Lajh: we risk nothing! The princess is perfectly safe! Nothing can touch her with us protecting her!

Except maybe Jaegar...

Simperer: don't bring him back in here, please.

I won't. Wait...no he couldn't. Timothy is like Jaegar repellent. XDDDDDD

Chayn: *Roars* A dragon will get what she wants! You dare challenge my desires, petty king and squire? Give me the princess and I may consider sparing your scrawny little lives.

Again, don't scare the wits out of Tawni.

Mordir: *Chuckles at Sarai* I didn't think so. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do best? You have a whole day to yourself, to do whatever you want. What do you do?

That's true. He's happier when he's snarky.

Mordir: I feel like I should be concerned with how much ladies are discussing me.

Lillian: Nah, they're writers. I think they're allowed to.

Ivy: *Watches, eyes wide, as Virika throws sand into the air. Covers her eyes as it comes down* It feels weird! Like.... Like salt! It's crumbly like dirt, but dirt doesn't feel like this. *Watches as Simperer hurries to Virika* Uh-oh. Is Virika okay?

Awwwwwww-

Mordir: Stop it.



Chayn: *Roars at the boys* My patience wears thin, mortals!

Mortals? What'd you do, become a god?

Chayn: It sounded scary at the time.

No being invincible. Nobody likes playing with someone who's invincible.

Mordir: I'm with Simperer on Jaegar.

They agree on something?

Tynx: *Tilts head* I'm confused now. You destroy, then you create... why?

Timothy: But what would you even do with a princess? It doesn't make any sense.

Tawni: *relaxes very slightly when both Timothy and Lajh refuse to let Chayn have her*

Jonah: *frowns when Virika gets sand in her eyes, looks up at Enya* Be right back. *runs over and kneels down* Hey, what's wrong?

Tawni: *hears Chayn roaring and threatening 'scrawny little lives'* *starts to cry*

Me: Oh great.

Sarai: *frowns thoughtfully* Well... me and my brothers are always trying to get away from the bad men who want to take me and Jonah and Simon away, so I don't get days to myself... I like to read though. And... *her frown grows deeper* I don't remember anything really fun besides that, except when Mummy and Daddy would spend time with us... *she looks up at Mordir* I miss Mummy and Daddy.

Timothy: *flies back to Lajh* I think we should stop. *hugs Tawni with his arms and wings* It's okay, Chayn's only teasing.

Tawni: *hugs back shakily, peeks out at Chayn from behind Timothy's wings* Sh-she... teasing?

Timothy: Yep, she's just playing along because Lajh wanted her too.

Lajh: yeeaaah....sounds good. *sits next to Tawni* hey, it's ok. it's only pretend. None of this...*makes a scared face*...more of this...

Nah, it's a good thing, Mordir. Trust me, you don't want to be a character nobody talks about...then you'd be boring. It's a reflection on your awesomeness.

Simperer: *rubbing sand from his daughter's face with the sleeve of his tunic* I think she's ok...Vi?

Virika: I'm okayyyy... *to Jonah* I got sand in my eyes.

You would act nothing like this if she was alive in the book. I think you would have just blinked at her.

Simperer: I would not! ...I am happy she's in here.

Tawni: *blinks back tears, looks at Timothy and Lajh* *smiles a little bit, glances over at Chayn*

Jonah: Aww. I hate it when things get in my eyes. Here... *he rummages around in the pocket of his jeans, and then withdraws a handkerchief* Daddy used to tell me and Simon to always carry handkerchiefs with us for emergencies, like little girls crying because they got sand in their eyes. *smiles* Here. *he holds out the handkerchief*

Mordir: *Smiles at Sarai* What do you like to read? *Smiles falters a little. He sits down beside Sarai and wraps his arm around her, pulling her to him and kissing her head comfortingly* I miss my parents sometimes too. What do you remember best about yours?

Can I just... Gah, Mordir, you're adorable right now!

Mordir: Nothing to cry over.

But you! And kids! You and kids! You're awesome! I never knew that about you!

Mordir: *Looks at Abigail* That's true. *Smirks at Lillian*

Lillian: Oh don't even-

Oi. I'm working on her character. She's gonna be better. She'll have her issues and good sides.

Lillian: As MC I demand to be more awesome than him.

