#flow free like a river (musings; creed)

[offrozenmemoirs]

( what does your soul smell like? )

Seraph:

Freshly Baked Bread

key words: warm, inviting, kindness. you are the definition of cooking as a loved language and are at your strongest when creating something. others find you soothing to be around and feel at ease due to your genuine warmth and nurturing nature. you can be a mix of gentle and passionate, but it's that intensity that lives at the centre of your spirit that draws people to you most. compatible with: candle smoke, coffee, rosewater.

Makoto:

Candle Smoke

key words: self-assured, courageous, intuitive. you are an expert at overcoming your demons and should be proud of how brave you have consistently shown yourself to be. others are amazed by your perseverance, strong personality, and unapologetic uniqueness. compatible with: coffee, freshly baked bread.

Creed:

Fresh Linen

key words: refreshing, wit, humour. you are a relaxing person to be around and leave a positive impression on almost everybody you interact with! you're always sending the funniest memes in the groupchat and when you really like someone you can talk to them for hours on end. compatible with: fresh linen, grass and rain, rosewater.

Ariortos:

Coffee

key words: intelligent, old soul, complex. you are an extremely thoughtful individual with a creative mind and loving heart. being around you is like sinking into a warm bath. there's something truly wise about the advice you give others, and being in your presence leaves others feeling warm, reassured, and inspired. compatible with: coffee, candle smoke, freshly baked bread.

stolen from: @rexpyre

tagging: the people reading this

[moderncolors]

