Me: (@Zoe) Ah, okay, temporary confusion there. Yeah, I'm not sure what kind of sword I tried either.

Alianna: *tries again and is less clumsy* How was that, Miss Raven?

Me: Out of curiosity...where did you get manners?

Alianna: *blinks* I...don't know?

Me: *needs to figure out Allie's history*

Raven: Good! Do it a few more times, and then I'll teach you the next one.

Alianna: *tries three more times and is nearly perfect on the third try* This is fun!

Brian: *slips Emuna something*

Emuna: *takes item and tiptoes over to Terminus* Father, may I speak with you?

Terminus: *glares at Emuna* What do you want?

Me: What does she want? *thinks* Oh! I have her idea! You could have told me your idea a little earlier, you know, Emuna...I do not like posting blind!

Me: OK, this is where my short stick training and my sidesword training clash. Please pardon me if I give you false information. The strikes are the same, just not the numbers.

Raven: *chuckles* I agree. Now, number two is backwards from one. Start with your sword near your left hip, and bring it up to above your right shoulder.
Me: It's hard to explain in writing.

Carter: *eyes widen* He's her father?
Raven: Carter, it should be no surprise, considering who my father was.
Carter: I suppose. *smiles*

Alianna: Erm....okay... *tries and nearly drops sword again* Haha, Oopsie.

Emuna: *resists urge to glare at Carter* I want you to let Shawn go.

Terminus: *chuckles* Oh, well, perhaps you haven't heard-

Emuna: Here is the necklace. *takes her necklace off and hands it to Terminus* Now, let her go, please.

Terminus: *studies necklace carefully*

Raven: Careful. Going up is harder, because you don't have gravity to help you. Keep trying, you'll get it! *smiles encouragingly*

Carter: (@Emuna) I beg your pardon, my lady. I was surprised, is all. Please know I do not judge people based on their fathers. Raven and I would not be so close if I did.

Emuna: *still ignoring Carter*

Me: Oh, big baby.

Emuna: *glares at me* Well?... Father?

Terminus: *takes out stretched necklace and shoves Shawn towards Jay* Deal.

Emuna: *smiles weakly* Good...

Terminus: Now go away, weakling.

Emuna: *timidly walks away and back to Avneet*

Avneet: *whispers* I hope you have a plan, m'dear.

Me: Yes! I just figured it out! FINALLY! DEVELOPMENT! Thank you, BushMaid! *cough* Random spurt of writerness over.

Alianna: *tries again and drops sword* Oh! *jumps back* Sorry, Miss Raven.

Carter: *under his breath* *eyes twinkle* I do not judge them based on their almost fiancees, either.
Raven: *glares*
Carter: Good grief, you're getting to be as bad as Marian at seeing jokes.
Raven:

Raven: Don't be embarrassed, Alianna. Dropping the sword is nothing to be ashamed of. You're a good student. You should have seen my first sword lesson.

Emuna: *rolls eyes at Carter*

Gavin: *pokes Emuna* Don't be so touchy.

Emuna: If I wasn't so touchy then I would not have let you touch me...you would be dead.

Gavin: Fine... *goes back to duel* *mumbles* For Elah's sake...so violent.

Brian: *glares at Gavin*

Gavin: What? I didn't say anything!

Terminus: *studies necklace more* *a frown crosses over his face*

Me: *pauses* Perhaps I should wait for the other charries to read the last...twenty or something posts...eh?

Alianna: (@Raven) *giggles nervously* Haha, okay. *picks up sword* May I try a final time?

Carter: *sighs*

Raven: Of course you can! You can try as many times as you want to.

Emuna: *smiles faintly at Carter* Don't worry, I am not that upset, Sir.

Alianna: All right. *lifts sword up expertly then brings it back down*

Me: I have no idea if that is what she was supposed to do and I failedly described it...but...yet.

Carter: *smiles in relief*

Me: She was actually supposed to from down to up...but that's ok. We can pretend she went the right direction.
Raven: Good! Now keep doing it until it's comfortable, and then we can put two and one together.

Me: Oh, yes, pretending. We do that quite well.

