Author's Notes:
▸ this is part TWO of my entry! make sure to read part one here first
▸ the scene numbers are just for personal reference so don't mind them
▸ if you're from swc don't mind this, i'm just posting it here since i don't have my personal thread. so sorry for how much space this takes

SCENE 11

TEXT BUBBLE: Awesome, we’re in a room!!!

BEEF STICK helps DOORSTOPPER up in the background.

TEXT BUBBLE: Ooh, there’s so many buttons and stuff here!
TEXT BUBBLE: Onion, what’re you looking at?

ONION thinks. He presses a button, and holographic cameras rise up.

TEXT BUBBLE: *gasp* There’s security cameras too!! This day keeps on getting better and better!

DOORSTOPPER: To be fair, it’s not like it can get any worse.

BEEF STICK: Look at the cameras, guys. There’s fellow contestants!

DOORSTOPPER: So is it just an overview of the entire cave? Ugh, I wish we found this sooner.

TEXT BUBBLE: You can relax, my friend!
TEXT BUBBLE: I can tell you're getting nervous So do yourself a service And try to relax, my friend I'm fine, Polites Think of all that we have been through We'll survive what we get into

BEEF STICK: I think Onion’s trying to say something.

TEXT BUBBLE: Oh, my bad. What’s going on?
TEXT BUBBLE, off-screen: “We should split up. Two of us should stay here to watch the cameras, while the other two should find the other contestants and figure out a further plan.”

BEEF STICK: I… think that Text Bubble has to go with Onion. He’s the only one who can understand him right now.

DOORSTOPPER: So it’s me and Beef Stick. Who’s leaving?

TEXT BUBBLE, in the background: These buttons are so interesting!! I wonder what this one does–

DOORSTOPPER: Uh, maybe WE should stay.

TEXT BUBBLE: AWWWWW

BEEF STICK: Sorry, Text Bubble.

TEXT BUBBLE: Oh well. C’mon Onion, let’s see if there’s any other buttons in these rooms!

BEEF STICK, calling out: Remember where you’re supposed to go!
BEEF STICK: Okay then.
BEEF STICK: So, uh. Let’s see what’s going on.
BEEF STICK: And while we’re at it… could you tell me about what happened in the cave? I still need the full story if I want to glue all the pieces together.

DOORSTOPPER: Sure, if you’re up for a very repetitive and boring ride.
DOORSTOPPER: So one day, I was just vibing when suddenly a shadow appeared above me…

SCENE 12

CLOCHE: I’m starting to wonder if this is any use.

SKEE-BALL: You’re only JUST wondering?

CLOCHE: I don’t know, man. I’ve been trying to keep my head up but it’s hard.
CLOCHE: Oh no, I said that out loud.
CLOCHE: It’s okay. We can keep going. I’m sure that there’s an answer around here somewhere. I’m sure that there’s an exit. There has to be.

METEOR, elbowing CLOCHE: Quit sounding like an Amazing Digital Circus character. We’re Team Fitting! We got this!

SKEE-BALL: Teechnnicallyyy you’re not Team Fitting anymore.

METEOR: SHSUDFHSDH
METEOR: Anyway–

TEXT BUBBLE: Hey!! Fellow objects!!!
TEXT BUBBLE: It’s a-me, Text Bubble with Onion!

NUTSHELL: Onion! Do you know anything else about this place? We haven’t been able to learn much.

ONION does gestures.

TEXT BUBBLE: Oh right, I’m his translator.
TEXT BUBBLE: “We’re still unsure about anything. Our best bet for now is to gain numbers by finding the other contestants.”

METEOR: Hey, that’s exactly what we were doing!
METEOR, flying away: Come on fellow travellers, adventure awaits!

TEXT BUBBLE, following: Ooh you’re my best friend now!!

Frame of silence.

CLOCHE, frustrated: We’re going in circles.

ONION shrugs.

SKEE-BALL: First time?

SCENE 13

BEEF STICK: I see. That’s weird.

DS: It’s all weird. Now you can see why I want to sleep.
DS: I have to stay awake for the sake of this, though.

BEEF STICK: You’ve had a long day. I think you should rest.

DS: Y’know I won’t even argue with that at this point, good night and stay responsible.

BEEF STICK: …
BEEF STICK: Guess I’m all alone now.
BEEF STICK: Okay Beef Stick, you got this. Stay responsible.
BEEF STICK, looking at the cameras: Hmm.
BEEF STICK, off-screen: I wonder who trapped us here?

A camera goes black.

BEEF STICK: Wait, what?

BEEF STICK clicks the button again and again but nothing happens.

BEEF STICK: Oh, no. Did I do something?

SCENE 14

SALTY: Let’s get straight to the point. Who are you and what do you want from us?
SALTY: Do you have any relation to the goblin we saw the other day?

???: Talkative much?
???: Pouch, silence them and close the camera,

POUCH: Alright.

SALTY: What wh–

SALTY opens their mouth but no words come out. The group is stuck in place.

???: We’re not like Coin. We won’t monologue our entire plan out.
???: I admit I did not want it to happen like this, but you have heard too much.
???, looking at POUCH: Start the process.

Zoom-in on the objects’ confused and horrified faces.

POUCH claps his hands.

BURNER’S THOUGHTS: Nuh-uh, I am NOT becoming a human today.

A lightbulb appears above his head. POUCH comes closer, and BURNER burns him, freeing them from the silencing spell.

BURNER: HOP ON!

SALTY and STEAM DECK hop onto BURNER, and SALTY opens the wall. They leave the MEETING ROOM, leaving the door closed behind them.

SALTY: DON’T STOP! KEEP MOVING!

BURNER: What do you THINK I’m doing, smarty?

SD: Wait, stop moving!!

BURNER: Okay, now you’re all just–

BURNER crashes into MOSSY WALL.

MW: I think I broke a leg…

BURNER: Oops, my bad.

SALTY and SD: MOSSY WALL!

SALTY: Where have you been?

MW: Where have you been? I’ve been trying to find someone for the last few, what, hours or so.

SALTY: Well it’s good you’re with us now.
SALTY, eyeing BURNER: Though I wish we had a safer introduction.

BURNER: Wow okay “Don’t stop, keep moving” Salty, glad to know that you’re thankful I saved your life.

MW: LIFE!? What happened!? Are you all okay?

SD: I sure do hope so!
BURNER: Ehh I guess.

SALTY: I’m okay as I could be.
SALTY: We met with some suspicious objects who seemed to be coworkers with Goblin Coin. I think they were about to transform us into humans.

BURNER: Ahem.

SALTY: …were about to transform us into humans, if Burner here didn’t save the day.

BURNER: Thank you!

SALTY: Have you gathered anything yet?

MW: No. This is also the place where I was captured, but it’s not like that would be much use.
MW: Sorry. I can’t do anything.