The Ultimate List of Alternative Baby Names { bohemian, hippie, offbeat, fantasy, goth baby names} So you've got a wee one on the way and you're looking for a name as unique as your new baby is going to be, am I right? Well, check out this great list of offbeat names for I've created just for creative moms and dads-to-be like you. A lot of these names are form lists I made when thinking of names for my two tots and some inspired by my favorite celebrity kid names and some are from the top of my head.  Yes, some of these names are "out there" and I've gotten a lot of hateful comments about this post (that's why comments are disabled) but what do you expect from a post called THE ULTIMATE LIST OF ALTERNATIVE BABY NAMES? If you like the names. Awesome! If you don't, that's cool too. To each his own! NOTE: I didn't separate the names by gender as many of these can work for both boys and girls! Last updated 9/28/18 ▲BOHEMIAN & ARTSY▲ Arlo, Allegra, Alto, Ariel, Art, August, Avery, Beau, Bell/Belle, Blue, Burgundy, Cass/ Cassy, Cobalt, Cosette, Cruz, Dali, Dancer, Delia, Delilah, Donatello, Early, Eartha, Flannery, Frida, Golden, Harper, Haven, Hawthorne, Hendrix, Henna, Holden, Holiday, Honor, Hugo, Indigo, Isa, Jazz, Kahlo, Kodak, Langston, Lazareth, Legend, Lennon, Leonardo, Limerick, Lyric, Magenta, Mandala, Mandolin, Marlowe, Merlot, Michelangelo, Monet, Muse, Orlando, Paloma, Pen, Picasso, Piper, Poem, Quinn, Raphael, Red, Rigby, Ringo, Royal, Rufus, Shakespeare, Sonata, Sonnet, Story, Symphony, Tango, Tempo, True/Tru, Truman, Tuesday, Uma, Vellum, Vin/Vino, Xuxa (Shusha),Yoko, Zora  amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "e98f453f5cf9b08a37caad8372b2923c"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B07HR5SS5B,B079H2V79B,B07GZPGJYW,B072TY48WK,B00OVJJUFM"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲COSMIC▲ Aries, Callisto, Cassiopeia, Celeste, Celestial, Cloud, Comet, Constellation, Cosmic, Cosmo/Cosmos, Earth, Eclipse, Elara, Jupiter, Libra, Luna/Lunar, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Nebula, Nova, Orion, Pluto, Sirius, Solar, Star, Starbright, Stardust, Starlight, Starshine, Vega, Venus amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00XQKJGVA,B07FDXY48N,B01DU228AO,B07J1CF5JW"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; ▲DESTINATIONS & TRAVEL▲ Africa, America, Asia, Austin, Brooklyn, China, Cairo, Columbia, Dakota, Dallas, Denver, East, Egypt, England, Everest, Geneva, Georgia, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Journey, Kenya, London, Morocco, Nazareth, Nevada, Niagara, North, Paris, Odessa, Orient, Peru, Rome/Roman, Russia, Scotland, South, Traveler, Venice, Vienna, Wander, West, Zion, Zanzibar amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B01ASVCW6K,B00408AA9O,B07KK5DSYF,B07JH8LKPR"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲FANTASY, MYTHOLOGY & SCI-FI▲ Amidala, Anakin, Apollo, Aragorn, Aries, Arwen, Artemis, Aslan, Athena, Atlas, Avalon, Dalek, Data, Elron, Elvin, Eros, Fairy/Faery, Faramir, Freya,  Geordi, Gimli, Gulliver, Hera, Hermione, Isis, Jareth, Járnsaxa, Jean-Luc, Jedi, Lando, Leia, Merry, Odin, Oz, Padme, Pan, Persephone, Philomena, Phoenix, Pippen, Pixie, Samwise, Sisko, Sirius, Solo, Sprite, Sulu, Tardis, Thor, Titan, Trillian, Troy, Venus, Xavier, Zeus amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B075FC488Z,B071Y215TY,B075K5S2DR,B07CG4P4VJ"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲GOTHIC▲ Alabaster, Armand, Ash, Belladonna, Blade, Blaze, Chalice, Cinder, Crimson, Damien, Dante, Draegan, Draven, Echo, Eclipse, Edge, Ember, Enigma, Essence, Eternity, Flame, Gabriel, Garnet, Gossamer, Gotham, Granite, Grimm, Hamlet, Illusion, Jet, Labyrinth, Lace, Lazarus, Lenore, Lestat, Loki, Lore, Lucretia, Maleficent, Maze, Memory, Midnight, Mist, Moonlight, Morrow, Morticia, Mystery, Nightshade, Noir, Obsidian,Onyx, Ophelia, Pandora, Panther, Poe, Porcelain, Prism, Rain, Rapture, Raven, Razor, Requiem, Rogue, Rosary, Sabre, Salem, Satin, Scarlet, Seraphim, Shade, Shadow, Steel, Stone, Storm, Talon, Thorne, Twilight, Veil, Velvet, Winter, Wolf, Zane amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B01MF8K902,B00I3Q5A4E,B00MMJR8KW,B00NYIADBG"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲HIPPIE▲ Breeze, Buzz, Chakra, Cheer, Cherish, Cosmic, Crystal, Dancer, Dawn, Daydream, Deja, Desert, Destiny, Dharma, Dream/Dreamer, Earth/Eartha, Echo, Feather, Flight, Flow, Flower, Free, Freedom, Grace, Gypsy, Harmony, Heart, Honesty, Hope, Janis, Joplin, Journey, Joy, June, Justice, Karma, Kind, Lennon, Liberty, Light, Lily, Love, Marley, Meadow, Melody, Mild, Misty, Morning, Om, Paisley, Patchouli, Peace, Peaceful, Promise, Rain, Rainbow, Serenity, Smile, Soulful, Spirit, Sunny, Sunshine, Windsong, Yogi, Zen, Zest, Ziggy amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B079LRGX9M,B079LNJFGS,B01FH6MRMU,B00IWTF4N4"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = ""; ▲NATURE▲ Almond, Apple, Aspen, Barley, Basil, Bay, Berry, Blossom, Canyon, Cayenne, Cedar (my daughter's name!),Cherry, Cinnamon, Clay, Clove, Clover, Coriander, Cove, Cypress, Daisy, Dayspring, Desert, Ebony, Fern, Fig, Flint, Flower, Forest, Ginger, Heather, Herb, Hill, Holly, Honey, Iris, Ivory, Ivy, Jasmine, Juniper, Kale, Land, Lavender, Leaf, Lilac, Lily, Linden, Lotus, Magnolia, Mango, Maple, Marigold, Meadow, Moss, Navy, Nest, Oak/Oakley, Olive, Parsley, Peach, Petal, Plum, Poppy, Posy, Rainbow, River (my son's name!), Rock, Root, Rose, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Slate, Snow, Spring, Spruce, Stone, Sunflower, Sweetpea,Thyme, Timber, Vine, Violet, Violet, Wheat, Willow, Wind, Woodland, Zinnia amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00EKRCCVO,B07MNWTX92,B00I2XNK4K,B07C432N49"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲NAUTICAL▲ Anchor, Aqua, Ariel, Bay, Captain, Coral, Crew, Cruise, Fleet, Harbor, Lake, Marina, Ocean, Oar, Pearl, Pike, Pirate, Reed, Reef, Sailor, Ship, Tide, Water, Wave amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00X236HEA,B01FMYE4TQ,B01M5DM815,B00MYWGTGQ"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲OFFBEAT & QUIRKY▲ Ale, Alos, Argyle, Banjo, Bloom, Buzz, Cab, Cajun, Cale, Canon, Cash, Chapter, Channel, Chartreuse, Chili, Chip, Cobb, Coco, Clear, Close, Creed, Curry, Cutlass, Day, Daily, Dax, Django, Domino, Dot, Ever, Faire, Fin, Flash, Flip, Gesa,  Glass, Go, Happy, History, Hopper, Iggy, Isla, Jagger, Jax, Lemma, Lesson, Libra, Limmy, Link, Linny, Little, Lucky, Kafe, Kid/Kyd, Kin, Kit, Knox, Magic, Mardi, Match, Message, Mixon, More, Moxie, New/Nu, Nico, Nomi, Nori, Only, Pharr, Pilot, Plan, Rango, Rebel, Reign, Right, Rip, Rocket, Rocky, Rogue, Roller, Rush, Setter, Seven, Share, Silk, Skill, Skip/Skipper, Stak, Sugar, Sully, Tall, Teal, Temple, Tex, Time, Tin, Trip, Vella, Valda, Virtual, Watts, Welcome, Wilder, Wire, Xan/Xantha, Zale, Zana, Zara, Zeb, Zeen, Zip, Zory, Zuma amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00W7399FU,B01LWWDM1F,B00008XL18,B00RCLGNT2,B0797PZWCT"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲PRECIOUS STONES▲ Amber, Amethyst, Cameo, Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Gem, Ivory, Jade, Jasper, Jewel, Jett, Lazuli, Malachite, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "mocotw-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B07779GK1D,B07DH5F6TQ,B00EV5C7CY,B00M9R28XY"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "c59c0f86e61a2f79d07a89219045df92"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_title = " "; ▲SPIRIT ANIMALS▲ Akita, Bear, Bee, Bird, Birdie, Bison,  Bonobo, Buck, Butterfly, Cat, Colt, Coyote, Crane, Cricket, Cub, Deer, Dingo, Doe, Dove, Dragonfly, Eagle, Emu, Falcon, Fawn, Feather, Fox, Gecko, Hare, Hawk, Ibis, Lark, Lynx, Nightingale, Otter, Phoenix, Pika, Puma, Quokka, Raven, Robin, Seal, Sparrow, Swan, Tiger, Wren amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; 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http://www.quirkybohemianmama.com/2015/05/the-ultimate-list-of-alternative-baby.html

