Character Castle 2.0
- This topic has 2,849 replies, 27 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 7 months ago by .
-
Posts
-
Don’t worry about it! I get confused myself! 😉
You’re fine! I think we’re all darting around like Ehud! 😀
*Laughs nervously* Oh man, Rosario pushed Kiark’s “explode” button like five times, lol! 😛 Please don’t take any offence from his rant; he had it coming to him at some point, ha ha. He’s just not used to people talking to him in that way and he’s very vain. 😀 And you’re totally right about the dragons not being beasts, but he’s very proud and doesn’t want to admit it.
You’re doing great!! This mirror idea is perfect, and *face-palm* you don’t have any of our character outlines, so you really are getting to know them on the fly! My character, Kiarkus Reni, is a prince and the Heir of Banerow. He’s vain, regal, and a wise-cracker. Things that you notice right away about him are as follows: he wears a gold band around his forehead and his sandy hair sticks up from between it; he has a red cape, and he has dark blue eyes. My other character, Wylo Reni, is Kiark’s uncle, and he is wearing a silver suit, has red-gold hair, and grey eyes and a mustache. I actually picture him looking a bit like Orville Wright; and yes, I am weird. 😛 I hope that helps a bit!
***
WYLO
I had drawn myself into a corner, and although it made me vulnerable, I didn’t care. I took out my pipe and lit it, the sweet scent filling my nostrils and filling my senses. Might as well make myself comfortable; I could be here a long time.
I didn’t hear any conversation from the others because I blocked myself out to it. I didn’t want anything to do with them, I couldn’t face people; even those who weren’t Baneronians. I hung my head and blew hard on the pipe, then gingerly reached inside of my coat. I pulled out my work of art, the one thing that had actually gone right in my life, and fingered it lovingly.
It was made with light, smooth wood and gilded with gold swirls, so polished that I could see my reflection in it. It fit into my hand like I was born clutching it, so well had I molded it. Only one shot could it fire, but it was quick and easy to reload. I had yet to find a way to make it shoot rounds. But I would, soon.
I could kill all the people in this room.
I nearly dropped the vice and my eyes widened.
How could I have such a thought? Where had it even come from? Was my mind this twisted? Was I so far gone as that? Was I that evil?
After all I had done, was I even worth being here?
One shot is all it takes.
For the hundredth time since I crafted it, I restrained myself. No. I have a debt to pay. I must pay it or I am worth nothing.
This vice was only here to protect me, to help me.
Or had I made it for another reason?
I slid to the floor and put my head between my knees. I must stop, but my thoughts race on uncontrollably. Maybe I would never get back and dying would just be a way out. I would never get to pay my debt; I would rot in here.
I would never get to heal my brother.
At that moment I hear my nephew’s voice and look up. He is arguing with the curly-headed girl. What a way to introduce yourself, he needs to learn restraint. He needs to learn.
Then I notice a new girl. She is saying: “Anyone try breaking that? There’s a reasonably close exit for the air behind it.”
She’s pointing to one of the many large mirrors.
I instinctively stand up. A way out. A way out of this God-forsaken den. I tuck my pipe and vice into my coat and stride over. Then, without looking any of them in the eye — I cannot, I cannot — I slide the mirror aside. There is an opening, and it is flooded with light, not darkness. They stare at me like they know my secret, but I ignore them.
And I step inside.
***
KIARKUS
The princess, Liorah, scowls at me, and I just grin. I’m told that I’ve got a boyish grin; a grin like a mischievous troublemaker ready to put a tack on his teacher’s chair. She turns to talk to Ehud, the boy who knows no fear. Then, Liorah glares at me again.
“It’s drafty in here, and a draft means air circulation. Air has to go in, and come out. There can’t be enough air for fourteen people through that little hole. And, since it’s drafty, it’s going out somewhere.”
She gives me a piercing look, and I just grin. I know I’m annoying, but I can’t help myself.
“Does that answer your question, or do I need to explain what air is and why you need it?”
I start to respond, but at that moment Rosario starts speaking to me and I turn around.
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Don’t worry your companion I intend to have a word with him. Now, about the dragons. First of all you will not ever again refer to either of the dragons as beasts. They are at least as intelligent as you, possibly more so and if you wish to face their anger you can call them beasts to their faces.
“As for keeping the dragons together I understand your concerns there but that’s just too much power concentrated in one group. I’m much rather place her in a group with either some of more easygoing members or with whichever groups will have either Kami or your friend as members. Now what I need from you is to determine which people are best equip and which people will need more assistance. I can’t afford to have the weakest members grouped into one team. Next I’ll need an assessment of each persons’ strengths and weaknesses. Understood?”
Then she turned away to address another girl, and left me dumbfounded. Who does she think she is?!
The only person who has ever talked down to me like that and gotten away with it was Waynot, and he’s my father after all. But this kid?
I had come over to talk to her, and see what could be done; not to be reprimanded like a child. Who put her in charge anyway? I thought that we leaders had to be approved by the majority! And bossing me around like that?!
It takes all of my limited self-control not to spin her around by her shoulders.
“Missy, I think we need to talk,” I growl darkly. “I didn’t come over here to be bossed around and talked down to. You’re not my superior — and, in fact, I don’t remember anyone putting you in charge in the first place. You can’t order me around, you can’t tell me what to do, what not to say!”
