#DWC-Ego

[silversoulcreations]

Admiral's Orders.

My Dearest Brother, Some might call me on this for my own damned self, but you have been cooped up in your home for far too long. Lytharos is all but a man, You are alone. You are miserable. I know what it is you seek, but if you do not actually get OUT, You will never find it. I cannot watch you waste away any to nothing. Your happiness is important to me.

Thus, I have made arrangements for you to attend several functions, the first of which is an informal event this Friday, where you will put that lovely singing voice we were both graced with to the proof. The second, a party late Saturday evening. Do not ask questions, I have included an outfit for you to wear to the latter. Please, I beg you, Try to have some fun for once. It won’t kill you, and I don’t want you to end up like me. Go. Live. That’s an Order. With deepest Sincerity, Your Brother, Admiral Jarethius Nialo

Jaredian blinked, reading over the letter again, before glancing towards the bed to find a wrapped parcel awaited. Swallowing hard, he silently cursed his brother's meddling. Jarethius had always been the outgoing one, the one who had seen the world, who had experienced it's joys and sorrows, who had, as he said, -lived-. Carefully he moved to the parcel, poking at it with his cane, first, before slowly unraveling the parchment, only to let out a soft gasp, and close it again. "Damnit Jareth... Egotistical, self serving... molted mangy mutt of a-..." He trailed off, his head bowed, shaking it slightly. He -meant- well, of course, but to make it a bloody -order?- What was he going to do, Shoot him?

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As it turns out, he very well might have attempted to shoot him... At the very least, when he went to complain, Friday morning, Jarethius very well -did- point his pistol at his brother, re-iterating in that fake but oh so often used pirate accent just how much he meant his words. So he went. He attended the little get together from one of the performer's guilds. He stood on the stage, and he sang. He crooned and purred in velvet tones from the heart. He even found friends old and new amongst the crowd... One obstacle down. Not that he would have considered it an obstacle after the fact, despite his nerves. He'd enjoyed himself, tremendously, but... Staring at the outfit sitting across the room from himself, his mismatched eyes of blue and green simply stared, one part terrified, one part excited for what was to come.

Could he really do this?

[daily-writing-challenge]

DAILY WRITING CHALLENGE 2024 IS BACK!

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE ACTUAL WORD FOR THIS CHALLENGE, YOU MAY SIMPLY BASE YOUR STORY AROUND ONE OF THESE IDEAS!

Choose one or both words/IDEAS and write a story, drabble, poem, or anything else once a day, every day, for a week!

Tag @daily-writing-challenge so we can reblog your stories.

Write the number day/challenge somewhere on your story.

LIST CONTENT WARNINGS VISIBLY ABOVE STORY! (Use a ‘read more’ line if content gets too graphic.)

Tags that will be used: #augustdwc2024,  #augustdayX2024 (X=whatever number day you’re writing for), #yourtumblrurl

There will be no optional challenges for the weekly DWC’s, but please feel free to make up some of your own challenges!

The next writing challenge will be in NOVEMBER 2024 and last one week!

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We look forward to reading some amazing writing!

((Written word list below the cut))

Day 1 - August 11 Melee, Tournament

Day 2 - August 12 Violence, Tenderness Day 3 - August 13 Fatality, Journey

Day 4 - August 14 Ego, Coincidence Day 5 - August 15 Mistake, Wild Day 6 - August 16 Corruption, Fulfillment Day 7 - August 17 Enigma, Victory

[raxwel-blythe]

DWC - Bonus Day - Armor/Snap

He'd never been much of an "up close and personal" kind of fighter.

It wasn't his style, didn't tend to end well in his experience.

He'd certainly been in no shortage of barroom brawls and after several black eyes and a handful of concussions he learned that staying out of arms length probably worked best for him.

Now…was he above dropping a laxative in someone's drink to get them out of the way so he could go exploring while they were…otherwise occupied? Or paying a few bystanders outside to create a nice little distraction just outside someone's shop to cause a disturbance? Or even potentially creating a whole set-up to upend a carefully planned operation by sleeping with the target of said operation if it meant getting the information he wanted without direct confrontation.

He absolutely was not above any of those things because one — it meant he was less likely to get punched in the head…again.

And two — and more importantly — he didn't have to waste money on what was being passed for armor these days.

(Not that he'd ever been a particular "fan" of what the armorers sold, but he digressed.)

And yet, here he stood — in the middle of an armory trying to figure out why this piece looked like it belonged in a sex shop instead of in being predominantly displayed in the middle of this shop along with the chest pieces.

Honestly, the things he did for his clientele. Not that one had to be a fucking information broker to figure out that maybe this man wasn't the most…experienced of artisans.

"What…exactly is this supposed to protect?" Raxwel turned his head and squinted — he was certain he looked more like Finn than he had in his entire life as he glanced over the piece of metal being presented to him.

"It's not obvious?"