SD: All good man. I’ve learnt zero things today too!
SD: Other than the fact that I’m obviously better than Burner.

BURNER: >:-(
BURNER: ANYWAYS why don’t we cut to the next scene in 3… 2… 1…

SCENE 15

TEXT BUBBLE: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

???: Shush! You’re going to literally make this cave collapse!

TEXT BUBBLE: Wait really? I just found a great way to save the day then!
TEXT BUBBLE: AAAAAAAAAAA–

TEXT BUBBLE gets silenced.

???: *sigh*
???: Out of all the objects that would stumble their way into this room, why did it have to be you?

TEXT BUBBLE shrugs.

???: Anyway, enough stalling.

TEXT BUBBLE’S THOUGHTS: Oh, this is it. I’m done being Text Bubble. I’m gonna turn into a human with some gibberish name like Tyler or Bob or something. This is actually really stressful–

???: Tell me. What do you know about the Cinnamon Roll Vault?

TEXT BUBBLE looks confused.

???: Oh, right.

TEXT BUBBLE gasps for air.

TB: Yay I’m back!
TB: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA–

???: You’re making this a lot harder than it needs to be! Tell me about the Cinnamon Roll Vault!

TB: I know nothing of it! Let me free so I can return to my friends!

???: Oh really? The “friends” that voted you out and never thought of you again? The “friends” that seemed uncomfortable with your very presence?

TB: Oh you’re just playing with my mind, haha.
TB, hesitant: You’re just playing.

???: Let me ask one more time… what do you know about the Cinnamon Roll Vault?

TB: I WON’T tell you anything!

???: Really? Even if you’re given the chance to be worth more than what you really are?

TB: Huh? What do you mean?

???: You’d win Imagination Bubble. C’mon, Bubble is even in your name! You weren’t supposed to be eliminated, you’re supposed to win this! Everyone would love you, too. You’d stop being rejected. You wouldn’t just be anyone; you’d be Text Speech Bubble, someone loved by all.
???: Oh and Tomato would forgive you for insulting Kagamine Rin.

TB: Oh wow, that is convincing.
TB: Uh…

???: Don’t think! Tell me the information now.

TB: Well…
TB, dejected: Fine. Okay. If you insist.

???: Perfect.

TB: So what I know about the vault is that it’s located on Earth, in the country of Japan. It’s full of not only cinnamon rolls, but also some of the most valuable sweets in the world. I’m sure they’re worth over a trillion dollars altogether!

???: How did you gain this information? Was it directly through Turquoise or someone else?

TB: A little birdy told me.
TB: Literally! I still keep in touch with Junior actually, he’s one of my duck friends–

???: Okay okay, that’s enough.
???: In the country of Japan, you say? Do you know exactly where it is? And do you know the vault’s security measures?

TB: Wait. I understand what’s going on here…

??? looks nervous.

TB: You want to eat some of the best treats in the world!
TB: It’s okay, my friend. I actually know a famous baker–

???: Stop going off-track! Answer the question!

TB: Well yeah, I know where it is and what the security measures are. I’ve taken a peek myself to see what kind of sweets there are and WOW they look really good!

???: …

TB: …

???: Are you going to tell me where and what exactly?

TB: Oh my bad, I didn’t know I was supposed to continue. It’s in Sapporo Japan and to get in, you just have to answer three riddles.
TB: Kinda like the bomb challenge. I think Turquoise is running out of ideas.

???: Interesting.
???: Well, thank you for this information. Your wish shall be granted in four to five business days.
???: But for now…

A cage appears around TEXT BUBBLE.

???: Stay there and never leave.
???: I have business to get to.

??? leaves through a brick exit.

TEXT BUBBLE: Aw, I thought I would at least be set free.
TEXT BUBBLE: Hmm. I wonder how strong this cage is?
TEXT BUBBLE: I think I’ll punch my way out.

SCENE 16

TEXT BUBBLE: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

NUTSHELL: There, that’s Text Bubble’s voice! He has to be somewhere around here!

SKEE-BALL: Ugh, he really just ran from our sight. Makes things so much harder for us.

CLOCHE: We can’t give him all the blame! He didn’t know that the brick would open a door!

SKEE-BALL: Well yeah, but now we have to look for that brick again if we want to find him!

NUTSHELL: Everyone, respectfully, be quiet. We need to listen for any verbal clues.

CLOCHE, muttering: I mean, do we really have to be quiet if his screams are louder than Meteor?

ONION presses a brick, and a door appears. He gestures to the door as the next dialogue happens.

METEOR: Hey, I heard that!

NUTSHELL: Well, you are kinda loud Meteor…

METEOR: Yeah, fair. Hey, do you think I could beat Texty in a screaming match?

SKEE-BALL, cracking up: Pfft, Texty?
SKEE-BALL: That’s hilarious. What’s next? Clochey? Nutshelly?

ONION bangs on the floor, sending a mini earthquake throughout the cave.

METEOR: Hey! What was that for?

ONION points at the door. CLOCHE gasps and rushes inside.

SCENE 17

CLOCHE: Text Bubble? Where are you?

NUTSHELL: It’s very dark in here.

CLOCHE: Meteor, stay close so you can be our light.

METEOR: Got it!

TEXT BUBBLE: Look at how you grip your sword, enough said Why should we take when we could give? You could show a person that you trust them When you stop and lower your guard Here we have a chance for some adjustment Give it a try, it's not that hard I'm telling you
TEXT BUBBLE: Oh hey!! Friends!!

NUTSHELL: Text Bubble! What happened?

TEXT BUBBLE: I’m stuck in a cage

CLOCHE: Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of there!
CLOCHE: …How will we get him out of there?

METEOR: Leave it to me!

METEOR burns the cage.

CLOCHE: Oh. That was easier than expected.

SKEE-BALL: How did you even get stuck in a cage?

TEXT BUBBLE: The evil Goggles guy trapped me inside.
TEXT BUBBLE, cosplaying as Twilight Sparkle: But I know that the power of friendship is stronger than any evil!

NUTSHELL:
NUTSHELL: what

CLOCHE: I appreciate the pony reference but?? Hello??? You could’ve been in grave danger!! How do you manage to possibly stay positive in times like this!?

TEXT BUBBLE: I just told you man. The power of friendship!! (and the power of plot devices)

CLOCHE: But what if friendship doesn’t feel like enough sometimes? What if YOU don’t feel like enough?
CLOCHE: Oh, and, well, it’s just a hypothetical scenario, by the way! I’m just curious.

NUTSHELL: Cloche, we have brain cells.

CLOCHE: Of course you do! Kinda. Are objects supposed to have brain cells?

NUTSHELL: Cloche.

CLOCHE, defeated: Okay.

NUTSHELL: Something’s not right with you. What is happening?

CLOCHE: Well… uh… I…
CLOCHE: I think that we should continue looking for our friends. It’s the only logical solution here. Especially since we may not see them again – in object form, anyway.