I take a moment to get myself under control and start up again before she can interject. I might be talking too fast for her to understand, but she gets the point all right.
“I can talk how I like, and guess what? Dragons are beasts, and unless you want that she-beast getting too fired up and roasting her charges, she should be kept with her friend! And,” I hiss, “you will not go up to my uncle unless you want a sword through your guts.”
I don’t care that everybody is probably watching and that I’m making a scene. I’m not going to let someone order me about like that. I won’t tolerate it, not at all. NOT AT ALL.
Suddenly, I hear a grating sound and glance over to see Wylo — Wylo?! — slipping into a hole in the wall. For a moment, I forget my fury.
What is going on?
I light the arrow, pull the bow,
Shoot that fire right through my soul.*I made a decision after I posted that, and now I can’t edit….*sigh* I actually don’t want Wylo to enter the room/place behind the mirror! Is it alright if we ignore that? Thanks! 😀
I light the arrow, pull the bow,
Shoot that fire right through my soul.I feel like I keep posting things and talking, but I wanted to let y’all know that I don’t know how often I’ll be posting this week. I’ve got some stuff to catch up on, but I didn’t want to leave y’all hanging without at least a bit of rope to hang on to! See y’all later! 😀 Merry Christmas!
I light the arrow, pull the bow,
Shoot that fire right through my soul.👍 And Merry Christmas to you as well! 🙂 (Excellent post, BTW).
Aw, thank you! I can honestly say that this is extremely different than anything I’ve ever written. It is definitely stretching my imagination. 😉 Although I myself am not blind (although I do have pretty horrible eyesight), it’s interesting to explore that with Riure.
Lol, I was just guessing! I figured if Liorah didn’t walk that way, it could just be that she was a female. So I’m glad it turned out! 😉
*Laughs nervously* Oh man, Rosario pushed Kiark’s “explode” button like five times, lol! Please don’t take any offence from his rant; he had it coming to him at some point, ha ha. He’s just not used to people talking to him in that way and he’s very vain. And you’re totally right about the dragons not being beasts, but he’s very proud and doesn’t want to admit it.
Ha ha, that’s ok cos he just got on pretty much all her nerves 🙂
“Missy, I think we need to talk,” Rosario stopped and let out a breath, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt for a moment. So she turned around to face him (he’d better have something useful to say she’s got several more tasks to finish) “I didn’t come over here to be bossed around and talked down to. You’re not my superior–and, in fact, I don’t remember anyone putting you in charge in the first place. You can’t order me around, you can’t tell me what to do, what not to say!”
By the time he finished she was wearing a bemused look, not sure if she was talking to a rational being or a kid having a temper tantrum. The only logical point she could find was that she hadn’t been elected by a majority but it was a rather arbitrary use of that argument. It was necessary to work together, his reasoning was far from productive and his lack of sense was beginning to get on her nerves.
“I can talk how I like, and guess what? Dragons are beasts, and unless you want that she-beast getting too fired up and roasting her charges, she should be kept with her friend! And, you will not go up to my uncle unless you want a sword through your guts.”
She cross her arms and leaned back a moment, disgusted by his puerile attempt at dominance. But if he wanted to go there. Kiark turned to leave but she grabbed his elbow and spoke in a low level tone in his ear.
“Listen you spoiled little twit if you don’t want to follow orders that’s fine by me but if you’re going to have a fit every time I make decision without your approval why don’t you just whine to your pig uncle and leave us big girls to do the real work.” He was about ready to shout at her but she narrowed her eyes and dig her nails into his arm. “Do not test me, chiquito. You don’t smell like blood on your hands but you know something about me; I was raised as a killing tool, the first person I killed I was twelve.” she paused and spoke even quieter “And I have never…felt any feelings of remorse so don’t even think you know me because you don’t. I’m no one’s pawn anymore.”
With that she pushed him out of the way and went on with her work.“See? That one has no exit. It’s airtight, and we would have suffocated.” Ehud stared at her a moment and beamed.
“Cool! If my science class had been that neat I wouldn’t have dropped out…no, wait, I think I got expelled from that one…” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he stifled a sheepish grin. He tilted his head at the mirror and quirked an eyebrow.
“Anyone try breaking that? There’s a reasonably close exit for the air behind it.”
“What if it’s magic?” He asked, suddenly feeling Rosario slip behind him and prop her elbows on his shoulder. Although he didn’t know how he could sense an old inner wound panging through her.
“Why do you think the mirror’s magic, carino?” Relaxing enough from physical contact, Rosario draped her arm on his shoulder and straightened up.
“Oh cos the whole place is magic. Are you feeling ok?” He wasn’t entirely used to her initiating any physical contact although she was getting more comfortable with it. In reply she smiled affectionately and released him.
“If you have any problems in the next couple minutes you’ll bring them up to…what did you call her, Wen?” She said not trying to sound businesslike but hearing her own crisp edge she couldn’t entirely push out of her voice. Ehud nodded, staring up at her.
“Sure, ok.” Without meaning to, he gave her one of his most pitiful puppy eyes sensing she was really upset like something had yanked back old memories. Rosario nodded curtly and squeezed his hand before touching Riure’s shoulder so she’d know she was the one being addressed.
