Loksfjoer

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Once they had the list and were kindly escorted out of the church, Fenna turned to Lilliana. "I had a good time," she assured the younger mage before heading back to the Mended Drum with her. As they walked the falcon soared overhead, circling back when she got too far ahead and followed them to the inn, where she perched on the roof and preened her wings.

Once inside she took a moment to eat something and have a drink, before retiring for the night. The first thing she did when entering her room was check her bags to see if nothing was missing. Thankfully the people handling them and the staff of this establishment seemed to be trustworthy because all her belongings were here. After washing she went to bed.

The nights alone were the hardest part. Just like the night before, it was lonely in this room, in this bed. She had slept with the same man in the same bed for many years, and throughout the day were enough things happening to keep her occupied. The night did not have the same distractions. After turning in the bed a few times she went to the window, opened it and whispered "Sil?". Nothing. She repeated the name of the bird a bit louder and there she came.
"I'll leave the window open, maybe you can sleep here."

It was impossible to say how much the falcon understood of her words, but Sil remained on the window sill when Fenna went back to bed. It wasn't a living person next to her, but knowing Sil was there helped her relax enough to fall asleep.

Nobody Will Believe It [SporkoBug and Calle]

Marc stared at Dia as she walked away. What was she talking about? A part of him knew he had to stop her, but he didn't. One of the reasons was that he wasn't 100% certain she wasn't an intern, but a part of the reason was Benjamin as he let out a pained groan.
"What's wrong?" Marc asked.
"My head hurts." Benjamin muttered. "Where did Dia go?"
"Who is she?"
"I don't know exactly... my head really hurts."
Marc decided to go to the water fountain and fill a plastic cup; if the headache was a medicine side effect it could help him if he drank something. After he handed him the drink he glanced around to see what the other patients were doing and saw Sara. For a moment he stared at her, until Benjamin spoke up.
"How did Simon die?"
"As far as I know Simon didn't die, he went home."
"Come on, Marc!" Benjamin replied, still slightly slurring from the effects, although he was more awake and clear-headed since Dia had visited. "That's not true. Don't believe them. Shady things are going on here. Disappearances. I'm not even here that long and I heard about it, surely you must have heard about it too. Some patients that went home suddenly, without any indication they were even close of being released."
While that was true, Marc wasn't sure he should be talking about that with a patient. "There were some cases..." he mentioned, but he didn't go into more detail.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Fenna had compassion for the sister who obviously felt bad about what happened, but it also didn't seem like she could help them any further. Once sister Juliet confirmed they had indeed come from Lucinda and on behalf of a ghost, she went inside, leaving Fenna and Lilliana outside.
Was the sister going to get someone that could help them or were they supposed to follow her? The sister hadn't asked them to wait there.
"I suppose we'll follow her," Fenna said. She was curious as to how it would look on the inside and she saw two people who looked to be commoners exit the place, so she assumed it was open to the public. And they had just announced their business here.

Similar to religious buildings back home, the inside of the church was built to impress the people, with high ceilings and impressive architecture. Fenna recognised some of the building styles that had been used at the academy as well.
There wasn't much time to gaze at what was around them, as another sister approached them and told them she had heard from sister Juliet something about Lucinda and ghosts and that she knew Lucinda, but that she could use more information about the ghosts.

The sister looked old and wise enough to know about the things Lilliana needed to know, and kind enough to show them what needed to be shown. For the most part, Fenna took the time to appreciate the inside of the building while Lilliana did what she came here to do.

Outside Sil had watched them go inside and waited for their return. If it was possible to know the thoughts of a falcon, it was possible she'd muse about the inability of humans to deal with gravity, or their strange desire to be surrounded by wood or stone on all sides when they could be outside with limitless space and food.

Paranormal Activities [SporkoBug and Calle]

The boys promised they would and left the place. At first they walked in silence, both thinking about the conversation and the conclusions they had drawn. As they walked back to the new base they discussed what they would do. There was so much new information that had to properly sink in. They had come to the realization they knew very little of the realms outside the human realm and it would take some time to try and separate fact from fiction. At least they didn't have any missions planned, so they could investigate using the resources of the agency. When they reached the building, that was the first thing they'd do.

