Loksfjoer

Writing contest - Once upon a time

We are at 2 entries and 8 days left for the deadline.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

After leaving the dressing room with MacKensie Fenna noticed some cloaked figures standing together, but when they saw them they turned around. She had seen them before. When going from the hotspring to changing room there had been several connected corridors, several of which they had visited that day. Some had been labelled as "Staff Only", and from one of those she had seen these robed figures coming up the stairs. They had waited until MacKensie and Fenna had passed and for a moment she had made eye contact with one of them. It had lasted only a moment, in which she had noticed strange symbols on the man's forehead. It hadn't been important enough to bring up with MacKensie at that time.

Again she thought about the symbols as she walked towards the exit with MacKensie, they were familiar. Suddenly she remembered: the Magi-tech computers. That's where she had seen them, on the loading screen.

When MacKensie asked if they would go back to the Mended Drum, Fenna agreed. The day was almost over, it was a good moment to return to the inn.
As they walked and talked about budgets, Fenna explained about the boots she had ordered. Then the question about the bolts came.
"Of course, I can make you some fire bolts this evening," she promised and accepted the bolts MacKensie offered.

As MacKensie left to go to the Bazaar, Fenna paused to think about what she would now. Straight to the inn? Fenna decided to go to the park first, where she had left Sil. Maybe the falcon would still be there. In the fading light, she entered the park and Sil flew down from one of the trees. "I'm happy to see you too," she said, smiling at the bird. "I'm going back to the inn."
Sil spread her wings and flew up, going in the direction of the inn.

When Fenna arrived, Sil was sitting on the roof. She ordered a simple meal, even though the higher-priced meals were suggested to her. Of course they'd try to make the most of adventurers and wanted them to spend their money here, but Fenna stayed true to her budget. Eating was a necessity, but that didn't mean she had to spend a lot of money on it. In the end, if her stomach was full it was good enough.

A Trainers Ambition [SporkoBug and Calle]

When Bear was tired he put the two Pokémon down again and sat down. Kim joined them. "Had a good time?" she asked Sparky and Missy.

Netherlu turned to Gavin and nodded. "He can be harsh, but we all understand he has his reasons. And that it's foolish to engage in a discussion with him. Some things I say here I wouldn't say with others." He sat up straight. "Anyhow, is there desert? I heard a lot of good things about deserts."

"I didn't pack any, because deserts don't last long unrefrigerated. I promise to buy you some in the next city." Andy turned to Gavin. "You've walked around long enough, what's your favourite desert?'

Michael looked up when Frosiien joined him. "No!, not at all!" he assured her. "I'm just doing some cleaning. I saved a bowl for you if you're hungry."
When Michael heard the gasp he looked around, it didn't sound like his Pokémon and he hadn't heard anyone get close before that.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Fenna listened to what the flustered MacKensie shared with her as she laid out all her thoughts and fears. While Fenna couldn’t tell her what to do as that was simply not her place, there were a few insights she shared.

“Normal?” Fenna repeated when MacKensie asked if any of it was normal. “You’re not in a normal situation. People who go through hardship together form a bond, and I can see the appeal in both men. They have their strong suits, each in their own way. So I understand your conundrum and the frustration that comes with it." This place had done a good job at keeping the war far away, and the privacy of this space made it easy to talk about personal things. "That being said," she continued, "your feelings are understandable. Sometimes someone can like two people. Take my sister, she had a crush on someone while being in a relationship and thought a lot about staying or leaving and the pros and cons. In the end she decided to stay with her boyfriend and to my knowledge she never cheated on him, but she had doubts about who would be best for her.”

When asked about her husband and how she had realised he was the one, she thought back to the beginning of her relationship with him. She had already mentioned where she met him – a concert of a band they both liked – but not why she chose him. “He wasn’t my first love,” Fenna said. “Some people have love at first sight and that is great, but my love at first sight didn’t turn into something lasting, he was cute, smart and politically we aligned. He was a good catch, so to speak, and I did enjoy spending time with him, but he had his hobbies and I had mine. When I met my husband. It just… clicked, you know. We shared interests and a sense of humour, and his eyes lit up in a certain way…” Fenna smiled when she thought about those eyes. “What makes someone the one is different for everyone, we all look for different things in our partners. For me, it was the things we could do together and the things we could laugh about.”

In the end, the hour went by fast and when left the hotspring she felt relaxed and ready to take on the world. It was time to get dressed again. “I know I already said this, but thanks for this. I needed it. And you’re always welcome to talk about anything that is troubling you, okay?”

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I'm working on my post. I have an idea for what I want and if the words would come out the way I want them, that'd be great.