He scoffed, turning towards the armorer — a human — doing his damnedest not to laugh (and not doing a very good job of it). "Look, unless you're needing to get off between fights or letting everyone know that you have a raging hard-on at every possible moment, which by the way, isn't healthy and you really should see a physician about that, no. It's not obvious. And also — I don't know who else you're selling to, but are they okay? Do they need an ego boost? Do you?"

He pointed towards the piece. "That is not a normal size, good sir. I mean, maybe for an ogre. But if you're fucking an ogre then we have other things to discuss."

The 'armorer', if he could really be called that, stuttered and flailed a bit before puffing out his chest. "I…that area needs to be protected, sir."

"I'm not saying it doesn't, but that's a good way for the damn thing to get broken. And don't get me started on the few pieces you have in here for women — I mean, come on. Are you charging them for material or the lack of?"

More sputtering, more bluster.

Raxwel sighed.

"Look — just food for thought here, alright? Maybe…maybe armor isn't your thing. Hm? You clearly have a…ahem, artistic focus. Why not make use of that, just with…a different kind of material." He pointed at the first piece he'd been discussing, "Something that isn't metal, hm?"

He waited…and waited…and waited…before sighing heavily as the implication apparently missed the other man entirely, if the blank stare he received was any indication.

"Look — you have debtors that are waiting to climb all over you. You clearly have some type of artistic…something. Very phallic in nature, but not getting into that. Set up a sex shop or something — armor clearly isn't your thing. And maybe move to a different location. Quickly. Just a thought. The Cathedral District probably isn't the best place to sell armor that looks like your dick is sticking out all day every day!"

He set a hand on the armor's shoulder and toss a small bag of gold on the counter as he exited the shop. He had a report to make back to his employers.

A few weeks later he was not surprised that the small armory had closed down, and even less surprised to hear that an interesting new little shop had cropped up…thankfully NOT in the Cathedral District.

@daily-writing-challenge

[kharrisdawndancer]

DWC August 2024 - Day 4 - Ego/Coincidence - Khaeris

Khaeris had taken in the words of the Infinite dragon with piqued interest. There were several dragons in various states of form throughout the Everywhen Inn. He had been discussing, loudly, the origin of his Flight. The blue dragon he had been flirting with had smiled. His ego had not let him see that she wasn’t that interested.

Nordoromu--Murozond--had fractured timeways. Khaeris had vaguely known that. But she had never thought about it in direct relation to her own situation--not having discovered her own situation until it had been going on for a while already.

Khaeris, unlike many, DID believe in coincidence. But this was one of the best theories she had. Unlike the infinite from the inn, Khaeris did not have the ego to think she was pivotal in some way, so it was all an accident.

For Khaeris, a happy accident.

@daily-writing-challenge

[nahisummerhold]

Harbinger of Disaster

@daily-writing-challenge - Aug 2024 - Day 4 - Ego/Coincidence

(Part 1, part 2 is getting written because I am having too much fun with the entire situation, might be a Part 3 even but they won’t be on DWC just funsies on my blog)

Sauntering into the bar from a back entrance with a garment bag over her shoulder. Nahi had come in early with her copy of the bar recipes for the Masquerave to go over with Pathyn. It was going to be her performance for the night and she was going to put in the time to make it look good. 

Dressed only in shorts and her Hearts of Tenacity cut off t-shirt because she needed something sassy in her life to help distract her from the portents that were heard in the streets more and more along with the troops that were assembling. Tossing the bag with her stage outfit across one of the tables she turned to the bar just now noticing that there was someone there talking to Pathyn. It iwas not the first time she had performed for strangers but usually she practiced to a point of perfection before she did and she was no where close to that good at bartending.

Tipping her head up she walked over, her eyes only on Pathyn, “Hey there!” She ducked under the flip up entry to the bar instead of opening it, when she stood up she stopped in her tracks. 

“You…” the dark man across the bar hissed softly, “Are you my personal harbinger of disaster?” 

Catching Nahi speechless was a hard feat but seeing the Illidari she spent her last night in Tempest Keep with sitting right there smacked her in the face and took her breath away. Not.. a… word…. escaped her, she just stared.

Pathyn looked between the two surprised at first then a slow grin spread across his face. “You know each other?” 

“Know as in a physical way? Or know as in we even exchanged names?” The Illidari asked, not looking at Nahi, not needing to.

She still just stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, something she was sure he could hear. 

The bartender settled his look on Nahi finally, his voice was as teasing as hers normally was, “The floor is not so sticky as to keep you there.” 

A deep sexy chuckle escaped the other Kaldorei, fel take them both… well she guessed it already had one of them. “Sorry, I just didn’t know you had company, my friend.” One foot moved, then the other and she totally ignored the demon hunter. 

“Yes, he and I are close and he wanted to make sure I was taking the threat to the city serious. Came to help me get my things out of the city.” Pathyn was still just looking at her with a curious look. 