TEXT BUBBLE: I think she’s right! We must reunite our fellow friends!!

METEOR: Yeah!!

CLOCHE: Yeah. We’ve done all we need to do in this room, let’s go.

SCENE 18

Scene takes place in the Operation Room.

GOGGLES: Boss! I’ve been looking for you.

???: What!? Can’t you see I’m doing something right now!?
???: Those pesky objects flew away. I’m trying to find them.
???: I had to humanise two other objects on the way here. One was peeking at the cameras. It tried to fight me, so I had no other option.
???: We’re running out of contestants to bribe Turquoise with. Our whole plan is being ruined!

GOGGLES: Oh, uh. Sad. Sorry.
GOGGLES: But I have good information! Please allow me to speak!

???: Fine. But if this isn’t worth my time…

GOGGLES: It will be!
GOGGLES: I gained information about the Cinnamon Roll Vault from Text Bubble.
GOGGLES: We now have a general idea on which city it is located in and what’s inside.

???: Oh?
???: Hmm. You’re not as useless as I thought.
???: Perhaps this hostage plan will end up being a distraction instead…
???: Tell me everything you learned, and send the team to investigate.

SCENE 19

MW: I wish there was another flying boat to make a hole in the wall.

BURNER: Well, we may not have a flying boat, but we have a flying BURNER!
BURNER: That, in my humble opinion, is a trillion times better.

SALTY: Burner, you are not flying into the wall.

BURNER: Eh, wasn’t planning to.

SD: But what if it works?

SALTY: We are not taking that risk. Not when we are in grave danger and have zero hosts around to recover us.

SD: Say, where are those silly hosts?

SALTY: Hopefully alive.

CRASH!

Everyone looks up.

BURNER, near the ceiling: I am in… severe excruciating pain right now…

BURNER falls to the floor. MOSSY WALL rushes to help him.

SALTY: Wait.
SALTY: This cave may be resistant to magical powers such as Mossy Wall’s…
SALTY: But it’s not resistant to PHYSICAL powers such as Burner’s flame.

SD: Uh, was that supposed to be new information?

SALTY: No– I– Agh, just look up!

There are cracks in the ceiling where BURNER flew into the wall.

MW: Is this really our new plan now? I don’t want Burner to get hurt.

SALTY: This seems like our best bet right now. We have no other option.
SALTY: Aaaghh, the answer was so simple!! HOW did I not think of it earlier?
SALTY: Everyone, kick the wall as hard as you can! Use all your strength!

SCENE 20

CLOCHE, METEOR, SKEE-BALL, NUTSHELL, TEXT BUBBLE and ONION are walking. The room suddenly shakes.

NUTSHELL, as the room is still shaking: Oh no! Is this a repeat of the elimination area incident?

METEOR: Don’t worry, I’ve learned from that time! I’ll just fly out right now and we’ll all be saved.
METEOR: Hop on!

Everyone hops onto METEOR except for NUTSHELL and ONION.

NUTSHELL: Uh guys, are you sure this is a good idea?

SKEE-BALL: Do you have a better idea, genius?

NUTSHELL: Well, no. But I still think that’s there’s another way–

The room shakes even more.

NUTSHELL: Okay, you know what, what do I have to lose?

NUTSHELL holds onto METEOR.

CLOCHE: Onion! Are you coming?

ONION shakes his head. He points in the opposite direction.

TEXT BUBBLE: Oh!!

SKEE-BALL: Text Bubble, a little context here?

TEXT BUBBLE: He’s off to find Beef Stick and Doorstopper!

CLOCHE: Are– are you sure about–

The room shakes even more.

ONION rushes away.

CLOCHE: ONION!!

TEXT BUBBLE: It’s okay, Cloche. He’s got this!

CLOCHE: *sigh*

METEOR: We’re lifting off in three… two…

NUTSHELL: WAIT, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FLY OUT OF HERE IF THE CEILING IS BLOCKING THE WAY–

METEOR: One…

METEOR crashes into the ceiling. Scene goes dark.

SCENE 21

“Hmm.”
“I didn’t plan for this to happen.”
“Now the base is destroyed.”
“So are the memories of those three silly objects.”
“The team was sent to Sapporo, Japan to investigate just moments before the hole in the wall was created.”
“The objects… They’re stronger than I thought they were.”
“Turquoise can run all he wants, but we know the ones who are truly doing the work.”
“Instead of turning them into humans…"
“…it’s time to turn them to our side.”

SCENE 22

The scene is set outside. The cave is nowhere in sight.

ANCIENTIA: Everyone, may I please have your attention!

Everyone continues talking.

ANCIENTIA: Everyone! Attention please?

Everyone continues talking.

PANCAKE: EVERYBODY LISTEN UP OR YOU’RE GETTING ELIMINATED.

Everyone stops talking.

ANCIENTIA: Okay, well, so.
ANCIENTIA: That cave thing was really crazy. Like super duper crazy.
ANCIENTIA: But it’s all under control now. Well, if by “all under control” you mean the cave got destroyed and the goblins are nowhere to be seen. But hey, it’s better than nothing right?
ANCIENTIA: Turquoise is somewhere, probably, but he’ll come back soon. I think.

SKEE-BALL: PLEASE don’t tell me there’s gonna be another challenge after all that.

BURNER elbows SKEE-BALL.

SKEE-BALL: Dude! What was that for?

BURNER: We all know that sentences like that lead to irony! Keep your mouth closed!

ANCIENTIA: Ah, y’know what, I don’t feel like grading entries. Let’s just say escaping the cave was the challenge. You all completed it. Whoo.

CLOCHE, raising her hand: But not everyone completed it?

ANCIENTIA: Huh?

PANCAKE: Beef Stick, Onion and Doorstopper? Remember?

ANCIENTIA: Oh, right!
ANCIENTIA: I’m sure they’re safe… hopefully. Maybe?
ANCIENTIA: Honestly, there’s not much we can do about them. We’ve tried recovering them but nothing worked. We tried looking for them near the rubble, too, but they weren’t anywhere there.

BURNER: So you’re telling me I’m on a team all on my own?

PANCAKE: Mhmhm. Until further notice, at least.

BURNER: Oh well.

BRANCH OUT: Don’t you think that we should prioritise their safety over anything else?

ANCIENTIA: Well from a moral and financial perspective, yeah.
ANCIENTIA: But really, we can’t do much from here. And I’m not the one paying for their medical bills, so I don’t care.

PANCAKE: lol imagine paying *cough cough* turquoise *cough cough*

SALTY: I still have so many questions…

SKEE-BALL: Can we go now? I’m tired.

MW: Yeah, I feel like all that time in a cave has made me claustrophobic.

ANCIENTIA: Sure. Meeting dismissed, or whatever.