---

Chiyoko smiled politely when Steph said she didn't feed on humans, but brought her sleeve to her mouth to hide a giggle when she asked about the scream. "No, silly, that was an animal. I believe they feed your friend live goats, I saw them heard some into her room yesterday." She looked Steph over. "You really are new to the predator thing, aren't you? If you want I can teach you how a man screams. It's a joy to the ears."

Paranormal Activities [SporkoBug and Calle]

Lily would enjoy to have a siren.

Ethan has feelings, but he wouldn't get angry if someone were to comment on how good she looks. He's more like to ask. "You're into dragon chicks?" as if he isn't 100% into one specific dragon chick XD

Microfiction and Poetry Contest Hall of Fame

MF&P #11 - Wind

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The Hanged Man

Coils winding around the hanging rope,
Each turn marking the minutes he had left,
Seven twists of fate he could only hope,
His execution is the price of theft.
So down he went in falling for his sin,
Another body swaying in the wind.

Microfiction & poetry contest #11 - voting and feedback

The voting deadline has passed, which means we have a tie between Wind #1 and Hanged Man.

I adored all entries, so it's indeed not easy to vote. I suppose I'm the lucky one as I only need to choose between the two, but it's still not an easy pick.

My vote goes to Hanged Man: while the shortest of all poems, it was also a strong entry that was able to paint a clear picture and I appreciate the fact the word wind was used in two different ways.

Paranormal Activities [SporkoBug and Calle]

Questions? Thousands and they were all related to Steph, but Benjamin decided to keep that for another time. "I think we have all the information we need at the moment," he said and he got up from his seat. "Thank you for breakfast and it was very informative. We'll see what we can do from within the agency."
"I'll contact Stuart as soon as we are back at the agency," Mike promised. "The food was great, thank you."

They both extended their hands so they could shake as part of their goodbye and left the establishment. They would need a moment to discuss things between themselves as well.

---

The young man hasted away when he was released, holding up his keycard with trembling fingers before almost jumping through the elevator doors that would bring him to safety.

Lily just smiled when Steph asked what she thought Step was. I know what you are, but you can't seem to accept it, she thought to herself. Maybe she did need to get Benjamin in, according to her file those two were close and she'd love to see the development. Benjamin was a low-level asset. Sure, he could see invisible things, but he wasn't that important.
She kept her eyes mostly on Gaia's screen, but glanced occasionally at what Steph was doing.

"My, my," Chiyoko said as she seemed to glide forward. "What an eventful morning." She took in a deep breath. "And what a lovely smell. I like a bit of blood in the morning, don't you?" she smiled at Steph. "We could always share, you know, I like my meals to be handsome and I don't require the same of them as you do."

Microfiction & poetry contest #11 - voting and feedback

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Welcome to the Voting and Feedback round for MF&P#11!

Voting and Feedback guidelines

• Please take your time to read through all the entries before voting for your favourite work. The reasons you base your vote on are up to you, as long the vote isn’t based on whether or not you like the author.
  It would be nice if you could share why you voted for a specific work.
• Giving feedback is optional but highly encouraged. When giving feedback you should be respectful and constructive. It’s good to point out any flaws or the things you feel could be improved or why you didn't like something, but don’t be mean.
  Make sure to point out what you liked or what appreciated in the entry too.
• Contestants may (and are encouraged to) vote and/or give feedback for the other entries but shouldn’t vote for their own entry. If contestants wish to withhold a vote and only give feedback, that is good too.
• The entries are anonymous unless the writer asked for having their name added. That being said, writers may claim their work at any time during or after the voting period.
• The entry with the most votes will win, but in case of a tie a Contest Mod will cast the tie-breaker vote.
• You can vote for entries and post your feedback in this thread, but if you rather have your vote and/or feedback be anonymous you can PM it to @Loksfjoer.
• The voting period deadline is August 30th, 9:00 CET, which is 7:00 server time (both times are in a.m.).