As she hadn’t been asked anything other than if they knew each other, which had been answered already. she got to ignore half of the men in the room. “I am glad you are preparing then. I brought the menu, finally got it.”

Pathyn looked like he was on the verge of falling over laughing, an expression she was ignoring as much as she was the dark presence. Except she noticed everything about the Illidari out of the corner of her eye, he would have been hard for her to miss anywhere she thought. She had just been thinking about him the other night, what did Dina say? You manifest that which you focus on? It was unfair, she hadn’t wished for him to be around, she was just remembering that night. 

Taking the list she opened it on the bar a couple spots down from Pathyn’s friend, “Yes, and they look amazing, and amazingly complicated. Help me learn to make them properly, with a little bit of flair?” She turned pleading eyes on him but there was not a hint of begging in her tone, part of that look was so he could help her ignore his friend.

Well the last was not caught, or he ignored it, “Of course I told you I would, we have worked for weeks on it already. I am sure we won’t mind hanging out a little longer.” He started to look over the menu, “So where did the two of you meet?”

“Tempest Keep.” The other man answered for them both, which was good because she didn’t want to talk about it. Didn’t even want to think of that night if she could. 

“What?” Pathyn lifted his head, and all teasing was gone when he looked at Nahi replaced by more than a hint of concern. “You were there?” He must have heard the story of what happened from his friend because of that look. Fuck.

Nahi drew in a breath and huffed it out softly. “Yes,” she paused and her voice wavered, “it was not the best of nights.”

The demon hunter growled softly, a sound that she had heard before and really liked it, she kind of still liked it, damn him, “Understatement.” 

“Shut the fuck up Kyeanadril.” Pathyn said, “You can be a real asshole sometimes, you know that?”

“Like you can’t?” Humor crept into that deep voice, “And no fair, now she knows my name but I don’t know hers.”

Pathyn snapped back, “And I am not telling you it either. Maybe if you stop being an antagonistic shit head, she might.” He looked at the list again, “Wow, they go all out, these are amazing. You don’t need to do too much to make them special.”

Nahi snorted and then looked back to the drink list, little chance of her telling Kyeanadril anything. “Yes but I want to. I don’t want to be boring.”

“She likes a spectacle,” the Illidari said.

The other Kaldorei spoke at the same time, “As if you ever could be.” He ignored his friend then, just like she was.

The trouble was, Nahi wasn’t ignoring him at all. His comment stung, as it was mostly true, but she was a performer now and it was her job to keep people’s attention on her. “Yes, and I need to memorize them while trying to remember how to make them and actually look cool while doing it.”

“How is your arm?” He asked while still looking at the menu.

“I can do almost everything I could before. Working on strength with it still, but I can grip bottles and glasses, I have been practicing at home.” She said and picked up a bottle and rolled it over the back of her left hand like he had showed her. 

Suddenly fel eyes were on her face, “What happened to your arm?”

“I broke it,” she replied. Fuck, so much for ignoring him.

Which he noticed. “Good girl,” he said with a sexy smile. 

Double fuck. 

Pathyn looked between them again, “Should I leave?”

They both answered, “No.” Agreeing with him did not make her feel any better. In fact his not wanting to be around her also stung.

“Why are you here?” Kyeanadril asked her.

“Work,” she said as she started to pull bottles for the first drink out.

He gave another sexy chuckle, “Work hmmm?” Implying a much different kind of work.

Pathyn sighed, “She sings here, asshole. I told you that the singer tonight is incredible, right?”

“Takes after her mother, hmm?”

Nahi dropped a bottle, yelped, and bent to get it, thank goodness for impact resistant flooring. Pathyn knew nothing about her life, this was getting too complicated, even more than him just being here was. Now, she could feel her friend’s attention on her without having to look up. “Alright… both of you… enough,” he said. “Nahi, breathe. Kyean, stop being an asshole.”

And now he knew her name too, triple fuck. Sun but Nahi hated feeling out of sorts like this, but she listened and took a deep breath.

“Nahi, hmmm?” Kyean spoke lowly, “You don’t tell me what to do, Pathyn.” There was danger in his voice. 

Pathyn took the bottle from Nahi while looking in her eyes, “Sit.” He had never tried to boss her around before, guide her in her learning but he was never bossy. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her onto the back counter, a spot she enjoyed when she was watching him. Now it had an added advantage of putting her and Kyean further apart. “Kyean, I don’t know what fucked up shit is between the two of you but she is my friend and I am reaching the end of my patience with you being shitty to her. She has asked for my help, and my help does not include being harassed by my cousin.”

Taking another breath she looked at the Illidari, he was just as dark, dangerous and sexy as he had been the night they met. “Yes, I sing just like my mother used to. Well, not exactly the same, but I am a singer.”

“A fucking good one too,” Pathyn said in support.