SCENE 23

CLOCHE is sitting near a lake by herself.

CLOCHE: All the things that’ve been happening recently… It scares me.
CLOCHE: The elimination area shook, goblins have been appearing, objects have been going missing…
CLOCHE, voice cracking: This wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to all live in harmony while experiencing a fun, creative camp.
CLOCHE: I’m too naive, aren’t I? I keep on looking towards the future when the future is full of dread and despair.
CLOCHE: ARGH!! I just want to–

CLOCHE punches the ground.

CLOCHE: Why did I ever join this foolish camp? It’s put my life in danger and given me so much pain.

CLOCHE punches the ground again.

CLOCHE: I bet Mossy hates me! He’s just acting as my friend ‘cause I ticked off all his boxes!

CLOCHE punches the ground again.

CLOCHE: Not to mention that almost all of Team Frost is missing. They had families and friends back home, too. Now they may never see each other again just because they decided to join this dangerous camp!

CLOCHE punches the ground again.

CLOCHE: And for what? A small shot at winning fame? Some useless prize that fades away?

CLOCHE stands up, her hand in a fist.

CLOCHE: Worst of all, I couldn’t even help anyone! Everything good that happened today, the reason we managed to escape, I had no contribution to it.
CLOCHE, voice cracking: My clone was right. It’d be better if I had quit already. There’d be no impact to the game.
CLOCHE: I can’t do anything. I can’t even make sure my so-called “friends” are okay.
CLOCHE: In the end, I’m just…

CLOCHE: Worthless.

THE END

chosen title: “something borrowed, something red” by @ivycreations
a thriller inspired by speak now (taylor’s version) - the song, not the album
word count: 252 words

— — — —

today is your wedding day. i ought to be excited. after all, i’ve been in your life for several years. i ought to love the fact that you fell for someone. i just hate that she isn’t me.

something old, something new, something borrowed, something… i don’t own anything blue. i threw out all of your belongings when you broke up with me, telling me that she was who you had wanted. unfortunately, this means that i cannot give you the typical quartet of wedding gifts. blue is your color, but me? i see red. i can’t stay hidden anymore. i throw open the door to the ceremony, standing at the end of the aisle. does your bride find me as beautiful as you once did?

she stares at me in confusion, and i realize something: she’s not to blame. she has no idea that you had left me for her. it is in my best interest to protect this girl, to save her from you. her face has gone pale, and i nod at her, signaling a potential sense of peace. “i object,” she screams at the officiant. and with that, i run down the aisle.

only a moment later, the chaos stops. the entire room is looking at us in horror, but i can’t help but smile. “something old, something dead,” the bride whispers, rewriting the stereotypical line. “something borrowed…”

“here’s your something red,” i add, staring down at your unconscious self. “i always liked red better than blue, anyway.”

Daily 12:
Title was the time traveling adventures of uncle sam, given by @ReadWriteSing

Uncle Sam was a strange man. He was always talking about his good friend Sally the T-rex, and how the pies from the 16th century were delicious. At first when he talked about these things, everyone looked him strangely, but nowadays everyone ignored him, brushing it off as “Oh, it’s just strange old Uncle Sam being Uncle Sam.” But young Samatha was curious on what he was talking about and Samatha would not just brush it off as “Uncle Sam is a weirdo.” So one day, after dinner, she came over to Uncle Sam’s room. “Uncle Sam?” Samatha said quietly, peaking her head into the room “Hm? Oh hello, your Samatha, correct?” Uncle Sam asked “Um, yes.” Samatha said “Um, Uncle Sam, what do you mean when you talk about seeing dinosaurs and stuff?” Samatha asked “Well, I see dinosaurs, that’s what I mean. Would like to see dinosaurs?” “Yes please!”
“Well come on!” Uncle Sam pulled out a suit case, pressed a button, and a giant swirling vortex appeared. “Whoa!” Samatha squeaked. “Come on.” Said Uncle Sam smiling, as he walked into the portal. Tentatively, Samatha walked through the portal. There was a flash of light, and they were standing in what looked to be some sort of tropical area. “Here we go, the Cretaceous.” Said Uncle Sam “It’s pretty hot here!” Samatha said. “Yes, well, here we don’t have any ice caps yet, although it’s much colder then the Triassic, for example.” Suddenly, a large T-rex came over, “Oh, Sally, there you are! I was wondering where you had gone” Uncle Sam said, petting the T-rex’s head. “Samatha, would you like to try riding on Sally?”
“Uhhh, okay” Samatha said, carefully climbing up onto the T-rex’s back. They rode around for a while, before Samatha spoke again “This is really nice, but I really should be getting home soon.”
“That’s true, we don’t want your parents to worry” Uncle Sam said. They carefully got off of the T-rex, then opened up the portal and headed home. “That was fun, you’ll have to take again.” Samatha said, before walking away to her room. Uncle Sam smiled.

357 words

366 words
Title: This Is Me Trying

Taylor found herself in a meeting room. With two spies. Or secret agents, or whatever they’d like to be called. Oh, and Nova was there too. She wondered what the shy yet fierce receptionist had to do with all this. This, being the mess Taylor currently found herself in.

“Taylor, from what I understand, you used to work at one of the underground labs, and now are currently working on Project Excision.” One of the two spies, agents, whatever - Agent Torres - stated. “Thank you for meeting with us today. As I am sure Nova explained to you, I’m Agent Torres, and this is Agent Halcyon.”

Taylor nodded. Yes, Nova had explained all this to her when she got forcibly dragged into the meeting.

Torres continued. “Our mission here is to help Atoll City once again become a peaceful city with true democracy - no shadow organisations trying to control it. We’re asking you to use your position to help us gather intelligence. It’s a lot to ask, but if you’re willing to do it, we could never thank you enough.”

“I… I do.” Taylor said, before continuing. Not because she wanted Torres and Halcyon to know, but because she needed to say it for herself. “I genuinely want to try to be better. I’ve found myself fighting for the wrong side… twice, now. The first time… I was struggling, financially, and found my way in as a lab assistant. I… I think back then, I knew it was wrong, but I had to stay afloat somehow, so I took the job. The second time, I thought I was doing the right thing. And then I got found by Nova, and well… you know the rest.” Taylor paused. “I think I am trying to fix things. All the bad things I’ve done, even if it won’t fix it for everyone.”

Taylor felt a weight crash into her, and she saw that Nova had decided to come and hug her. “Taylor, it’s alright. You’re trying, and I guess that’s what matters.” Nova paused. “But it wasn’t your mess, so you don’t have to fix it.”

“I think I need to, Nova,” Taylor said. “I think I need to try.”

That was the day I died, my soul floating up, up to the heavens and the flossed clouds with their soft peaks and shadowed curls. What was it about that day, I wonder. Was it simply fated in the heavens, a definite, unchangeable event, regardless of any of my actions? Or was it just so, a day where the planets aligned or I had just been in the exact place at the exact time. Perhaps so.