That... I'm not sure I can guarantee that. I could write a few stories about you and Gabe in different foster homes and stuff. Maybe you two can attempt to run away like Simon, Jonah, and Sarai.

Lillian: YES.

Oh well done, Chayn. Well done.

Chayn: *Furls wings quickly and crouches down, making herself appear smaller/less scary* *Nudges Tawni very gently with her nose* I'm sorry for frightening you, little one. I was only playing. I'd never kidnap you or kill any of you. Princess Tawni and her brave Squire Timothy and the Sand King Lajh. *Rises to her feet and bows* I am at thy services, fair princess, squire, and king. Your scheme of tears and fear has defeated my wrath.

(I am seriously crying over here. Like, for real. I feel like I'm reading an actual book--like I'm not actually the one that gave all my characters such traumatic lives. Like they're actual people. o.o)

Sarai: I like fairy tales... *blinks back tears when Mordir hugs her and kisses the top of her head, buries her face in his shoulder* *says quietly* I remember Daddy used to come into my room and read me a bedtime story before praying with me, and then he'd tuck me in and kiss me goodnight... and Mummy used to let me help her cook stuff...

Tawni: *gasps a little bit when Chayn nudges her, but then curiously steps out from her hiding place behind Timothy's wings* So... you're nice?

Aw, no cry Annwyl! *Hugs* I cried over Mordir's sister's death. I felt like a terrible person.

Mordir: And so you should've.

Chayn: *Blinks her blue eyes* Yes, little one. I am friendly.

She's very friendly. Motherly and protective and goes nuts when someone takes her 'adopted children'.

Mordir: *Wraps his arms around Sarai soothingly, stroking her hair* Your parents sound like wonderful people. Cherish those memories, Sarai. Don't ever let them fade.

Can I cry now?

Me: *hugs back* We can cry togetherrr!

Tawni: *hesitantly steps a little closer to Chayn*

Sarai: *sniffles* I'm trying not to.

Me: Yes, yes, you can. 'cause I am.

Meeeep......Mordir ...!! I need to join the sob club ...oh wow...now I feel terrible. XD I didn't cry at all when I killed a character. I...rather enjoyed it, actually...

Vi: *smiles at Jonah and takes the handkerchief* thank you. *rubs her eyes*

Lajh: hurrah! Another monster vanquished! *grins hugely*

Alastair: I know what you mean about having to be more awesome than another character, Lillian. I think that we main characters should be collectively more awesome.

Timothy: But Lajh wouldn't part with his gold to save the princess. I say he is unfit to be king!

That doesn't make you terrible, Gael.

Jonah: *grins* You're welcome.

Tawni: *blinks* *doesn't really understand talks of politics and gold*

Lajh: *jaw drops in horror* what? Whhh--what?? The nerve! The absolute--mutiny!

Do you even know what mutiny means?

Lajh: ...



Tinsley: if we're taking a vote, I agree with winged boy.

Virika: *bestows Jonah with a hug*

It doesn't make me terrible? ...I think you'll change your mind when you find out who it is...

Timothy: *crosses arms* We can't have people in harms way because you've gone and put treasure before honor.

Ouska: Ye mention a princess? *frowns thoughtfully* Knew a princess once. Then she became queen. *frowns again* Then she banished me. RUined our wedding plans, fer sure.

*Hugs Annwyl* I made a typo. I didn't cry. I almost cried.

Mordir: I was gonna say!

Chayn: *Lowers head to Tawni's height* Are you alright now, little one?

Mordir: Good. *Hugs Sarai* Shh, no tears. No tears...

*Starts sobbing*

Mordir: Oh for all Allare, Aris!

*Pulls Abigail in to join sob club*

Tynx: Girls are so weird.

Ivy: *'Pets' Virika's arm comfortingly*

Your daddy has you well-looked after, Vi. *Looks at Abigail and whispers* Why does she DIE?!

Lillian: Exactly! We're the heroes that save everybody else. Why aren't we more awesome? Alace is more awesome than I am!

Oh stop. I'm still working on you. You're gonna be... a little more of something. But I will not have you turn out all aloof/apathetic or Katniss-like. Never.

Lillian: Yes ma'am. So, what am I going to be like?

I'll be interviewing you and perhaps redoing your bio today.

