Peredhil

Lady Vanessa story is now posted in the Assembly Room (linked via her name in the opening post of this thread.) I hope it meets her approval!

~~~Vanessa~~~~ “Damn his eyes anyway.” Despite the amount of ale she’d knocked back, her speech was precise. True, she spoke Common Tongue instead of Elven. Elven was great for a subtle innuendo or a delicately placed daggered phrase, but for good barracks stableman guttersnipe cursing, nothing beat the Common Tongue. “The sonnova ORC.” She stopped, carefully tipped, squeezed the leather bag, and neatly caught the stream of wine without losing a drop. It was cheap and vinegary, but that’s why she saved it until her sense of taste was gone. “No good rotten,” she paused for another drink, “sheep-lovin’ – why’d ya let Morlas the prissy kill you any way?” Only the slight weaving in her walk, as if she were on a storm-blown ship instead of a foul smelling alley, showed how drunk she really was. And in the darkness, seven eyes watched her come. She quit cursing Heinrich for dying while she chased this thought. Seven eyes? Seven? If there were eight eyes, she’d know there were four lurkers waiting, but seven? She stopped suddenly and swayed as her body dealt with lost momentum. Craning her neck forward, she focused as best she could through the alcoholic fumes. In the alley’s chill, four bodies crouched behind barrels and crates waiting for her to continue. They were hot with the eagerness to kill, and perhaps more. Rape? She fumbled for her short sword and reconsidered. In the narrow alley’s confines, her long knife would be more appropriate. Masking the motion with her body’s mass, she drew the knife after two tries. One. Two. Her muddled thoughts considered and rejected the idea of a cursed weapon. Naw, she was well on her way to being able to sleep without the nightmares tonight. And they were in her way. In the best of worlds, she’d kill them all with arrows, but the town had the oddest laws about bows in the hands of anyone but the Merchant Watch. In her way. Way to go. Way to bed and oblivion. She started forward again. As she approached, their bodies warmed to a fever pitch of anticipation. Stupid men. Like stupid Heinrich, who got himself killed before she could decide just how she felt about him. Half of the time she’d thought that maybe she’d loved him, the rest of the time she’d wanted to hit him in that smug psionic head with a brick. Hah! One of the thieves had one eye! She began giggling at the thought. How could a one-eyed thief pick a lock? With one hand? As she started laughing, she passed between the first two, who leapt at her. Without weapons. With a shouted “Eep!” she allowed a stone to roll under her foot and staggered back, accidentally spraying wine into the face of the attacker on her right. Screaming for help and flailing her arms for balance, she raked her blade down the chest of the brigand on her left. Damn. Knife caught in the muther-orc-lovin’ belt. And where was Heinrich, who’d sworn to have her back in a fight? She kicked wine-soaked one in the groin with a hiss of satisfaction, while she grabbed the arm of the one she’d stabbed to give her balance. Why, dear Heinrick the Dead was DEAD. Slamming her wine bag in her balancing brigand’s face, she absently took the club from his belt and slammed it on his stupid man skull. The crunch was wonderful to hear, but not the head she wanted to hit. One-eye was starting to stealthily back down the alley ahead of her, but his partner, hearing the fighting in the dark, rushed forward to help. She’d wanted to help when the Messenger of the Gods came for Heinrick but Noooo. Morlas had to go kill him before she could. Truly pissed now, she whirled off balance, catching herself at the last moment as she spun by slamming the club into the attacker’s chest. His scream and the sound of shattering bones were simultaneous. Stupid stupid stupid. Attack an Elf of the Blood in an alley. Think that they could lay hands on royalty? She kicked the one trying to get to his hands and knees in the head. Their moans and pitiful cries for help rose around her as she dislodged her knife (on the second try) from the thief holding it for her. The smell of bowel that followed the blade’s removal nearly caused her to lose her liquid dinner. Resuming her journey to the inn, she ignored the moaning heaps behind her as she staggered with renewed purpose. Probably got blood on her last pair of good boots too. When she reached the far end of the alley, she had to maneuver carefully around the pulped remains of One-eye’s body. Great. That meant Maralasoth had taken a hand, or more appropriately, claw in the matter. There’s a moral for ya, never attack someone who owns a pet roc. Blinking owlishly as she switched visions to account for the increased light of the street, she didn’t see Maralasoth anywhere in sight. She hoped that she’d wash her claws this time. Trying to get dried blood out from around the talons was an all-afternoon job. Navigating a wide left, she maneuvered carefully down the center of the street. Just like the man to die and leave her with no wine to drown his memory! “Damn his eyes anyway,” she muttered.

Carefully takes a red crayon and draws a smile on the wallpaper woman of woes. Taking a peach crayon, he draws his eternal hug around her waist. Looking at the beauty and glory of the heart hidden within the woman With love and friendship he leaves her embraced. Well done Hon', and welcome back.

But let's debate ideology, politics, etc, not each other. Politics, like most emotional subjects, can get ugly. Please be Polite. That said, I just did my absentee ballot and ended up voting against, not for. Or, like the bumper sticker said, "If God had wanted me to vote, he'd have given me candidates instead of politicians."

JOAT! Hug-pounce-bows in reverent awe Wow, great to see you! Glad you dropped by. -PereJoat.

Lady Celes - I got the impression that each writer was on their own - the only overlap being that they are all struggling to write 50K words. Ouch. Looks thoughtful I really don't have time but... walks away musing.

Oohph. Body blow. Well done!

THAT'S IT! I mean, thank you Orlan.

What a wonderful idea!