[strangewriterforhire]

Long Winter: Homesick Ch1

“Ahh, can ya smell that?” the elder of the two riders crowed from the back of his mount. The steads mighty hooves stilled for a moment, and he took in a deep breath of morning air. The second rider, younger by a handful of years at least, stilled his horse’s progress alongside his companions and took a tentative sniff of the air as well.

Of the pair one was bearded, the other not. One was muscular, and the other not. One was confident with the assuredness of experience, whilst the other was new found in his abilities and skills. This easily took the form of cockiness as an attitude appropriate for his role. Both were dressed in the warm furs that were a necessity in the far north of the Rishian highlands, their faces exposed to the elements in an odd moment of airy calm. Usually a man who went face to face with the winds of the north would lose a whisker or two to the chill. But on that particular morning as the sun rose through gossamer clouds to the east, it was a risk the bearded man was willing to take.

“I canny smell a blasted thing ‘cept over worked horse,” The younger man said laconically, miming an exaggerated yawn as he followed the others gaze out across the rolling hillside. Down the ice shrouded mounts and bracken clad hills, the land flattened to what had once been the end of the world in their youth.

“Well ain’t you full of the poet’s musings this fine morning?” the elder grinned, leaning over in his saddle to give a playful slug to his partners fur covered shoulder. “I was hoping you could smell the scents of the place the way I can! Then again, I go expecting too much from ya, so I should really know better by now.”

“It’s early! ‘Tis a time of peaceful leave from them that call our service theirs!” The younger man patted his fur covered arms to rub some warmth back into them, and not to hide rubbing the sore spot where he had been punched. Because that would show weakness, and probably lead to an all manner of ribbings and jokes to their travels. He then added by way of thoughtful self-examination. “And to be frank it’s a cold enough morning to turn an Inlander’s left teat to a glass cutter, so pardon me for not wanting a wiggle on with your damnable musings.”

“Well looks at that! Ya do have a touch off the poet to ya!” The elder barked a laugh, and then gestured with a gloved hand to the land stretched before them. “And yet ya missed the smell of the waves on the rocks, the hard graft of the soil and the heady aroma of the meads that flow in the grand halls like the rivers that run to the seas!”

The younger gave another experimental sniff of the air at that, his head slowly tilting to one side in slow realisation.

“I think one of the horses has expressed its opinion as to your babblings oh brother mine,” the young Shamus McDonald intoned with a wrinkled nose. “Canny say I’m not in agreement with the stout steed that you’re sort of full of it.”

Remas McDonald, eldest scion of Clan McDonald, heir to the mantle of Fell Rock, and soldier in the service of the Kingdom of Rishland, leaned over further and gave his brother a polite slap on the back of the head. The blow was perhaps harder than was necessary, but the lad had a fur lined hood up and there was ample evidence in his deeds that his skull was a thick one. That and the two were siblings of a fashion, and if that didn’t allow for a little brother harassment then there was no point in the bond of family.

With that Remas prompted his horse into motion, and began to descend narrow dog legs and switchbacks that allowed passage down from the treacherous ridges of the Highlands. The same mountains that broke the winds spirit as it roared along the length of the Rishian Isles, sparing the south the full year icy climes, made for an interesting and perilous traverse. This was doubly so when you took the passes and ledges on foot and by hoof. And seeing as there was an airship bound for the fortress keep of Fell Rock that would have gotten them there a full three days sooner, it could well be said to be triply dangerous.

But for a McDonald to take the easy path, well that went contrary to their contrary nature now didn’t it?

Shamus followed after his older brother, as had been his way since memory had chosen to serve him. Knowing that Remas would keep his mount safe on the well-worn trail, and knowing a horse's mind was as keen to follow orders as any first rate pikeman, Shamus allowed his eyes to wander free of the rock and ice. They drifted down to the sloping floor of the hills, to the narrow snow encrusted plains that swept out in a curve in either direction. And then the plains simply ceased to be, dropping away at the vertical into black crags of high cliffs. Below those cliffs the ocean snarled and roared its frustration, beating its foamy claws relentless against the over grown pebble of the Isle of Rish that dared stand up to its might. Many a fond memory could be found at the summer’s honouring festival to the oceans bountiful ferocity. Loremiester Daxon would go on at length with tales  fury and malice long since harnessed by clever mischief of the Long Summer to bring ethereal light and heat to the rocky warren of Fell Rock.

Such fond memories were hard pressed to surface in the young man’s mind as his eyes fell upon the edifice of the keep of Fell Rock.

Built upon the precipice of the cliffs, a large portion of its armoured bulk clung to the sides and braved the chill of the sea far below, the Fell Rock looked as imposing as it had surely intended to be. Onyx black, the keeps very walls seeming to suck what warmth could be found from the air, it rose as a tower many hundreds of feet in the air at the cliffs edge. Spanning many times that wide, its walls housed clan and retainers, and the many lesser families of the area that paid homage to their laird. In the mornings light its twin terraces of battlements glowed like the sharpened teeth of some mighty carnivore. The four towers that rose from its corners were squat things, their armoured domes shuttered tightly closed against the elements, so that the delicate machinery of the keeps defences were not unduly damaged by the cold.