Lillian: Wait, interview?

Mordir: Just go with it. She made me do one. Just let her ask questions and you answer them.

Lillian: Uh. Okay?

Chayn: *Looks at Lajh* The squire has a point...

Tynx: *Looks at Ouska* Wait, you were gonna get married to a princess? So you were gonna be king? What happened?

Ouska: Lord-Commander of the Rhoron, actually. Rhoronen does not have kings. *shrugs* She banished me.

Lajh:... there wasn't anything at stake, though! Fine then, you be king, Timothy. *shakes the sand out of his hair and exits the sand pit*

*joins sob club readily*

Tinsley: do tell, Ouska.

Virika: *blinks and smiles at Ivy*

...1) because I'm a cruel author and I enjoy your tears 2) because I wanted to give the Simperer a more personal reason than just a order from Jaegar to find Breindel.

Simperer:....*walks off*

Where are you going??

Simperer: *scowls*

Uh oh...I struck a nerve. He's mad at me...

Alastair: uh.... no I'm not...don't worry, Lillian, Aris will make you awesome today I mean...I mean n more awesome. Like...how a main character...

I think she gets it.

Jonah: *surprised look, blinks, turns a little red in the face* *gingerly hugs Virika back*

Me: Wha--Gael, who do you kill?!

Me: *hugs Aris back* Still though.

Tawni: *nods, staring up at Chayn with eyes wide in curiosity*

Sarai: *nods shakily, wipes her eyes with her sleeve*

Me: *group-hugs Gael and Aris, still crying*

Tanner: Well, some main characters are pretty awesome...

Timothy: *watches thoughtfully and a bit confused as Lajh goes* Well that was a weird promotion. I'm not even a knight yet.

Aren: Are you given any sort of impediment or handicap when banished, or was your crime more insubstantial?

Trevelian: *watches all of the children tear around*

Ouska: *shrugs* I can no longer remember much of what occurred, as it was nearly a thousand years ago and many new memories have taken the place of the old memories. And I know not of what you mean by impediment or handicap. She was not some sorceress or witch like in the songs.

Aren: Nor are my people, but a banished criminal is still a threat. That is why they most often have their wings clipped.

Virika: *lets go and sits on the grass at the edge of the sand pit* *blinks at the handkerchief* now what do I do with it?

Uhhhh.....*innocently points to Virika* ...And that isn't a spoiler....technically she's dead before the story starts....

Simperer: *glares at me*

...can I help you? Didn't Jaegar ever teach you it's rude to glare at people?? ... Ah, Tanner......

Alastair: very true, Tanner. You are awesome can I borrow some of it?

Lajh: *grins at Timothy* in that case, I have to knight you first. ...I need a stick...

Tinsley: *to Trevelain* madness, isn't it.

Tanner: Sure.

Trevelian: Madness that reminds me of home.

Jonah: *smiles* You can keep it, if you like.

Me: You-you-you... kill...

Ouska: *confused* Wings clipped? *shakes head, giving up on place* There is nought something one can do to a human in such times, especially when one is a bard.

Tynx: Hold up. O.O That was a thousand years ago? I thought you were 800?

New definition for General Conversation: Where people sob and fangirl over fictional people.

Lillian: *Smiles at Alace* Yes you are! You're a cool guy!

Chayn: *Blows warm air gently at Tawni, then looks at Lajh* What's to be done with him? Shall I fly off with him



Mordir: Hey. *Looks Sarai face to face* Why don't you go see of your older brothers have stories about your parents? That way, you have even more things to remember.

Zinaan: *Runs at Trevelian and wraps arms and legs around Trevelian's leg* Got your leg!

Lillian: MC awesomeness 101 with Tanner!

XD

Mordir: When we banish people, we just send them to an island in the middle of Allare. Sounds kind of boring compared what they do.

I could send them down the Currents of the Lost...

Mordir: Do it! Do it!

Hey! The assassin smiles!

Me: That is an accurate definition.

Tawni: *giggles*

Sarai: *blinks up at him* Tommy and 'Thaniel aren't here. And Jonah and Simon say they can't remember anything other than what I already remember.

Ouska: *shrugs* Over 900, I think, now. I cannot remember the truth anymore.