You, I want to talk to you for a minute.”
“Ok..” She said, still bubbling with a nervous laugh. So Rosario gently pulled her aside from the group and stared at her for a long moment.
“Why did you vote me?” she said finallyTo be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
After a short exchange in which Ehud apparently gave the princess a rag of some sort, he asked, almost hesitantly, “Would a flashlight work better?”
Flashlight? Flash-light. Hm. I wonder if that’s a power. But then Ehud would be empowered. Riure considered all she’d learned about Ehud, then shook her head and laughed. That was out of the question. Then again…
“It isn’t for the light,” Princess Liorah answered slowly. Her voice then shifted, as if she had turned away. “It’s drafty in here, and a draft means air circulation. Air has to go in, and come out.” Ah. Made sense. “Does that answer your question, or do I need to explain what air is and why you need it?”
Well, that was unexpected. Riure wouldn’t think the princess would be either sarcastic or mocking, whichever the previous statement was. Whatever the intent had been, the person she had apparently been talking to flared like a torch.
“Missy, I think we need to talk,” he growled. “I didn’t come over here to be bossed around and talked down to. You’re not my superior — and, in fact, I don’t remember anyone putting you in charge in the first place. You can’t order me around, you can’t tell me what to do, what not to say!”
“Erm…” Riure didn’t know what to say. It seemed like she’d missed part of the conversation. Finding Liorah’s voice again, she concentrated on what the princess was saying.
“See? That one has no exit. It’s airtight, and we would have suffocated.” Her tone was triumphant.
Riure cocked her head thoughtfully. She was almost positive that all the passages she’d felt had had a slight breath of air wafting from them. “Um, Ehud, which passage is she talking about?”
Ehud leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “The one to our right.”
Ah. Riure hadn’t gotten there yet. It made perfect sense.
“Anyone try breaking that?” Princess Liorah asked, and fabric swished. “There’s a reasonably close exit for the air behind it.”
“A mirror,” Ehud offered.
“So not windows?” Riure asked quietly.
“Nope.”
Riure absentmindedly stroked Sadiq’s head, waiting for someone to tell her what to do. She’d rather not walk into a tunnel blindly – however blind she was everywhere else. Having someone with her to tell her things Sadiq couldn’t would definitely ease her fear. A lot. Plus, something was shivering in the air above them, almost like it was stirring a giant kettle they were all floating in. Ever since Ehud had told her the walls moved, she’d tried to keep her senses on high alert. She most definitely did not want to end up impaled on a moving spike she couldn’t see.
A hand touched her shoulder gently. Judging from the most recent exchange, it was probably Rosario. “You, I want to talk to you for a moment,” she said. Yep, it was Rosario. Riure couldn’t mistake that accent. It was as flowing as Princess Liorah’s was clipped.
“Erm, okay…” Riure agreed with a nervous giggle. Nobody ever wanted to talk with her in private. Was this good, or something she should be worried about?
Rosario’s hand gently landed on her shoulder, steering her to the side, probably near the wall. Riure sensed the change in airflow. Master Ziess’ wingbeats moved her hair as he followed her. Riure smiled, grateful for his presence. Whatever was about to happen, she trusted the small warrior.
There was a long silence when they stopped, and Riure felt Rosario’s eyes on her. For once, she was glad she couldn’t meet the woman’s eyes. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if she could read the emotions sure to be there. Rosario’s accent was familiar, mostly because Bator’s accent was similar. When she’d asked him about it, he’d told her that he was of a race of people who all spoke the same way. As a general rule, they all had dark hair, bronzed skin, and dark eyes. Riure had always imagined that dark eyes had more depth than, say, glassy blue ones. Her mother had had dark eyes. Riure had always been able to tell what her mother was thinking due to them.
“Why did you vote me?” Rosario asked, her voice quiet, strange, and wondering.
Riure paused, unsure how to answer. “Hm.”
The tension built as she tried to sort out her thoughts.
“Well,” she began slowly. “I suppose it’s mostly because you needed it. Don’t get me wrong; I know you probably want to be considered as self-sufficient. But… I mean… Grr, sometimes things are so hard to explain!” She snorted laughter out her nose. “Erm, I also noticed the way that you take care of Ehud. Although you speak to him with harsh words, your tone always indicates that you care for him. You’re protective of him, and… well, forgive me for saying this, but I think you love him. Maybe not in that way, but… maybe more like a brother? I don’t know.” She laughed nervously. Before Rosario could reply, she rushed on ahead. “You also took charge when we were forced in here, and, although it kind of got messed up with the princess showing up and everything else, you tried to organize us and find a peaceful solution.” She licked her lips in apprehension. “Honestly, Rosario, hunie (pronounced HOON-yeay, not honey, in case you were wondering, lol), I admire all of that -except pretending to being completely self-sufficient. Sorry. But everyone needs someone, and I’m pretty sure Ehud is your someone. Sorry for being so blunt.” Riure wanted to laugh to relieve the tension, but she couldn’t muster up the courage. She curled her fingers into the coarse fur around Sadiq’s scruff, preparing herself for the onslaught to come.
————————————————————————————
Hi Wingiby,
Thank you so much! That helps a ton!