Alianna: *tries three more times and gets each time right* *takes breath* Like that?

Just thought I'd mention that Alianna is very similar to my little sister's name.

Haha, yeah, it is. Vili came up with it for me. I quite like the name.

Raven: Good job! Now do one and two together. *brings her sword down for one and up again for two to demonstrate*


I noticed that as soon as she started using it! I thought it was cool.

Alianna: *does likewise, almost drops the sword again* *giggles* Apparently, I drop things a lot.

Me: Apparently, you're an average nine year old.

Seymour: You just sounded a bit irritated. But let's drop the subject. [Jumps over Gavin and lands in a sort of crouch behind him, facing him]

Chayn: [Watches Emuna and Terminus] Can I eat him now?

Me: Just wait. Have your reunion with Shawn, then you can eat him, if it's still alright with Bethy.

Chayn: [Casts one final glare at Terminus before lowering her head to Shawn, nudging her arm] Did he hurt you, little one?

Tesmir: What in Allare?! Terminus is Emuna's father?!

Chayn: Can I please eat him?

Me: In a minute.

Rowen: Why don't you eat Raczr or Pirzak or somebody?

Me: Don't give her any ideas.

Mordir: [Is slowly losing consciousness]

Me: Oh for pete's sake just die.

Mordir: Can't get rid of me... that fast.

Rowen: [Jumps into the air up into the rafters] Ashrai, hop on. We'll get you the antidote for that poison.

Mordir: No! [Throws dagger with what strength is left at Rowen before collapsing against the beam.]

Rowen: [Nestles onto a couple rafters, watching the dagger bury itself into a beam above him] Missed.

Zanya - (Stares at the dagger) You can say that again. C'mon, Ashrai!

Ashrai - (Stumbles, and shakes his head) No. I have what I've earned. (Leaps off the rafter. Stays suspended in air for a moment, then hits the earth on his paws, stumbling, then collapses)

Zanya - (Dismounts Rowen, and walks over to Mordir) Is there anything we can do?

Me - And you're aware that he could kill you too.

Zanya - I'm not worried.

Niarah - (Pads cautiously towards Ashrai, her face a mix of emotions)

Me - And yes, I'm listening to sad, emotional music. Isn't it great?

Ember - Yeah. Great.

Sylvia - Wait, what? When did that happen?

Thysal - Ahh, the happy, tearful, reunion. That's the best part, y'know. (rests her head on Pirzak and sighs)

Raven: (@Alianna) *smiles* That's ok. Try again.

Me: Oh, yes, Terminus is Emuna's father... That occurred somewhere between me banging my head on a desk, trying to decide who my villain would be while on the chapter where my villain was introduced in book one, and writing the chapter where my villain was introduced in book one...

Emuna: *rolls eyes* *sighs loudly* *turns pale* Yes...he's related to me...scientifically...

Brian: *smiles* Yup! And...for all I know, I could be related to Pavix. Relations don't really matter.

Me: Oh! That would make an interesting storyline...

Brian:

Me: Oh, not you, somebody else, in another book...whatever.

Gavin: *turns around* Drop what subject? What were we talking about? *swings sword at Seymour again* I *thrusts at Seymour* am not *kicks Seymour in the shin* offended.

Alianna: *tries again* Was that better, Miss Raven?

Terminus: *looks up from studying necklace* *glares at Chayn* Try and eat me, I dare you. I let your little girl go and I got what I wanted. I think that settles everything.

Me: I don't know...it'd be pretty funny for her to eat you.

Emuna: *stifles a laugh*

Terminus: Shut up, child!

Emuna: *falls silent*

So I know it's been a long time since I posted, but I didn't know what to post for a while and stopped reading, and I've only now caught back up...


Fallen: Oh, yes, next thing you know we'll be sitting down for a picnic together.


Me: I'm thinking about pulling out of this...most of my characters aren't doing anything and in a couple of months I'd probably have to quit anyway due to uncertain Internet time.

Raven: Yes! Very good! Now three is easy. You just bring your sword from right to left horizontally across your body. Your blade should be horizontal too. *demonstrates*

Alianna: *watches* Hmm...okay. *tries slowly* Like that?

