dee-writes-sometimes

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Oleander coughed, almost choking on the strong smell in the air. He could see his friends reacting the same way, and as they exchanged glances he knew they were all thinking the same thing. This is it. Smog has to be here. They’d been following the trail of dazed and still villages for days now, looking for the runaway prince. He gave no clue as to where he went, just a trail of destruction in his wake. Wordlessly, the group looked at each other and agreed to split up to look for him. 

Oleander followed his nose, even though it hurt, trying to find where the smoke was strongest. It led him to what looked like a small shed, but when he approached the door the smell went away almost entirely. Opening the door slowly, Oleander braced himself for what he’d see. What was really there shocked him so much all he could do was stare at Smog, looking nothing like the composed, pompous prince he was used to.

Smog’s face was gaunt, his eyes bloodshot and dashing from Oleander to the door lightning fast. He was curled up on the ground, his robes were dirty and torn, and his hair was loose, surrounding the man like a sheer gray curtain. 

“Is there anyone else?” Smog’s voice was barely a croak, Oleander just shook his head in response. He closed the door behind him and walked to sit next to him. Smog usually held himself taller than Oleander, but now he was hunched over, shaking. The two just sat silently for a bit, not knowing what to say. Unable to take the tension anymore, Oleander made the first move. 

“What happened? What is this?” He was trying to be gentle with his words, but his worry caused it to be harsher than he intended. Smog just remained still. Shifting to sit in front of him, Oleander tried again. “Please,” he pleaded, grabbing Smog’s hand, “We’ve been worried about you. I’ve been worried about you. Just tell me why you left.”

 Suddenly, Smog started sobbing uncontrollably. He’d never acted like this before, never seemed to be lacking a hold over himself. Around his tears, he tried to explain. “I… I don’t know! I just… Don’t know what to do! Everything is… falling apart… and everything we’ve been working towards… was all for nothing!” At this point, he started coughing and heaving, having to lean back from exhaustion afterwards. He was still crying, but he was oddly silent while doing so. After a brief pause to catch his breath and attempt to calm himself, he continued. 

“The night that we had to leave Brun, I couldn’t sleep. The fact that the gods refused to stay together any longer, even if they would take the world with them… That was it for me. We had two weeks to convince them to reconcile or we’ll be in a full out war. My thoughts were so loud… I had to make them stop. I was freaked out, I… I couldn’t tell how much was too much…” He closed his eyes and slowed, Oleander squeezing his hand in a desperate attempt to keep him conscious. Smog jolted forward, then settled back against the wall. “From there it’s a blur… one minute I was at our camp, the next I was here. I don’t know why I returned to Emerald. I guess I just wanted to go home… have some sense of control again… I didn’t mean to take all those people. I don’t know how to fix it… I’m sorry…” 

Drifting off again, Oleander tried to stop him but all he got was a soft “sorry” before Smog went fully unresponsive. Oleander pressed his ear to Smog’s mouth in fear, but to his relief he was still breathing. He had to get him to Heidi, fast. She had to know some way to help him. If she didn’t then they’d have to find someone who could. 

He looked around the shed for anything to help him carry smog, but everything inside was either rusted over or broken. Smog was going to hate him for this later, but he could be angry when he was better. He reached up one hand to send out a red light, letting the others know to stop looking, then Oleander carefully picked up Smog’s limp figure by his back and legs, his stomach twisting at how much lighter than normal he felt. Luckily, this meant that he could move faster with him. Willing himself to be stronger, he sprinted as fast as he could through the smoke filled streets until he was back where they entered. Barely hearing anyone else run up to him one by one, he just sat down with Smog laid on his lap, praying to any of the gods still on their side to let him be able to be healed.

[dee-writes-sometimes]

The train ride took so long, but it was the only way Valor really had the option of traveling home. He wished that he didn’t have to go, but at least he could see his friends again. Sure he had talked often with Michael, but their conversations were limited by the difference in time zones. Besides those, Valor had no real idea of what was going on with everyone back home. It had been years after all. 

He had gotten barely any sleep the last day, since he had to go from one train to another multiple times to make the trip. He was able to get a few hour naps in on longer stretches, but he was only awake now far before the sun rose by the power of energy drinks and the nervousness of seeing his old friends and family in person again. Deep breaths, Valor thought, first we’re just seeing Michael. I’ll worry about the others tomorrow. 

He jumped as the train screeched as it started slowing down. Valor quickly grabbed his bag and moved towards the door. He paused when he reached it, preparing himself for whatever would happen. Taking a deep breath, he took the first step into a place that should have been more familiar than it felt. 