Please excuse Liorah for being so terribly rude. She insisted, and I couldn’t stop her. *Long, suffering sigh.*
Honestly, I love the way you’re writing Kiark! He’s a really great character, as is Wylo! I loved that part you wrote about Wylo, it was fascinating!
I can’t wait to see how Kiark responds to Liorah’s impulsive stubbornness. I really didn’t intend her remarks to be offensive in any way. She has a terrible habit of making enemies wherever she goes because she habitually insults people. Feel free to let Kiark retaliate as much as he likes XD
Liorah
“See? That one has no exit. It’s airtight, and we would have suffocated.” I pointed out.
Ehud stared at me, then started beaming. I couldn’t help smiling back. His eternal good humor was contagious.
“Cool! If my science class had been that neat I wouldn’t have dropped out…no, wait, I think I got expelled from that one…” He stifled a sheepish grin.
Though I didn’t exactly understand what he meant, his tone indicated it was positive. I smiled.
I turned to the noble and snapped,
“Does that answer your question, or do I need to explain what air is and why you need it?”
The young noble only grinned at me as I made a point of scowling at him. Instead of replying, he turned away. I glared at his back. Arrogant brat. Couldn’t even bring up the decency to respond to my thinly-veiled insult.
The other girl spoke. I hadn’t talked to her yet, though I had noticed her watching me. She seemed to notice everything.
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Don’t worry about your companion, I intend to have a word with him.” She started, her voice controlled. “Now, about the dragons. First of all, you will not ever again refer to either of the dragons as beasts. They are at least as intelligent as you, possibly more so and if you wish to face their anger you can call them beasts to their faces.”
I frowned. ‘Dragons’? I had no idea what that word meant. It was either a foreign word or something we had no concept of. Apparently, it was some sort of highly intelligent creature. I stifled a grin. Though, even a rock was intelligent if you compared it to the arrogant noble.
“As for keeping the dragons together I understand your concerns there but that’s just too much power concentrated in one group. I’d much rather place her in a group with either some of the more easygoing members or with whichever groups will have either Kami or your friend as members. Now what I need from you is to determine which people are best equipped and which people will need more assistance. I can’t afford to have the weakest members grouped into one team. Next, I’ll need an assessment of each persons’ strengths and weaknesses. Understood?” The girl said crisply.
Apparently, the conversation was about dividing the teams. And these dragons. The girl’s plan was logical and well thought out. It made perfect sense to me. I tugged at the knot that held my turquoise head-scarf in place. The long strip of fabric was heavy, and there was no need to keep it on. The sun was goodness-knew-where.
I barely controlled my laughter when I see the dumbstruck expression on the young noble’s face. That clearly wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting. His expression changed to fury as he leaned in closer to the girl.
I still heard him clearly when he growled,
“Missy, I think we need to talk,”
His tone was so disrespectful that I froze in indignation. Who did this arrogant pig think he was?
“I didn’t come over here to be bossed around and talked down to. You’re not my superior — and, in fact, I don’t remember anyone putting you in charge in the first place. You can’t order me around, you can’t tell me what to do, what not to say!”
I rolled my eyes. Oh, dear. An offended noble who took himself much too seriously. I pitied the girl on the other side of the argument. How was she even able to keep from smacking him? I briefly considered doing it myself, then decided not to make enemies. Yet. I’d have plenty of time for that.
“I can talk how I like, and guess what? Dragons are beasts, and unless you want that she-beast getting too fired up and roasting her charges, she should be kept with her friend! And,” He hissed, “you will not go up to my uncle unless you want a sword through your guts.”
I crossed my arms, indignation washing over me. How dare he? This wasn’t a question of rank, it was a question of common civility, and he had crossed even that line. The girl had done nothing to deserve that. Her reply had been perfectly logical and sensible.
I felt more than ready to punch him, and I might have if I hadn’t seen the bemused expression on the girl’s face. I decided to wait it out. She had this under control.
I unwrapped the layers of turquoise fabric. I could have burned a piece of it instead if I’d thought of it. Oh well, it might come in handy later.
She crossed her arms and leaned back a moment. Kiark turned to leave but she grabbed his elbow and spoke in his ear. I strained my ears, but only caught a few words.
“–Spoiled little twit–”
I grinned. This was going to be good.
“–going to have a fit every time I make a decision–”
“–whine to your pig uncle and leave us big girls to do the real work.” Her voice became even sharper near the end of her remark so I could hear every word.
I felt an almost irrepressible urge to applaud. He drew himself up to his full height, ready to throw his whole force of ignorance, arrogance, and disrespect into the battle. She narrowed her eyes and dug her nails into his arm.
Her voice dropped until I couldn’t hear anything.
A few whispered sentences later, she pushed him out of the way and went on with her work.
I returned to the subject at hand. I nodded at the shiny surface.
“Anyone try breaking that? There’s a reasonably close exit for the air behind it.”
“What if it’s magic?” Ehud asked,
The girl who’d just been arguing with the noble came up to Ehud, and they had a short exchange. I didn’t understand more than half of it, and that part didn’t make sense, so I focused more on the interaction between the two. I was surprised at how affectionate the sharp girl was with Ehud. He seemed to sense something wrong, but didn’t openly ask about it.