Raven: Good! And if you bring it back from left to right, that's four.

Alianna: *brings back from left to right* *giggles* Haha, this is getting easier.

Rowen: [Jerks forward in alarm as Ashrai jumps off the rafter, then slowly tries to release his tense muscles] Goodness, why am I so jumpy?

Mordir: [Looks briefly at Zanya as he pulls himself up] Unless you know how to fix stab wounds to the heart. No, there's not much. Why would you, anyway?

Me: He'll die soon... I think?

Tesmir: Sheesh, we were kidding when we said he'd probably still fight even if he died.

Hailey: He will?!

Tesmir: That was sarcasm, Hailey. Keep up, girl.

Hailey: I can't help it if I'm forgotten!

Chayn: [Smiles at Thysal's comment as she nuzzles Shawn's shoulder] I'll be right back. [Suddenly whirls around, jaws wide open, and bring her head down right above Terminus]

Tounon:

Tesmir: [To Emuna] What'd he do that made him go villainous?

Tounon: Couldn't think of anything insulting?

Tesmir: Not really. Besides, he's already got the wrath of Chayn come down upon him.

Cassie: Who's Pavix?

Seymour: [Smiles and leans back to avoid the sword, but grunts slightly as Gavin kicks him, bring him down on one knee. He thrusts upward] I am glad you were not offended. They you spoke just seemed to me that you were. Of course, I can mishear.

Tynx: [Looks at Fallen] Cool. I'll do picnics anytime!

Me:

Aelynn: [Unravels more string] Do you have kites in your world, Amos?

Me: Pulled a blank there, for a minute.

Hailey: Do you do that often?

Tesmir: If she did, we would all be nameless, or ending up with each other's names every post. [Gets whacked with a dictionary]

Trevelian: I am as human as they come I suppose.

Amos: Yeah, I used to fly them a lot when I was little...

Melany: *looks towards Mordir with concern but is unsure what to do that would help*

Malcolm: Mind if we make it a party Chayn?

Me: *giggles* Can I just say that I total love Trynx's enthusiasm. He can taunt my villain anytime he wants, if he so pleases. He's so funny...or she?...either way... it is a shapeshifter, so I can't keep its gender straight.

Emuna: *looks down* I do not know why he turned evil... I just know that he did and-

Terminus: I hate her guts- *looks up into Chayn's mouth*

Emuna: *watches silently* *unconsciously cowers closer to Avneet*

Avneet: *nudges Emuna* It will be fine, m'dear. Though, I would suggest closing your eyes.

Emuna: *nods and shuts her eyes, burying her face into Avneet's...erm...chest would it be? Maybe the side of her stomach...oh! I know! Wing!*

Me: (@Seymour) See...I'm not entirely sure how to get Gavin out of being stabbed there...let's just say you stabbed his arm, k?

Gavin: *grimaces when stabbed* Why would I take offense? *swings at Seymour's knee then slices diagonally from his head to his stomach* You do not know my father. Therefore, any insults made towards him is in no way your fault.

Me: Goodness, Brian...so quiet...

Brian: I'm not doing anything...

Me: Well, be useful and do something!

Brian: How can I do something if you can't think of something for me to do?

Taranis: At least she remembers you're here.

Me: Okay...so I'm forgetful. Not my fault y'all are boringly over-developed.

Taranis: Umm...I'm under-developed...

Me: Oh...yeah...

Fallen: *smirks* Anytime you'd like.

Tynx: Cool! Do you live in the same world as Tanner and the geckoes?

Aelynn: What else did you do when you were little?

Chayn: [Mouth closes around Terminus and lifts her head, swallowing with effort] Sure. You can eat Mordir.

Mordir: I'm dying. I'd rather not get eaten.

Seymour: [Jumps backward, But his chest gets cut] Oh? If I insult your father on purpose, it isn't my fault?

Tynx: I like you, Fallen. [To Bethy] I'm a guy.

Fallen: *smiles and curtsies to Tynx* Why thank you. You're not bad for a do-gooder yourself.

Me: Woah....she really did eat him... *whispers detailed description to Emuna who is closing her eyes* Haha, I'm mean to my MCs.