“If you are so good, why are you learning bartending?” Kyeanadril asked.

“I joined a group of performers but we can’t all be on stage at the same time so I offered to bartend. I can do the basics but there's no reason I can’t do more.” Nahi answered him honestly. Of all her one night stands he was the one that would come back to her most often. He wouldn’t have stayed nameless that night if the keep hadn’t been invaded, she had been enjoying their time too much.

He kept ‘staring’ at her and that made her hackles rise. She wanted to defend herself, or explain more, or do anything but sit here like some child. It was not her fault that she was so short compared to them that sitting on the high counter helped her equal the difference slightly, fel she wasn’t even short when it came to other Sin’dorei, but these men were giants, Kyean more that Pathyn if she remembered correctly, but both made her feel tiny.

Pathyn cleared his throat, “Nahi, let’s get to work on the first one here. Kyean, didn’t you plan to go visit your friend?” 

“No,” he said lowly.

Triple, no quadruple fucks. “Fine,” she said, but smiled warmly at Pathyn, her shortness was not for him after all. “Let’s do this.”

Somehow, they got finished with the first and Nahi felt pretty good about it, she even managed to ignore Kyean after a bit. Popping up on her toes she kissed Pathyn on the cheek as the manager announced that the doors were opening in five minutes.

[sirdolraan]

Meet-Awkward

(( DWC August 2024 Day 4, Ego/Coincidence, CW: None; @daily-writing-challenge ))

"Ah, Sir Dolraan, it's good to have you and the Meddlers at our side," Khadgar said, shaking Dolraan's hand as the others filed in behind him.

"Same to you, Archmage. A few years of relative peace aren't enough to rob us of our edge, where are we needed?"

Lorellai's gaze wandered as Khadgar and Dolraan began to discuss the ghostly memories that were appearing across the world, and fell on the glittering, still form of Magni Bronzebeard, with Queen-Regent Moira kneeling at his side. The former king's body shone in the low light of the chamber, and Lorellai could hardly drag her eyes away. The stories hadn't done it justice, a dwarf made of living diamond.

Her reverie was broken by a warm hand on her shoulder. "And who do we find but one of the League's finest up-and-comers, ready to answer tha call!" Brann Bronzebeard declared, giving her shoulder a friendly shake as a handsome young man with spectacles and pockets full of scrolls and tomes followed in behind him. "Toddy speaks highly of your abilities lass, glad to see yeh here!"

Lorellai smiled back, taking his hand and shaking it. "Well, just happy to help where I'm needed."

"Is this a friend of yours, Uncle?" the dark iron lad asked, straightening his glasses, his gaze torn between the unconscious speaker and his desire to be polite.

"Ach, that's right, you've not met yet. Dagran me lad, this here is Lorellai Truthhammer, one of the Dragonscale Expedition's finest champions. Aided in several key discoveries -and- stood against the primalists t' boot! Lorellai, this is my nephew-"

"Dagran Thaurissan the Second." Moira's voice rang out, putting a chill over the conversation. "My son, would you please attend me, your grand-da needs us both right now." Something about her voice and gaze made Lorellai feel only a foot tall.

"Oh, of course Mother. A pleasure to meet you, Lorellai, perhaps we can talk about your discoveries once things are calmer," Dagran offered, smiling genially as he strode to his mother's side. Lorellai nodded, then barely held back from shrinking under the icy stare of Queen Moira.

"Oh, would yeh look at that!" Brann said a bit louder than he needed to, "I think yer meddler friends are gettin' ready to head out, go on lass, we'll catch up later." Brann patted her on the shoulder, before leaning in close. "Don't take it personal, lass. Old hurts and all that. You're a good egg."

Lorellai nodded, stepping back with a slight bow to the royals before turning to join the others at the portals, her gaze lingering as it met Dagran's once more, before she went off to join the fight.

[jacelandon]

August DWC 2024 Day 3 - Fatality

Warnings: Death, brief mentions of gore

Jace squeezed the evil eye pendant hanging around his neck as he traversed through the dense forests of Darkmoon Island. A place he’d always warn others not to go, a place even many of the inhabitants of the Island dare not tread, but he had nothing to fear here even if it was unsettling at times. Like today.

The fog lay thick along the tops of the trees, creating a ominous blanket of gloom across the twisted and warped branches. There was no sound of animal or insect, which only amplified the crunch and crack of sticks and leaves beneath his gentle footfalls and his faint hum of a song he had been practicing earlier in the day. 

A practice interrupted by Silas Darkmoon, requesting Jace’s uncanny tracking skills in trying to locate a missing faire-goer who was last seen wandering near the forest’s edge. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last, but both men knew damn well that he was actually looking for a corpse. He didn’t always find the bodies, sometimes the forest would claim them as their own and leave no trace. It was a fickle thing, yet somehow Jace knew he was safe here.

