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+--- Thread: Writing Challenge! (Second) (/showthread.php?tid=7830)
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Warren Castille - 08-04-2014
(08-04-2014, 04:29 PM)Unnamed Mercenary Wrote:(08-04-2014, 03:09 PM)Oscare Wrote: I...
my poor challenge...
you guys are killing him... ;~;
[Sad Trombone plays]
Hey! Warren and Franz's were perfectly IC.Â
>_> <_< The Franz one is practically canon already. We just need to know what he actually eats for breakfast.
Unintentional or not, I laughed.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Val - 08-04-2014
( C'kayah, yours was wonderful ;-; sadly I've never seen C'kayah IC, so.. .. I just kind of did what I could based on some research. I hope I didn't ruin him! *hides* )
C'kayah leaned back in his chair in the Quicksand, the right half of his lips curled into a smirk that showed off just the tip of his fang. His ears lifted slightly and he gave a small sniff, tossing his head aside in order to rid himself of the few tendrils of brown hair that impeded his visage.
"So, I brought the goods," he spoke to the midlander settled out across from him. C'kayah paused only to lift the glass of red wine to his lips and take a long, generous sip of its contents, "You got the money?"
Between the two sat a small package, looking very little like anything extraordinary. It was wrapped in brown shipping paper that the moogles were fond of using and held in place by a thin piece of rope. The package itself wasn't large by any means; one would easily be able to wrap their hand around its rectangular shape to get a good grip. The hyur did just that, stowing it away within the oversized sleeve of the shirt he wore and removing a small pouch in its stead. C'kayah reached across to grab the pouch, not daring to open it. He'd been in the business by now to know what the appropriate weight of a good bag of gil was.
"Pleasure doing business with you," he added, lifting the glass skyward in a silent toast to his business partner. With little to say, the merchant--or what C'kayah could assume had been a merchant--stood from the table and took his leave. The Miqo'te watched him leave out the side door and into the Steps of Thal. He assumed the man had other business in Pearl Lane or other such dubious areas of Ul'dah.Â
He leaned back in the chair now, relaxing himself and perking his ears high to better listen in on the many conversations going on around him. It took a bit of practice and personal honing to be able to drown out all the background noise, but he did manage to pick up on a few of them. What he didn't need training for, however, was the undeniable sound of flesh coming in harsh contact with flesh that rang out the Quicksand. So abrupt and deafening was the sound that it brought all other noise to a silence. C'kayah lifted his head just in time to witness an ivory-haired midlander abruptly taking her leave from the tavern. Pity, he never managed to get a good look at her face.
"Princess! C'mon! She looks just like ya! That wouldn't even be considered cheatin' 'r nothin'! I'll be thinkin' 'bout ya th'whole time!" a voice called out after her. C'kayah turned his attention to a blonde-haired Miqo'te, now complete with a hint of red washing over the left side of his face. Her lover, no doubt. He watched as the Seeker chased out the door after her and soon found a particular blonde waitress meandering by. He offered a playful wink of his right eye as she drew near and lifted the glass to motion for a refill. She giggled and accepted the glass, then turned to retrieve the order with a particularly flirtatious sway of her hips that he was sure to notice. He did, and that fang from earlier soon showed itself again.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Verad - 08-04-2014
At first, Kage thought she was joking, but when Natalie held out the dress and the heels, he knew she was serious.
"Wh- it - I - " He stuttered, taking a step back as if the clothing might leap out and strangle him. Natalie followed suit, and Kage soon had very little space to flee. "It's - it's going to look so obvious though! They know who I am! I'm not even the right build!"
"I know!" She smiled, a hint of teeth cutting through at one side to resemble a pair of fangs. "It's the Hildibrand method, and it's perfect. You'll look obvious; you'll look so obvious, that nobody will notice the real spy getting the information we need. All eyes on you!"