I doubt I will ever understand what could have caused it. Even now, I feel as if I have had years to contemplate, and still I do not comprehend the vast workings of nature that could have caused it. Has it been years? Or merely a second on earth, in the land of the living.

And yet my physical self remains on the earth while this part of me – what is it, exactly? Spirit? Soul? All these words flying around and none of them can really describe what I have become at this point in time. Or, no. That implies I have changed, but in reality it is not so much a change as it is a different perspective. I am still the same person, and I feel unchanged.

And what of the mark I leave on the world? Will anybody remember me in the years to come, five, twelve, fifty years later? Perhaps they will not, and that is… what is that? It is not comforting maybe, to think that my life overall does not change the path of humanity. But it is also freeing, because I will be forgotten, like most people, and I have the freedom of knowing my contributions have been to a select few, and that I have not changed the world, for better or for worse. All my regrets, gone, because it was big for me but forgotten by the rest of the world. And why have an impact? Is there a need for a legacy? Something you leave behind, that you will never even get to see? It doesn’t affect me, and that might just be beautiful.

I soar, a bird with outstretched wings. What am I soaring through? I don’t know, exactly – the web of my own mind, maybe. It’s different here, but just as beautiful, just in an ethereal, wispy, stretched gossamer-thin way. Does that make sense? I doubt so. But it makes sense to me, and that’s all I need to know. Now I don’t need to explain myself to others if I don’t want to.

I don’t know how I died, but I did, and it came for me quietly, gently. And now I have time for reflection, because I may live a hundred years, but I will exist for centuries more. Isn’t that funny?

Of course, maybe I don’t exist. Maybe my body has decomposed and now the earth returns me to the ecosystem, recycling my nutrients for new, growing plants green with life and youth. And that’s also beautiful, don’t you think?

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

◪ Noͦ 11
Wordcount: 616/400
Topic: Fairytale rewrite
Points earned: Forgot to post!
Cabin: Bi-Fi

Mulan, but Li Shang is a bit too… obvious for his dynasty…

Mulan stood at her wedding reception, her mother and grandmother fawning over her. She was adorned in jewelry and wore the finest silk cheongsam, having the same design she had worn during her encounter with the matchmaker a long time ago. She could not even imagine that it was only two months ago. It had seemed like it had been almost a decade. It was her wedding day with Li Shang- the general of the camp she had snuck into as a man. They had only known each other for two months, but he had already proposed to her. He said it was true love, and she had agreed- there was no man better than him.

The chattering of guests got louder as she approached the isle, immediately silencing as she raised the curtain and walked out. Her to be husband was on the other end, his eyes starting to water as she walked slowly towards him. He quickly wiped them away, feeling the emperor giving him a bombastic side eye. Mulan couldn't believe it- the emperor at her wedding. Wherever the emperor went, the entirety of China followed. This is what she got for being the hero of China. She should have let them be taken over by the Huns. She couldn't even buy a bag of street food without someone calling out her name.

As she reached Shang, she placed her bouquet of gerberas down on the priest's table carefully, holding his hands in hers. Her bridesmaids, Ting Ting, Su, and Mei, stood at the right side of the stage, their excitement barely concealed. Shang's best men, Chien Po, Yao, and Ling, stood at his left, staring at the bridesmaids shamelessly. Mulan wasn't sure whether they remembered the vows about to be recited were for her, not for their wedding.

The priest repeated each vow, his hands clasped together as he observed them nodding along with his words. After he had reached the end, it was time for them to recite their personal vows. Mulan had prepared for this moment, but it was clear Li Shang had no idea this was about to happen. He paused, blinking, before deciding to wing it. He held her hands up gently, looking at her in the eyes dotingly.

“Mulan, you are the light of my day, the moon of my night. Without you, I would have lost my way in the war. There is nothing more dear I hold to my heart than the woman standing before me today. I have loved you ever since I set my eyes on you-”
Mulan was just about to start crying tears of joy before her grandma's voice resounded throughout the entire pavilion in a loud shout.

“YOU MEAN WHEN SHE WAS A MAN?”

There was a small pause as the guests stared at each other. Mulan narrowed her eyes, staring at Shang for an answer, begging him not to let her deal with this alone. His eyes glazed over.

“Shang, why are you not denying it?” Mulan hissed, suddenly wanting to kick him in his shin very hard. He didn't reply, the silence defeating.
After a moment, he simply shrugged, “It's 2025, you can't do this to me right now.”
“Our movie released in the 1990's!” She exclaimed, the crowd covering their mouths in shock and despair.
“Is a man not allowed to appreciate other men as well?” Shang said with offence, pressing a hand to his chest.
“I can't do this with you right now,” Mulan argued.
“All I'm saying is I wouldn't mind whether you were a female or still a male-”
“YOU'RE NOT HELPING.”

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

◪ Noͦ 11
Wordcount: 617/400
Topic: Fairytale rewrite
Points earned: 450
Cabin: Bi-Fi

Mulan, but Li Shang is a bit too… obvious for his dynasty…

Mulan stood at her wedding reception, her mother and grandmother fawning over her. She was adorned in jewelry and wore the finest silk cheongsam, having the same design she had worn during her encounter with the matchmaker a long time ago. She could not even imagine that it was only two months ago. It had seemed like it had been almost a decade. It was her wedding day with Li Shang- the general of the camp she had snuck into as a man. They had only known each other for two months, but he had already proposed to her. He said it was true love, and she had agreed- there was no man better than him.

The chattering of guests got louder as she approached the aisle, immediately silencing as she raised the curtain and walked out. Her to be husband was on the other end, his eyes starting to water as she walked slowly towards him. He quickly wiped them away, feeling the emperor giving him a bombastic side eye. Mulan couldn't believe it- the emperor at her wedding. Wherever the emperor went, the entirety of China followed. This is what she got for being the hero of China. She should have let them be taken over by the Huns. She couldn't even buy a bag of street food without someone calling out her name.

As she reached Shang, she placed her bouquet of gerberas down on the priest's table carefully, holding his hands in hers. Her bridesmaids, Ting Ting, Su, and Mei, stood at the right side of the stage, their excitement barely concealed. Shang's best men, Chien Po, Yao, and Ling, stood at his left, staring at the bridesmaids shamelessly. Mulan wasn't sure whether they remembered the vows about to be recited were for her, not for their wedding.

The priest repeated each vow, his hands clasped together as he observed them nodding along with his words. After he had reached the end, it was time for them to recite their personal vows. Mulan had prepared for this moment, but it was clear Li Shang had no idea this was about to happen. He paused, blinking, before deciding to wing it. He held her hands up gently, looking at her in the eyes dotingly.

