Tynx: We're a team, guys. We can't bicker amongst ourselves here. Besides, what authors say goes. For all of us.

Me: He's being weird...

Tynx: You try staying calm in the middle of a treasure hunt, where you-

Me: Alright, alright!

Tynx: Anyway. Ouskar recognizes the one rune as a castle, so we'll try to find the castle and go from there. As to the gem... I've no idea.

Me: Wait! Zach, where's that map you found?
Zach: *wipes face with brownish towel* What map?
Me: The one you just wiped your sweat on! *wrings map*
Zach: ...
Celia: So where are we? *examines map*
Me: I have no idea... But there's a castle! I think... Or it could be a city... Or a coffee stain...

Scarlet: Are there any distinguishing landmarks around us that might be located on the map? That might tell us where we are.

Zach: Trees, trees... And more trees.

Charlotte: Well isn't THAT handy.

Scarlet: Well... are there any near the castle on the map? That way, we can be on the look out for them and we'll be able to tell if we're going in the right direction!

Me: Wait! There's a lake or something...
Celia: That IS a coffee stain, Short.
Me: HEY! Only HWers are allowed to call me that!
Celia: Whatever, Short.
Me: Here, someone else look at this. I've always been terrible with maps.

Dawn: *poofs in out of nowhere* Let me take a look at that...

Me: What the... where did you come from?!

Dawn: I've been listening the whole time, silly! I was flying above with Rinabeth!

Rinabeth: (is dragon, by the way) *descends and folds her wings*

Me: Well you've turned into quite the spy. Did you happen to see a castle from up there?

Dawn: Well, I saw something weird over there... *points east* Give me the map, I think I'll be able to get us there.

Charlotte: Why don't we just fly there?

Scarlet: I guess that would be cheating...

Me: Exactly!

Charlotte:

Ouskar: Impressive. That wasn't so hard.

Cat-Dragon: Why can't we fly?? It's not cheating. It's unfair to drag us dragons through the forest.

Me: And unfair to the humans to make them ride you all the way there. I hear dragon riding is tiring.

Klasina: Really?

Me: Yup.

Ionas: That's not true.

Me: Now it is. I'm an author.

Ionas:

Klasina: But you don't write anymore.

Me: I've written in the past, that's good enough!

Cat-Dragon:

Kitty: o.o Just a thought, maybe the gem is what's making us all argue..?

Me: Or maybe arguing with our characters is fun... I just don't like making my characters argue in my stories.
Celia: Then why do you do it?
Zach: Well it wouldn't be very realistic if there was never any disagreement, now would it?
Celia: It's not very realistic anyway!
Me: It is too... For a fantasy story...

Dawn: *takes out compass* This way everyone! *waves everybody in her direction and begins walking with Rinabeth trailing behind her* And may I ask who spilled so much coffee on this map?! It's very difficult to read...

Charlotte: *points at Shorty*

Ouskar: *starts walking, using sword as machete*

Rogan: *Pulls out sword and follows behind everyone*

Eileene: *Dramatic sigh* Finally some progress.

Alina: Let's do this! *points finger in the air* Onward-ho!

Me: "Onward-ho"?

Alina: Don't look at me! You're the author!

Tynx: Let's walk, who knows what mysteries we'll find!

Me: The gem wasn't enough for you?

Tynx: Nope! Neither was the troll or the flooded cave or anything! I'm addicted!

Me: You don't even know what that means.

Tynx: Nope, but it sounds fun!

Me: [facepalm]

Scarlet: Yay! We can use our swords! *cuts off plants in her way with one, quick movement*

Me: You guys are all so funny! And I didn't spill any coffee... *suspiciously hides hands behind back*
Zach: *sneaks up and grabs empty coffee cup from my hands* Aha! What have we here?
Me:
Celia: What were you just saying, Elizabeth?
Me: I said, I might have spilled my coffee...
Celia: Mm-hmm. Sure.
Zach: Right.
Me: >.> Let's go already...

Jaimie: * sighs and starts walking * "Here we go again..."

Me: "Yup."

Jaimie: "I'm not loving this."

Me: "Nope."

Jaimie: >.>

Me: QADOWSH!!! I'm probably not pronouncing it right, but I just love how it sounds so I had to yell it out...
Celia: *trudges along* I have the WEIRDEST author in the world...
Zach:
Oh, FINE. *clicks pen, superglue disappears*
Zach: FINALLY!
Me: You guys hate me now, don't you?
Celia: We don't hate you. You're just annoying.
Me: *mumbles* You might hate me after you hear what happened to Max...
Celia: What was that about Max?
Zach: Where is she, anyway? We haven't seen her in a long time.
Me: You haven't... But the readers have...
Celia: Why isn't she here?
Me: Should I go get her?
Zach: Yes. Just hurry back before we get too far ahead.
Celia: Yeah.

Charlotte: Wait, how did Zach say "What have we here?" if his mouth was super-glued shut? *talks while secretly killing plants in front of her*

Me: I can see that.