Kage blushed, considering the prospect of several hundred pairs of eyes on him, give or take an odd number when one considered the inevitable guests with eyepatches, clad in high fashion and trying to pretend he hadn't just been a member of their ranks. It was admittedly a very tasteful gown, one in his color, but a gown nonetheless. "Wh-what about," he started to protest, before his face lit up, seeing an out. "What about Ser Crofte - "
"Ser Crofte couldn't make this work like you could, Ser Deneith wouldn't stand out like you could, and the rest of the Sworn aren't worth mentioning. It has to be you." Her smile seemed to falter, hesitantly, in a manner that suggested she was about to give him the hard sell - Â "Please?" And, yep, there it was.
Kage sighed. "Are the shoes in my size, at least?"
----
Natalie was right about one thing - all eyes were definitely on Kage at the official semi-annual Brass Blades' Officers' Ball. They kept an eye on him specifically to keep at least a ten-yalm radius away from the former Sworn; even if his past status as a member of the Blades, however briefly, and all the trouble that had entailed hadn't been barrier enough, his ungainly step in the heels and the obvious blush on his face as he collected the folds of his dark blue gown together to avoid tripping with each ilm of movement ensured that people stayed out of his way in the hopes that disaster wasn't contagious.
It was with great relief that, after having been introduced, Kage was able to cross towards a table and take a seat. There was a wide, blank space around him amidst the throng of officers and their escorts - some literally so, others likely spouses - and he could see the small movements of the Dunesfolk spy Natalie had hired to listen in on conversations and rifle the odd documents. He had to admit, the plan was working, especially as long as there was a stir.
Just as Kage felt he was about to relax, as if he could get through the evening without further embarrassment, he heard the thud of somebody heavily slumping into the chair beside him. "Puh-pardon . . . " slurred the man nearby, enough wine in his breath that he could very well have been harboring a small vineyard, "Puh-pardon me, madam, but wouldja care for s'm dubious goods?"
Kage looked up to see an elderly Duskwight, clad in a shabby approximation of Brass Blade officer's garb and sporting a heavy white beard, seated next to him, having breached the buffer zone of empty space provided by the rest of the crowd. His head wobbled uncertainly, and the flush in the man's cheeks suggested that he'd been drinking for some time. Kage had a vague sense of who the man was - some sort of eccentric peddler who'd been wandering Ul'dah of the past few months - but what he was doing at an officers' ball he couldn't say.
"Oh! Uh-" He cleared his throat, trying to remember if Nat had asked him to pretend to change his voice; nobody had yet spoken to him beyond basic pleasantries. Given the Duskwight's inebriation, he decided not to bother. "I think you have me at a disadvantage, Ser - "
"Bellveil! Verrrahd Bellveil, Ul'dah's pre-..." He waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, 's a long title. How ya doin'? Nice party, right? Yanno they just give thes' invitationsh out?"
"Th-they do?" He frowned, glancing around the room. None of the officers would meet his eyes. Why was this a semi-annual ball, anyway? Wasn't one a year enough?
"Uhh-huh." Verrrahd bobbed his head up and down in over-emphatic emphasis. "'S a good thing I had a - " He swallowed. "Had a spare outfit. Got it on sale, yanno. Blades's good business." He nudged Kage in the shoulder abruptly. "But t'see 'em leavein' a young lady alone - now that - that wasn't right, you know."
Ah, Kage thought, this was going to be one of those misunderstandings. He braced himself for the rest of the evening when a crash caught his attention. The Duskwight seemed to give it no notice, rambling on about something to do with the quality of the drinks being too high. Ignoring him, Kage squinted into the crowd, and saw the spy had stumbled into the legs of one of the waiters, knocking aside a tray of drinks. The crowd's attention had shifted to the commotion, and amid them, Kage could see questioning looks. A few guards started to weave through bodies, towards the source of the noise.
If invitations were freely given, he realized, and people were allowed to dress as Blades, as Verrrahd had, then who else might be dressed the same? How many of them were actually officers, and if they weren't, why was the ball advertised as such? How many other spies had they already caught seeking evidence of corruption at balls like these?
For an instant, Kage froze. If this was a trap, he needed to get out, and quickly. He was a quarter of the way through rising from his seat, before seeing the sprawled over form of the spy in the crowd, still shaking his head free of the daze. That would mean leaving him to his fate.
