BendtedWreath

I'm glad to hear that. Just try not to undo the hard work you've already done?

Today is an overcast day in my neighborhood. It's a very gloomy kind of weather that would be perfect for filming a horror movie or a crime investigation episode. In contrast, I felt a surge of deep gratitude welling up from within, to the point that a single tear fell from my eye. Those who know me well understand that I tend to fight my sensitive nature (a remnant of growing up in a household where male family members' weeping was met with disapproval and seen as a sign of weakness). But, for once, my body's response to my sentimentality did not bother me. And, so, I wish everyone well. I have this guileless hope that the energy that has been overflowing from me on this day could be paid forward and sent to those who need it most... to my friends who are physically, mentally, and emotionally struggling these days. May you have even the slightest reprieve. That is my one wish.

He heard the gargoyle's wooden body creak, and the head tilted slightly back so that the eyes seemed to look upon him. And then there was another creak, and the gargoyle smiled. / So did Jamie. "I take that as sign that all is well in the shop. Thank you, Snave." - For all we know, Snave's smile could mean "Oh, it's been burned to the ground, so you no longer have anything to worry about. It's no longer there." Flitch moved closer. "Fascinating. A life transferred to such as these." One of his appendages raised and waved at a nearby ghostly tree. "He was as you, once."/Jamie was stunned. "Snave was once human?" - I'm as shocked as you are, kid. "We are deep in the nether," the gargoyle returned. "It was here you forged that which you wear upon your chest. The Merry One." - The lens is that happy-go-lucky? "I see the love between you, even as my brother does, Jamie. Thorvil knew of my own desires, and while he did not understand them, he never ceased his love for me. Likewise, he has not let his knowledge that the two of you are in love stop him from loving the two of you. In this, my brother will always be a wonder in my heart." - What kind souls, both Thorvil and Snave. I'm glad they found a way to give Snave his voice back, in a manner of speaking.

On the subject of escape:

Dark mode helps with dyslexia. I always read in dark mode whenever it's available.

Please keep off that foot.

He didn’t cry earlier, and he didn’t plan to start now. - I can relate. Though I always fail to hold back. He spoke for a short while and led what appeared to be a prayer, as the participants would sometimes respond collectively. - It really is amazing Mythe got any words of the prayer out. For a moment, Mythe lifted a shaking hand and Malik felt sure he was about to take it, but instead Rhaelce stepped forward and took the torch instead. - There it is, there's Mythe's breaking point. Rhaelce really came through for the family in that moment. It's painful to witness, but no less admirable. It took a while for Rhaelce to shift his gaze away from the smoldering pyre to Malik standing there. He didn’t say anything, but took the proffered hand and got to his feet. - What a show of trust. There were no tears, but Malik could feel the way Rhaelce shuddered with each exhale, the shaking inhale, as if trying to breathe through that many layers of grief was physically difficult. - You have a gift for portraying grief catered to the character. Rhaelce's frustration of not having been there to fight whatever claimed Naivres's life, a fight he very well could have lost, and his need to let that anger with himself out through fighting truly befits a warrior mindset. As for Nyrra and Mythe's decision, I still find it a bit extreme. But parents in grief could have very well taken to blaming someone else to process their own grief.

May I ask what happened? Stay off that foot if you want to keep walking!!

I think you've done better than most, and firmly believe that the forum as a whole appreciates you, myself included.

Raimey was covered, ankles to neck, in a soft blue suit of clothing that looked so perfect for sleep that no other use could be said for it. The clothing was loose and airy looking, and suggested that the wearer would find its touch against the skin most pleasing. A pair of light blue sandals adorned Raimey's feet, completing the outfit. - Adorable. In the near darkness of the room, soon filled with quiet breathing, there was the tiniest creak of stressed wood, as Snave looked upon his now three sleeping charges, and smiled. - Snave working overtime. It was truly a wonderful thing that the prince had made here - a place where love could be shared without fear or anxiety. - Agreed. There were steaming sausages and hot porridge with sweet sprinkles, and tossed eggs cooked into omelets with cheeses and pork cubes mixed in. Cups of sweet juice were placed before them, and serviettes offered; and then the kitchen staff retired again. - I'm craving eggs and sausages now. "Yes. So we will ask the next most likely one to know. Someone even older than the Master."/Garvin frowned...but then he smiled. "Oh! You mean --"/Jamie nodded. "Yes. Let us just hope that Wanda Pegfoot is in when we get there." - The kind Wanda! Wonder what Wanda will think about their plottings.