UGH Like I said, kick me off HW next time I get on when I'm tired!
I can't even find the post where I superglued his mouth shut...

Me: It's completely fine, Eliz. Every time I describe poor Rogan his eye color is different

Alina: *Pulls out dictionary* I know what "addicted" means! Can I tell Tynx? Pleeeeeeeease?

Eileene: No.

Alina: *Sticks tongue out at Eileene* I didn't ask you. I asked our neglectful author.

Geo: YO EVERYONE! THERE'S A WEIRD BLACK TOWER OVER THERE! LET'S CHECK IT OUT!

Me: That doesn't sound safe...

Geo: Nothing we do is safe. *starts walking towards the castle*

Ooh, a weird black tower! Oh yeah, I was supposed to get Max, wasn't I? Well, here she is.

Max: *bounds up to join the group* Hi everybody!
Celia: Max! You're here! *hugs*
Zach: Hey, Max. *high fives*
Max: Yeah, I'm here. Finally. *glares at Elizabeth*
Me: Sorry...
Max: Well, let's go check out that tower thingy! *runs to the forefront of the group and tries to stay one step ahead of Geo*
Celia: Oh, Max...
Zach: Max indeed.

Geo: Hey Max! Don't worry, I won't flirt with you in fear of getting scolded by... the author.

Me:

Geo: But just a warning, I'm very competitive. *makes piece of grass lengthen and grab Max's foot* *sprints ahead of everyone*

Dawn: I thought we couldn't use magic!

Me: We weren't supposed to, but I've given up on Geo.

Dawn: Ah.

Alina: LOL! .... O.o Hold on! What does "LOL" mean?

Eileene: *Rolls eyes*

Rogan: *Frowns at Geo and helps Max up* I am deeply sorry, m'lady. The lad is evidently from another world that greatly lacks chivalry. I apologize for his insolence.

Me: Geo, fear Natalia... She can make your life very miserable.
Celia: I know this from experience!
Me: Oh shush, it's all for the good of the story.
Max: Thanks Rogan! *runs ahead and tackles Geo*
Me/Zach/Celia: Oh Max...
Zach: Wait, does magic include only magic, or also our powers, which we were born with and have nothing to do with magic whatsoever?
Celia: You weren't born with yours...
Zach: >.> Sh.
Me/Celia:

Geo: *tumbles forward* Oof! *gets up* Hehe, I like this chick.

Scarlet: *directed at Rogan* Our world, Tryanthia, has plenty of gentlemen, like Christopher. Geo just lacks that quality.

Charlotte: Greatly.

Geo: HEY! I CAN HEAR THAT, YOU KNOW! *nudges Max* Whoa... check out the tower! It's HUGE! And it doesn't have a door... great... *yells description of the tower to the others*

Scarlet: Speaking of Christopher, maybe I should bring him here! *sends Rinabeth to get Christopher and bring him here*

Me: @ Geo: Most people do! I knew you would.
Max: Ha! That was fun. *brushes self off*
Zach: *takes Celia's hand* Come on, let's go see that tower.
Celia: Okay. *runs ahead with Zach to catch up to Max and Geo*
Me: There really isn't a door...
Max: Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!!!
Me: Uh... I don't think we're in that story right now, Max...

Geo: Besides, there's no window either... maybe we're supposed to destroy it!!!

Me: You'd like that, wouldn't you.

Rinabeth: *lands with Christopher on her back, looking quesy*

Christopher: *moans with nausea* Uhhhnnnnn...

Scarlet: CHRISTOPHER!!! *hugs* Maybe you can help us with this problem...

Christopher: *faints*

Scarlet: Or maybe not...

Tynx: I love the eagerness everyone has! It's awesome!

Me: You are so weird.

Tynx: Thanks! Can I know what addicted means?

Me: Sure.

Tynx: Wow, really?

Me: I can be indulgent when I want.

Max: I want to destroy it! Let's destroy it!
Celia: Just make sure you let me know before you do so I can be far away...
Zach: I think I have some dynamite in my backpack...

Geo: No way dude! That's no fun! *takes out backpack with endless storage space* I got axes... chainsaws... a pair of magic boxing gloves... some concrete baseball bats...

Rinabeth: *carries an unconscious Christopher towards the tower*

Scarlet: Not too close Rinny! If it collapses, he won't be able to run! And flying isn't an option...

Me: Chris here gets incredibly nauseous while in the air. I assume it's a fear of heights, but he won't admit it.

Zach: I was going for efficient...
Max: *grabs magical boxing gloves* YES!!!
Celia: *backs away*

Geo: *snatches them back and puts them on* Nuh uh uh, mine. *ties them and hands Max a chainsaw*

Max:
Celia: Don't give her a chainsaw!
Zach: Calm down Max, they're just gloves. I'm sure he'll let you try them later-
Max: *drops chainsaw and tackles Geo again* Rawr!