Trevelian: No you haven't. *tries to clomp away*

Timothy: Yes. you should capture him and take him far away. Don't worry Tawni, it's just pretend.

Tanner:

Aren: Humans have no less love of pain than any other people... There might have been more permanent losses than feathers.

Ouska: We are not barbarians like those in the North who commit such fell deeds.

Tinsley: yours must have been a hectic home.

Virika: I can? Thank you!. you're probably a good big brother to Sarai.

Yeah. Her mother dies about the same time, too. Two losses for the Simperer.

Alastair: uh... let's stick to Tanner teaching us to be awesome.

Whoa, Mordir smiled for banishing people? ...=) I like it when he smiles. He is less scary.

Characters: *gag*

What? ...Weirdos.

Lajh; *had just found a proper stick to 'knight' Timothy with when he hears the proposition to be taken away* o.o *glances at Chayn* uh oh...

Mordir: I see... Well, why don't I tell you a story? It was told to me long ago, when I had escaped my master's home by a woman who had a great skill in acting. I had joined a group of traveling performers, and I had been feeling homesick, and missing my parents too.

*Sobs harder* If anything with him in it becomes a movie, I will feel sorry for whatever actor who has to play him. Because then it will seem really real with an actual person acting as Mordir.

Tynx: *Peers at Ouska* 900 now?

That sounds rather like something the Doctor would say about his age, yes?

Zinaan: *Clings tighter* I got you!!!

Chayn: *Looks at Lajh, then leaps into the sky. She circles and comes down, grabbing Lajh gently in her claws and rises again* Where shall I take him?

Ivy: *Sits down by Virika and buries her hands in the sand* *Gasps in horror* My hands are gone! My hands disappeared!

Lillian: *Laughs and nudges Alace with her elbow* You're awesome too! You face Simperer, don't you? I couldn't do that.

Yes, he did smile. XD He is less scary.

Mordir: *Smiles* I'm not entirely evil. Nor entirely good, either.

*wants to be a filmmaker* *wonders why she didn't think of that* actually, Aris, I think the actor would enjoy the challenge if getting him to come to life but everybody else would probably sob.

Simperer:...did you just use up the smiley limit...all in one sentence?

Shut up or so help me...

Simperer: Can you really do anything worse?

.........don't be so argumentative. It isn't your personality.

Simperer: I..don't think you gave me a personality.

Well if I would have, it wouldn't be like that.

Blank: *smug smirk as he enters gracefully*

Who let him in? He doesn't even have a name yet! DDDX

Blank: That thing over there is called a door. I'll do things like this when you refuse to write for me. *rolls his eyes* I'm in here because you can't write a coy, flippant character to save your life. *blinks at the pink cat on Kid's shoulder* is that my cat? I hate pink.

In that case someone's got to go...*pokeths Tinsley* you, my lovely schizophrenic half-elf...I'll bring you back later.

Tinsley: I'd like to see you make me leave.

Ok...*dumps a mountain's worth of leaves on Tinsley* that works.

Lajh: *would do a dieshappy face if I hadn't reached the limit when I was sobbing earlier* *giggling uncontrollably* XDDDDDD

Oh my gosh...Ivy is so cute....

Virika: O.O daddy! What do we do? Her hands! The sand ate her hands! *pulls on one of Ivy's arms, re-revealing her hand* =O

Me: <-- and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we love Mordir. XDDDDDD

Enya: Well, Jonah, I'm part nature-spirit, which enables me to create fire. (closes palm, and fire extinguishes) In the book my author's writing, I help some of my friends get to safety in a land called Kythyrra.

Sam: (crosses the room and sits next to Enya) (smiles at her)

Cameron: (sits between Enya and Sam) (looks at Jonah) Yes, I help a princess escape from her kingdom, which was under siege. (beckons

Enya: (nods) That's right, Jonah.

Trevelian: No, I shall escape! *keeps clomping*

Tanner: Hi, new person. What are you in for?

Timothy: Is there a lake? You should throw him in a lake.

Aren: *to Alastair* You doubt yourself, young friend?

*grins at Sam and Enya*

Lajh: lake?

Blank: in for? ...this is a prison?

Alastair: um...Well...Yeah. I guess so.

