aresite

[aresite]

I am still alive! Sorry for dropping off the face of the planet again... I've just been working anywhere between 45-55 hours a week and have been so tired and have no energy left to try and be creative or social at the end of the day.

But its a long weekend in my country and I've had two days of rest, and most people are available to write today so I am excited to get back to it!

Probably going to start with a warm up drabble and then if anyone wants to RP please let me know!

[aresite]

Joseph grabs Ba'ul like a big cat and peppers his face with kisses.

His fur is all mushed!

"Now how should I punish you for messing up my beautiful mane after I spent hours preening it this morning?" Ba'ul gave Joseph an obviously fake, teasing huff, and puffed out his cheeks.

It was a lie - he spent probably 5 minutes on it... and by 'preening' it was more like licking crumbs off his face after breakfast.

[aresite]

I am such an ADHD riddled, distracted idiot. I need to get my thread tracker back up and working because I forget / lose everything until people remind me about it...

Never feel like you are harassing me or bothering me by coming to me with plot ideas, reply reminders, starter requests, or just a general kick to remind me about a plan or if my reply did not match what we planned. While life is slowing down and I have more free time now, I still have a lot going on and my two brain cells struggle to keep up!

[aresite]

Ares folded his arms on the edge of the wagon and frowned. He thought about the girl that had saved them in the woods and wanted to argue against Heldrouth's statement but something held him back. He was quickly distracted by the Lift though and his arguments faded away as he stood up and held onto the canvas frame to get a better look at the lower city disappearing beneath them.

"So cool!" Olli cheered from beside him - and Ares had to agree. No matter how many times he saw this it always astonished him... the technology from the past must have been vast to create something like this...

After reaching the top and leaving the lift, the two boys fell into an excited conversation about the Tournament. They got so engrossed into their conversation that Ares almost didn't notice the small detour until he sensed - more than saw - Jack tense up.

"Where are we going?" Jack murmured darkly as his eyes also scanned the tents.

Heldrouth laughed at that, "Th' Princess? Good luck wi' that lad! A've been comin' t'th' Festival fer over a decade now 'n I have never once seen th' Princess!" He paused to guide the Mudbray down an adjacent street so that the Castle was now directly ahead of them, "From wit A've heard, she sees herself as 'too good' t'mingle wi' the' 'common folk' at th' Festival."

"She be not very popular wi' th' people ye see." Heldrouth finished as the old wagon stopped on an old lift that led from the 'lower quarters' to the 'upper quarters'. The lift had been there for who knows how long and was regularly maintained by Perrserkers Experts from Stow-On-Side. The 'Lift', if it could be called that, was a large platform that was big enough to fit multiple wagons and was attached to a 'gear' that was pulled up and around from the Lower Quarter to Upper Quarter and worked as a fantastic defense. It was mostly heavily guarded at both the bottom and top layers - but this was the one time of the year that it was open to anyone to ride.

Heldrouth flicked his wrists to urge the Mudbray forward and off the lift the moment it came to a stop and urged her forward. He guided her towards the Festival Grounds - but instead of following the rest of the wagons and carriages heading that way he then made a gesture and guided the Mudbray away from the train of people and off towards a large field full of tents of all shapes and sizes. He directed her over towards some of the larger ones and seemed to be looking for a certain 'Family Crest' or branding as he quickly glanced about.

[aresite]

Ares startled and had to take a large step back as the wagon came to a stop. He looked up at the driver in pure curiosity as Jack put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Oh yes." Jack laughed, "And we better get moving or we'll miss the opening 'acts'." "Wait," Ares excitedly quizzed, "Are we gettin' a ride there?!"

Jack laughed and then pulled himself up into the bench beside Heldrouth before gesturing behind him, "Kids ride in the back."

Ares and Olli exchanged eager looks before they both turned and ran around the wagon. Ares didn't hesitate to push the canvas flaps aside and pull himself up into the wagon without a second thought. It took his eyes a second to adjust to the light inside the wagon, but when they did he saw himself standing among a few barrels and a couple of crates. There was a rolled up carpet at the front of the wagon that was strapped down and tucked away carefully and the air smelt heavily of must and dirt.

The wagon started moving before he fully got his bearings though and he nearly fell backwards with a start. He was forced to drop to his knees to avoid falling over and scrambled to the front of the wagon where he pulled the canvas flaps aside to look out at the driver seat.

"So what'cha mean by change of plans?" He questioned as he rested his elbows on the lip of the wagon bed. Jack looked over his shoulder and sneered, "None of your business!" "That's no fair!" Olli retorted as he scrambled up beside Ares, "What was the plan? Can we come?" "Maybe the plan was to sell some nosy kids to this Perrserker here for being mouthy, and I'm starting to think about following through with it." Jack shot back, "Yeah right!" Olli chuffed, "C'mon! You can tell us!"

