Riven Wight

Of Science and Magic

Phew! Sounds extremely hectic. But aww, bunny!

Not bad at all. Means we're on the same boat! :-D

MONSTORY

Izzy glanced to Holden’s most recent wardrobe discard as it slipped from the edge of the bed to the floor fairly near her. Her fingers drummed against her bottle, one after the other in no particular rhythm.
She had to take a moment before answering his next question.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “But Trevor's situation was a bit different from yours or mine, as far as I can tell. Riley pushed himself to his limits doing everything he could. Helped me help him in the end, and… took care of the aftermath.” She suppressed a shudder at the blurry memory of that night, an arm draping over her waist.
She quickly returned her thoughts to Holden and the situation at hand: Holden’s wariness of Riley.
How many fakes has he gone to be this suspicious? she wondered. But, then again, ‘suspicious’ was putting the whole situation lightly from the perspective of an outsider. Riley had prevented her from getting slaughtered the first time she met him, which had been proof enough for her to at least open that door, but Holden had no such first encounter.
“Riley’s for real, Holden. Obnoxious at times and definitely not without his quirks,” she added with a slightly exasperated tone as she glanced up toward the ceiling, “but, at the end of the day, he's always come through. He wouldn’t have agreed to anything if he didn’t think he could do it. I’ve seen him do what I thought was impossible. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have on my side when things get hairy or crazy-strange.”
She sighed, turning her water bottle over in her hands again.
“Look.” She dared a glance toward him, her shoulder blocking part of her view. “I know you have no reason to take my word for it, but I swear. Riley’s legit. There’s nothing in it for me to lie about this.”

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

Absolutely. What’s a group without a secret handshake?

I understand that, about tweaking profiles once you get to know characters better. For your question, however you want! You can edit them into the same post, separated as you see fit, or start a new post for side characters. I did the latter. You’re welcome to do either!

Perfect. Thank you!

HA! I know that feeling all too well, there. That’s crazy she talked the entire time! And flippin’ wonderful that you derived inspiration from her for Mrs. Saxon. Not sure if that little gem has been mentioned and I forgot or not, but still. Ooh! I look forward to getting the pleasure of seeing your drawings whenever you get around to finishing them! I did not realize you were working on any, honestly. Knew you had wanted to do some, and the chibi charms, though, if that counts for anything. And sounds like me when I draw. xD

Oh! No. Sorry if I made it seem that way! I don’t feel pressured at all. The statement remains the same (the same answer to the same statement! Heh), but that’s just me being me with someone else partaking in the story. You likep it so far, so I can only hope that you will continue to like the rest of what’s thought out! You should be in my head when I actually submit a story to a zine. It isn't pretty. Anyway, I’m glad you’re enjoying the characters so much. I still love yours, even the ones who have only gotten to star in a couple posts so far, and everything you add to this. The police presence, the plan for the distraction, and then, more than once, you’ve added details that bring no small amount of life. For example from your last post, the falling leaf and Ghent’s floating hood. I know it’s just something small in that case, but it’s little things like that that add that life and believability to a scene. Then, your guys in general bring so much to the table. Including inspiration, that wonderful element of uncertainty, and needing to have backup plans in some cases, just in case!

^.^ I went back to the post where portal travel first happened to make sure I got that aspect mostly the same. It got to be a bit different traveling to Wonderland. With a lot of those first posts, I didn’t (or tried not to) use as much detail as I could have since I figured it would end up getting reiterated anyway once Ghent got pulled in. Plus it leaves wiggle room.

I LOVE those! Thank you so much for sharing! You may just end up seeing a couple of those as reference points somewhere down the line. ;-) I laughed when I saw the almost random, adorable cat in there among all the darker photos. I WANNA CUDDLE IT. You even have Burton’s version of the tea party table! Seriously. The board is perfect! I am now following it, in case you didn’t already see that. Heh. Fantastic aesthetics, too!

Heh, thanks. Ended up watching it the other week amidst a mini Disney movie marathon. Hope you get that chance!