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The Entries

Two entries had the same title so I added a number for voting purposes.

Wind (#1)

Wind,
Wind is a soft and gentle breeze,
Wind is a soft push in the right direction,
Wind is a gentle hum producing a song to be written,
Wind is everywhere,
Everyday,
Wind is the calm before the storm,
Wind is a warning for all that comes,
Wind is both nothing and everything,
But what is wind really,
Wind is a mother, gentle songs spread through the air,
Wind is a father, correcting and pushing to be the best,
Wind is a sibling, teasing and laughing,
Wind.

by @Midnight stars

The Wind Doesn't Whistle, It Talks.

I desperately wander across the lifeless and barren sandscape.
Disorientated by the relentless heat and blinding light.
My growing dehydration strips away my naïve hope of an escape.
Yet I still trek onwards; not giving up without a fight.

I regret embarking on this adventure without a companion in-tow.
Learning too late I can not handle exploration alone.
My deepest fears and spiralling loneliness are beginning to show.
As I abruptly start talking; even though I'm on my own.

I loudly express my new-found distaste for the unforgiving desert.
Berating its fatal environment and merciless nature.
I then try to scold myself next; but fail as I become less alert.
And ceased my constant trudging to take a breather.

Without my noisy footsteps I soon became overwhelmed by silence.
Though this horrible quietness was broken by a breeze.
The gentle sound resharpen my mind; revitalizing my perseverance.
Motivating me to keep moving with every gusty reprise.

I listened to the wind and resumed my journey as best I could.
Taking another pained step forward after each gust hit.
The blusterous force began to whisper in whistles I understood.
As each blow sounded like words telling me not to quit.

I briefly considered if the communicative wind was mere insanity.
And perhaps I was imagining a savour in my dying moments.
Though all lingering doubts halted as I realized this wasn't fantasy.
As many arrows formed in the sand due to the airs currents.

I followed the many directional commands with renewed determination.
Whilst struggling to fight the urge to fall unconscious.
I loudly exclaimed my gratitude to the windiness for its intervention.
Thankful it had spared me from death's eternal darkness.

Then I happened to spot something which left me absolutely baffled.
A trail of shoe-prints recently embedded into the sand.
Then I realized the wind wasn't whistling anymore; it just giggled.
As it been leading me in circles across the wasteland.

The gentle breeze intensified; as giggles converted into a chortle.
Spiralling around me till a laughing sandy vortex formed.
Whatever the wind subjects me to next will likely be equally immoral.
And its already hard to breathe as the sand has me swarmed.

It all too much to process given my weakened, dying, and overheated state.
And I start fading to black; ready to lose consciousness eternally.
The last sensory experience I have is hearing the wind joyous about my fate.
As sand covers me up to ensure I'm left undiscovered permanently.

by @ADarkLightbulb

Wind (#2)

I can hear you in the wind,

Whispers of things you used to say

As the breeze touches my skin

It takes me back to that day

The day we had to say goodbye

Was cold and blistery

It was supposed to be a holiday

But ended in misery

You visit in my dreams

But I never see your face

I wake up

Missing your embrace

Daddy Man, I miss you so

We all miss you terribly

Your jokes, your words of wisdom

Your hugs and being goofy

When the wind blows I think

Of all the talks we had

All the memories made

With the best of dads

You’re often on my mind

Wishing I could fill you in

On all the things you’re missing

My ups and downs, my wins

Until we meet again

I’ll listen for your whispers

The breezes in the halls

When the air’s not on, not blowing

No reason for breezes at all

I know you’re still here in spirit

And you’ve got some things left to say

So I will continue to listen to the wind

Each and every day

The Hanged Man

Coils winding around the hanging rope,
Each turn marking the minutes he had left,
Seven twists of fate he could only hope,
His execution is the price of theft.
So down he went in falling for his sin,
Another body swaying in the wind.

Microfiction & poetry contest #11 - wind

That's it for this round and we have a total of 4 entries!

I'll create the voting and feedback thread later today, thank you for participating!