"I am afraid now I cannot live up to the image I have presented." He leaned forward, whispered," I do not even know how to begin to help the prince." - Which is why impersonating someone else is never a good idea. Jamie allowed himself to be stripped, until he wore only the black lens upon his chest - Interesting that he chose to keep that. Isn't it at least partially sentient? That lens is going to get quite the show. They exchanged their magick potions, and the bliss of it was heavenly. - 🤣Never heard it phrased quite like that! The object you made is growing in power. I can feel it, even here. Yet you have not given it a direction to take with this energy, and it threatens to become uncontrollable unless placed into service." - Uh-oh! No longer was the lens black. It now glowed with a soft, beautiful blue light, the light of the sky on a pleasant summer day. So deep and intense was this blue that it took Jamie's breath away. It was as though he stared into the depths of the noonday sky, knowing full well that behind it hid the lights of forever, the many and distant stars. - Sounds like the loveliest blue ever described. Jamie took a small breath in shock. Here was some of the clarity of magickal thought he had been seeking! And he also knew why he was having it - Nice! "I know and love boys, Master Thorvil. I am, my position notwithstanding, but a boy myself. And never have I seen one truer to the form than the one that lives within you." - Can't pull the wool over THIS prince's eyes. "Age regressed? Is he, now?" The way that Urvan spoke seemed to say he knew the lie of it - Can't pull the wool over his eyes, either. "Each of them is worth ten of you, Urvan. Even more, I think." - He's not going to like hearing that. Urvan didn't like hearing that, no. Not one bit. - I just said that!🤣 But he could see now how it went...first this turn, and then a loop, and then another, and then about in a circle, and back, and under, and over, and betwixt, and between...Something inside his head clicked, and Jamie knew that the golden shield was his now, and would rise to his defense automatically should he be attacked again. What's more, a smaller, secondary lock, easily tied, extended it's range and awareness so that it would cover any and all within attack range about him. - Nice! Garvin continued to move with almost ghost-like splendor, and a part of Jamie was mystified and awed at his friend's sudden potency as a defender. - Go Garvin! What a relief that they got out of that encounter unscathed. They need to find Urvan's undoing.

Garvin was also casting his gaze about the room, and Jamie could not miss the look of pleasure in his best friend's eyes. He smiled, thinking of Garvin amongst such accommodations, and dressed in princely bedclothes, with a hand extended towards Jamie, inviting him to... - Hahaha! Get those heads out of the gutter, boys. Garvin obviously was, if the protrusion of his eyes was anything to go by. - Hahaha! The prince nodded. "Cursed with smallness, he told me, until my vision grew large enough to accept his advances." - Now that sounds slimy. "Teeth can sometimes be fun," the Prince said, looking back at Jamie, and smiling contemplatively. - Oh no! Now it's my mind that's in the gutter. 😂 "We will of course want to stay around long enough to ensure that your restored equipment works again as it once did." - I can't believe it took me to this point to realize the true meaning behind "the short, short prince."

"I need to take a break," Jamie said, staring at the comfortable-looking grass. "Let's rest a moment. Do you mind?" /Garvin smiled, and nodded, and went and sat cross-legged in the short grass. - Zero hesitation there, Gavin. "Fair creepy is this place, Jamie. It is strange there is only light where I make my eyes to look."/So the effect held true for Garvin, too. Amazing, Jamie thought. You learn something new every day. - Ha ha ha! I love the contrast of Garvin reacting versus Jamie trying to make sense of everything. The yellow eyes somehow narrowed. "I know not the word but the accompanying thought speaks of youth. You are cubs? And you are here? Most extraordinary, to be sure." - Yes, they are indeed cubs. Plunked right down in the middle of the open, with ghostly countryside all around, were the Master's shelves and cabinets, looking both far more substantial and incredibly out of place there standing among the trees and the grasses and the weeds. - Wow. "Are you angel, or demon?" he dared to ask. - Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to. Nether sand. - I guess that explains the added weight. There was a brief flurry of motion as the nether shaper unwound and unmade itself, and then was gone. - It just up and undid itself? Gone was the shift of colors, replaced now with an emptiness of color so deep that it almost hurt the eyes to stare at it for long. - Whoa. Trippy. Garvin laid a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "It is haunted, I think." - Hahaha! It's official, Garvin is my favorite. Jamie hit upon the idea of placing their hands upon Snave whenever traffic appeared, and while some travelers still bolted, the appearance of the two boys apparently carrying the gargoyle between them both lowered its seeming massiveness in the minds of observers and reassured them, for certainly two such likely looking lads would not be strutting about with their hands upon a genuine monster. - Hahaha! Snave creaked again as he turned to look at them. Somehow, Jamie got the impression that the gargoyle felt that this was not the time nor place for pleasantries. - He does have a point. I need to work on my control. I need magick that is useful, not dangerous. - I'm glad he's at least this self aware.

I said it before, but I'll say it again, they were all amazing entries that evoked something. I was very impressed.

He found Arrir crouching in the corner, screaming while tear tracks marked his cheeks. He appeared uninjured and Malik bent to pick him up. The boy’s screams stopped as Malik’s arms went around him, diminishing to sobs and whimpers. Small hands gripped the neck of Malik’s shirt, fisting the material. - I'm just glad someone found him. Malik approached and took the cloth, knowing it’s intended use. “I can do,” he offered./Mythe shook his head slowly. “I am her father. I do. You help.” - This is heartbreaking, that Malik offered to help. That Mythe and Malik are sharing the burden of wrapping her. “An animal from the sky,” Malik pointed up, then brought it down in a sweeping gesture. “Come to house and Naivres… no more.” - Considering how limited his grasp of the language is at this point, this was an impressive way to explain what happened. No wonder she wanted to watch and practice in secret. The guilt ate at his insides. He should have known... - No, see, if the children knew better than to sneak out in the hours of whatever forest beasts hunt, she shouldn't have been practicing out in the open. Considering she was also trying to learn how to fight/hunt/defend herself, this is a real double-edged sword. Her only real mistake was being visible by whatever attacked her. As @VBlew said, that creature must have been incredibly large and fast. The men working in the yard looked happy to see food and most of them smiled or thanked Malik. It lifted his spirits slightly, and the hearty stew warmed him. It was a slim comfort in the face of overwhelming grief and despair, but he accepted it. - Even so, they are finally respecting and accepting him.