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

When, at last, the boy spoke, Drust’s gaze settled fully on Ghent with another twitch of his neck.
“You. Don’t. Know?” he growled through his teeth. His grip on his sword tightened, his gaze boring into Ghent as he took another step forward.
His neck twitched again when Ghent raised his hands, but he stopped as the boy dove into a hasty explanation. Every muscle in the White Knight’s body was tense, his breaths short as he tried to both listen to Ghent and fight off the Curse, the lines around his eyes pulsating threateningly.
Though he did not recognize Miles’ name, ‘shadowmire’ was one he knew well. That last, wretched shadowmire! If Elayra did not make it through, one way or another, he would have the beast’s head. And the Red Queen’s.
When Ghent trailed off, with an angered, “ARGH!” Drust turned fully to the portal, his sword swiping at the air, careful to keep it from hitting the boy.
His attention snapped to Ghent when the boy made for the portal, calling out.
“NO!” His voice echoed through the clearing as he closed the distance between him and Ghent in a single, powerful bound. He reached out to grab Ghent, and his fingers closed around the soft fabric of the boy’s hood. He pulled back, hard, to both stop Ghent and force him away from and to the side of the portal. “We go through now,” he spun to face Ghent, moving so he stood between boy and portal, “we use up the last of its magic. Elayra wouldn’t have a chance.”
His menacing stare gave Ghent a silent, threatening warning against disobeying.
Despite his words, the desire to jump in after her pulled at him. His neck twitched dangerously. The lines at the corners of his eyes threatened to expand over his skin, the heat of the Curse fighting for control raging through him, intensifying his panic and regret.
If they went after her, that was it. Elayra’s way back would be gone, and they may not even make it to the other side. But if they did not go after her? If she got trapped on Earth? Alone? Or worse, if the shadowmire got her, and he could have stopped it? There would be no one but himself to blame.
Drust looked from Ghent with another snarl and spun toward the portal. His grip tightened impossibly further on his katana, and his free hand balled into a fist.
“Come on, Elayra!” he shouted at the portal as if she could hear, as if it would make her appear before them.
But, of course, it did not. Instead, the portal simply glowed weakly at him, its power dwindling with each passing second.
It flickered again. Then, its light flared, preparing to eject someone else. Elayra? The shadowmire? This ‘Miles?’
“Stay!” Drust’s free hand shot out to the side with his order in emphasis for Ghent to stay behind him, before he gripped his katana in both hands, ready for the attack.
Sweet relief flooded through him when Elayra popped out of it, the portal vanishing the moment her feet cleared it.
Elayra landed on her stomach on the soft grass with a gentle grunt, her arms in front of her to stop her face from hitting the ground. As soon as she felt the grass beneath her palms, she pushed herself up and jumped to her feet. She instinctively reached for her sword as she looked around, ready to fight off more of the Queen’s minions, but her hand gripped empty air.
Seeing no one serving the Red Sorceress, her eyes fell to Drust. She took in his worn, Curse-ridden appearance, and took a cautious step away. She glanced to Ghent, her expression asking what he did to make the Curse flair, before returning her focus to Drust’s sword.
“Drust,” she said tightly, what calm she tried to inject in it lost to the adrenaline already coursing through her.
Drust’s chin lowered, and he looked down to where he gripped the weapon. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself; Elayra was okay. She made it. She and Ghent were both in Wonderland. They were all together, as it was meant to be.
Finally, in a swift movement that made Elayra shuftle a step back, Drust sheathed his sword.
He opened his eyes and quickly looked her over to make sure she was okay. “The shadowmire?”
Elayra shook her head. “Don’t know.” She looked to Ghent, still keeping Drust in her sight. “Miles shot it, but I don’t know if it’s dead.” She focused on Drust once more, and took a slow breath. She watched for his reaction as she finished, her words coming quieter. “But she knows, Drust. The Red Queen knows we’re here.”

MONSTORY

“Ah.” Izzy nodded upward at how Holden had come to his conclusion of her and Trevor. Makes sense.
She sat on the arm of the couch, careful to keep herself angled so Holden remained out of her view.
Her brows furrowed at his next question. She had not thought about that, about the possibility that he may have a crush on her.
Is something like that even possible? she wondered, trying to think of any occasions when he may have shown any signs of such an affection.
After a moment, she shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. At least, not that I’ve noticed. We… went through some crazy stuff together this summer. He’s just trying to be nice, I think. Or maybe he feels obligated or something.” She shrugged.

MONSTORY

Thankfully, Holden did not take long. After unintentionally getting the opportunity to take in his bare-chested appearance, her eyes widened slightly.
“Oh!” She looked away as she grabbed her water bottle, then stood and turned from him. Seeing her brothers walk around in a towel was one thing, but Holden was another.
She shrugged at his question, and cleared her throat awkwardly. “No idea. Didn’t even think about that. Maybe pick the lightest colored ones you have, just in case?”
When, at last, he said she could turn around, she did so. Regrettably, his version of being covered enough for his present company involved just a pair of boxer shorts, and she spun back around.
In the silence that followed, broken only by the sounds of him rummaging through the drawers and the gentle swish of him changing out repeatedly, she fidgeted with her water bottle, wishing he would hurry up.
At Trevor’s name, she turned her head just far enough to make out some of Holden’s movements in her peripheral vision.
She blinked at his question. “What? No. Well, okay. I did,” she amended, looking down to the bottle as she turned it. She shook her head. “But not anymore. He’s just a friend who’s helping me with school. Is that the rumor that’s going around about us, or something?”
Maybe she really should start listening to the rumors that plagued the school more often.

What Hogwarts house are you in?

I tend to get that and Gryffindor. I'm very conflicted.

Best of Tidings from Yours Truly

I bid you many welcomes, @Gentleman Rat!