Before I could introduce myself to the girl, she turned away and spoke to the blind girl. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but the blind girl seemed uneasy, despite her almost constant giggling.
I focused my attention on the noble instead. I’d been aching to.
“I beg your pardon, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” I said, trying to be charming. Gavril made it look so easy, but unlike him, I wasn’t naturally charismatic and genuinely interested in every person who happened to cross my path. I honestly didn’t care about this noble or his opinion of me.
He turned and introduced himself as Kiark.
“You must be a great ruler. Perhaps a king?” I asked, folding my headscarf into a square and tucking it into my belt. That was better. My long auburn braid was in complete disarray, but I could rebraid it later.
I didn’t think for a moment that this ill-mannered fool was a king. He would have gotten kicked off the throne with that attitude.
“I’ve seldom seen such arguments,” I said, in a tone I thought of as admiring, but which probably sounded nothing less than ridiculous. “In fact, I don’t believe I’ve seen such wisdom, diplomacy, and excellent debating talents since–” I pretended to hesitate, noticing how Kiark puffed up with pride. I was grinning internally. This was going off perfectly.
“Since I saw two five-year-olds argue over a goat,” I said, my tone switching to the utter contempt I felt. “You’re acting like a spoiled toddler, Your Most Royal Whatever. Do you even have the common sense of the average chicken?” I asked, pretending to be genuinely concerned.
“Look, if you don’t put your ego in your pocket, we’re not going to get out of here alive. Do you understand?” I asked, sweetly.
I’d done this before to other arrogant nobles’ sons, much to Gavril’s amusement and Mother’s despair. There were few things more satisfying than seeing their egos’ deflate after I changed from flattering them to insulting them.
A soft noise reached me from behind the mirror. A low, rumbling growl.
_____________
Hey everyone,
I’m sorry that was so long! It was a bit tricky to get all of Liorah’s responses in the right places.
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
@Everyone: Oh man. I JUST realized that I missed a LOT of posts before I posted last time. Sorry about that.
Thanks for the welcome!
Your very welcome, but I must warn you, if I accidentally call your character “Loofah” it’s because my kindle automatically “corrects” misspelled words.
Gwendolyn sat down. She didn’t really know what to do. Should she just sit and wait for someone to tell her what to do? No. Somehow that just didn’t seem right. She didn’t know anyone, so who could she nominate? Liorah seemed like she knew what she was doing but still, she didn’t know her. Should she strike out on her own? No. There was safety in numbers.
“Anyone try breaking that?” Liorah asked “There’s a reasonably close exit for the air behind it.”
Gwendolyn swept her bow of her shoulder, knocked an arrow and let fly. The arrow whizzed past Liorah’s head and the mirror shattered revealing another passageway.
Beautiful things don't ask for attention
“Well,” the blind girl started carefully “I suppose it’s mostly because you needed it. Don’t get me wrong; I know you probably want to be considered as self-sufficient. But…I mean…Grr, sometimes things are so hard to explain!” Riure gave a snorting laugh and struggled to formulate her thoughts. Meantime Rosario processed the words slowly. It wasn’t that she wanted to be considered self-sufficient. It was a tool…
“Erm, I also noticed the way that you take care of Ehud. Although you speak to him with harsh words, your tone always indicates that you care for him. You’re protective of him and…well, forgive me for saying this, but I think you love him.” Love is overrated. Rosario always equated it with an emotion and she didn’t have those. It would be nice to love him, she did she just didn’t hav– “Maybe not in that way, but…maybe more like a brother? I don’t know.” She added with a nervous laugh. But Rosario did love Ehud, she did love him romantically, she just didn’t get those…feelings. There wasn’t any reason Rosario should want to prove that to this kid but…was it really that difficult to see?
“You also took charge when we were forced in here, and, although it kind of got messed up with the princess showing up and everything else, you tried to organize us and find a peaceful solution.” That’s my job. “Honestly, Rosario, hunie, I admire all of that–except pretending to be completely self-sufficient. Sorry. But everyone needs someone, and I’m pretty sure Ehud is your someone. Sorry for being so blunt.”
Rosario didn’t say anything for several moments. Click in click out. Psychiatric ward, I played the part of a patient, it was a government job. As honest as could without giving away that was how it worked. Emotions click in click out.
“I’m self-sufficient because people are unreliable.” I said to Riure and paused, staring at her and the little fairy that was listening on her shoulder. “But I hope you never have to learn that.”
‘Talk to me about what happened.’ That’s what they did, that’s what he started with, I was what fourteen, fifteen? No my first mission not my second or my tenth, just another job. The cover story was that I shot someone in self-defense and hadn’t recovered from it. I decided to go close to the time I killed that girl who was in my training group, they told me to find the traitor and I did.
‘What do you want me to say? I looked her in the eye. I fired. I felt nothing. And I pulled the trigger.’
Emotions; click in click out to survive click in when it’s safe click out to survive click in click out one day you can’t click back in.
‘Afterwards I waited for her to appear the next day. The day after that. The routine stuff, she wasn’t in my routine anymore. All her little ticks all her little mannerisms and quirks, they all didn’t exist anymore.’ That was what I regretted.