Writing contest - Once upon a time

The first entry has been submitted, and there is still plenty of time to work on yours!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Fenna hadn't walked through the park long before she heard someone call her name and saw MacKensie. She waved back as she approached the younger woman. When she asked how she was holding up she thought about what to answer for a moment. "It was tough," she said. "Reading that message yesterday made me feel a lot of things, but I'm doing better now. I feel more focussed on my goal." She paused and showed a smile. "How are you doing?" She put a hand on MacKensie's shoulder after her answer, appreciating the honesty in it. She accepted a couple of the nuts, that reminded her of the cashew nuts back home.

"I don't have anything planned," she answered her friend's question, and followed her, curious about this perfect place to spent the afternoon. When she mentioned the spa, Fenna stopped. How much would that cost? She had factored in some money to spend on nice things, but she had places like the hot herbal beverages shop in mind. MacKensie was adamant, and wouldn't take no for an answer, but Fenna remained reluctant. Until MacKensie mentioned it would be her treat; while she didn't feel entirely comfortable someone would spend a lot of money on her, it took away the main concern she had. "Okay then," she said and she turned to Sil. "Why don't you stay in this park? Maybe you can catch some rodents."

Sil flew up and picked a tree branch to sit on, watching the two rangers leave before she turned her eyes on the ground below to try and spot some small rodents.

The Bazaar was still a busy place, but Fenna noticed a difference since the last time she had walked here. People still went about their daily lives, but the last time this was a place filled with small talk, excited voices, laughs. The people were a lot more serious today and the conversations were mostly whispers about the siege and the war, and the doubts these people had.

They found the spa and went down beautiful lit steps and into the large reception area. The stone and wood had warm colour, and the potted plants in marble vases were a nice touch. As MacKensie asked about the services and prizes, Fenna tried to bring up they didn't really need this or that, but MacKensie ignored her and filled up the afternoon with the best of the best the place had to offer. Fenna knew better than to ask if MacKensie was certain she wanted to spent that kind of money, there was no stopping her. And, truth to be told, Fenna started to look forward to it.

The massage with a scented oil made her relax muscled she hadn't even realized had tensed up. The face mask made her face feel cleaner than it had done in ages and the music that played in the background added to the relaxation. There were snacks and drinks between all booked treatments, until they started the last one: 1 hour of soaking in the hotspring.

Fenna closed her eyes as she leaned back, this was heavenly. She lazily opened an eye when MacKensie spoke. "Thank you for taking me."
She didn't regret ordering her new boots, they were practical and would be useful, but being here reminded her that sometimes it was okay to take a breather and just enjoy herself. She didn't even want to think about what she would do when the hour was up, she was here now and that was all that mattered.

This was a place for small talk and happy memories, and that's what Fenna shared with MacKensie. And of course, love. She talked about when she met her husband and the first time they had gone to a sauna. And that led her to a question. "I noticed how some of the members of our party act around you. You don't have to answer this, of course, but I was wondering how you feel about the members of the party and if you perhaps like a little more?"

She'd listen to anything MacKensie wanted to share on the subject, and didn't press for any information she was uncomfortable sharing. This was a place for lighthearted conversation after all, but also for some girl-time, without any of the guys listening.

Nobody Will Believe It [SporkoBug and Calle]

"I don't know, but I don't think she has one," Benjamin said. "She is a patient who is allowed to help if I understood correctly, so I doubt they would have given her a key." He crossed his arms as he thought about it. "Shall we go for a walk? Maybe we can see someone who is careless with their key."
He had seen staff before, but he hadn't paid much attention to where they kept their card keys.
"We can also prepare the best escape route while we're at it," he continued.

Paranormal Activities [SporkoBug and Calle]

Shadow magic? Mike followed Harriet and looked around, but there was no sigh of his friend. When she stopped, Mike almost bumped into her. He wasn't sure what kind of shadow magic existed or who could use it. Again he realised he knew very little of all of this.
He took his phone when Harriet asked and called again. Nothing.
"It goes to voicemail after ringing a few times. His phone is on, but he doesn't pick up." He lowered the device. "Can you detect what kind of shadow magic happened?"

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

After Fenna got the directions from the female adventurer, she found herself in a part of the town she hadn’t been in before. On her way, she heard bickering and she looked for the source. Two individuals – based on their outfits and weapons most likely adventurers – had gotten into a heated discussion. One pushed the other, and the other drew her sword.

Fenna approached them, holding her hands up. “Calm down, calm down. Let’s try not to spill any blood. We’ll soon need everyone who can fight to defend this city.”

“Yeah, but she called me –”

“I understand everyone is a little tense now,” Fenna said as she positioned herself between the two. “Let’s not start with who did what, it takes two to fight, and our enemy would love nothing more than us spilling our own blood. Take a deep breath, go your separate ways, and save your strength for the battle ahead.”