He stopped, allowing the silence to overwhelm and eclipse.  Crouching, fingers pressed to the dirt below.  Inhaling petrichor, exhaling ego, a whispered tune touched his lips:

There is no world above you There is no world below you Is no world in front of you Is no world behind you No world beside you

A tepid breeze brushed his cheek, guiding his steps both far and deep.  The air grew thick here in the Heart, a sign of warning.  The invasive stench of death grew closer, things here were not meant to keep.

When the hour of pain has come It is You or Me To live is to breathe, to fight, and to suffer Brave every day Only the dreaded last lends peace

The fog lifted in the clearing ahead, and he found his lost soul genuflecting to the Gods as if pleading his case in his final moments. A sacrificial lamb in full blood eagle glory, there was something almost divine in the way the thick canopy of trees parted just enough to allow a thin pinpoint of light to catch his lifeless gaze. A gift on display.

There is no world that is not of the will Being ruled to life, to growing, to power Because you also carry this core in you Even if your sun is called humility And your enemy is merely yourself in the end

He exhaled the petrichor and the stench and the reticence. How long had he been here? He tore his mesmerized gaze away, attempting to catch the shadows dancing along the edges of his vision. Nothing there. Clarity finally crept back in and Jace took the communication device from his pocket. After finding the correct frequency that would work in this particular part of the forest, “I found him. As expected.” 

“Get rid of him.”

It was almost a shame to have to ruin such a beautifully macabre scene, but the risk of someone else discovering him wasn’t worth it. A missing person was better than this truth, and Silas Darkmoon was only protecting his own.

@daily-writing-challenge

[anunendinggaze]

DWC - August - Day 4 - Ego

There was gently music to the sound of the charcoal to paper, each stroke and strike of the black rock to the brilliant white paper bringing to life another idea from the ether. Many wondered where they all came from, like a wondrous song that filled the minds of creatives to build upon creation. It was very poetic. Daseyd did not have time for poetics.

Dark Iron life was filled with hard edges, strong blocks, and resiliency in the face of all opposition. This Dark Iron would have laughed at such trivial thoughts, but laughter was a sign of weakness and frivolity. He didn't have time for such things. Time was money. Money lead to projects. Projects lead to exposure. Exposure lead to money. It was a simple circle, and he excelled at it very well.

For years he had struggled within the confines of his race and the animosity that had been bred from his people and their former emperor. Slinking and struggling within depths of the Spire, hammers rising and falling to the heat and to of the will of Ragnaros. A miserable life of slavery. No creativity. No inspiration.

No money.

All work.

It made for a very dull life.

Eventually salvation arrived, granted it came in the shape of the murder of the Emperor it was still a good day. But just because one emperor died didn't mean it was the end of the monarchy as a Queen took the place. She wasn't too bad but she wasn't right either. But Daseyd knew when to keep his mouth shut. To keep his eyes down. To bow when you needed. And eventually do what you were going to do anyways.

It was a glorious day to be free of Blackrock, to leave the fiery heat and enter the cool air of the mountains to the north. To walk halls he'd only been told tales of and to smile in the face of all the ugly stares of his mountain 'kin'. He didn't think it was wise to relish in the grim glares of the 'beardlings' but it had felt good to 'sully' their fetid halls. He had especially enjoyed working at their own forges in the heart of the city.

But all good things come to a close as new jobs and new ideas arrive. His skills were impressive, his ideas possible, and his ability to make the money go far indispensable. It only made sense the Twilight Hammer would come knocking at his door.

He had had his doubts about them at first with their far off stares and reverent talks of Old Ones. He'd seen enough 'gods' and prophesy in his lifetime, they'd likely end up just the same. Refusing the offer made sense. Until they brought the gold.

It was a long journey across the sea to Kalimdor. A long journey by cart to the south and finally into the east, into the black sands Silithus. He hated the heat still. Especially the sand. But then they had given him a true gift to play with.

Elementium.

The charcoal pen broke in his hand as he frowned at it, his fingers black as the smoldering beard braided down his face.

He had been diving too deeply into his memories as he blinked a few times. Days of glory, days of power, days of profit. It was still there. He knew it despite the catastrophe of the sword. The Tower would always stand. He'd made sure of it.

Eyeing his broken drawing he saw what he had been sketching was very similar to the initial design of the trap of his former employer. A very slight smile came to his usually dour face, a thick finger coming to trace the edge of the upside down tower of black and sand. As long as it stood, the prisoner should be in there. Or as much as he assumed. When the money ran out, so did he. Business came first.

There was a soft clack as a new piece of chalk was placed before him, thin darkened hand holding it gently in it's spot. His black brows would rise as his burning sight would follow the thin hand, up wrist, passed the forearm, and eventually up to the drawn withered face. A face with pale purple eyes. Purple eyes filled with nothing.

"Oplisca," Daseyd would whisper as he saw her.