Ares was about to join in on the conversation as well - but then something caught his attention. He caught sight of the Castle out of the corner of his eye and turned his head towards it. Motostoke Castle rested in the center of the city and was so large that it could be used as a beacon anywhere within a hundred miles of the city. He suddenly felt his heart pounding in his chest and sat back on his knees. The Festival Grounds were right outside the Castle - supposedly they were built right on top of some ancient coliseum of sorts where People and Pokemon fought against each other or something.

"Hey-" Ares questioned, "Do ya think the Princess will be there?" Olli startled at that, but then seemed to recover quickly and puffed out his chest, "Of course she will be! Mom said that the King will be there, so she has to be too, right!" He paused for a moment and looked up at Jack and Heldrouth, "Right?"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Olli suddenly gasped and turned around to face Ares, "Why do you care if the Princess'll be there or not?" Ares immediately got defensive, "I don't!" He sat back and crossed his arms, "I mean, I just wanted to try and thank her for saving us the other day!"

@aresite:

"Right on time as always, Heldrouth." He taunted, "Slight change of plans, I'm afraid."

Heldrouth sat in the driver seat with the reins gripped tightly in his paws. The wagon was rather plain and more than a little 'shabby' It wasn't the largest wagon on the street, but despite its condition it was still mechanically-sound and well made. There was a large canvas cover tied over the bed of the wagon that was heavily patched in some areas and threadbare in others. It was being pulled by a large Mudbray who snorted and stomped her feet impatiently as Heldrouth drew her to a stop.

Despite his fur having a more 'reddish' tint than his brother - he had the same thick accent. The two Perrserkers shared no other traits - Heldrouth was shorter than his brother, but was more 'stout'. His beard was more kempt and he had a single braid styled into his beard from the fur under his lip down to his knees. He wore a full-body protective leather outfit and had a large, double-sided broad-axe strapped to his back. As a Perrserker, he didn't really need it to fight - but he had spent enough time in Motostoke to know that the Humans here would only look down on his Pokemon-esque traits and while he was here he always made a point to diminish it - even to the point that he was wearing thick leather gloves over his paws.

"Aye?" Heldrouth chuckled. He pushed up his helm as he looked down at the two kids that stood excitedly around Jack, "So thar is. Will ye not be needin' a ride t'th' Festival Grounds then?"

[aresite]

"Ares!" A familiar voice snapped Ares out of his thoughts with a startle and he quickly spun around to see Olli running up towards him. He hadn't seen him since this morning and was startled to see that Olli was actually in a costume - but it wasn't a ragged one. The other boy was dressed up in his fanciest clothes. His white blouse had been ironed and was tucked into what looked like new trousers. His red hair was even brushed and styled... the look certainly caught Ares off guard.

"Did'ja hear?" Olli exclaimed, "Mom wants me to go down to the Tournament Grounds to watch the next round of the Tournament!" He slowed to a stop beside Ares and despite the fact that he was lightly panting he was wearing a smug smile across his face. He puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips, "Mom says my Dad is going to be there and if we go then I'll get the chance to see him!"

Oh. Suddenly the fact that Olli was dressed up so nicely made sense. He tilted his head in thought as he looked Olli over and a sudden thought crossed his mind - if the King was going to be there... then what about the Princess? The image of her mounted on the back of her Rapidash in her white Riding Cloak and the memory of the sun rising up behind her and illuminating her like some sort of Guardian Angel as she rode up with her Knights to save them from the Postwick Guards immediately came back to mind. An odd feeling settled in his chest at the thought - he wanted to see her again. No, 'want' was the wrong word... it felt more like he 'had' to see her again.

"I'm going with you!" Ares stated matter-of-factually. Olli seemed overjoyed by this - but Ares could see a sudden wave of relief in his eyes, "Awesome! I was hoping you'd say that!" He reached up to rub the back of his head, "Not gunna lie... I'm glad yer gunna come...." The nervousness in his tone quickly vanished behind a mask of bravado and he puffed up his chest again, "Ya know, I'd hate for you to not be there and miss out on the opportunity to ride my coattails or anything." Ares rolled his eyes and pushed Olli playfully, "Gee, thanks!" Olli grinned and rubbed his arm where Ares had pushed him and turned to run away, "Great! I'll go tell Mom that yer comin'!"

He barely got a step away before Ares gasped and quickly reached out to grab Olli's arm, "Wait!" Olli turned back to him with a confused expression and Ares was quick to release his arm. He looked away rather sheepishly, "Chevali would never let me come. Why don't we just go together?" Olli looked thoughtful for a moment, "Like, sneak out?"

Ares opened his mouth to respond, but a loud voice cut him off, "Sneak out? You do remember what happened last time you both 'sneaked out' anywhere?"