Though Long Summer artifice was rarely so delicate under such abuse.

For as much as the Fell Rock was the centre of power in the area, it was also the most northern outpost of the Isle of Rish, and so was suitably defended from all who might come to wage foolish war upon the land made coarse by warriors hands. Its defences, both conventional and ancient, were kept honed and readied to repel all comers. And should be some chance of fate an enemy find the battlements and force entry to the keep, they would find not cowed women folk and candlestick makers to slaughter by the job lot. Oh no. As was the Rishland creed, every man and woman, child and invalid, would stand to their laird and nations defence by free choice regardless of the odds.

‘Every last one!’ Was the cheerful retort at each Winter's Solstice when the Laird would ask who would fight.  

It was closer to noon, the sun's meagre rays reaching down to paint all in an ironclad pallor, when riders in the ash grey livery of the Fell Rock appeared on the road to the keep. The brothers had gotten to the foothills of the mountains in good time, their horses a stout breed that seemed to enjoy the thinner air of the highlands and were now quite giddy creatures in the thickening lowlands. The approach of riders was not uncommon this early in the spring, seeing as the majority of passes through the highlands would still be locked with ice and fallen rocks, making any travellers on the road remarkable in their skills. Remarkable was useful, and sometimes dangerous if those that wielded it were prone to malicious thinking.

It was standard practise to send out a rider or three to ask politely the intentions of travellers bound for the keep. Especially so if the travellers were land bound couriers baring royal commandments from Spearpoint to the south. But fourteen armed riders was overkill, even by Rishian standards.

“I got me a bad feeling ‘bout this,” Shamus said beneath his breath.

The two scores of riders, their horses sheathed in armour plate, and their grey cloaks flowing behind them to reveal treated leather pads, and glass thread vests that could turn aside a blade's tip. The riders carried lightning spears at their sides, and when they stopped a dozen meters from the brothers their spears were levelled unwavering at them. To say that the two McDonald boys came to a complete halt at the sight goes without saying: brave they were, stupid they were not.

Well…no more than was expected.

The lead rider kicked its horse into motion with practiced ease and ambled slowly towards the two fur coated travellers.  The lone rider now stood within a fanned volume of air that could, at the whim of the cordon, be filled with flickering azure energy that would turn all to ash in the blink of an eye. The rider did not seem to notice the danger they had placed themselves in as they approached. The grey cloaks hood was pulled up, hooked to the armoured helmets brow, and thus behind an iron clad chevron of interlocking plates the face of the rider was hidden. This gave them a vulpine look, the guise reminiscent of a metal works impression of a wolf’s head.

The ghostly grey riders of the Fell Rock were as legend in these parts, and their use of force when needed was measured and respectful. That alone went some way to making Shamus feel a little special inside. They thought they needed fourteen soldiers for the two brothers! That was sweet of them, flattering save for the threat of lethal force.

The rider began a slow circle of the two brothers, their mount as silent as a gentle flurry of snow on the wind. Neither man balked at such a display, keeping a calm face to such minor goading.

“Hail, riders from the keep,” Remas said, raising one gloved hand palm up in a salute. He said his words loudly but without intentional inflection, speaking the traditional riders greeting as though rehearsing the line before his own reflection. The circling rider tapped the horse’s flanks again, speeding up the circle slightly as she passed behind them for a moment, before reappearing on Shamus’s side. Then with one hand still upon the axe, they raised their other hand in a mirror to the greeting.

“Hail, rider from the south lowlands.” The voice that came from the armoured helm was indistinct, both muffled by the helmets acoustics and amplified by the workings crafted into it by the Fell Rock’s legendary metal workers. But if Remas was one to judge he would have guessed the voice was feminine, or one belonging to a lad whose voice was pitched high enough to do away with Shamus’s Inlander’s teat, when it came to breaking glass.