Emuna: *holds back tears*

Avneet: Bethany! *hits author with tail*

Me: Hey! Ow! *rubs arm* Mean dragon.... *pouts*

Gavin: *glares at Seymour* If you insult my father... *stops self* *swings at Seymour's neck*

Raven: (@Alianna) *smiles* Good. It should be getting easier. *quickly steps in front of her and hugs her so that she can't see Terminus being eaten*

Alianna: How long does it take to learn to sword- *is hugged* *muffled* Miss Raven, is something wrong?

Trevelian: The world of the arcanes, yes. I am told that Tahn and the others are not of this world.

Amos: I don't know, not a whole lot. I mostly tried to lay low and avoid getting involved when my parents fought.

Malcolm: I may be a wyvern, but I know the laws of Lor-Amar. I will not consume a Higher Sentient.

Melany: *kneels by Mordir* I'm afraid only the song of the Ibong can cure a wound like that, but if there is anything I can do to ease the pain...

Me - I love watching Tynx and Fallen.

Thysal - Oh snowflakes, you actually ate the guy?

Rahor - (Watches in fascination) Whoa.

Thysal - How's he taste?

Me - (Flings dictionary)

Thysal - OW! (glare) I'm a carnivore, alright? (Glances down at Pirzak) Ugh. Can't even imagine eating him, though.

Sylvia - (Buries her face in Ember's scales) Wow.

Zanya - @Mordir: I know little of heart wounds. And yes I would help you. (Shrugs) You never hurt me, and what difference does being a villain make when you're dying? (Sits crosslegged on beam)

Ashrai - (Breaths a sigh, and almost smiles) I have to admit, that was fun. If I wasn't dead, I vote we go another round. (Curls up into a ball and breathes his last)

Niarah - (Nudges him, gently, then backs away)

Rahor - I thought you hated him!

Me - Ahhhhh! (Clasps hand to heart) The drama!

Niarah - (Glare) Dictionaries go both way you know.

Me: *giggles* Cute, little, dragon Chayn seems violent to me now... *cough*

Avneet: *looks up* Even nice dragons loose their tempers, you know.

Taranis: *glares at Avneet* She knows.

Avneet: *chuckles*

Me: *laughs at Thysal* I'd imagine he'd taste similar to snake.

Gavin: How cliché.

Me: Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I hope nobody's interacted with Rodash...

Speaking of which, anybody want to duel him? He needs to be a little less of a...coward...

Raven: *releases Alianna* No, nothing's wrong...now. Learning the basic moves of swordplay doesn't take very long. Mastering them takes a lifetime.

Alianna: Okay.... Well, mastering anything is often difficult...isn't it? It took a year to master how to shoot a gun!

Me: *cougnotmasteredcough*

Raven: Mastering things is difficult, yes. What is a gun?

Alianna: You don't know what a gun is? Woah.... *complains* Author! Can I have a gun please! I left the one Dimitri gave me at home.

Me: Spy novels... *gives Allie a little revolver*

Alianna: Yay! *takes out a bullet and gives it to Raven* This is a bullet and it's shot from this device *holds up gun* at super fast speeds...then it kills the person that is hit by the bullet.

Tynx: [Bows] It is my honor and pleasure to please a lady.

Me: Did someone hit you in the head when I wasn't looking?

Tynx: [Ignores]

Chayn: [Smiles at everyone's comments] Hmm. He tastes rather bitter. And- [Starts hacking, like a cat when it has a hairball. Terminus slides out, covered in mucus] Oh, I knew that'd happen. Sorry, old boy, I just needed to relieve anger, and you were the closest villain. Besides, [Shakes her head and clears throat] You threatened my rider. And you don't digest well. [Turns to Shawn and settles down by her] I apologize if I've caused shock in anyone.

Tounon: [Opens his mouth, then closes it. Then opens it again.]

Tesmir: You gonna say something?

Tounon: I'll let you know when I have something to say about it.

Me: SInce when do dragons call people 'old boy'? She's not an English dragon.

Tesmir: She's American. [Gets a dictionary to the head]

Tynx: What are arcanes?