Both Ares and Olli flinched and turned around to see Jack walking towards them. Ares was also also surprised to see that Jack wasn't dressed up or anything. In fact, Jack was dressed as inconspicuously as possible. He didn't even have his familiar wide-brimmed hat on and instead was wearing a plain dark green riding cloak over a regular leather vest and pants. The older Rover had a leather bag slung over one shoulder and was frowning as he looked down at the boys.

"What? No!" Olli quickly rebuked, "Ares was the one who wanted to sneak out! Mom's going to take me to see the Tournament!" Ares shot him an annoyed glance, "Hey!"

"Alright, alright." Jack quickly stepped in to break up the approaching fight, "It doesn't matter 'who's idea it was'. No one is sneaking out anywhere." His eyes fell on Olli and he frowned, "Chevali said she's taking you where? I just heard her volunteer to 'fortune teller' duty at a tavern down the street..." He sighed and looked off into the distance, "What is she scheming at this time?" Olli suddenly guilty like he had just been caught doing something wrong and shrunk down slightly, "What? No way! she told me we'd go!" Jack sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "Well then... come down to the Festival Grounds with me? I'm going there anyway so if you two were going to sneak out anyway - I'd rather you just come with me. We can meet Chevali down there."

The two boys look at each other with matching wide, mischievous grins. Ares then turned away and started marching off down the street. He folded his hands behind his head, "Let's get goin' then!" Oli hesitated and looked past Jack and back at the remaining Rovers that were still gathered around Durril by the wagons. Durril was giving the last of the orders and he didn't see his Mother anywhere amongst the remaining Rovers. He felt slightly disappointed, but before he could really react he felt a hand drop on his head and ruffle his hair. He looked up to see Jack giving him an encouraging grin.

"C'mon Olli!" Ares called impatiently from further ahead, "Last one to the Festival Grounds is a rotting Oddish!" Olli flinched back at the challenge and quickly whirled around, "Hey! No fair! You got a head start!"

Ares only replied with a laugh before breaking out into a run. Olli growled to himself and took off running after the other boy. Jack watched them go and sighed. He pulled the cowl of his hood further over his face and started after them.

Bringing the kids with him would throw a small wrench into his plans. He shrugged his shoulders and started after them. Oh well... guess Zamazenta did not ordain for his pain to end today after all...

He lit a cigarette and puffed on it thoughtfully as he entered the dark and rather 'dingy' alley that led from their little 'gathering spot' to the main road. He had to mind his footing over the uneven ground and walked in the middle of the road to avoid the puddles of water that had gathered in the deep grooves that had been pressed into the cobblestone by the heavy carts. He had to pause at the end of the alley as he walked into the sun. The moment he exited the alley he heard the familiar sound of hooves against the cobblestone and the grinding of wheels. He took a deep drag on his cigarette before he looked up as a wagon came to a sudden stop beside him. He smirked despite his best efforts not too before looking up at the driver of the wagon.

"Right on time as always, Heldrouth." He taunted, "Slight change of plans, I'm afraid."

QFG: Reunions at the Victory Tournament

The sounds of instruments, laughter, and voices filled the air. The streets of Motostoke were overflowing with sights, sounds, smells, and people. Almost every door was thrown open and banners stretched from lamppost to lamppost. It almost felt like it was raining confetti in many areas of the city. It was one of the final days of the Victory Festival and people had come flooding into the City from all over to join in on the festivities. It was one of the few rare times a year where the City's Gates were held wide open for anyone to enter and there were few who dared risk that opportunity.

The little Kumpania that Ares called 'home' was one of those who never risked missing this 'money making' opportunity. They came every year to perform on the streets for coins, trade wares, and mingle with other travelling Kumpanias to trade members and information. That mingling mattered even more to them this year than any year previously now that their numbers had been shattered. The remaining members knew that they did not have enough members to survive out in the wilderness. They were in a percarious situation and their options were limited - try and 'hire' members from other, more overly populated, Kumpanias... or merge with a larger one. With their previous leader dead - the obvious move would've been to merge and offer their services to a different group... but none of them seemed eager to do that. Many of the remaining members of their group were young and eager - they were enjoying their newfound freedom from their Elders who had split after the old Chief died. They all found this as an opportunity to form a new group and create their own rules. After all, it was written into their laws that the word of the Chief was 'Law'... and right now they didn't have one. The position of 'Chief' always went to the strongest member - someone who had the money, power, and ruthlessness to not only keep the most unruly of them in line, but to also make the tough choices when needed. At the moment only two of their group met that bill - Jack, and Durril. However, Jack showed no interest in becoming Chief and when approached about it had said that he 'does not deserve it' and Durril was still rather young and impulsive.

During the last week that they had been there, both Jack and Durril had taken on different, important tasks. While Jack went out to gather information - Durril stayed behind in the field that they had set up camp with some other Kumpanias to mingle and to give the other Rovers directions. But they were running out of time with the end of the Festival fast approaching. For the next two days it would be 'all hands on deck' to gather as much money as possible - through whatever means possible - to support them for as long as possible.