Then came silence, save the ever present wind that roared from the sea to snarl wicked threats against the barrier of the Highland’s rocky walls. The two scores of riders kept their station, with their lone investigator between them and the two travellers now stood still.

“So…” Shamus said into air rife with growing tension, looking from his brother to the grey cloaked soldier of his father’s keep “…do we stay out in the cold or is there to be forward progress made?”

The lead rider turned to face Shamus, the armoured ridges covering their face seeming to glower with violent intensity for a moment, before turning from younger to older brother. “Speak your business traveller, or travel back from whence you came.”

Remas caught out of the corner of his eye Shamus mockingly mouthing the phrase ‘whence you came’, but kept silent agreement from his lips at the high court vocabulary being put on display. Northerner’s of the Isle of Rish could be as hide bound and high minded as their southern counterparts, but when it came to the rules of formality and protocol things were a little less stringent. It was not unusual for trade agreements between northern Lairds to amount to a two day drinking binge, with said found agreement behind recovered the next morning from the rubble of the festivities. Such high minded language was best suited to the nobles of the southern lowlands, and the court of the king when finer talk was needed. How it had survived the trek from south to north was anyone’s guess, and yet here was someone speaking high noblesse to a pair of soldiering grunts on horseback.

“We have travelled north to return to the home of our kin and clan. I am Remas McDonald, heir to the mantle of Fell Rock, and Second Tempo in the service of his Royal Highnesses Overland Regiment.” The elder spoke in passing high noble, before gesturing to his brother “And this is my second, both in rank and kin, Sh-”

“Beansprout?!” spluttered the soon to be introduced little brother, looking agog at the armoured rider that interrogated them. “Is that you Beansprout?”

Remas frowned deeper at the statement, before something like suppressed mirth danced across his face. The rider, for her part, remained silent save for the creak of leather gloved hands against the bound hilt of the axe, her fingers tightened fiercely about it. With an effort of will she released the axe, and with her now free hand she reached up to her chin, unfastening the helmets face shield. Beneath the armoured was revealed a young face festooned with pale skin and a spattering of freckles.

The shock of platinum locks that could be seen under the helms protection served as a warning to the fiery nature of the woman’s temperament, if the snarl on her face was not warning enough.

“I know neither of you well enough to vouch your names as true. Follow me and mine, and words will be spoken to those that can vouch you safe passage into the keep,” she said with barely constrained ire, the words seeming to pain her in the speaking of them. She turned to look at Shamus. “And I would advise you keep a tongue mindful of manners when addressing a Captain of the Keeps Guard, Third Tempo of the Kings Overlanders. We have no truck with rewarded titles here. We who live in the shadow of the Fell Rock earn our titles, the hard way. The honest way!”

With a final glare she then tapped the helmets risen chin, letting it fall back down with a resounding shutter like clang. She kicked the horse’s flanks in frustration, turning it with a sharp braying neigh as the reins pulled on its bit, before allowing it to walk back towards the cordon. The nicknamed woman held a fist clenched hand up in the air, and the cordon of riders turned about, their spears risen to a carrying position, and they to begin to trot back towards the keep.

“That was a fine welcome.” Shamus said quietly as they walked their horses in the wake of the riders.

“Fine as you like,” Remas shrugged, not quite sounding convinced before looking at his brother. “Does seem as though the rules of hospitality have changed a might since last we ventured here.”

“Seems like,” the younger brother sighed. “And ta think I carried such a torch for wee Miss Molly.”

“Careful now. You keep a civil tongue or there’ll be more wee misses when Miss Molly brings the axe to your attention.” Remas remarked with a smirk. And with that the two brothers began to final leg of a journey that would see them home.

[offrozenmemoirs]

SKINTIGHT - if your muse had a youtube channel or a tv show, what would it be about? // for Creed

Uncomfortable Headcanons || Accepting! @ofthescatteredstars

SKINTIGHT - if your muse had a youtube channel or a tv show, what would it be about?

-She would definitely run a travel vlog channel about experiencing new things in addition to fitness tips and workout routines. She may also post thirst trap shorts for her fans too. Occasionally, she'd involve her siblings in her travels or have videos about what they do.