I've never heard of d20 Modern. Sounds interesting, from what I skimmed on Wikipedia. Though totally advocating for going against your parents wishes, I'm glad you found inspiration through that, and thus discovered the path into writing's grip. The English language needs as many people passionate about it as it can get.

I hope from the bottom of my heart that you find that which you seek here on RolePlayer Guild! It's a wonderful guild, in my experience, with some fantastic writers to be found and to learn from, and no small number of options for roleplays to choose from! Should you have any questions your friend cannot or does not have the time to answer, then just ask.

May words ever flow freely through your fingertips.

A sister through ink and tears,
Siaya

MONSTORY

To Izzy’s relief, Holden said little on their way back from the decrepit school. She silently followed his directions when he gave them, occasionally giving a nod to show she had heard when he directed her well before a turn. She occasionally glanced back at him, trying to be as discrete about it as possible, both making sure he was there during longer silences and wondering what part about the evening consumed his thoughts.
When they at last came to a stop at a rundown apartment complex, she could not help but blink in surprise and give a gentle, “Huh” she did not think he would hear. But, alas, he apparently heard.
“Well… that… sucks,” she offered, not sure what to say to his story snippet. Instead, she busied herself with pulling her bike lock from her backpack and locking it up.
She followed him silently up the stairs to his rather modest apartment. She paused just inside, taking in the almost cramped space, then fully entered, closing the door behind her. She glanced toward Holden, who had neglected any usual courtesies when letting someone into your home before stalking off to the bathroom.
She stood there awkwardly for a moment, then, as the sound of the shower reached her, she sighed and opted to deposit her backpack on the couch. She opened it, pulled out a small plastic water bottle she usually kept in there when she did not forget it at home, and went to the kitchenette to fill it up.
She turned the water on, letting it run a couple moments on cold as she looked around the small place again. She was quite suddenly glad Riley had not asked a higher price for his assistance. If you used it right, a thousand dollars could go a fairly long way. Judging by the state of things, that was a long way she imagined could not be easy for Holden to part with.
She unscrewed the top of the bottle, quickly filled it up, and moseyed back to the couch.
Riley had expected Holden to be a ‘selfish little boy.’ For all she knew, he still was, just in a different way than he had thought, especially if the Crab had that consistent of a pattern. Wondering what had attracted the Crab, or what Holden had done to perhaps somehow provoke it, she took a swig from the bottle, screwed the cap back on, then placed it on the floor in front of the couch. She plopped down beside her bag and pulled out her phone.
While Holden may not have anyone he needed to report to, she did. She sent a quick text to her parents, telling them she was going to study with a friend, so would be home rather late, if that was okay by them. Replacing the phone, she stretched, then rested her arms on the back of the couch and leaned her head back. She closed her eyes, listening to the splash of the running water and hoping Holden would not take much longer in his shower.

A Land of Wonder and Nightmare

Heh! Awesome. Call it ICI for short. I got the titles, so you’re totally in charge of the logos.

Alrighty, will do! Well, when I notice and think about bringing it up, anyway, I’ll make sure to do so! And please, do the same with me! :-)

By the way, I just noticed you edited Ghent’s profile. Wanted to say that it looks great! There are probably a couple things I should change on Elayra’s, but I’m lazy. On your guy, though, after reading through it, I think what I had in mind would work, but just to make sure, what is something that could create the grounds for cementing his resolve—making it because he wants to, and not just because he kinda has to now if he wants to get home—of remaining in Wonderland to help them?

Heh, I’ve done that a few times. Sucks, but it’s exciting at the same time to be mulling bits of story around in your head! And I know! At the moment, I’m a mix of this:



And this:



HA! I feel sorry for Ghent’s parents and whatever they end up hearing. xD

Oh! Road trip! I don’t envy you. I know how that feels, wanting to be home! I hate family car rides. Though, I usually end up just trying to sleep through them in the back seat. Always bring things to do, but then end up snoring in the back. Metaphorically speaking. At least, I don’t think I snore. Ooh, impressive, writing that when surrounded by chaos! *Applauds you.* Seriously, though, crammed car ride aside, I hope you enjoy yourselves on your mini trip!

Oh! Do! Though I’ll probably forget to remind you, I’d love to see it/them! And yes please, about sending a link to a Pinterest if you get around to that! I have a few pictures picked out for references for a couple things further down the line (Heart Palace, a town, a few character pictures, and the domains of a couple of the iconic guys we’ll be meeting), but it’d be awesome to see what you’ve found and edited, and maybe add some of those to that list, if you’re good with that!

And, uh, that may have come up once or twice. I’m still just hoping the rest of this continues to hold up to those expectations. Heh. I mean, we’re pretty much still at the beginning, so we have quite a ways to go!

And, uh, sorry. I got a little carried away with Drust’s POV. Also, it makes my OCD WAY too happy that we start back in Wonderland at the beginning of a new page.