At the moment, Durril stood up on a large wooden crate. He was wearing a bright, multi-coloured 'Jester' Costume. The costume was completed with a large, three-eared jester's cowl that covered his head and went down to a frilly jester's collar that was trimmed at every point with a brightly polished brass bells. He wore a matching shawl around his waist that covered his split-colour, bright purple and orange tights that were tucked down into his green pointed shoes. Despite his bright and cheery costume though, he had a serious expression on his painted face as he hurriedly directed people about.

Ares stood in the back of the crowd as he watched Durril bark orders about. From previous experiences he knew how easy it was for adults to miss kids in these busy mornings. So he knew if he stayed quiet and stayed out of the way that he would be completely missed. He was supposed to be 'in costume' as well but had managed to get this far without putting it on. He didn't need anyone telling him his role as it was usually the same every year - anyone too young to participate in activities such as trading, performing on the street for coin, or entertaining others from the many local bars and taverns would be assigned the less scrupulous task of 'pick pocketing'... at least that's how it always went under the old Chief. So far though - no orders like that had gone out. In fact, at this point, Ares was wondering if that order would be given out at all. As he thought about it further though, he realized that none of the 'beggar' costumes had been pulled out at all yet.

[aresite]

QFG: Reunions at the Victory Tournament

The sounds of instruments, laughter, and voices filled the air. The streets of Motostoke were overflowing with sights, sounds, smells, and people. Almost every door was thrown open and banners stretched from lamppost to lamppost. It almost felt like it was raining confetti in many areas of the city. It was one of the final days of the Victory Festival and people had come flooding into the City from all over to join in on the festivities. It was one of the few rare times a year where the City's Gates were held wide open for anyone to enter and there were few who dared risk that opportunity.

The little Kumpania that Ares called 'home' was one of those who never risked missing this 'money making' opportunity. They came every year to perform on the streets for coins, trade wares, and mingle with other travelling Kumpanias to trade members and information. That mingling mattered even more to them this year than any year previously now that their numbers had been shattered. The remaining members knew that they did not have enough members to survive out in the wilderness. They were in a percarious situation and their options were limited - try and 'hire' members from other, more overly populated, Kumpanias... or merge with a larger one. With their previous leader dead - the obvious move would've been to merge and offer their services to a different group... but none of them seemed eager to do that. Many of the remaining members of their group were young and eager - they were enjoying their newfound freedom from their Elders who had split after the old Chief died. They all found this as an opportunity to form a new group and create their own rules. After all, it was written into their laws that the word of the Chief was 'Law'... and right now they didn't have one. The position of 'Chief' always went to the strongest member - someone who had the money, power, and ruthlessness to not only keep the most unruly of them in line, but to also make the tough choices when needed. At the moment only two of their group met that bill - Jack, and Durril. However, Jack showed no interest in becoming Chief and when approached about it had said that he 'does not deserve it' and Durril was still rather young and impulsive.

During the last week that they had been there, both Jack and Durril had taken on different, important tasks. While Jack went out to gather information - Durril stayed behind in the field that they had set up camp with some other Kumpanias to mingle and to give the other Rovers directions. But they were running out of time with the end of the Festival fast approaching. For the next two days it would be 'all hands on deck' to gather as much money as possible - through whatever means possible - to support them for as long as possible.

At the moment, Durril stood up on a large wooden crate. He was wearing a bright, multi-coloured 'Jester' Costume. The costume was completed with a large, three-eared jester's cowl that covered his head and went down to a frilly jester's collar that was trimmed at every point with a brightly polished brass bells. He wore a matching shawl around his waist that covered his split-colour, bright purple and orange tights that were tucked down into his green pointed shoes. Despite his bright and cheery costume though, he had a serious expression on his painted face as he hurriedly directed people about.

Ares stood in the back of the crowd as he watched Durril bark orders about. From previous experiences he knew how easy it was for adults to miss kids in these busy mornings. So he knew if he stayed quiet and stayed out of the way that he would be completely missed. He was supposed to be 'in costume' as well but had managed to get this far without putting it on. He didn't need anyone telling him his role as it was usually the same every year - anyone too young to participate in activities such as trading, performing on the street for coin, or entertaining others from the many local bars and taverns would be assigned the less scrupulous task of 'pick pocketing'... at least that's how it always went under the old Chief. So far though - no orders like that had gone out. In fact, at this point, Ares was wondering if that order would be given out at all. As he thought about it further though, he realized that none of the 'beggar' costumes had been pulled out at all yet.