Aelynn: Oh. I'm sorry. Well, tell me what your home looked like. Where you lived.

Chayn: [To Malcolm] A Higher Sentient?

Mordir: [Looks at Zanya and Melody, forcing a weak smile] You both are too kind to someone like me. But I am grateful. There's not much you can do-

Me: Oh for pete's sake let 'em help if they want. You've been stabbed a few days ago and still haven't died. Just let them help.

Mordir: I didn't refuse their help, did I? I merely stated there's not much they can do. I in no way answered in refusal.

Tesmir: She just finished watching Sherlock Holmes. Forgive her if her words are fancy English-like. [Gets whacked again] Will you cut that out?! [Turns to Rodash] I'll duel you.

Mordir: [Glances down at Ashrai] I wouldn't mind having another go, either.

Seymour: [Connects his blade with Gavin's and pushes it aside, points the blade at Gavin] Ah, you're getting angry. We're about to go around the conversation again. I was merely giving you a scenario. I have no intention whatsoever of insulting a fine man as your father.

Tounon: [Glances at Alianna] Is that a good idea? A gun?

Me: What could it harm? A ten year old with a small gun, multiple living targets. Not a thing in the world could go wrong.

Tounon: Your optimism is a true comfort, really.

Me: *was laughing the entire way through that post*

Terminus: *stands up* Disgusting! You idiotic, foul beast! *glares at Chayn* *looks at empty hands* Hey! Where's the necklace?!

Alianna: *scrunches her nose* Ew...and...violent... *edges more towards Raven*

Gavin: *stands still* Very well, Seymour. *resheathes sword* But I think we are done here, for now.

Me: When did Gavin learn to turn down a fight?

Alianna: I am nine! And, besides, I know how to use a gun. I don't think I will hurt anybody.

Me: Long story on how a nine year old learned how to use a gun...

Trevelian: The reptiles you spoke of. Where I am from they are know as the arcanes.

Amos: Yeah, not sure you want to hear that bit either.

Malcolm: As independent as dragons are, we are not the end all of existence. Our being has an image of the creator but we are not his pride and joy. that is for the Higher Sentients. We are at most servants to those who align themselves with the Creator.

Melany: *rips up a nearby root* Erroy, spit.

Erronys: *breaths a bit of fire on the root*

Melany: *squeezes the juices into a small horn cup* Here, drink this. It should ease any pain.

Chayn: [Turns her head casually in Terminus's direction] Oh, I thought it was rather funny. But here's your jewelry. [Spits out the necklace] Silly thing got stuck between my teeth. Be lucky it wasn't you.

Seymour: [Straightens] Oh? What brought this on?

Me: [To Alianna] I apologize.

Tesmir: You apolo- [Winces as a dictionary flies over head] I'm done, I'm done!

Tynx: Cool. They sound powerful.

Aelynn: Oh. Um... Did you have any pets?

Chayn: [To Malcolm] I see.

Mordir: [Hesitates, but drinks the liquid]

Me: For half a second, I thought it was Malcolm telling Erroy to spit. I was sitting here thinking, 'why on earth does Malcolm want him to spit?'

Tesmir: Keep up.

Hailey: You're going to be knocked unconscious if you keep that up.

Terminus: *glares at Chayn* Stupid animal. *catches necklaces* *studies it for a second* *walks away*

Gavin: Nothing. I am just tired of fighting.

Me: *chokes on my water* You're tired of fighting?? Do you have a fever???

Gavin: No. *glares at me*

Raven: Ugh. I was afraid that would happen. *gives Alianna a comforting squeeze* *looks at bullet* How can that kill a person? It's not even sharp.

Carter: *looks over Raven's shoulder at the gun* Our blacksmiths could never make a thing like that. Yours must be very talented.

Alianna: *smiles* Oh, it doesn't kill them because it is sharp, it kills them because of how fast it is going. It creates more force or something like that... Dimitri taught me during school, but I forgot.

Me: Oo! I think Allie's going to be home schooled! Spies wouldn't fit well into public school anyways.

Alianna: *giggles* I don't think we call them blacksmiths anymore nowadays. We call them factories. Here. *gives Carter gun*