All eyes on him, Natalie had said. Better not to let her down.
Kage continued his rise from his chair, but rather than flee, he smiled, the gesture feeble but broad, and extended his hand down to Verrrahd. "I-if you'll excuse my asking," he said, trying to suppress a stutter. "Would you care to dance?"
----
It had been ten minutes, and Natalie still hadn't stopped laughing. Every time it seemed like she was about to relent, she found some new source of energy and the peals continued. Kage frowned, shifting his body to avoid putting more weight on the sling around his left arm. He'd been seen by a Conjurer, and the break was a clean one, but they had insisted on letting it rest for a day before healing it completely.
The evening had been a disaster, of course. Between Kage's lack of balance in heels and the Duskwight's inebriation, they had managed to stay on their feet for thirty seconds before collapsing in a tangle of limbs and clothing, spilling into the crowd and knocking aside several dozen guests like very high-class dominoes. The crash eclipsed the attention given to the spy, however, and had given him the chance to get away.
Kage hadn't been so lucky; the Duskwight was surprisingly heavy despite his apparent age, and he'd suffered a fracture for his troubles. He'd been seen to by medics in the Blades, and had come to Natalie's own quarters to report on the matter the next day. Since then, the hilarity hadn't stopped. Only when she threatened to fall out of her chair did the noise subside.
"So - " she said, righting herself and wiping tears out of her eyes. "She got away you said?" Kage nodded.
"Yeah. I'd be surprised if he got anything though. Looks like it was all some setup."
"Big party, send out invitations to people the Blades want to silence, and gather them all up at once." Natalie nodded. "Good, good. Good thinking there, Kage." She smiled, and Kage found himself blushing harder than he had in a dress. "See? You were the only one could have done it."
"Yeah." Kage swallowed, looking around the room to avoid direct eye contact. "Listen, though, I was wondering - "
"Yeah?"
"Couldn't I have just worn a suit?"
The laughter started again.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - McBeefâ„¢ - 08-04-2014
Strangely enough I keep trying to convince Kage to get the caster robe from ST...
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Oscare - 08-04-2014
Holy crap do I have to issue my next challenge sooner than I thought? You guys are breezing through! :D
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Unnamed Mercenary - 08-04-2014
(08-04-2014, 07:31 PM)Oscare Wrote: Holy crap do I have to issue my next challenge sooner than I thought? You guys are breezing through!
No, it just means the next chapter of Warren's adventures in Ul'dah will be written tomorrow. (At least until everyone's posted a story for their partners and want to advance)
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Warren Castille - 08-04-2014
Oho, is this now episodic, my friend? Consider things about to be broughten.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Kage - 08-04-2014
(08-04-2014, 07:29 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: Strangely enough I keep trying to convince Kage to get the caster robe from ST...... Perhaps this weekend. .///.
YOU ALREADY KNOW MY SUGGESTION FOR THE WRITING CHALLENGES
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Unnamed Mercenary - 08-04-2014
(08-04-2014, 07:46 PM)Warren Castille Wrote: Oho, is this now episodic, my friend? Consider things about to be broughten.
I'll look forwards to it!
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Knight Kat - 08-05-2014
((This is for Ruru.
))((All I have to go on are RP threads, so I hope I got at least somewhat close. ))
Rurutani woke up naked next to a woman in a Mizzenmast inn room. He was disoriented, and his eyes started to dart around. He abruptly sat up in the bed, and surveyed the room.
"Oh boy...." He said quietly.
He got too drunk the night before, had little memory of it and was now starting to realize the situation he was in. His gaze slowly drifted to the woman next to him who was still sleeping. It was an unknown Roegadyn woman!
"Oh boy!" He repeated quietly, but with a hint of panic that time.
The shocked Lalafell slowly crawled out of bed. After a quick series of glances, he found his clothes on a chair. He moved quickly and quietly to dress himself.
He did not know who the woman was, and did not want to know what happened. He planned to get the Hells out of there before she woke up. He loved drinks, and he loved flirting with the ladies, but he figured he must have totally went overboard the night before.