“Mulan, you are the light of my day, the moon of my night. Without you, I would have lost my way in the war. There is nothing more dear I hold to my heart than the woman standing before me today. I have loved you ever since I set my eyes on you-”
Mulan was just about to start crying tears of joy before her grandma's voice resounded throughout the entire pavilion in a loud shout.

“YOU MEAN WHEN SHE WAS A MAN?”

There was a small pause as the guests stared at each other. Mulan narrowed her eyes, staring at Shang for an answer, begging him not to let her deal with this alone. His eyes glazed over.

“Shang, why are you not denying it?” Mulan hissed, suddenly wanting to kick him in his shin very hard. He didn't reply, the silence defeating.
After a moment, he simply shrugged, “It's 2025 you can't do this to me right now.”
“Our movie was released in the 1990s!” She exclaimed, the crowd covering their mouths in shock and despair.
“Is a man not allowed to appreciate other men as well?” Shang said with offence, pressing a hand to his chest.
“I can't do this with you right now,” Mulan argued.
“All I'm saying is I wouldn't mind whether you were a female or still a male-”
“YOU'RE NOT HELPING.”

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

◪ Noͦ 12
Wordcount: 250/250
Topic: Title Stealer
Points earned: 100+150 for proof
Cabin: Bi-Fi

“Hey gorgeous, My name is Single.”

Eugene had to say that line hadn't worked in a long time. They either ended up slapping his face (that was usually the lighter haired ones), spilling their drink on him (that was mostly the red heads), rolling their eyes at him (which was a majority of brunnettes), or straight up ignoring him (definitely the ones with the catty eyeliner). He could not imagine when a woman wouldn't fall for him- sure, his pick ups were horrible, and after a few drink,s he was a bit shaky on his feet, but his looks were immaculate. Shiny gold hair slicked back on his scalp, deep brown eye,s and a moderately sized forehead, if he did say so himself. He liked to say to himself that they were only rejecting him because they were scared or too in awe of his amazing aura surrounding him everywhere he went. His best friend was quick to laugh at him about his delusions, snapping him back to reality. He, however, would never really understand the true meaning of being an eternal bachelor- somehow, with his dull black hair and scary blue eyes, he had managed to have almost every lady that crossed him swooning over him in a matter of seconds, and his forehead was HUGE. The unfairness of this entire situation often hit him like a truck. Sometimes, blondes are just not appreciated, and he was not an exception. Maybe if he dyed his hair brown…

daily 012: title swap ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚
word count: 512 / 250

fifteen ways to break my heart (@chueythecat)

fifteen ways to break my heart and he’s done them all. he’s broken then mended me, he’s figured out how to bring me up and push me down over and over and over again. the first thing he did, the first way he broke my heart, was meeting me after school.
he didn’t say anything, just put his stuff below the seat i was sitting in and sat right next to me. there were so many other seats in the room, and he chose this one.
“ugh, what are you doing here?” i scolded playfully, still staring at my homework. i refused to meet his eyes. if i had to look at him, i would fall in love all over again.
“shut up, bennett.” he teased. he called me by my last name. we were on a last name basis, isn’t that cute? just like in the movies.
he started his homework, the same assignment i had been working on. i peered over at him. he had always been better at math than me. i mean, he had straight A’s– i had b’s all over.
“bennett.”
“hmm?” i pretended to be disinterested. i had my airpods in, but only one, in case he asked to listen to music with me. i had the perfect playlist on, romantic oldies that i loved, but only because they reminded me of him.
“how do you do number 13?” he sounded annoyed, i remember. like he hated asking for help.
“wow, the genius himself is asking for help?” i joked.
“you know what, maybe i won’t send you the chem answers tonight.”
i gasped playfully. “just use tangent to find the angle. duh.”
he stared at the question a moment. “that can’t be right.”
“well, it is. i just solved it.” i looked at him triumphantly, grabbing his phone. i had left mine at home, and i really wanted to play block blast. don’t ask me why.
he tried to snatch it out of my hand, laughing. “hey, give it back!”
i pouted, holding it out of his reach. “i just want to play a game.”
he sort of tackled me then, grabbing my arms so gently but firm enough to get his phone back. he tucked it into his pocket. i didn’t dare taking his phone again after that, but i would take his pencil tomorrow, i decided. and then his water bottle, then his notebook.
the next day, he showed up again, and we went through the whole routine. but after that, he stopped for a week. i couldn’t figure out why. i sat in my spot– our spot– the whole time, airpods in, glancing back at the door to check if he had shown up, just a little late.
he was back a week later, though. and it never stopped again, but i was so heartbroken during that week he didn’t come. i thought it was our thing, doing math homework together after school, and now it is. now it is. but it was terrible, i was so perfectly broken during that week.

lol i would continue it but its been 500 words and i’ve only done one way… maybe a continuation in future dailies if its related

‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭୨ ASSIGNMENT 12 ୧ ⊹ ˚₊‧

TITLE USED:
A Lot of Living to Do

“Why do you continue to live?” A voice whispers, mocking me. I have lost everything I loved, and everything I would ever have. I had no meaning, no purpose in this world. I was lost, trapped in a mirage of my own pain. What reason would I have to continue on, why should I continue on? It was a question I asked myself, and the same question the voice in my head asked.

But I knew why, because even if I lost everything, it wasn’t truly everything. I still had hope, and the ability to have everything back. I could work to get anything I lost. Besides, one very important thing was the fact that I still had interests, things that I loved, things that I enjoyed.

If I stopped living, I would no longer be able to stargaze on a late night, nor would I be able to bask in the moonlight again. I could never point to the constellation Orion or Corona Borealis. I would never be able to see the bright stars, the holes of light in our night sky. I wouldn’t even see the sky anymore.

I wouldn’t be able to bask in the sunlight, and I would never see the sunset nor the sunrise. I would never even see the sun again. If I were to die, I would be in an eternal rest, where nothing but black projected on the other side of my eyelids. The sun will rise tomorrow, and I will still wake up tomorrow morning.

If I were to die, I would never be able to gush about my favorite novels, and I would never be able to read another book from my favorite author. I wouldn’t be able to pick up a paintbrush, let alone create another spatter of paints on a canvas. I would never be able to put my hands to a keyboard and write words, and I wouldn’t ever be able to do what I enjoyed again.

If I were to stop living, I would never eat desserts again, I would never have a sweet cherry again. I would never take a bite of a juicy apple, or a sugary pastry. I wouldn’t be able to taste anything, not even the really bad things. I would always taste nothing if I died, the cold being my only company.

There would be so many things I would never do as well, I have never published a book, nor have I ever been to Tokyo. I have never been on a rollercoaster that goes upside down, or have I ever finished watching my favorite show.

I love doing things, and I want to do more things. I still have much to do, and far to go.