There was a soft tick of a turn to her head as the withered cultist looked at her former contractor. Her cracked and weathered lips would part as she spoke in a her soft croak of a whisper. "Good evening, master architect."

@daily-writing-challenge

[fio-renze]

August DWC 2024 Master List

Day 1 - August 11: Melee/Tournament | Fiorenze Day 2 - August 12: Violence/Tenderness | Pyraelia Day 3 - August 13: Fatality/Journey | Serazhen Day 4 - August 14: Ego/Coincidence | Fiorenze/Sheizara Day 5 - August 15: Mistake/Wild | Fiorenze/Yserina Day 6 - August 16: Corruption/Fulfillment | Yserina Day 7 - August 17: Enigma/Victory | Fiorenze

@daily-writing-challenge

[xylaes]

February DWC Day 6 - Devoted, Trauma

Storyline Progression: Prologue -> Here Fio Day 1 -> Here Xylaes Day 1 -> Here Pyraelia Day 2 -> Here Taric Day 3 -> Here Lynesse Day 3 -> Here Sheizara Day 4 -> Here Red Day 5 -> Here Fiorenze Day 5 -> Here

There wasn’t much that he could do to help Fiorenze through her ‘predicament’. His new magic was still largely unpredictable, he had no healing abilities, and he definitely had no clue what to do when it came to dealing with moving souls from one thing or body to another. Thankfully, the rest of those involved seemed to have it covered, or at least knew experts that were able to help. 

So instead, he devoted himself to keeping her company during those quiet hours while she was still stuck within the mirror. He could tell she was frightened and didn’t want to be left alone. Who could blame her? There was nothing in there, just an empty void and her own intrusive thoughts.

He did his best to remain positive and keep calm; him not panicking and letting her know that they all had everything under control seemed to put her at ease. It wasn’t the entire truth, he had no idea if Red and Taric could get the invasive soul out of her body, nor did he know if Pyraelia could get her soul out of this mirror and back into her body. There were a lot of ‘what ifs’ involved, but everyone seemed to know what they were doing. He cared deeply for her, so it didn’t stop him from worrying.

He never pressed her too hard for information, there was no sense in making her more uncomfortable when there was a chance that she may be stuck in the mirror for a long time, or possibly forever. Plus, he was pretty certain that everything she was telling herself was much worse than anything he could have ever said to her regarding this entire situation. In some of the darker hours, she did mention that she was trying to help her house, and that the idea of dying after being in the Shadowlands scared her. Understandable to an extent, but not great reasoning. There was much more to it, a lot she was leaving out that he would probably hear at some point. Maybe. 

In the end everything went about as well as it could have gone while he poker-faced his way through the entire ordeal. Yet, his worry still remained, mostly because he realized what the trauma would likely do to her. She was a proud woman and this was a massive blow to the ego...but it also wasn’t his mess to clean up. She did this to herself, she should have known better. Plus, he could feel his own anger and disappointment finally reaching a stage where he realized he needed to go. 

When she was finally awake, he smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead and told her that he was glad she was safe now. Then, he left. He didn’t tell her he was leaving; he did mention that he was returning to the Isles to Pyraelia in passing, but that was it. This next part she could deal with alone.

@fio-renze @pyraelia @tristennedarkmorn @taricdarkmorn @daily-writing-challenge​

[ooc-miqojak]

DWC Day 5: Ambition/Relentless

(( I can't decide if I want to commit to a sideblog for my WoW alts, so have a piece that's not about Lily - it's about my High Elven mage Cassiopia, who I've long had things in mind for, but not really gotten to play.))

"Describe Cassiopia in two words?"

The harried, violet-clad sorcerer airs a breathless laugh -

"Ruthless ambition?"

"Cut-throat academic."

"Fashionable... yet intimidating."

"Rich bitch."

Few were those who hadn't seen her about Dalaran, or its myriad of classrooms, libraries, or parties - fewer, still, those who had anything positive to say about the little woman.

"I heard she studied through the fall of Quel'thalas."

"I wish I could blame her money, or family name, but she's really just that good... the unfortunate part is just that she knows that."

"Her? She's just a tall pile of hair on top of an even bigger ego... on the most bite-sized morsel."

[nebulouswaters]

@kebinwooo

Hello! It is me, your carat anon! I sent you an ask but just in case it didn't go through, I've had a great time being your anon over the past few weeks and I hope we can continue being friends!!

A lot of people think I'm weird or crazy for this, but it has been my dream for 6/7 years now to move to Alaska once I graduate. It's hard to explain to some people, but the few times I've visited have felt so much like home in a way that my birthplace never has! Plus it's not hot, it's got wildlife, and is one of the most beautiful places on earth (imo). This whole COVID thing has really messed with my plans however, as the AK economy is directly tied to gas prices and since those crashed so hard earlier this year, I don't know if anyone is looking to hire a new grad. 😢 But I'll get there someday!!