Click in; a persona, click out; a tool. Click in click out click in click out. Disconnected from her emotions even her own body seemed alien, just another tool. Watched herself scream, watched herself cry all inside her head but that didn’t exist because all people saw was her face and her face was emotionless.
“Tell me,” she said to Riure “do you think the dragons should stay together or be on separate teams? And are you comfortable with the girl-dragon?” Click out, it was better than a persona.To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
“I beg your pardon, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” Ehud stared up at Princess Dramatic quizzically. Why was she beings so nice to him all of the sudden? (He was fairly spitting fury over something and Rosario had slipped off…).
“You must be a great rule. Perhaps a king? I’ve seldom seen such arguments,” Oh no, Ehud thought, gaping in anticipation despite himself. “In fact, I don’t believe I’ve seen such wisdom, diplomacy, and excellent debating talents since–…Since I saw two five-year-olds argue over a goat.”
Ehud choked and nearly fell over shaking so hard from the effort not to laugh (he couldn’t laugh or else he wouldn’t hear the rest of it).
“You’re acting like a spoiled toddler, Your Most Royal Whatever. Do you even have the common sense of the average chicken?” He couldn’t take it anymore he fell over clutching his sides. And he couldn’t stop for several minutes. By the time he did he had to gasp for breath.
“Somebody save him from choking on all those burns!” He wiped his eyes and gulped a fresh wave of giggles bubbling in his throat.
“Did anyone ask for your opinion?!” Mr Prince yelled at him. Snorting through his nose, Ehud nearly lost it again but then he hear a vibrating growl right behind him. Immediately he stopped laughing and crouched in front of it.
“Uh…nobody break that…please?” His pleas came two seconds too late as an arrow shot past Liorah’s head and right over him and into the glass. “Help?”To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
“Tell me, do you think the dragons should stay together or be on separate teams? And are you comfortable with the girl-dragon?”
Allen leaned forward. This was something he was trained for.
“Given the situation, the dragons should be split. They are by far the most powerful combatants we have. Me and Ehud have been around since the beginning, I think? This castle prefers ambush tactics. As such if we are to split up into teams, each team must be ready for any form of attack. This is my opinion as an officer. Well a cadet officer anyway.”
There was a sharp crash. Pivoting his head, Allen just knew it was Ehud again. Well the last one wasn’t him so hopefully this time… and it wasn’t. It was the girl with the bow. Best make a note of that. Anyway, She had shot one of the mirrors. Rolling his head, Allen rubbed the bridge of his nose. Here we go again. He could feel it. There was somethings inside, moving toward them. Most were small but there were a few bigger bogies mixed in with them.
“Alright boys and girls, battle stations. Swordsmen and brawlers forward, bows and guns center, noncombatants and mages in the rear. Everyone, Gung ho and let’s go.”
Leaning toward Riure, Allen bowed.
“I’m sorry but I need you to stay with Ehud for a second.”
The Devil saw me with my head down and got excited. Then I said Amen
Instinctively Ehud ducked the moment the glass shattered. Also instinctively, he peeked into the huge crevice. There was a slow, eery sort of rumbling from it that could possibly be air sucking through it. Without thinking Ehud popped his head in.
“It looks like the inside of the professor’s anatomy model…which I didn’t break!”
Didn’t break! Didn’t break! Didn’t break! Echoed across the walls. Ehud dropped his head onto his shoulder and stared for a second. Then he burst into a grin.
“HELLO!” Hellohellohello! He paused to use this to its fullest advantage. “EHUD IS ALWAYS RIGHT!” With that refracting back against the walls he turned around to give his cutest smirk.
“Lord Castle agrees with m–yike!” The next thing he felt was his ribs knocked out of him as a black splotch pounced from the dark. Squirming out as hard as he could his back raked into the dirt, pressure nearly suffocating the life out of him. Its claws dug into his shoulders like nine-inch nails and he couldn’t see any of it except the glowing yellow eyes. He kicked and screamed but they were already in the passage and the other’s weren’t. Wriggling his arm free somehow he stabbed his thumb into the creature’s eye hard enough for it to howl and beat its paw into him enough to send him tumbling several yards away.
On his feet in a second, Ehud scrambled back out nearly knocking somebody over and then he tripped, rolling to the ground rubbing blood in his face trying to wipe the dirt off enough to see.
“Don’t let it eat me! I don’t wanna die!”
“…need to stay with Ehud for a second.”
“Wha?” He glanced up at the fairy and Riure, suddenly got the point and grabbed the blind girl’s hand yanking her as far back as possible. “I think we need to get outta here…”To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.
Ok, got some time!
Thank you! 😀
Ha ha! We have a bunch of characters with a lot of over-developed nerves, lol! 😛
You’re totally welcome!
Don’t worry about Liorah’s rudeness! Kiark is completely out of hand….*rubs forehead*
And thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it!! 😀
Don’t worry about it! I totally know you are not offensive! 😉
And don’t worry about length; everything is tricky to get in!
@everybody
I was going to respond, but then I lost all of my very important edits!!! I don’t have time to fix them right now, so I’ll try to get on again when I have a moment. So sorry for the delay!
I light the arrow, pull the bow,
Shoot that fire right through my soul.Hi Wingiby,
I was going to respond, but then I lost all of my very important edits!!! I don’t have time to fix them right now, so I’ll try to get on again when I have a moment. So sorry for the delay!
