were happening so fast. Everyone was just trying to adapt.
Sorry folks but in less than 72 hours, I will be undergoing major chest surgery and will not be able to post for a while. Good luck and good hunting.
The Devil saw me with my head down and got excited. Then I said Amen
Erin crossed her arms in irritation and tapped her foot. The fox cowered back and she reached forward to comfort it but the fox scrambled away.
“I wasn’t planning on hurting you! We have to get down somehow.” Erin called.
She turned back to watch the fey flit towards the pond. He was an odd little thing. Jackson would be fascinated by him. But Jackson was fascinated by a lot of things.
The thought of her crewmate stirred something inside of her and she decided that she was done standing around. Determination filled her gaze as she made her move.
Positioning herself on the edge of the roof she gathered everyone’s attention. The fey appeared again and watched her.
“Everyone! I’m off. Follow me if you will or stay if you might. I have the most advanced technology of all of you and I hold the best chance of returning you to your homes. But I am leaving now, so if you’re coming, I suggest you get a move on.” She held her chin high, smirked, briefly saluted, and tipped backward off the roof into the water.
@rusted-night whoa, that sounds…exciting? I hope everything goes well! Byeeee.
One day you'll be someone's favorite author.
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