[aresite]

QUEST FOR CAMELOT ( 1998 ), DIR. FREDERIK DU CHAU. change pronouns as needed.

do you really have to go?

the king's knights will be here soon.

tell me again why you became a knight.

i'm coming with you!

let's get down to business.

the king has decided.

i will not serve a false king.

one day that sword will be in my hand.

that's a job for the knights, not for a young girl.

but i want to be a knight.

where's the glory in that?

how am i ever going to do great things if i'm stuck here?

how about a little kiss?

impertinent pig!

i demand you leave immediately!

i would sooner die!

you're our only hope.

have i told you today how magnificently and totally worthless you are?

that was incredible.

you're not even listening to me.

well, anyone can make a mistake.

this is where the king sends his unfunny jesters, right?

have you got a cold?

do you hear something?

good show, ________.

please don't hurt us.

are you sure we're safe down here?

you're as good as any knight.

but where's the sword?

someone must have taken it.

the slightest noise and we're finished.

you were right.

can i hold it?

why don't you shut up?

it's so beautiful!

i don't belong in that world.

how could you be so cold-blooded?

you've been quite annoying.

you were brave.

what a touching reunion.

don't lose hope.

something awful has happened.

i'll tear him limb from limb.

it's a trap!

i must help the king.

i'm going to have fun getting rid of you.

i may not survive.

well, i've got to start somewhere.

hold your ground until the last possible moment.

[aresite]

Joseph gives Ba'ul a boop. A boop on the nose. And no, he doesn't get treats. Not yet at least.

Ba'ul looked slightly surprised at the 'boop' and jerked his head back slightly before shaking it. He then sat there staring at Joseph as if he was 100% expecting those treats regardless of the 'not yet'.

[aresite]

❛ bard! play something a little more upbeat. ❜  (Jackson in Ares medieval world)

Despite the chilly mid-winter afternoon, the Rovers had been out on a street corner for hours performing already with little to show for it. It was a small group this morning that consisted of one man on a violin, one on a panpipe flute, and one on a zarna, and another on an old worn out drum. Besides the four musicians there was also one woman dressed in a 'flowy' outfit that consisted of multiple layers of different coloured fabric that were layered over each other and adorned with metal discs that clinked together as she moved. She held a tambourine in one hand but wasn't really using it. A tired looking Purrloin laid at her feet but was quick to get up onto her hind legs as Jackson approached.

There was an old worn out had that was left on the ground in front of them and despite the fact that they'd been out there for hours... it only had a few coins in it at best. So when Jackson approached their spirits were already waning and the couldn't deny that could probably be felt in the pitch and tone of the music they were playing.

The man on the zarna and the man on the drum looked at each other for a second, but before either one of them could react the girl stepped forward with a bright grin. She grabbed the hem of her skirt and gave Jackson an exaggerate bow, and the Purrloin mimicked her motions. Without saying anything she straightened up and started tapping her tambourine to a more upbeat and energized tempo. She swayed her hips in time with the beat until the metal on her skirt began to clink in rythym with the tambourine. She did a quick spin to disguise a daring glare at the men that they were very quick to catch. The two men that had exchanged glances earlier shot each other another look, and then the one on the zarna shrugged and joined in with an equally upbeat tempo. The man on the drum was quick to follow suit and the other two barely missed a beat before joining in and suddenly the street corner was alive with music as they played a quick, traditional Rover song.

The girl danced along with the music she had started as if she was putting on a stage performance and all traces of the sour look she had had on her face before Jackson had approached vanished behind a wide grin. She was panting lightly as the song came to an end - and she finished it with a loud tap on the tambourine and then bowed deeply... almost directly over the neglected coin hat. She flashed him a playful grin, and while her eyes were kept on Jackson - it was clear that she was also glancing around to see if the song had attracted any other attention as well... as well as more than once glancing down towards his belt to see if there was any sign of a coin pouch... and coincidentally, the Purrloin was no longer anywhere to be seen.

[aresite]

GENERIC FANTASY PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue for any fantasy setting

you are a descendent from an ancient royal line.

can you joust?

this is not a question of bravery.

are you too cowardly to take a life?

hand me my sword.

the sheets feel scratchy.

you could have got us killed!

if you had kept to the plan, those knights might be alive right now.

together, we have a chance to take back what is ours.

would you ride into town with me?

you're playing with fire.

you should be on the throne.

perhaps we never should have come.

did you bring your bow?

you take one more step, traitor, and i'll chew you to splinters.

are you fit to compete, or shall the forfeit stand?

thank you, my lord.

i will deal with you when this is over.

you have to go alone.

we have some work to do.

it's an ambush!

why are they all staring at us?

were you robbed?

clean your sword.

i must look for a suitor.

i know where your allegiance lies.

pick up your sword.

you're not going to kill me?

what do you propose we do, your majesty?

the path takes us through there.

i will probably die on this quest.

even the peasants can marry for love.

your people love you.

i just learned this spell. can i show you?

are you with me?

how many more must die for the throne?

why don't we discuss the matter later?

what are you wearing to the ball tonight?

do not shush me!

be careful on those roads. there's been a report of bandits.

i'm not worthy of the throne.

how do i know your promise will be kept?

take the sword to the tower.

is that your horse?

i hear there's going to be a royal ball.