Peredhil ,in a rush as always of late, comes speeding through the door pushing a giant Almost Dragonic Brand cake. As he wheels through the door, he looses control of the handle. People dive right and left as they leap from the path of the candle-flaming cake, which procedes to slam into the wall. True to brand-name form, the cake has a surprise - it explodes, releasing 26 VERY irate pigdeons who peck everyone before flying out the window. Looking around at the frosting covered room's frosting covered inhabitants, Peredhil grimly holds onto his manners and Politely shouts, Happy Birthday!

I like the Excel Saga myself. I've been meaning to see Cowboy Bebop (we have the DVD in the house, just no time). There was one about a robot girl(?) Noku Noku I think, that I really like as well.

Hugs WMAO is something I understand. (W==work) You'll find acceptence, understanding, and support here, and when you return, open arms and hugs. I think of the Christian Morgenstern quote when I think of the Pen. "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." —Christian Morgenstern

Yay! Hi Doc'! PM me with details of how the Evil family are doing. We've missed you here at the Pen. By the way Zoolio - wonderful post.

I love this. But really, you give me too much credit to mention me at all. It's that Gaelic gift and language love you have that is to blame.

Guido whispered to the Door into the Recruiting Office and then listened. After looking up and down the corridor, he whispered again, and as the Door opened without its usual creaking, he creep stealthly through. "If youse would kin'a jam youse self if Wyve' or Melba comes along, I'd 'preciate it." "Creak." "Naw, Da Boss doan know a t'ing 'bout dis." "Squeak!" Guido joined softly with Door's laughter and moved into the Waiting Room. "Hi ya Toots! Long time no seein ya." Aurora smiled at seeing the Giant Guinea Pig Bodyguard to the Polite Bard of Terra Lost. "Ize here fer a Practical Joke." As she watched, he opened a bag and his large paw deftly dipped out and assembled a stack of golden coins onto Wyvern's desk. Turning, he caught an immaculate arched eyebrow and gave a toothy grin in response. "Deys chocolate-filled. AoA chocolate. I swiped dem when Da Boss was an eart'-bounded Angel one reset. I figures eidher Wyvie gonna see dem and t'ink dey're real, or Tzimmy gonna smell da chocolate." He gave her a hug. "Dis way, youse gots somet'ing to do while waitin' on da lizard." With a wink of his large brown eye, he crept from the Office, whisking lightly through the Door and was gone.

I'll take just a moment to note (A purely parental sort of vote) - That when a child is learning to walk (Or even when that babe is babbling "talk"), That persistent failure is met with a frown (But it's hard to keep a good child down). The past is dead and future choice's soil, On toward the future the adult will toil, Putting off the failures of the past. (Although learning the lessons pretty fast!) Always look forward to what you can do Persistence and endurance will get you through. Of course, if at first or second you don't succeed... Failure may just be your style. (Seriously, it's okay to fall and fail and stumble As long as you get up and try again) Hugs Peredhil

neat. Never thought of cards as a metaphor for a relationship, but I like this.

Aurora! Wow it's been a while! You look great. Hugs Please do drop by. If you're hesitant to post your own things, you can always post a reply. Feedback is the pearl which validates the post, and for starving creatives it's what they need the most. I'm doing fine, too too busy, but always hopeful that will ease up. I actually made it onto IRC a couple of times in the last few weeks - first time, I think, in over a year. A sign of hope? Miss you and all the gang. Another hug and - poof - gone to work.

44 physically, about 2008 spiritually, varies mentally from teen to early twenties all the way up to Gyrfalcon's cynical millenial (which I try to avoid but there it is all too easily), working on being young at heart when I grow up. And, yes Starlight, when I look at the others here, I marvel. I'm trying to work on comparing myself to the others when I need humility, and comparing myself to my early efforts when I need reassurance. hugs all

Wow! Thank you Wren for bouncing this - I'd missed it. Hugs Parmenion. How could I ever be upset at someone for trying to help another? Very well done in my opinion - but if I'm the 'he' I think you over-state my role. Tattered is the hero in this sketch - she's the one who chooses to live the life, endure the low times, and overcome. -P

compelling imagery.

Hi Black! I remember you. Welcome! The FAQ has all sorts of maps for the weary wanderer. In brief, casual chat things go in the Cabaret, short stories in the Assembly Room, poetry in the Banquet Hall, Role Playing (RP) in the Conservatory, and applications to join in the Recruiter's Office. (Duh, right? ) I'll move this post for you, 'cause it's the Polite thing to do to help out. And while you wait on your Muse, feel free to Politely comment on other's works. Often, when they've overcome the fear of posting, such gentle feedback makes all the difference in whether they post again - if it is something like, "Hey I read this and like this part" or "I could relate to that part". Hugs Peredhil

Pounces Tanny and cuddles her as he casually walks toward Reincarnation with her Since the whole focus is to have fun and write clever War Arrows, it shouldn't be a problem being ignorant. Have to make mistakes to learn and this is a great way to make a mistake. Anyway, you'll have our support. If I get time, and you have access to IRC, I'll take you on a tour of chatrooms and introduce you to some of the wonderful people who'll also be playing. Just remember - it's a war game, so don't take attacks or "talking smack" seriously - just coordinate with us and attack back! Consider it obsessive-compulsive stress release. Disappears through the Portal with her, as his voice trails after in the now empty chamber, "Have you met Elladan? He's the General of my Army in charge of Attacks..."

I, for one, would like to take a moment to applaud Lady Celes Crusader for all the hard work she's done in not only keeping this area alive, but continuously seeking to improve it, and make a more welcoming place. The Pen is truly an international site - I'd not like to see people afraid to express the beauties of their own languages because the majority of membership speaks English. Kisses Lady Celes on either cheek and hugs her. Well done, M'lady, well done.

Gentle hugs and a kiss on the brow