The crowd at the station was smaller than the ones in the city. That was the first thing he noticed as he put down his things. They seemed friendlier too, though none were very awake at this hour. Looking at the paintings on the sides of the platform, he traced his fingers along the familiar ones. But there were new ones there too. On top of the older paintings of animals and symbols of the gods, there was new graffiti, and someone had painted a garden of beautiful flowers. I wonder… Valor went to the corner of the station, where there was some ivy growing over the edge. Valor carefully moved it to the side, revealing a childish drawing of eight people side by side. They looked happy, and each one was drawn differently, done by the person they portrayed. 

He remembered painting this with them the summer before Emily went off to school. They wanted something to show that they would still be friends even though she would be far away. From what he’d heard and what he remembered, they’d all changed so much since then. 

“Thought you might come over here.” Valor looked up to see Michael sitting on the platform above him. His fluffy golden hair was longer than last time Valor had seen it, the front falling just above his blue eyes. He smiled, reaching out a hand which Valor took to help him stand up. “I saw your stuff on the ground but I didn't see you with it, so I figured something familiar was probably going to be your first place to go.”

“It’s been so long since I’ve been back,” Valor said, picking up the things he had left.

“I know, right? It’s almost weird talking to you face to face again instead of through a crystal. It’s good,” Michael hurried to continue, “just different.” 

How is he so awake at this hour? The answer became obvious as Michael took a drink from a bottle he’d been carrying. Valor could see the worrying mix of energy drinks swirling around inside, but knowing his friend wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the concoction, he held in a laugh and said nothing.

As they walked the stone road over to the main circle of the town, the sky was turning green in the near dawn light. The silhouettes of the trees along the path felt smaller than they used to, though he had grown since he used to climb their branches. He’d have to come back later to see them better. 

The earliest opening shops were just turning on their lights when they got to town, the smell of fresh batches of pastries being made making his mouth water. The sweets in the city were good, but no match for the bakery back home. “They won’t be open for another few hours, but we can go later if you want.” Michael motioned to keep going, wanting to get home before people started waking up. He had told Valor that his parents were out for the weekend earlier, so he could stay with him for a bit. 

They went down the road some more until they arrived at the block Michael lived on. These houses were clearly bigger than the other ones on the way, being the richer neighborhood. His house was near the end of the road, a huge house that was a mix of smooth stone and marble with wooden accents that lined the windows and roof. The sight reminded him of so many sleepless nights, talking from sunset to sunrise.

Instead of going to unlock the front door, Michael led Valor around to the side of the house, revealing the tree he always used to climb inside was still standing tall. “Shall we?” Even in the dim light he could see Michael’s bright grin. Though more rusty than Michael, who moved with such precision he looked like a golden squirrel, Valor still made good time climbing up the tree. When he reached the top, Michael was already inside, leaning out of the window to give him something stable to hold onto. 

Inside, Michael’s room looked just as magical as he remembered. Half the size of Valor’s entire house, with enough furniture inside to match. It had a few new paintings on the wall, much to his parents’ dismay. Michael plopped onto the plush couch with a thud before scooting over to make room for Valor to sit beside him. There were snacks laid out on the table in front of them, and Michael already had their favorite movie prepared on the tv. The welcoming gesture almost brought Valor to tears, but he distracted himself with the movie. As the characters embarked on their journey, he was fighting to stay awake. The train ride took more out of him than he’d thought. Leaning into Michael, he let himself fall asleep. He’d need all the energy he could get for the next couple days. 

[dee-writes-sometimes]

I made picrews for my newest set of ocs for the latest story :) all of the designs are still in the works, but this is pretty close

Emily (she/her)

Valor (he/him)

Rosemary (she/her)

Finch (she/they)

Pip (he/they)

Reed (they/them)

April (she/her)

Michael (he/him)

[dee-writes-sometimes]

I love remembering I'm not writing in this world, so I can make my characters get off a train into a much older looking town while taking a picture with a futuristic camera

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Basic premise:

Every year in this world there is a ceremony where everyone who turned 16 since the last one go through a ceremony that makes them see a glimpse of some time in their future. This will come true no matter what they do to try to change it. Usually it’s something like life with a partner, being recognized for a great accomplishment, or just living their lives happily. But sometimes it can be… more substantial. The main characters in the story are a group of people who were childhood friends who realize that their futures all connect in some way, they’re either together or doing things that the others see as well. Soon after, the leaders of their [country? Kingdom? their area] announce that there is a serious threat to them and they need people to go out and stop it. The group is all chosen, and then they really start connecting the dots. They all have their secrets, but they must work together to save their people.

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Me: ok, so i have a ton of stories, 60 ocs, and am currently working on one.