it was said to be magic.

no one has ever taken that castle.

what a waste of brandy.

is there a way down?

do you hear talk of a dragon?

you knowingly endangered a member of the royal family.

on a horse, with a lance... you're unbeatable.

some day, i'll be a knight.

there's an army out there, and it's ready to follow you.

hold your tongue or lose it.

you're no longer a myth. you're starting to mean something.

admiring the castle again, i see. isn't it beautiful?

tonight, evil has met its match.

you make me feel like a poet.

i'll ride with you.

this kingdom is better off without the lot of you!

why were they trying to kill you?

no one ever comes back from the woods.

i think it's time we found out what's going on.

i will not lose.

how about a little target practice?

you were right to fear the woods.

choose your last words carefully!

the time for pleasantries is through.

run, and i will run with you.

they wanted to arrange my marriage.

will you dance with me?

i'm sure when i'm older, i'll understand.

you know what we have to do.

what do you think? now that you know what i am?

you speak of what you do not know.

my parents were peasants.

we have a long journey ahead of us.

we should have killed them when we had the chance.

you might find this land a more savage place than you remember.

do you even know how to use that thing?

you have to be of noble birth to compete!

i didn't want to be at the celebration.

i can do magic.

are those catapults?

do you know any spells?

i'm not supposed to be seen with people like you.

minotaurs? they're real?

try and take them then.

help me fetch my arrows.

i'm afraid i'm not worthy of you.

i hear you have a quest for me.

sit with me and drink.

that's a bit of a long story.

there is no way that i am fighting.

i challenge you to a duel.

i wonder who lived here.

maybe it's time you had this back.

you have a traitor in your midst.

meet me in the castle gardens tonight, after the sun sets.

the king sent me.

you stole from the castle?

[aresite]

Sentence Starters based on BBC’s Robin Hood season 3

No weapons, and yet they fight like lions! You should’ve killed me when you had the chance. You’ll never hate me as much as you hate yourself. I need to execute (…) within a month otherwise I am horse meat! This is bad – this is very bad! This is not good! Kindness is never a flaw. I will not have need of you, ever again. I am a man in mind and body. We’re trapped, like lambs to the slaughter! Looking well, (…), for a dead man! Your level of incompetence never fails to surprise me. Does it please you that I have confidence in you? The only way we’re going to survive is through unity. Rumour has it that it can only be healed by a king’s touch. Your humanity is your weakness! I have no interest in being on the losing side. Why is there always one condition with you? Save your honeyed words for someone who cares! Do you realize now how difficult life can be in the forest? What do you know about our lives anyway? Be assured, I would kill a thousand times to keep (…)’s sacred memory pure! You tell your peasant army everyone dies who dares to oppose me! This isn’t your fight unless you choose it to be. You’re so good at killing defenseless females. When the time is rigt, you might want to use this. Is this not something worth fighting for?

[aresite]

&. 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥 / 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

(  various  dialogue  prompts  for  all  your  medieval  /  fantasy  /  d&d  inspired  threads  and  aus!  feel  free  to  change  how  you  seem  fit.  )

❛ i hope this raven finds you well… ❜

❛ you carry a sword, yet you are not a knight. ❜

❛ the gods must be angry. i sense a storm brewing. ❜ 

❛ there’s no place i’d rather be than by your side. ❜ 

❛ nobility is defined by what you do, not who you are. ❜

❛ i know how to keep my life and my crown. and i will. ❜ 

❛ well, i’m not a knight. not yet. ❜

❛ at least we’ll die with honor. ❜

❛ i’ve never seen a dragon before, what are they like? ❜

❛ this knife is laced with venom, any sudden movements and you’re dead. ❜ 

❛ of all the idiots in the realm, i’m trapped with you. ❜ 

❛ shed no tears for me. i will be back before you know it. ❜ 

❛ i’m sorry, but i’m to be married to someone else. ❜ 

❛ here’s a copper for your thoughts. and a silver not to tell them. ❜ 

❛ you humans are most amusing. ❜ 

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ you were made to be ruled. ❜ 