Of course, perfectly alright! It’s so annoying when that happens.
Hi Cathy,
I just wanted to say you’re doing an amazing job on both Ehud and Rosario! They’re both such great characters, and they’re a lot of fun to read about! I love how you wrote about why Rosario hides her emotions!
You’re very welcome, but I must warn you, if I accidentally call your character “Loofah” it’s because my kindle automatically “corrects” misspelled words.
XD. I understand, autocorrect is such a pain at times!
Quick note,
I wasn’t sure about how to write this fight scene, so I tried to keep the violence as non-graphic as possible. Hope it’s alright.
Liorah
Ehud snorted, trying to stifle his laughter after my first remark, but doubled up laughing after I delivered the remark about the common sense of chickens.
“Somebody save him from choking on all those burns!” Ehud laughed, wiping his eyes.
“Did anyone ask for your opinion?” Kiark shouted, livid.
The growl rang through the cave, a low, vibrating sound.
“Uh…nobody break that…please?” Ehud said, sobering,
An arrow whizzed past my head, barely missing me. I ducked, startled. A startled yelp escaped me. Where had that arrow come from? The mirror shattered, shards flying in every direction. I whipped around and saw a girl, still clutching a bow. I hadn’t noticed her before, but her shot was perfect.
Ehud peered into the tunnel. I moved forward, ready to jerk him backward, but then noticed that there was no danger. I relaxed the grip on my sword.
“Alright boys and girls, battle stations. Swordsmen and brawlers forward, bows and guns center, noncombatants and mages in the rear. Everyone, Gung ho and let’s go.” Someone behind me shouted.
I frowned. There was no need for battle stations. The tunnel was empty.
“It looks like the inside of the professor’s anatomy model…which I didn’t break!” Ehud called,
Didn’t break! Didn’t break! Didn’t break! The echo shouted back.Ehud grinned and did it again, relishing the sound.
“EHUD IS ALWAYS RIGHT!” He called into the tunnel. I chuckled.
He turned around and grinned.
“Lord Castle agrees with m–yikes!”
A dark blob attacked him, tackling him to the ground. I only saw claws, glowing eyes, and a huge body, about the size of a large dog. Ehud shrieked.
I yanked my sword out of the scabbard and leaped forward to help him.
Ehud managed to free his arm and stabbed his thumb into the creature’s eye. It gave a howl that made my blood freeze and kicked Ehud away. He scrambled back, crashing against me. I almost dropped my sword.
Ehud tripped.
“Don’t let it eat me! I don’t wanna die!” His voice cracked with fear. I jumped sideways, standing between him and the tunnel entrance, shielding him from the creature. I barely registered the blood on Ehud’s face and the long raking wounds across his shoulders.
They barely seemed to bother him as he scrambled to his feet and yanked the blind girl backward. “I think we need to get outta here…”
The creature gathered itself, tucking its hindquarters beneath it to leap forward.
I didn’t let it but circled into a kick that sent it sprawling. I needed to get close. My curved sword’s greatest disadvantage was the relatively small range. Teeth scraped across my leg, but I didn’t register the pain, only the warm blood tickling down into my boot. I whipped my sword into a practiced circle and brought it down in a long slice aimed at the creature’s neck. It bit into my blade, barely seeming to mind the sharpness of the steel. I wrenched it free and thrust at the creature’s stomach, finally killing it. It died with a roar of pain.
The ache of the wound bolted up through my leg. I clenched my teeth, trying to stifle the exclamation of pain. I scrambled backward, trying to get away from the tunnel opening. I rammed my sword back into its scabbard. I couldn’t fight with that leg. Not well enough to defeat one of those beasts.
My trembling fingers fumbled for the leather strap beneath my belt. I found the knot and yanked it free. The sling unfurled and I slipped my finger through the loop, already reaching for a lead bullet. My fingers felt for one with a hole. Whistling. That might work. My legs felt wobbly and my mouth had gone dry. Jolts of pain shot through my leg.
Another creature stalked out of the tunnel, emerging into the dim light of the cave. It looked like something between a large dog and a panther, but with much longer claws and jaws that could crush bone.
“You know, I’d appreciate some help, if you’re not too busy,” I called to nobody in particular, the fear I felt sounding like annoyance. “My leg is slightly more than uncomfortable and that thing doesn’t look happy.”
I dropped the bullet into the pouch and whirled the sling over my head, letting the leather strap whirr through the air. A snap as the leather whipped forward, then a high-pitched whistle from the bullet. The creature cowered, just as my bullet struck it. Not fatally, but the creature howled in pain.
_________
Okay, I’ll stop there! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
I know!!! I’ve done it a bunch of times, *sigh*
And your fight scene was great! I’ll try to get something rigged up…
@everyone
This post of mine is sooooo long bc I’m trying to fit everything in! 😀
***
Her face was a mix of absurd amusement and snarkiness; I didn’t get it, and it made me madder. What she said next made me near to exploding.
“Listen you spoiled little twit…. big girls to do the real work.”
She digs her nails into my arm; they must be like daggers. I jerk my arm away and just keep my elbow from planting itself in her eye. She’s still a lady; she’s still a lady. But my cheeks turn a light pink all the same. You must have been steeped in vinegar! I start to interject, snarling, but she cuts me off and I can’t get a word in edgewise.