I still have a lot of living to do.

| ♞ | ୨ 466 words

Critiquitaire
word count - 306 words

This world is located in a cave deep underground. Only a select few inhabitants have ever seen what the sun looks like. The caves are filled with humidity and wet clay, rock outcrops and small waterfalls.

I know that the first part of the weekly was mainly focused on describing a world that you've created, and I absolutely love the vibes that you've decided to go with! One thing I would suggest is trying to use more descriptive words/other phrases to invoke imagery and help paint a clearer picture in the reader's mind. It also allows for some creativity from both the reader and writer as they imagine the world you're trying to create as their own. As of no, everything is quite explicitly stated (which is fine if that's what you'd like to stick with), so I would recommend trying to describe the world/culture in other terms.

For example, instead of saying “The caves are filled with humidity and wet clay, rock outcrops and small waterfalls”, you could shift it to “The humid caves, filled with wet clay, rock outcrops, and even small waterfalls, are what forge the Eessos' connection to the sun.” –> of course that's just a very rough idea, but you could always adjust to talk about the wildlife, describing the water, etc. All I'm suggesting is adding a bit more description! And again, this is definitely a personal choice, so feel free to keep things how they are if you prefer them that way.

Overall Thoughts
Aside from generally adding more detail and descriptive words to improve the imagery, I feel like you have the overall outline of the plot/setting there! There are a few grammar/tense things that could be fixed, but from a general standpoint, I really love the lore and setting you have going on. Feel free to let me know if you'd like anything more in particular, but in terms of ideas, I think you have some pretty great ones that have been fleshed out in this piece <3 Keep up the great work!

Daily 12: Choose a Book Title
word count - 288 words

Too Far
From the ashes I rise, born anew
it was as if time never ended
even for a second.

The clock strikes once more,
and here I lay, all alone.
After shut windows and closed doors,
I can't take it anymore.
One more breathe, one last chance,
but it never ever comes.

I'm left here hoping,
my spirit flying away,
each passing day,
I lose a part. A part of me
that makes me, me.

Through the scorns of time,
we've been told to stand strong.
But what more can you do
when it all starts to break.
Bit by bit, one crack after the other,
what once seemed irreplaceable
was now lying on the floor
shattered.

I pick up the pieces,
but so does the wind.
As the breeze flies on,
so do you.

I went too far, dived too deep,
and yet, here I stand.
So why
why couldn't the same thing
happen to you.

One step at a time,
were we not in this together.
One step at a time,
did we not leap together.

As the swirling wind brushes past
once again, I'm reminded of you.
Your smile, your face, the way
your hair moved in the breeze.

If we hadn't gone too far
that time ago.
If all the “ifs” in the world
would make up for that jump,
maybe things could have been
different.

No. They would've been
different. I just know
Trust me, I just know.

And one more time,
it'll happen again.
The seasons will change
as time will to.

Maybe then we'll realize
that too far can be reached,
that maybe all good things
eventually cease
to exit.

daily yippee!! 571 words, title was “a song to stir-fry vegetables” by @27coding_crazy

“McDonald’s.”
“No. We just went there…uhh…for lunch. Yeah, lunch. Honey, we are not getting McDonald’s twice in one day.”
Roy ran a hand through his hair. “Chick-Fil-A?”
Jeanne flopped down on the couch with an exasperated sigh. “Don’t you have any ideas that don’t involve eating out?”
He spread his hands defensively. “Hey, you’re the cook. You banned me from the kitchen after I set the toaster on fire and burned the water I was boiling.”
“It’s impossible to burn water. There was something else in the pot.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
Jeanne groaned, standing and opening the refrigerator. “All we’ve eaten in the past week is takeout and leftovers. Surely there’s got to be something…AHA!”
She pulled out a carrot and waved it triumphantly in the air.
“…Carrot salad?” Roy asked, praying his wife wasn’t about to go on another fitness kick. Last time she’d had them on salad for two weeks. The time before that they’d had quinoa with every meal. Roy had put his foot down after she tried to serve him “healthy” cake for his birthday. Quinoa in his frosting was the limit.
“No, stir fry,” Jeanne said, getting out a cutting board. “Come help me chop these veggies.”
“What about the ban?”
“I’m repealing it for the sake of getting dinner done faster. Maybe. Try not to chop off your fingers.”
“Darling, I would never,” Roy said, flashing her his most charming grin and flourishing the carrot. He lined it up on the cutting board, raised the knife, and promptly proceeded to nick his finger.
An interlude of dancing around the kitchen and cursing the carrot, the knife, the cutting board, and existence in general followed, resolved only when Jeanne forcibly removed the knife from his grip and slapped a bandage on his finger.
“You’ve got to keep your fingers out of the way,” Jeanne coached him. “Be slow and careful until you have it down. Never point the knife towards yourself. Remember that the knife is not a sword.”
“I will never remember all of that,” Roy protested.
“You have the memory of an insect,” Jeanne said, tugging her ponytail in distress. “Listen, just make it into a little song or something.”
Roy thought for a moment. “Keep your fingers out of the way, remember the knife isn’t a sword for play, never point the knife at you, and until you’ve got it down be slow and careful too.”
“You’re a musical genius,” Jeanne said, laughing. “Great rhythm and lyrics.”
“Thanks,” Roy said, and began chopping the carrot, this time with less blood and shouting.
“There you go, you’ve got it now,” Jeanne said, scraping the ingredients into the pan.
“My finger still hurts. Don’t I get a kiss to make it better?” Roy said, tweaking her ponytail.
“You’re ridiculous,” Jeanne said, kissing him. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Even when you won’t let me get McDonald’s.”
Jeanne stuck her tongue out at him. “Instead of junky fast food, you got a lesson in how to use a knife, and a stir-fry that’s going to be delicious.”
“And a song. Don’t forget the song.”
“Oh, yes. Keep your fingers out of the way…”
“Remember the knife isn’t a sword for play…Why did I think this was good again?”
The kitchen was filled with laughter as the narrator brought the story to a close, leaving the couple to enjoy their stir-fry and silly songs.

Cold light poured through the windows softly, every surface catching on the edges of the golden ice of the sun’s rays. The casket was especially prominent. The woman’s features even more so. Her face was stark and cold, even sterile; but the shadows still stood out across her complexion.
We all sat in silence. I sat in the front row next to my sister, her cheeks wet with tears.
Not me. I was as serious as could be.
Of course I was.
I wasn’t sad. How could I be sad about the death of someone who hurt me so deeply? Frankly, I was confused why Analis was so upset. It’s not like the two had a good relationship.
But then again, who did? I couldn’t name one single person who had a good relationship with my mother. But we would all sit here and pretend to be sad about her death like she hadn’t killed us all, one by one, of her own decision. I wouldn't do it. I wouldnt pretend to be sad about the death of someone who could never get over their own selfishness for long enough to give me the time of day.
Yeah, - that. I grabbed my sister’s sleeve and pulled her up to my ear. “When are we leaving?”
Analis brushed her tears from her cheek. “Please show some more respect, Mak. We’re almost done.”
I rolled my eyes and let out a scoff, something the family sitting behind me must’ve picked up on.