❛ i will protect you. it is my duty, knight or not. ❜

❛ my kingdom is in danger. i’ve come to ask for your aid. ❜ 

❛ i’ve got a date with destiny, and it won’t end in a kiss. unfortunately. ❜ 

❛ keep your sword up and your back straight. ❜

❛ you’re asking me to commit treason. ❜

❛ you will make a fine ruler one day. ❜ 

❛ no curse of mine shall befall you from my dying breath. ❜

❛ you should see me in a crown. ❜ 

❛ bury me shallow, i will be back. ❜

❛ bard! play something a little more upbeat. ❜ 

❛ i warn you, i’ve been trained to kill since birth. ❜

❛ my magic is useless against them. i’ve never felt so powerless. ❜ 

❛ how can it be my destiny to protect someone who hates me? ❜ 

❛ i am at your mercy, your grace. ❜ 

❛ do not be afraid, little one. i will not hurt you. ❜ 

❛ any man who must say ‘i am the king’ is no true king. ❜

❛ knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone. ❜

❛ impudent of you to assume i will meet a mortal end. ❜

❛ spare me the ‘i’ve come to slay you’ speech and let’s get on with it. ❜ 

❛ it is my duty to protect the last of the dragons. ❜

❛ do i look like the kind of person who dies? ❜

❛ we are king and queen, chained together like prisoners in a dungeon. ❜ 

❛ for every great ruler, there is an equally great assassin poised to kill. ❜

❛ my bloodline was wiped out before my eyes. i’m the last heir. ❜ 

❛ you look better in your wanted posters. ❜ 

❛ you don’t need a king. a knight can make another knight. ❜

❛ violence for violence is the rule for beasts. ❜

❛ fear cuts deeper than swords. ❜

❛ pick a god and pray to it. ❜

❛ i’d rather die than marry you. ❜ 

❛ my duty is to my people. ❜ 

❛ glad to see you haven’t become food for the vultures. ❜ 

❛ i will paint the throne red with your blood. ❜ 

❛ what’s a life threatening quest without a bit of music? ❜ 

❛ some of us may not survive, but the ones that do will get the ultimate reward… paid. ❜

[aresite]

That being said - its been so long since I was active that I have no idea if anyone wants to continue old threads or if they'd prefer to start new ones? If anyone is still around and wants to start a new thread or continue from an old one let me know - I'm going to get organized and maybe look for a starter meme to try and warm back up.

[aresite]

TL;DR under the cut involving work drama, bank drama, insider trading drama, and corporate take-over drama as I am now no longer under a NDA and can explain my absence better

Okay - so long story short, I've been gone for awhile, and I apologize for that! After my internship, I got hired on at what I thought to be the perfect job for me. I loved it, and I spent a lot of my time and energy on it - I worked by accepting contracts to repair / replace equipment for some of the major banks in my country. This job had me travelling all over the place - sometimes driving as far as 4-5h away - to fulfill these contracts. My favourite jobs were fixing debit machines for small businesses as I was able to help them with other things as they often did not have as much support as the bigger companies and more than once I either helped, or gave them the information they needed to get better deals or equipment from their contracts with the bank. I took a lot of pride in my work, but it also kept me really busy. Some days I would leave as early as 4AM and not be home until after 8pm. My least favourite jobs were fixing lockers or 'safety deposit boxes' as those were a pain. And whenever there wasn't any contracts available, I would spend my time repairing old gear and prepping it to go back out into circulation or dealing with inventory.

However, the company I worked for also had their hands in other pots other than just accepting repair contracts from some of the major banks. They also provided tech support for local businesses and restaurants and supplied rental equipment and support for POS Systems. Which made us a perfect target for a certain American bank... they started with buying out our american customers, and my boss knew what was going to happen next and started to make deals with them and started to try and shift all our customers over so they'd be 'easy to transition over' and went all in by throwing money into this company's stocks and basically made a shit ton of money before he sold the rest of the company to them.

You see, the way the banking system in my country works is quite different than in the states and its not as simple as one may think. A bank just can't come into the country whenever they want - its quite a long and complicated system where they have to adhere to our laws and regulations which are much, much stricter than the US. So, in order to enter the country, this US Bank decided to buy the company I work for out and use it as a 'stepping stone' to get into the country. They made us all kinds of promises about all 'the benefits' we would get once we were merged with them but all we got was a few extra 'vacation and sick days' and them pushing their 'american business practices' on us - which, frankly, are toxic af.

And, since this is a foreign bank that is buying the company out - they don't want us servicing other banks so we were forced to stop accepting contracts from the other banks and the department I work for was dissolved and merged with their call center. Suddenly, everything I liked and enjoyed about my job was gone. No more travelling. No more repairing things. Nothing but sitting at a desk, answering phones, and following this banks strict 'script' when it comes to dealing with customers. I hate it. First I was very frustrated, and then I got rather depressed. And, while I wanted to write and RP, and I missed everyone here, I didn't have the energy to write or basically do anything anymore. It took me awhile to realize I was grieving the loss of my old job.

Everyone at work keeps jumping after that dangling 'corporate carrot' and buying into the promises that 'great things are coming' and that 'we're on the ground floor of my country's division of this bank so there's so much opportunity to make it big' but I just see us getting swallowed up by this american company - especially now that our resources are getting shut down and we've got to use theirs and we've just been pulled into their pool of workers as if we were working out of their 'american offices'. Its all bullshit and I hate it. I miss my old job so much but I know that grieving it any longer isn't healthy.

I'm trying to get over it and get back to the hobbies I once had before I even started working at this company - before I did my internship, and before I spent all my time and energy there... before I made that job my life for over two whole years and remember the things I used to do and enjoy - like RPing with all you lovely people for example... but its been hard.