“Do not test me, chiquito…. I’m no one’s pawn anymore.”
You-– Twelve? You killed a twelve-year old kid?….what?…. Why??
She sure knows how to catch you off your guard. I’m dumbstruck. I don’t put that murder above her, but maybe it explains some of her too-sure-of-herself attitude, her sharpness, her avoidance of something. But she feels remorse alright. I can see it in those eyes. She is in pain, but she won’t let on. Not that I let on about my hurt, either. Not that I let anyone know how much it hurts.
She turns away, and then her words start to expand themselves in my head when I can no longer see her furious face, and I’m not shocked — I’m fuming. I nearly shout back at her, but screaming at someone’s back doesn’t drive the point home very well. It doesn’t stop my angry thoughts, however.
Why on earth would I follow orders given by her? I didn’t ask for her uppity opinions! I came to give a suggestion, leader to leader! I didn’t come over to have my top blown off by a stubborn, high-and-mighty girl!
She killed a twelve-year old kid.
Why?
I stand there, my arm still throbbing. I don’t feel it, but those fingernails must have poked a hole somewhere inside me. I realize I am acting just like a child. Of course the officials are wary to let me take the throne. But how can I admit it, to HER? I can just see her smiling sourly-sweet, reveling in my “defeat.” I need to say something to her, but what? And now she’s talking to Riure.
“I beg your pardon, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
Huh? It’s the princess, Liorah. Oh right, her. I introduce myself quickly. She’s caught me off guard and my mind is still in a whirl…. I’m wrong…. I need to act like a man…. But how can I admit that I’m wrong? TO HER?
“You must be a great ruler. Perhaps a king?”
I don’t answer. A king? Technically, I am — a High-ark, that is. But the officials don’t think I’m ready. I start to sour up all over again.
“I’ve seldom seen such arguments,” she says in a tone trying so painfully to convey sweet sincerity that it comes off as cheesy. “In fact, I don’t believe I’ve seen such wisdom, diplomacy, and excellent debating talents since–”
What?
“Since I saw two five-year-olds argue over a goat!” Ohh… that makes sense. Then her tone changes to bitter fury. “You’re acting like a spoiled toddler, Your Most Royal Whatever. Do you even have the common sense of the average chicken? Look, if you don’t put your ego in your pocket, we’re not going to get out of here alive. Do you understand?”
“Somebody save him from choking on all those burns!” I glance over at Ehud, who is doubled over as if in great pain.
“Did anyone ask for your opinion?!” I shout at him before I think, and it’s a good thing for him that I do think before adding on the rest of my sentence. I’m shaking, so angry am I. I can’t repeat my stupidity, but it is SO HARD.
Instead, I turn, force a smile, and bow at the lady. It takes all I’ve got to keep from telling her to not intervene in other peoples’ conversations; that, if I am so proud, then maybe she should look at the log in her own eye; and that chickens are actually very intelligent.
“Thank you! I’m flattered. You are so sweet, ya know that? Like a lily of the valley, you are. Now, since that mirror is growling, I suggest you go and calm it down with a bit of your soothing monologue — or, I can take care of it.”
At that moment, however, an arrow whizzed by my head with a zing and hit the mirror — sending it crashing out in millions of tiny shards that glinted with all the colors in the cavern. A passageway was beyond, and then Ehud started shouting into it like a fool.
At first, there is nothing. Then, large creatures pounce with snarls and roars; ugly, startling creatures that make my dark blue eyes widen. I draw my sword, forget the princess, and scream the battle cry of the Baneronians (which is a mix of eagles screeching and bears growling). I dive into the fray, so glad and thankful to have something to take my anger out on.
I see Ehud get attacked, and my instinct is to help him, but he scrambles away. Princess seems to have herself under control. The others are good fighters as well.
A dark beast leaps at me; it’s a cross between a warthog and a beaver, but its eyes are livid yellow like a wolf’s. It has tusks and flat front teeth. Before I can think about how weird it is, I’ve turned and put my blade through its side and smashed its face with my boot. I have a thought in the back of my mind that it’s Rosario that I’m smashing, and though it’s about as childish as you can get, I take me revenge on these beasts instead.
I fight like it’s a brute dance, something that folks would say is uncharacteristic of me. It is. But I like the way it looks, the way it feels, and the way the ladies giggle. It’s not a graceful dance though, It’s a blunt one.
I hear a cry, and it’s the princess. “You know, I’d appreciate some help, if you’re not too busy. My leg is slightly more than uncomfortable and that thing doesn’t look happy.” I can’t help but admire her apparent calm in the midst of a battle.
I turn to see her facing a snarling dog-beast, and I know that as much as I’d like to leave her, I can’t do that. She’s not helpless, though, and with a leather sling-thing she whirls a bullet at its head. I smile, but it’s not dead yet. I step over and drive my sword into its neck, imitating its gruesome snarl. I’m not wounded much: a couple of scrapes is all, I was able to react fast enough to the wart-beaver.
But the creatures keep coming.
I light the arrow, pull the bow,
Shoot that fire right through my soul.
- The forum ‘Private: Fantasy Writers’ is closed to new topics and replies.