♫ 12 - 549/250 words - write a story using someone else’s title ♫
peggy’s title: the ocean waves back

We're on our way to the beach and I can already feel tears stinging my eyes. After his… accident, I wasn't able to even look at pictures of crashing waves or warm sand without spiraling into another season of deep sadness. Now, I'm on my way back for the first time in years, and I want absolutely nothing to do with the place. My step-mom and her kids invited me along to celebrate my step-sister Cierra's 8th birthday, and of course she wants to go to the beach. It's not like she knows what happened all those years ago, we'd only just become family ish a few months ago, but it still hurts.
The hours pass as we drive through small towns and up highways to get to her birthday destination, but when we pull up onto the sand for the first time and the three little girls and their mother dash out of the car in excitement, I suddenly want to curl up into a ball and never see anyone else again.
Memories of Austin flood my vision, and I can't hear anything but the sound of the waves swallowing him whole as water gurgles in his throat, muffling the screams. I was too slow.
The sound of pounding on the car door interrupts my overwhelming panic, and as I look up from the floor to the window, I'm met with the sight of my step-mother. My cheeks are hot and sticky; I don't know how long I've been sitting there crying. Startled, I wipe my face and put on a smile, opening the door and stepping outside. Immediately I'm hit with the smell of salty air and can hear screeching seagulls in the distance.
“What took you so long, darlin'?” She asks me. Noticing the glint on my face the sun casts from my tear stained cheeks, her brow furrows and she squeezes my shoulder lovingly. “You all right, hun'?”
Forcing a bigger grin on my face, I give an eager nod. “Yeah! Perfectly,” I respond.
She looks suspicious, but grabs my hand and leads me to a sandcastle her daughters are busy putting together. “Just let me know if you need anything, okay?” She asks in a hushed voice.
I nod again, wanting to avoid the conversation, and rush past her to sit with the girls. They ramble about an imaginary love story between the prince and princess of their castle, then reach for a bucket of water to help with sculpting only to find it empty.
“Aww, no water!” One of them exclaims, tilting the pail upside down.
I jump up straight away, desperate to get away for a moment. “I'll go fill it up!” I grab the bucket a bit more forcefully than I'd mean to, then hurry off to the water.
Coming this close to the place Austin died has me getting choked up, but I smile, for real this time, knowing he wouldn't want me to grieve so long over him, knowing he wouldn't want me to be hurting so immensely. I dip the bucket in slowly, watching the waves lap in and out of its plastic shape, and after I'm satisfied with the amount of water resting inside, I stand.
“I love you, Austin,” I murmur.
And the ocean waves back.

(I claimed “The Day We Learned to Fly” by @-Lunova-.)

You hatched in the wrong season, your egg cracking open beneath sunless icy skies. I fledged without grace, my mind refusing to let my wings lift me from the earth.
So maybe we were both broken from the start. Maybe you were as cold as the winter, and I, as dense as the stones. Maybe we never had a chance.
Maybe we were always doomed to fall.
But I loved you, even if you never knew it. Don't you remember the day you showed me how beautiful the world looked from above? We climbed the great southern oak, neither of us quite sure why. We didn't need a reason. The bark was rough beneath our paws, enough for our claws to dig in firmly. The summer breeze was sweet and warm. We were too young to have met our fears yet. Why not aim for the heights?
Up and up, all the way to the highest branches, just high enough to brush the clouds. It was so easy, then. Your thoughts were full of songs and air, and my vision was full of you. That was when you decided it was time. Like all fledglings do eventually, you spread your wings. The wind flowed through your feathers, long and gray. I never noticed how wide your wingspan was until then. When had you grown so big?
As easily as a leaf falling from a tree, you leaned forward and gave yourself to the sky. A few stuttering flaps and then you were soaring, wheeling and turning above me.

~unfinished; still gotta get to the angst lol~

Daily #12

Dearest Diary,

I am writing to you in between the commotion of which… The SWC-ers have returned. Tomorrow is the day of the first Cabin Wars, and they are armed with their weapons of choice- Frying pans, those kinds of heavy metal headbangers you’d see being used to defend yourselves from strangers; Pencils, sharpened to such needle-like thickness to which you could quite possibly injure someone, severely, with just one accidental poke; and of course, mangoes. It had to be mangoes. They’d light the stems, throw them onto a catapult, and send them off towards the direction of their enemy cabins. How shameful, really. Such a waste of a perfectly delicious, edible fruit- A delicacy, to be frankly speaking! And therefore, it has been decided, that the camp shall have their revenge- Mark my words, Jim Flabsdz. For none other than Gurtle the Great, would, most definitely, leave their mark behind on these pathetic campers. But how will I do it? Great question indeed. That is up to me to ponder, as of this moment, for I have yet to strike a plan. (And mind you, turtles haven’t been known to be the brightest creatures when it comes to devious plotting.)

To the Greatest Diary, worthy of the one, the only, Gurtle the Great,

All this… “plotting” and “planning” has gotten my stomach grumbling. Surely there’s better food out there than whatever sorts of mushroom the hosts have been tossing into my thumbnail of a cage, if only I could get out of here…

(254 words)

March 12 Daily

Using "The Evening Train” by @Lizeus10salmon (Arrow)

Her sister bought a train ticket last night, and no one knew but Mari.
“Maribel, be quiet! Don’t say anything.”  Elena said, nervously closing the door behind her back.
“I'm in enough trouble as it is.”
Mari just gazed up despondently at her sister. “Where are you going? What about Mami and Papa?”
She did not add “and me”. She figured Elena wouldn't even notice.
“What are you even doing down here?” Elena asked, briskly moving past Mari's perch on the couch. She was clutching the train ticket tight. “Shouldn't you be in bed?”
"Shouldn't you be in bed?“ Mari retorted.
Elena scoffed. ”I'm old enough to do what I want.“
”Debatable.“ Mari muttered. ”I heard you sneaking out so I stayed up to investigate. And looks like I was right. You are up to no good.“
”Up to no good.“ She scoffed again. Sometimes, Mari marveled at the amount of scoffs Elena managed to fit into a conversation. ”Listen. Just don't tell. Not right now. You wouldn't understand.“
”Don't say that!“ Mari yelped, immediately quieting when Elena glared at her and put a finger to her lips.
”You always say I won't understand.“ she whispered. ”Well, how will I ever if you don't tell me what's going on?“
There was no response. There never was. Only a ”I'm going to pack my things." and a hushed creep up the stairs. Elena always went away.
Mari sat on the couch, alone again, hot tears dripping down her face, though she didn't know what they were for.
And now, Elena would take the evening train, being swept away before Mari would ever know why.

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