[offrozenmemoirs]

SCHWARTZWALD, KILLING FLOOR - Creed

Uncomfortable Headcanons || Accepting! @allthatisleftinthedark

SCHWARTZWALD - does your muse recall any scary story from their childhood?

-Mostly about demons and other supernatural beings. She can recall the stories about false hydras and obyrith demon lords. She's particularly afraid of the stories of Pale Night, a being so eldritch in nature itself beholding her true form is said to outright kill someone or that reality itself rejects her true nature. She's found out most of these stories from Ariortos, who has a particular interest in monsters.

KILLING FLOOR - was your muse ever interested into becoming a vegetarian?

-For a bit, she was pescatarian during her travels as a monk. Though she's never considered becoming completely vegetarian. That being said, she will eat vegetarian options to round out her nutritional needs if there aren't meat options. She knows a few recipes for vegetarians.

[offrozenmemoirs]

❤️💘 - Creed

Love and Romance Prompts || Accepting! @allthatisleftinthedark

❤️ = Does your muse focus on one person, or do they like to go and date as many people as possible?

-Creed, prior to Estranha is more focused on multiple people, but she's never dated, given that she's always moving around and tends to go for one night stands. I'd argue she's more terrified of actually being committed because she's worried about what they would be bought into with her family drama. She's trying her best to find herself right now.

💘 = Does your muse believe in astrology signs? If so, what sign are they most compatible with? And is this important when considering a date?

-She does not believe in astrology signs and it doesn't affect her consideration of dating.

[offrozenmemoirs]

what flower shows your love the deepest?

Orchid.

keywords: thoughtful, courageous, evocative.

the flower that represents your love the best is the orchid. you are a master at what you lovingly call "your craft" in showing your love to people. whether its family, friends, or your lovers, you have an uncanny knack for knowing exactly what people want. some call you a master of love, while others say that you can read their minds. whatever the case may be, you know how to make people feel wanted, needed- you know how to make people feel TRULY loved. in return, the world rewards you with the faith of a better day, of your own return in true love being given to you in ways that perhaps you cannot yet see. but have faith, what goes around comes around.

[offrozenmemoirs]

🎁 - How do they feel about their birthday/birthdays in general?

☂️ - How do they feel about rain?

💓 - What are some signs they’ve fallen for someone? How do they show their affection?

// all for Creed!

Misc. Ask Meme || Accepting! @ofthescatteredstars

🎁 - How do they feel about their birthday/birthdays in general? -Creed doesn't put that much stock into her birthday and if people didn't remind her about it, she'd probably forget about it herself. Others have always been the one who put more attention onto the day than her. Liyan in particular always has letters and gifts sent to her a day or two before her birthday, whereas Rafan, in her usual fashion leaves a gift for her at midnight.

☂️ - How do they feel about rain?

-She likes the rain, granted, Creed runs pretty hot most of the time, so she likes it for how it cools her off. That being said, she's more likely to just soak herself in a cold bath if possible. Failing that, she spends a lot of time in water anyway as part of her religious rituals.

💓 - What are some signs they’ve fallen for someone? How do they show their affection?

-Creed's a very physically affectionate person, so typically, she'll wrap them up in hugs and kisses. Though it helps that she's fairly casual in terms of physical attraction. However, when she's actually fallen for someone, much like she has for Estranha ( @allthatisleftinthedark), Creed becomes uncharacteristically nervous and a lot more shy. She's not one to really understand romantic feelings too much, and Es is the first person she's had a romantic attraction towards. That being said, she's still figuring herself out. With Es, the physical affection is there, but I consider Creed being willing to open up to them about her worries towards her family as a sign of trust. That she considers committing to them an option at all is a sign of trust.