My brain: yup

Me: ok, so we should keep working on this, right

My brain: yeah

Me: ok let’s write/ draw them then

My brain: here’s a new story idea

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Every time I open google docs:

welcome back to me screaming

[dee-writes-sometimes]

hey pluto!! what are some of your ocs' favorite colors??? (you dont have to do all of them cause there are a lot alsjdkf, feel free to do whichever you want)

!!!

Leon: purple 

Sterling: he likes silver (shocker /j) and soft pink

Kelsi: yellow like sunflowers

Nailah: a sort of olive green color

Carrie: she likes pink and black

Melissa: teal if she has to choose (but she usually can’t pick one)

Quinn: purple

Tasha: gold (but says highlighter yellow if she wants to annoy people)

Lorne: maroon

Rock: dark blue and/or purple, depending on their mood

Jo: salmon

Skell: red 

that’s a good variety i think

[dee-writes-sometimes]

ask me about my ocs?

[dee-writes-sometimes]

The two genres of my stories: oh! look at them living happy lives! good for them, good for them! or (@ main character) I will kill everyone you love <3

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Any suggestions for a villain team? (Powers wise)

[dee-writes-sometimes]

I have added some info n stuff

[dee-writes-sometimes]

And we’re done. Counting back in his head, Sterling stepped offstage in a cloud of butterflies. Maybe the claps would be exciting if his heart was in it, but he was just doing it to be able to keep living in the house the theater owner was too tired to sell. Another count to three and he heard the loud click of the spotlights turning off and the crowd chatter and leave.

A sigh of relief and he started making his way backstage to get his stuff and leave. He walked down the stairs, instinctively stepping over the loose one that nobody ever bothered to fix. Months of practice will have you in a routine fairly quickly. This routine was so ingrained in his head, Sterling almost ran right into the young man in the back room.

“Woah! I am so sorry! I didn’t notice you were there and I-“ finally looking up, Sterling blinked in confusion. “I… don’t recognize you.” The stranger laughed before introducing himself. “My name’s Leon. What you were doing back there was awesome.” “Sterling, but I um… I guess you know that.” Another chuckle from Leon.

One of the most striking things about his appearance was probably his bright, mismatched eyes. One a deep purple and one a warm gold. They both glimmered in the light, almost mesmerizing. “You good?” Realizing he had been staring, Sterling shook his head and laughed. “Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today! Anyway, I suppose you’re back here for a reason?”

“Ah yes, the reason I’m here. Well, I heard there was a fellow magician in town and figured I had to check them out.” “Fellow magician? You can do magic too?” The look on Sterling’s face must have been priceless, because Leon’s mouth turned up in a smirk. “Yep, sure can. In fact,” holding up his finger, which now had a small flame on it, Leon continued, “I need help with something.”

“Help? What kind of help?”

“Well, there’s rumors of an ancient gem in the Fortune mountains-” Now it was Sterling’s time to laugh. “Leon, I’m sorry but I don’t think I’m the right person for the job…”

“Really?” Leon raised an eyebrow and extinguished the flame. “From what I saw back there, I think you could handle anything that trip could throw at you.” Sterling smiles sadly at that. “Yeah well, I doubt a swarm of dragonflies is going to do anything outside of a show.” “Really? You think that was all theatrics? I saw that, you have some serious talent! I bet you could make it!”

“Sorry, but I’m going to have to pass. I hope you find your gem!” Leon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Alright, well there isn’t much more I could do to convince you. All I can ask is you think about it? I’m going to be heading off tomorrow, so if you decide to come, meet me at the green fountain on 32nd street.” Nodding quickly, Sterling grabbed his stuff and left.

[dee-writes-sometimes]

Ok so all of your OCs are so cool and I love them and they are amazing! Just letting you know! 💜

🥺🥺

I know i overuse those emojis but seriously thank you so so much :)

[dee-writes-sometimes]

oc list

because you people aren’t in my brain so i should probably make this for ask games n stuff

Leon

Sterling

Cath

Nailah

Carrie

Ember

Rowan

Hunter

Skell

Kelsi

Den

Lana

Tasha

Ava

Selene

Rachel

Bella

Lucas

Chase

Abby

Marvin

Will

Oliver

Quill

Lorne

Melissa

Shade

Wynn

George

Rock

Nat

Jack

Lexi

Jo

[dee-writes-sometimes]

I’m probably going to regret this but do you want to see some random parts of the three paragraphs of writing I did last night?

[dee-writes-sometimes]

*Ahem*

Send me a 🐢 and I'll share a random fact/ fact about the development of one of my Ocs.