First vs Latest Kpop group: Like most ppl who got into Kpop the past few years I first stanned BTS! It's actually kind of a weird story, I first heard their song Danger through a Mystic Messenger MMD on YouTube... Dhhsdhsk I clicked on it as joke cause I figured it would be kinda cringy and then was like, wow, I actually really like this. The latest group I've seriously gotten into is Ateez, they are a super talented and fun group and I have high hopes for them!

Biases: My first ever bias was V, purely because I had a dream about him a few days after I got into BTS. Terribly creative on my part. = p Buuut then I started stanning RM and JHope as the underappreciated members of BTS. For a while now tho my biases have been DK and The8 from SVT and Felix from SKZ. DK is so handsome and just has such a beautiful voice and a pure heart and The8 is so confident and creative and unique and his looks are so otherworldly - like he looks like a fairy or elf or some mythical creature. And Felix has such a cute face and freckles and is so cute and awkward and has worked so hard to get where he is and but is still down to earth and makes terrible smoothies and pancakes.

Favorite Songs: I already went into this a bit above, but my first favorite song was Danger. I think in my first year or so some of my favorite songs were Danger and Blood Sweat and Tears by BTS, Boom Boom and DWC by SVT, One Shot by BAP, I'll be Yours by Girl's Day, and Plz don't be sad by Highlight. Now, some of my favorites are Answer by Ateez, Outro: Ego by BTS, Easy and Voices by Stray Kids, Heroine and pporappippam by Sunmi, and Feel Special by Twice.

As far as how my tastes have changed, I've become more open to a lot of different types of music - not just alt rock and pop type stuff. I used to hate ballads and slower songs and while they're still not my favorite I xan now appreciate them from time to time. Also I'm glad to say that I am no longer in my "Not like other girls" phase and can now appreciate cutesy girl group bops like Likey and Wee Woo (I missed my time to stan Pristin and I'll always regret it 😢) (pledis sucks)

[kierarutherford]

"the only person getting hurt here is you" for the DWC!

Oh, I got me some pre-relationship Cullen x Diana with a touch of grr mixed in. Ya, grr. it’s a thing. @dadrunkwriting

Cold. It was always cold at Haven. The wind whipped through the tents and training yard like a well hewn blade when the sun crested down over the ridges of the Frost Back Mountains. But that never stopped Diana, not when her mind was made up, and not when a challenge was issued. To be fair it’d been boiling over for some time and this was as healthy a way of dealing with it as she could muster. Not that Cullen was making it any bloody easier. 

Rolling her neck she ignored the stinging cold as it clipped through her training gear,��“are you sure you wish to do this now? We can wait till morning.” Cullen grumbled, his discomfort clear upon his face equal to his frustration. “And let you stew in it overnight, never.” Diana rolled the pommel in her palm, feeling the weight of the wooden practice blade. It wasn’t perfect, far from it. There was nearly a complete smoothness to the grip and the blade was dented and battered, but that was wooden practice equipment. It broke easily and often. 

“Fine. Rules?” Cullen barked back as he hung his cloak over his desk before returning to the area set out for them. “First to give, or disarm. I believe those are far rules, less you disagree?” Smirking as she took her place in the ring she caught the small flash of competitiveness spark across his eyes. “I accept.” Cullen growled as he began digging his foot into the loose soil, testing it’s firmness with the toe of his boot. “I will not hold back.”

“Oh worried for me are you? The only person getting hurt here is you and your pride, farm boy.” Seeing the vein throb at the side of his neck she couldn’t help the wide grin upon her face. “You planning on fighting or growling at me?”

“Put your skill where your tongue is!” Cullen barked back which only further amused her. “Oh I guarantee Commander, my tongue is quite skilled.” The instant he flushed she sprung. Loud banging clattered together as the wooden swords slapped against each other, splinters flaking off as they countered each other’s effort. 

Diana found it thrilling to be matched nearly twist for turn, while Cullen found his lack of progress frustrating. Several moments past as the two began to wear each other down. She knew well enough if she wanted to win she needed to make her move soon, before he out powered her. Seeing an opening she went for it, only to end up locking her blade with Cullen’s. Grumbling low under her breath she tried to pull her wrist back only to have it caught by Cullen’s free hand. “No fair!”

“Hand to hand was never ruled out.” Cullen grinned, that coy smirk of success. His smirk quickly turned into a look of confusion as she released her sword and thrust her hips in deep against his pelvis. With his weight against him she easily flipped him over onto his back, with a crashing thud. “I win,” he still had that insufferable grin. “No, you’re on your back.” Diana practically sang it as Cullen held his stance. “You lost your sword, Herald. I win.”

“A will except a draw and a rematch at a later date.” Diana rose from the ground, dusting herself off. “Unless that goes against your precious ego.”