[offrozenmemoirs]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄

BOLD what applies, ITALICS for what applies sometimes

𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐒. moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny | controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | liar | impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry | greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive | spiteful | stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky | absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | childish | callous | clingy | delusional | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cynical | cruel | depressed | deranged | egotistical | envious | insecure | insensitive | lustful | delinquent | overthinker | guilt complex | reclusive | reckless | nervous | oversensitive | perfectionist | pessimistic | naive

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐒. honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave | patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky | intelligent | confident | humble | generous | merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming | cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm | protective | proud | diligent | considerate | compassionate | good sportsmanship | friendly | empathetic | passionate | reliable | resourceful | sensible | sincere | witty | funny

𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒. art | acting | astronomy | animals | archery | sports | belly dancing | bird watching | blacksmithing | boating | calligraphy | camping | candle making | casino gambling | ceramics | racing | chess | music | cooking | crochet | weaving | exercise | swordplay | fishing | gardening | ghost hunting | ice skating | magic | engineering | building | inventing | leather-working | martial arts | meditation | origami | parkour | people watching | swimming | puppetry | pyrotechnics | quilting | reading | collecting | shopping | socializing | storytelling | writing | traveling | exotic dancing | singing | yoga | gaming | surfing

[offrozenmemoirs]

ONCE YOU'RE STRIPPED CLEAN, WHAT'S AT YOUR CORE?

warped metal

it's not working out the way you want it to. no matter how hard you try to look scary, the very picture of karmic retribution, your efforts will inevitably fall short. you're out of place here, a broken doll and a used marionette. there's nothing to gain in pretending you can't be hurt like anyone else. there's nothing to gain in pretending you aren't human, that you're made of twisted steel and distorted memories. embrace your humanity. embrace your vulnerability. give in to trust.

[offrozenmemoirs]

Creed Bio

Nelia "Creed" of House Zarin is the wayward second-born of her family. House Zarin are known for their connection to the infernal realm, as their matriarch originally entered a contract with a devil to give her bloodline the blessing of the fiends of Avernus. Nelia herself is particularly blessed by Asmodeus, clear through her fiery nature as well as the fact that she already exhibits the strength of fiends through her kicks in particular. Despite being blessed with the blood of the fiend, unlike her family, she cannot practice traditional magic. To her family, that meant that she was seen as a failure. Despite this, she was still sent to the Academy of Drakeshadow, where she would take up the studies of alchemy.

She was a quiet child, and often this was because of her concerningly low self-esteem, combined with not feeling comfortable in her body, meant that she often hid away when not in classes. Were it not for the librarian, Ghost Whisker, the gnome Maise Doscedar, and the elf Aimon Elrose, she might've simply gone through Drakeshadow unknown. With those three by her side however, she found herself coming to enjoy her time at Drakeshadow, despite people being rather surprised to see her befriend Aimon, given that in some circles, there was bad blood between their families.

During her time in the academy, she would later meet a dwarven woman, known as Ramona Hammerfist, in Seboko, and it was there she was inspired by the woman to become a monk, or at least begin training her body for the rigorous activity that would go into such a path. Still, she hadn't joined outright, not feeling confident enough yet. Though the years seemed to pass by quickly, and she wound up graduating with her degree in alchemy, she would later fall off the grid for the most part, after seeking out Ramona.

Nowadays within Nihiran, she's known as a particularly rowdy labor lawyer, fighting for the rights of workers who are seeking better conditions after the fall of the Graneyean empire. Still, despite her newfound confidence and boisterous personality, it's obvious she holds a lot of herself back. Not out of lack of confidence, but simply because she has no desire to return to House Zarin.

Why would she? When all she wants is to finally be free of the burden and bloody history her name brings her? Unfortunately...She might not have much of a choice in the matter.

[offrozenmemoirs]

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪?

Love as Religion

Devotion, that is the name of your love. Your love is an act of worship. Your love is like witnessing the birth of Venus, like seeing the sun come alive, or the stars fall. When you love, it is because you have found God in a lover. You have found the meaning of life itself in the heart of the one you adore. They are everything to you; they are your Maker, and you are their lamb, their flock, their first and holiest worshipper. When you fall in love, it is as a baptism. You are born anew, made a believer in the divinity of the one you love most. Being loved by you is an ascension; it is holy and golden. It is all-consuming, and all-faithful, loyal as the dog. You will never, ever bite back.