The two adventurers glared at each other but did as Fenna said and turned around, each going in the opposite direction. Fenna sighed and turned to Sil. “This will be a long waiting period before the fight, but I understand people are a little on edge now, right?”

Sil tilted her head and made a soft noise Fenna took as agreement.

Fenna continued the walk until she noticed the sign above a door she was looking for: it showed a needle on top a brown circle, like all leatherworkers, but it had the symbols of the six elements around it. She entered the building that at first glance was simple in design, but she didn’t have a chance to look around as a male voice greeted her immediately.

“Hello! Welcome to my shop.”

Fenna turned to the man behind the counter. A man wearing a green apron smiled at her. She could see an open door behind him, which had to lead to his workshop. “Hello,” she greeted him. “I heard you make good boots.”

“Straight to the point? I like that.” Nimuer Farlorn came from behind the counter. On the counter were some wrist bracers and gloves on display. He gestured to the wall which had five pairs of boots on a shelf above several aprons, belts and pouches that hung on hooks. Shelves on another wall displayed leather bags and waterskins of various sizes. Some of the leather items were plain, and others had decoration on them or were lined with fur. “I have some examples here, but if you want one your size they will be custom-made. No pre-made boot will ever fit as well as one that was made for you.” That sounded like it would take a lot of time, and Fenna's face probably showed that concern as the man continued: “Don’t worry, I know adventurers are always in a hurry. I have pre-made soles and cut leather for most types of feet, it can be done in a day. Are you part of an adventuring group?”

Fenna nodded. “Second Chance.”

“Oh! I heard about you. You’ve been doing some big things for a new party. And you want to buy some boots?” And after Fenna confirmed he asked his follow-up question: “Plain or enchanted?”

“It will depend on the price,” Fenna said. “how much are enchanted boots?”

“That will depend on how many stones I need to use.” He smiled amiably at her confused expression. “I enchant the leather items with elemental stones, I’m one of the few licensed craftsmen in this town who can. Just like my master before me, before he retired and I took over this place. But those stones are expensive, and so is the gold powder I need to work with the stones.”

Fenna nodded again, that made sense. “How can I get elemental stones?”

“You won’t get your hands on them very easily. They are mined from the Magical Caves and only sold to people who have proven they can work with them, to avoid them being wasted. I recently stocked up, there was a merchant here just before the siege.”

Although Fenna didn’t know what Magical Caves were, she decided it wasn’t something she needed to know right now. “What are my options?” she asked, straight to the point.

Nimuer started listing the options: he could offer her boots of water walking, boots of fire walking, boots of the heavy feett and boots of the light feet, and explained what she could do with them. “The boots aren’t fool-proof of course,” he added. “Take the boots for water walking, they work, but if you lose your balance and fall back in the deep water, and you have heavy armour on, the boots will float but good luck getting back up. And the boots of fire walking…” he laughed, “oh, there once was a young man who bought them. Days later he returns, his pants burnt, blisters the size of an egg on his legs. He complained about the boots, but then I asked if his feet had been burned, which they hadn’t of course. He thought the boots would protect him from knee-high flames! I told him that what is covered by the leather will not burn, not the body parts that aren’t covered by the leather, and if he wants to walk through flames higher than the ankle, he’d better invest in some leather pants with the same enchantment. He begrudgingly did.”

Fenna laughed softly. “Noted.”

“So, what boots are you interested in?”

After a moment of contemplation, she decided fire or water walking wasn’t what she wanted, there were downsides and any body of water she couldn’t jump over could still be crossed by swimming or using a raft, and James had a waterbreathing blessing. “I'm not sure yet,” she told the leatherworker. "Both the light and heavy feet boots sound useful to me."

“If you have the funds, I can add both,” he offered. They talked about the price for a moment. It would be costly, Fenna realised she’d have to spend almost all her money if she wanted that. She made a quick calculation as to what her expected costs were for the duration of her stay in this city and possibly what she needed afterwards. She decided that, if needed, she could always do some jobs and maybe Sil could hunt some food outside the walls for her. Sil made a sound, maybe she was bored, or did she react to the thought of hunting? It was a thought that didn’t linger as Fenna thought about the practicality of the boots and her need for money. It wasn’t as if she was planning on staying here, she wanted to find a way home eventually. Why would she hold on to all this money?

“Please make me the boots,” she said in the end, after haggling a bit to make sure she would have enough left to eat and sleep in the Mended Drum, and perhaps treat herself to some relaxation, and shook Nimuer’s hand. The leatherworker proceeded to take her measurements and told her the boots would be ready in the morning.

Once outside, Fenna wasn’t sure what to do with her time. She decided to head towards the Golden Tree Park.