I got very sick with an Upper Respiratory Infection and was sick in bed for a week and was supposed to go back to work yesterday only to find out that I am now being 'punished' for being off and have nothing but night shifts for the next 3 weeks - and that means for 3 weeks I do not get to see my wife except for on weekends, as she works 8am to 4:30pm, and they have me on from 4pm to 1am.

Sorry for the too much info rant, but seeing that, and feeling just how badly I do not want to go back today made me realize how toxic this has been for me. Its time to give up hope that things will change or go back to how they were. My old job gave me so many more opportunities and networked me with a ton of people that I can reach out to for work. I trained the people who took over my old job and they would be thrilled if I applied with them for example. My elderly parents are 5100kms away and are not doing so well - I could contact the company that gave us the contracts and ask them to connect me with their division working out there if I have too. I don't know what I'm going to do, but today I realized I can't go on like this anymore. If I'm going to be reduced to a 'corporate drone' until I find something better than so be it - but just like any corporate drone - this is just a job and I don't care about anything other than my scheduled hours and what's written in my job description, and outside of that is 'me time'. I'm going to work on getting back into my hobbies, refuse phone calls outside of work hours, and stop caring so much!

I'm probably just burnt out. On top of the work drama I also have problems at home. My elderly dog was just diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and we're doing expensive tests to see how much longer she will be with us. My Grandmother broke her back and is in the hospital. My Dad's mind is starting to slip and he can barely walk so their house is falling apart but they are too far away for me to help and the closest one of my siblings live is 4h away. My Grandfather on my wife's side is waning as well. And, its winter here so I have to pay for heating oil which is like, $500 every other month and is so expensive on top of our other bills so I just can't walk away from this job despite without a concrete other option, no matter how much I hate it...

If you got to the end of this, I apologize for the rant and for leaving so many unfinished and unreplied threads. I let stress get the better of me for too long.

[aresite]

Jack involuntarily flinched as he heard the door open and cursed under his breath. He did not turn around to look at the stranger and simply kept his eyes on the dagger, which he placed in front of him on the counter. His fingers twitched over its handle as he heard the man speak. He didn't know what was more annoying - the sound of the voice from the speaker behind him, or what the speaker was saying.

He tried to keep his cool, but he quickly lost it. He spun the dagger around and stabbed the tip of the blade into the counter top with a loud clang - loud enough to catch the attention of everyone in the room.

"Civilized?" He laughed, "Listen to this Dotard. Waltzes right into here, runnin' his mouth about 'civilized men' and yet any real civilized man knows that Perrserkers make the finest weapons!"

Brasmeag opened his mouth in an almost toothy sneer, "Well, that be the simple part. If ye be wantin' t'head up North ye will need to be going through-"

ding

The sound of the bell placed strategically above the front door to the shop to announce visitors rang out sharply through the room and Brasmeag's attention was instantly shifted away from the Rover and towards the door as a dark figure entered. He was completely hidden beneath a dark cloak and Brasmeag could smell something 'inhuman' about him.

"Aye? What's this then?" He started, but before he could question further the cloaked figure held the door open for another who's appearance struck all words from his head.

The man who followed in was shorter than the first but had a much larger presence. He had a velvety cape around his neck that trailed behind him and surrounded his fancy silk suit. His gold-coloured hair stood out so sharply in the candlelit shop that it almost seemed to glow. But what was even more surprising was that he was nearly completely cloaked in gold and jewels.

"Ugh." The man scoffed as he stopped in the doorway to let his eyes adjust to the dimly lit room. He looked around and a deep frown formed across his place, "What a tacky, dingy little shop." "Somethin' I can be helpin' ye with, m' Lord?" Brasmeag spoke up.

The man turned and looked over at the counter and his expression quickly changed from disinterested to shocked and then settled on disgusted, "Get your Master up to speak with me, Dwarf. I do not wish to spend a moment more of my time in this... unique place, than I have to."

He paused to gather up his cape - almost as if he was afraid that the dust on the floor would permanently stain it - and then stepped further into the shop, "And I do stress to be quick with it - before I decide to tell your Master about how poorly his Pokemon is taking care of his shop front."

Brasmeag did not even seem surprised by the other's response, "I beg ye pardon, sir, but I be th' Master o' here shop. What can I do ye fer?" The man looked surprised for a second but his expression quickly turned sour, "You? Ha! Surely you jest!" He paused and looked around again, "Though looking at the shop I should not be surprised." His attention turned back to Brasmeag, "But here I was thinking that no civilized man would allow a Dwarf to run a shop in the Crown City of all places. So put aside your silly jokes and go get your Master immediately. I do not have all day."

[aresite]

I can't legally say here yet - but let's just say that the thing that has been keeping me so insanely busy is almost over. I will probably be very busy for next month but SOON. I miss you all.

I doubt I will have time to come online later but if I do, I want to get to get back to replies...