Anyway, I'm looking to do a series where I read short stories, specifically sci-fi and fantasy. I know a lot of people here write their own stuff in addition to posting in role plays, so I figured this would be a good place to start.
I'm not yet sure about word count, but they would need to be read between ten minutes and an hour(some episodes may have multiple short ones).
You will be credited however you prefer(name, username etc) and if you have a website or blog or anything that you'd like me to plug in the credits I will do so as well.
Feel free to reply to this thread, or PM me if you'd like to be included.
Please provide pronunciation for any unusual words or names, as well as any notes that I should take into account.
"Transfiguration can be undone too," Richard cut in. "Even if you don't know what something was originally, you can return it to its natural state if you know that it is transfigured. But that's the hard part, isn't it? A teapot with legs is obviously charmed, but most people wouldn't stop to think that an old tire is actually an alligator or something..." he trailed off, his eyes widening slightly and his usual thoughtful movements ceasing in a characteristic pose of having realized something. "Be a good way to hide a body," he finished quietly.
"Erm, yes," Clowers looked at Richard with mild concern. "In fact, there are several documented cases of that happening. And of course most experts assume that it has happened many times without ever being discovered. Typically it's found because something is out of place. Or else someone familiar with the scene(a resident at a home, for instance) points out that some object has never been there before. And of course an inept or not completely trained wizard might make errors in the transfiguration."
Anatu smiled at her fellow Novitiate, which was barely visible between the links in her veil. It was strange that her Magus only had the two students, but she found herself hoping that it would equate to more personal training.
"Not at all!" she said, gesturing toward Anakh. "This is my sister, Anakh. I was just looking to meet some of my fellow students, so I'm glad you approached. And you may call mr Anatu if you like. Or Ana, if you promise not to mix my sister and I up."
Anatu shivered at the Vizier's words, despite the heat, and despite her new cloak. It didn't matter much to her that it was the "wrong" person saying them, she recognized them as her new truth, and that was almost overwhelming.
She had complimented the cloak with a pale blue dress, which came all the way to her ankles, neck and wrists. Her hair was braided up but uncharacteristically uncovered. She did, however, have a copper tiara atop her head, with a veil of copper chain links covering her face attached to it.
The Commencement completed, Anatu looked briefly at the intimidating man who was her new mentor. She must greet him before the end of the night, but right now a young woman in the crowd was jumping up and down to get her attention. With a hidden smile, Anatu approached her eldest sister. She was dressed in an almost identical dress, though without the cloak, and her head was covered in a hijab instead of a crown. On a normal day, Anatu would be dressed the same, but today of course was special. She made her polite way through the crowd and embraced her sister, Anakh. She and all her sisters had the misfortune of having the same shortening of their name.
"Congratulations, Ana. Mother will be upset that you did not join her cult."
"Well it wasn't my choice," she laughed.
"Serpent or Phoenix," she said, conspiratorially, standing close, "You must share with me all the secrets of the physical world that you learn."
"I don't think I can help you move the stars, Anakh," she said in mock severity. "Even if I had the power, I am bound by my duty as a Sorcerer-Novitiate."
"Speaking of whom," Anakh pointed to a rather handsome member of Anatu's class. "Do you think you can introduce me to that lovely man? Or would that be against your duty as well?"
"Apart from my duty, I think he's young for you. But come, let's see who we can meet."
She made her way into the crowd, exchanging congratulations with her fellow students. She wasn't sure yet who her fellows under Magus Xavier were, but hoped to meet them.
Anatu wears fairly concealing clothes of silk, I'm a mixture of dark colors with scant brighter accents. If nothing arduous is expected of her, she will be in conservative robes, along with her head wrap and sometimes even a veil if she's feeling fancy.
Background: It is said that Anatu's great-grandfather was cursed with daughters. He himself only had five, but each of them had only daughters as well, as did each one of those daughters. Anatu and her sisters failed to break this "curse," but by this time it's only referred to as something of a joke.
Her mother, Bilit, is a sorcerer herself, from the Cult of the Serpent. Her father, Sekh, "works for the Rehati," but Anatu isn't sure what this means. Two of her sisters are in the Fellowship of Quiet Companions, and the third is in the Fellowship of Stellar Philosophy.
Bilit Taauth is a powerful and ambitious sorcerer. Her skill with biomancy is such that political rivals have. Begun to spread rumors that her family deliberately altered themselves to produce only beautiful daughters. Though probably untrue, this rumor has directly affected the lives of her daughters, who have been forced to fend off suitors from an inappropriately young age. This has led half of them to join in the fashion of cover themselves. The other half became prostitutes instead. All three of Anatu's older sisters, as well as her mother are well respected members of their various fields.
Anatu, the youngest of her siblings, is the first to show any aptitude for magic. Bilit made sure her youngest daughter went into the Presedjet to further her education, with the hope that she would join her in the Cult of the Serpent. Anatu's father, for his part, encouraged this development as much as he did anything in her life. Which is to say, he consented to his share of the cost.
Personality: Sociable and charming. Anatu is a people pleaser, and her greatest weakness is that she can't stand it when someone doesn't like her. She is kind and helpful, but will attempt to befriend even those who clearly don't want it.
Aptitude: While attending Presedjet, she showed herself remarkably teachable, and thus far no avenue of magical study has proven too difficult for her. She is, however, particularly adept at the more concrete and physical studies, such as pyromancy and particularly telekenisis.
Tutelary: A sardonic calico cat called Amontu. A bit of a foil for Anatu, Amon is distant and reserved, but loves Ana in her own quiet way.
She has a peculiar quirk in which her mismatched pattern often changes from day to day.