Freedom was near; all he had to do was exit and...
"Where ya goin' pipsqueak?" The Woman called out to him just as he had started to make his way to the door. His muscles locked up, and he came to a halt. He did not make it.
He slowly turned to the Roegadyn woman who was now sitting on the side of the bed; leering at him. He knew he would have to use a lot of charm to get out of this one, but he was also fighting a nasty hangover.
"Ah, hello there..." He said as he forced a friendly smile. His voice was a bit shaky.
"Tha' all yer gonna say ta me?" She asked him as her brows went into an intense furrow.
"You're looking rather...." He said then paused.
"Speak!" The woman commanded. It just had to be Ruru's luck that this seemed to be a stereotypical Roegadyn woman.
"I'm sorry, just had trouble coming up with the words. You have a... Unruly beauty to you this morning." He said in a casual tone, but in his mind, he was screaming ("Who is this woman?!")
"Unruly? Yer tellin me i'ma mess, Pipsqueak?" She asked as she leaned forward a bit as if she was preparing to stand.
"It suits you!" He said in an enthusiastic tone. "Wildflowers shouldn't be tamed." He continued, and let out a chuckle.
"...Ye member me name?..." She responded as her expression softened, and her eyes widened in shock.
("That's her name?!") He thought to himself. "Of course! Silly woman." He said in a casual tone, and did his best to hide his own surprise.
The Roegadyn woman's cheeks darkened as she lowered her head a bit. She seemed to be blushing. Ruru saw his opportunity!
"Anyroad, I'm going to get us some water to help clear our heads, eh? You wait here, and don't you dare tidy-up." He said teasingly then winked at her. He confidently turned on his heels and began striding to the door.
"Wait!" She called out.
Ruru once again stopped, but did not turn this time.
"Whas yer name?" She asked in a meeker tone. "I... Fergot it."
Ruru turned his head to gaze sideways at her without turning his body. "Call me Jojo." He had to make up a random name, and hope it did not come back to bite him. Wildflower just nodded in response.
Ruru continued his confident stride to the door. "Be back in a bit." He said in a sly tone.
("I'm totally getting the Hells out of here!") He thought to himself as he casually opened the door and left the room.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Melodia - 08-05-2014
(08-05-2014, 06:58 AM)Knight Kat Wrote: ((This is for Ruru.
((All I have to go on are RP threads, so I hope I got at least somewhat close. ))
-Story snip-
![[Image: tumblr_lud6vkQHrd1qeeyux.gif]](https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lud6vkQHrd1qeeyux.gif)
Nicely done!
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Berrod Armstrong - 08-05-2014
The patas sank so deeply that it didn't take long for him to feel the slick of blood under his hands. Ruttin' whore. Damn her for making him do this.
Osric stood but a fulm away from a beautiful dark-haired hyuran woman, dressed in silks most sultry. Her fine, painted hand was up above his head, now weakly clutching a dagger that would never come down. It wasn't long before her grip loosened and it dropped to the wooden floor with a clatter. Red drops dotted the area around it.
They were alone in an inn room out in the Golden Bazaar, and only one of them would leave it. He knew she had lured him there to kill him. He knew she expected him to have the weakness of any other man. It was true that he did, but Osric placed a far higher priority on survival than on a cheap night with a strange woman. Living meant many more opportunities for that, after all.
The Midlander wrenched the patas from her and watched her crumple to the floor without his support. "You brought this on yourself." There was no answer but a whimpered gasp as a pool of red spread from beneath her.Â
Gods damn, that would be a mess to clean.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Unnamed Mercenary - 08-05-2014
Original post updated with Episode 2 of Warren's story.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Zhavi - 08-05-2014
You people are too freakin' faaast. Don't worry Roen, I'm with you. The slowest wins the race! Or something. (once I get caught up on posts I will be doing the stalky stalky thing)
Seriously though, some brilliant writing in here. Great job for organizing, Oscare.
RE: Writing Challenge! (First) - Oscare - 08-05-2014
Second challenge is closer than I think it is. I've already started the idea for it. You guys are too freaking fast. xD