“I can abide by a tie. For now. We will do this again in the light of day, where advantage goes to neither of us.” Rising off the ground he brushed himself off. “Perfect.” Diana sighed. “It appears we can get along, after I’ve had you on your back.” Licking her lips she caught the instant flush of red paint the top of his chest. “Good night Commander, I believe I am going for a nice, long, soak.”

“I..uh...” Stumbling over his words he was helpless but to stare as she purposely swayed her hips as she walked back to her cabin. “Maker preserve me.” Cullen sighed as he turned to head back to his tent. It was going to be a long night. 

[thedoctorwhocompanion]

An Evening With Terry Molloy (For Charity!)

An Evening With #DoctorWho's Terry Molloy (For Charity!), Courtesy of @BedfordWho

Presented by the Bedford Who Charity Con: we’re holding An Evening with Terry Molloy on Saturday 26th November 2022 – and DWC readers are warmly invited! Among other things, Terry is a children’s author, the alter ego of rural reprobate Mike Tucker in The Archers (a part he’s been playing for 50 years!), and an authority on the craft of acting. He’s currently touring with Colin Baker as Sherlock…

[fio-renze]

How's Fio handling her recovery - is it a spiral? Or is she being more gentle with herself? You mentioned people pulling away, but is there anyone she's leaning on, or turning to after something so harrowing? What grounds her, at present? (Look I'm invested now, the DWC write-ups from all involved were so good!)

Wrote a novel for this so some of it is behind a page break!

Anytime anything happens that snaps Fio out of her usual selfish, entitled mode and makes her consider how her badly whatever actions happened that affect other people she cares about, she tends to break down before being able to build herself back up. This is usually reserved for big fights or major personal catastrophes like the Cursed Mirror issue as most of her more typical daily decisions don't have huge consequences.

This time I think it's going to take her a while to be gentle with herself, if she finds it in herself to do so at all. There are some extremely blurry lines in this case where she knows for a fact this was something she was interested in achieving because trying to come up with things that (may) make your life better via magic should be a good goal, but at a certain point there was a point of no return and usually it's MUCH easier to break away from some of her more harebrained ideas. Was the curse on the mirror to blame? Was she really just that into it? Were Theirastra's assurances and acknowledgements of how powerful she was just hitting her praise kink that hard? Regardless, it's done and happened (badly!), and now she has to figure out how to clean that up.

Like -- there are some obvious motives that she's carried with her for a long time, decades (maybe a century, even), and some that have popped up in the much shorter term. There was something within the whole effort that she was trying to prove and she totally failed at it, and that's a little rattling for her papier-mâché ego.

She's also started to come to terms with the notion that her position as the Grand Magister's agent within the Court of Nobles and requisite position within the Magistry was genuinely a punishment *and* an actual reprieve from being executed for her past crimes. It has only served to make her more paranoid and pushed her to try and grasp at power to fit in, and in this case gosh did she reach. So maybe it's time to see if there's an end to that sentence.

But she has started to kind of climb out of the despair hole (for now), and reached out to some people that she owes a massive apology to. It's below her integrity to apologize on paper or through text, so in person is the goal, but that is entirely now on when they're ready to hear that apology so she's in the waiting phase.

Keranna's stayed by her side the whole time, which is partially her job but realistically she's been more of a mother to Fiorenze than Cosima, her actual mother, ever was. She has a way of being gentle, but still honest, in ways Pyraelia and some of Fio's other friends don't -- and that makes it easier for Fio to talk things out and figure out what the path forward is a little better than just coming up against an anger wall.

As far as grounding goes -- mostly her garden. It's beautiful this time of year, and something she has spent over fifty years now cultivating. It is one of her favorite joys to sit out among the flowers with a book and a cup of tea and let the days pass by. Plus it means she's not inside in her rooms, and the fresh air makes the pains from her nerves trying to re-settle in a little bit more forgettable.

Thanks @whitedawn-wra!

[1111222333]

对。 想给你100个赞。 那些人不会连 zero day exploit 都没听过吧？  even the best systems in the world are not totally immune to this. i am actually more surprised at how much resources these criminals are using on him. all these attacks again and again take actual pro skills. if nothing else, it really proves how much value his tickets now have on the free market.  if your tickets do not have this sort of demand/value, people wouldn’t even put in this much effort and resources to get it in the first place.  

those fans/pr of other stars who likes to keep comparing with us on ticket sales, here’s the thing: did your ticket sales keep crashing ticket sales site servers for months on end? your concert/ticket sales came first. and then when it came to us, 1.0 just kept crashing sites again and again. so make a wild guess who had the greater demand. again, whatever your sales numbers are, i dont give a fucking shit. so please stop making your ego/PR my problem. thanks. 

BTW, 很多很多很多假粉丝 真黄牛/骗子。最近的都装得很像。 如果你平常都不认识哪位是大粉/真粉的 请不要真以为看起来像 jm 的都是真 jm。谢谢。 

DwC