Geo: *dodges, causing Max to land on the floor* No way Zach, these aren't ordinary gloves *punches tower* *tower and ground around it shakes and bricks begin to fall* Help me, guys! *leaves equipment on ground for others to choose from*

Max: *gets concrete baseball bat instead* Do not think yourself worthy to choose my weapon for me. *smacks wall*

Geo: *chuckles and scoffs at Max's anger* And what exactly would *you* do to prove me wrong? *punches wall, causing debris to rain over him and Max*

Charlotte: And here comes Sexist Geo.

Geo: I'm not being sexist. It's just that the odds aren't in her favor. Human vs. Wizard trained in martial arts, you do the math. Not to mention, son of a Defiant One- *holds up emerald ring for emphasis* - which only adds to my power.

Me: Well, it depends on what Max I bring in... Pre-BIG EVENT Max, or post-BIG EVENT Max.
Max: Ooh! Do I get to have powers too?
Me: Of a sort... I've said too much... *goes invisible*

You will, just keep reading.

Me: Alrighty!

Geo: *has a distracted look for a minute, then glances at his ring* *clears his throat* Ahem, sorry for being such an obnoxious jerk Max...

Charlotte: So his father's finally decided to talk to him about that!! *gets distracted and glances at ring as well* *looks up at the sky and yells* I KNOW I'M BEING MEAN! IT'S MY CHOICE, ISN'T IT?!

Me: Just ignore them and keep hitting that tower, Max. Their fathers are giving them a talk.

Max: How..?
Me: Max, just keep banging the tower.
Max: *runs over to examine Charlotte's ring, ignoring the annoyed look in Charlotte's red eyes* How does this thing work?
Zach: Well, since everyone else is distracted... *picks up chainsaw and hacks away at tower*

Charlotte: *pulls hand back and continues to converse with her father*

Me: Allow me to explain: Scarlet, Charlotte, and Geo are sons and daughters of the legendary Defiant Ones. Well, they're legendary back in Tryanthia. The Defiant Ones were once the 3 best warrior-wizards in all the lands, but they soon got tangled up in a battle far too great for they're skills. It was a war between the king, Lazarus Blaise and his brother, who's name was lost over time. People now refer to him as Despair. Anyways, the Defiant Ones refused to back away from the fight. They fought with their king, loyal to the end. Unfortunately, this cost them their lives. But before their tragic death they gave these rings to their children, so that their spirits could communicate with them and give them advice in times of need.

Scarlet: Are we boring you with our world's history?

Me: No, it's fascinating!
Max: *rolls her eyes at Charlotte and goes back to smashing the tower* Welcome aboard, Zach!
Zach: Thanks- *a chuck of a brick hits him on the head*-I think. Ouch.
Celia: That's why I'm staying back here, smart one.

Geo: I'll cure that pain up for you, dude. *plucks a leaf from a nearby tree* *places on Zach's head and removes it shortly after* There you go! Maybe I should have handed out these helmets earlier on... *puts one on and punches the wall once again*

Scarlet: *takes an axe and a helmet* *joins in on the destruction*

Me: I'm glad you find Tryanthia interesting! Charlotte, you wanna join them?

Charlotte: You sure you want a chainsaw in my hand? While I'm near Geo?

Me: Er... maybe not...

Celia: Please keep her away from the chainsaws... I don't need to see that...
Zach: Uh, thanks.
Max: Yeah! *bang* This is fun! *whack*
*tower begins to crumble and fall*
Me: EVERYBODY RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zach: *runs for his life*
Max: *hits tower one more time, then runs, holding on to her concrete bat*
Celia: It's falling!

Geo: *grabs backpack and hops on Rinabeth, with Scarlet and a still unconscious Christopher* *chuckles*

Scarlet: You're LAUGHING?! We could have died back there!!!

Geo: It's exhilarating!!!

*tower collapses completely, revealing an unharmed chest in the middle of the mess*

Christopher: *wakes up with all the noise* What?! Who?! Where?! *looks around frantically*

Geo: Calm down dude! It was just a tower collapsing!

Christopher: Uhhh... alright... heard weirder, I guess...

Rinabeth: *swoops down to where Dawn, Charlotte and I are*

Me: That was LOUD!

Dawn: That was COOL! Why didn't you tell me you were gonna do that?! I would have joined in a long time ago!!

Me: Because we didn't know it was going to happen!
Celia: I wonder what's in that chest! *runs toward it, then bounces off an invisible wall no more than ten feet from the chest*
Zach: *runs to help* Cel! Are you okay?
Celia: Ouch...
Max: *punches and kicks invisible wall, but it doesn't break* What do we do now?

Geo: Maybe we can use just an itty bit of magic?

Me: *sigh* You're probably gonna use it anyway so...

Geo: WOO HOOOO! *runs towards the barrier* EVERYONE WITH POWERS, STEP FORWARD!

Dawn: I don't think that a power to change age will be of much use. I'll just watch.