Ouska: People stop counting at 60 winters in many cases, and I am at least ten times older than that. As time goes on, they all blend into one, like the colors of the stone beneath the sunset.

Very true. I'd love it though. I wonder who'd play him... Maybe I should research actors to find my dream cast and sob over the fate of whoever plays the characters.

Mordir: I'll be sure to give the actor a hard time. I'll be mysterious and so complex that NOBODY can play me.

I hate you.

Mordir: The feeling is mutual, my dear.

Lillian: Hello Blank! Are you in the same world as Alace?

She is! I lurvs her and Zinaan.

Ivy: *Has started sobbing. She stops when Virika pulls her hand out. She looks her sandy hand over and starts crying again* It's not coming off!!!

Mordir: *Looks up sharply* Ivy?

Ivy: Papa, my hand is gone and the sand won't let go!

Mordir: *Sets Sarai aside* I'll be right back. *Runs owl the sand pit and pulls Ivy's other hand out* Shh, baby, you're okay. *Brushes the sand off* See? There's your hand. It's just sand, love.

Ivy: *Sniffs and brushes the sand off*

Mordir: *Smiles and slides his own hand under the sand, then brings it out* See? It doesn't go away. It's playing hide-and-seek with you.

Ivy: *Smiles and nods*

Mordir: Be careful not to get it in your eyes. *Kisses Ivy's forehead and returns to Sarai*

Zinaan: *Laughing* No! *Bites down on Trevelian's pant leg*

Mordir: Zinaan!

Chayn: *Circles over the lake* Ready, Sand King?

Mordir: *Frowns slightly* I'm loved because I don't know what I am? *Is whacked*

Noooo. You're loved because no one knows where your loyalties lie.

Mordir: Uh-huh.

Tynx: At least... wait, so you're at least 600? That's pretty far from 900. And you were banished a thousand years ago... *Faces scrunches up* I'm confused.

*a muffled, "I'm confused too," comes from somewhere beneath the leaf mound*

oh my gosh, you two...XDDDDDD

Blank: Alace? No, I'm afraid I don't recall the name...May I have the privilege of knowing yours? *charming grin* *bows slightly*

Creep. *watches Ivy and Mordir* ...awww......

Virika: don't cry, Ivy...it's okayyyy. *hugs Ivy*

Lajh: hehehe YESSSS!!! XDDDDDD

Yep. That's correct, Mordir.

Ouska: *shakes head irritably* Youth. Never as smart as they think and more irritating by the year.

Tanner: It's prison slang, and some people seem to think so. I was just curious.

Trevelian: *cries out and falls carefully on his back, sticking the leg Zinaan clutches in the air*

Aren: *to Alastair* Why is that?

Timothy: Throw him to the crocodiles!

Tanner: Or maybe too many years makes you proud to have forgotten everything that matters.

What two?

Lillian: *Blushes* I'm Lillian. But most people call me Lilly.

Ivy: *Sniffles and smiles as Virika hugs her* I'm okay now, I think.

I had a thought: We should do a 'take your daughter to work day' for fathers (namely Simperer and Mordir) and then I thought 'oh wait, no... that's a bad idea.'

Mordir: You think?!

Chayn: *Roars and circles the lake quickly, and on the fourth time around she drops Lajh into the water*

Oh yeah, make him dizzy the. Drop him from high up. That's a good idea. Where has your common sense gone, Chayn?!

Chayn: Who says I had any?

Mordir: That doesn't worry you? I could murder you in your sleep right after I've saved your life from bandits. All because whatever I do at the time helps me.

Well aren't you cheerful today.

Tynx: I'm not irritating! Just curious. I've never met someone who lived as long as you.

Zinaan: *Shrieks with laughter and slides up Trevelian's leg. He falls off and drapes himself over Trevelian's stomach*

Mordir: I would like to know who's giving my children caffeine. Zinaan doesn't usually bite people.

How do you know? You're not around long enough to find out.

Mordir: ...

Ouska: How difficult is it to understand that I am too old to remember how old I am? *lets out a deep breath* There are no years for the Old Man of the Mountain. Only time, ne'er ending and always flowing.

Tanner: Didn't the Old Man in the Mountain fall down?

Trevelian: Now you have me. What are your plans? There is no one to pay my ransom.

Ouska: Eh? Not that I ever remember.