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Post by Brownie on Jan 17, 2022 22:47:36 GMT -5
- - - ~ - - - Rekh Selva, Northern Outpost -- Zanh
Cold blustered in through the gaps in the window and Rekh hissed, drawing her heavy fur cloak tighter around her shoulders. Her shoes clicked on the stone floor, echoing painfully in her ears until she found herself in a part of the keep that had rugs strewn across the ground in an effort to keep the noble occupants more comfortable, as if a thin rug could be anything more than an insulting imitation of the lush carpets at their own house.
Loria brushed against her side to get Rekh's attention. "The fires are warm in your rooms, my Lady," her attendant said, whisper soft, her voice wavering with a smile. "Lady Zanh is busy today."
Rekh blocked her by tugging on her fur cloak again, dislodging Loria's hesitant hand. "Zanh is always busy," Rekh replied, none too kindly. She knew where her sister would be: the massive war chambers, the only important room in this bland, grey fortress, and the only room that Rekh wasn't supposed to go.
Loria tried once more to pull her off course, going so far as to weave her fingers in the fur cloak and tug like a child on a mother's skirts, though it didn't stop Rekh's momentum as she pushed across the main hall and started down the garrison wing. She caught a glimpse of Zanh's back as she retreated down the hall, her long blue skirts swishing with her sister's long steps. Rekh didn't call out, conserving her energy as she pushed quickly down the hallway in her wake, trying to catch up to her. Somewhere along the way, she realized Loria had disappeared from her side. Rekh huffed and hopped forward in an awkward half-jog, which wasn't easy with her slippers and her own long skirts.
She caught her sister just outside the massive wooden doors. "Hey," she said, trying to act casual, as if she wasn't winded from chasing Zanh's long-legged stride. "I'd like to sit in on the council today." Rekh beamed her best smile, which faltered only slightly when she caught Zanh's stony expression. |
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Post by Hushabye on Jan 18, 2022 4:38:52 GMT -5
[ There are already quite a few Traeterran royal family members so I was thinking I'd make a Selvan prince and sorcerer to even things out a bit! ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 18, 2022 11:03:34 GMT -5
( Iβll be busy with work until Thursday. Been thinking up a new character. Phoenix I think )
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Post by Brownie on Jan 18, 2022 18:20:51 GMT -5
[[ yoooo I'll be on for the rest of the night if anyone wants to get some good back and forth going (;
Kinda down to remember what it was like in 2014 when you just had like two paragraphs each in like 5 mins and just went at it for an hour haha ]]
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Post by Brownie on Jan 18, 2022 19:40:17 GMT -5
[[ ping me along when ya got things done. I can totally do a good flurry conversation with the sisters rn <3
I'm just messing around with ror2 mods and doodling with ORB posts since I can pop a few of those bad bois out when I'm wanting to write and no one is on haha ]]
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jan 18, 2022 19:48:22 GMT -5
LES Les took his time eating. He did not know what Pelter wanted, but he had a feeling he wasnβt about to give them massages and glasses of wine. βWe were definitely just in the wrong place at the wrong time,β he remarked to Maewen.
When she finished and stood to get going, he shot her a cautious look. She offered that it was probably best to get it over with, and he drooped his broad shoulders in resignation. βAlright, here we go,β he said under his breath, as much to himself as it was to the other phoenix. βSee you in a minute.β
He got up and returned his bowl to the scrawny boy, who by now was sitting by the fire inside the tent. Then he strode back to find something better to wear than a single cloak.
The tent was a large one with three main chambers, the first for eating, socializing, and storing weapons; the other two were sleeping chambers for men and for women. When he entered the one for men, he spotted a few occupied cots and disorganized wooden chests. It was nearly pitch black inside, so the most difficult task was finding items of clothing without tripping on discarded shoes or bumping into the cots. Somehow he managed to clothe himself without waking anyone up. The clothes he selected were trousers that were slightly too short and a shirt seemingly made for a cave troll. Its hem fell to his mid-thigh, which was an accomplishment given his size.
Better this than nothing at all, was his motto for the time being. It would all have to do. Besides, for all he knew these clothes were about to be incinerated into ash.
When he returned to the main chamber, he perched on the edge of a table while he waited for Maewen.
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jan 18, 2022 20:04:59 GMT -5
ZANH Zanhβs natural reaction to seeing Rekh was to narrow her eyes. Similar to sneezing when one inhales dust or muffling oneβs ears in reaction to a loud soundβit was involuntary and unconscious. The expression read, What do you want from me? This expression was one she had developed from an early age. It was first displayed on Zanhβs face at the age of four when her beaming mother handed her a large, squirming bundle of swaddles and said, βHere Zanh, your own little sister.β
It was not that she disliked or resented Rekh. She was not a psychopath. She did love her sibling, despite never having asked for her or having anything in common with her other than the arbitrary designation of family. The distaste was born from a requirement to care. (Care she did, yes, but subtly, and unwittingly.)
βYou want to what?β she repeated incredulously. It was a rhetorical question. Before receiving an answer, she continued, βDon't you have some kind of bread-related emergency you can attend to? ...Maybe next time, Rekh. I have important things to do.β
As is natural with sisters, her words did not exactly match her actions. Immediately after rejecting Rekhβs request, she pushed open the door to the war room and held it ajar with her slender fingers, an unspoken invitation to follow.
βDonβt say anything unless directly asked,β she ordered. And then she led the way to the long table, pointing at a chair near the end for the younger woman to sit.
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Post by Brownie on Jan 18, 2022 20:44:04 GMT -5
- - - This is pretty garbo too lmao - - - Rekh Selva, Northern Outpost -- Zanh
It didn't help at all that Rekh felt so small beside Zanh or in front of the massive doors, but she managed to stand up straighter and retain some dignity even as Zanh frowned at her. βDon't you have some kind of bread-related emergency you can attend to?" She almost argued that she couldn't make pastries out of soldier's rations, but Zanh stepped forward before Rekh could do anything but huff and tug her cloak. "Maybe next time, Rekh. I have important things to do.β
Except she held the door open for Rekh, who slipped inside behind her sister before she had a chance to change her mind. The door closed with a steady thump and a sense of finality. Rekh's eyes went wide at the room, with old soldiers and generals occupying the long table set in the center and little else to decorate the cold walls. At least a fire on the side was kept well stocked and the draughts --there were always draughts in fortresses-- were warmed by the flames and didn't have a harsh bite like those in the corridors. Zanh whispered something and she nodded, understanding the tone if she hadn't really been thinking about her words.
She was here to watch, not participate. Not that she'd know the first thing about war meetings.
Why am I even here again? Rekh thought, intimidated by the heavy weight of the room. She stuck close to Zanh's side as they entered and followed Zanh's finger to an open spot where she took a seat (a cold, hard chair, she winced as it creaked) and looked up and around the room with a confidence she didn't feel, but was well practiced at feigning from her time at the family home.
Rekh knew Zanh was important, even more than their father, and it wasn't like her sister was a warm social butterfly outside of the war room, but it was still shocking to see how the other soldiers deferred to her as she crossed the room. Behind the awe, she was reminded why she was here in the first place: to help Zanh. They weren't the closest of siblings, but Rekh knew how quick Zanh was to isolate herself and carry heavy burdens all on her own. She'd find a way to help this time. They were family; that had to count for something. She sent a smile Zanh's direction, ignoring the depressing room. She could be a bright light in the cold. Even if she wasn't a soldier, that was something she could do. |
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inky
I'm a free woman again! At least until the semester starts up :D
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Post by inky on Jan 19, 2022 0:39:51 GMT -5
MaewenShe gave him a small wave as she stretched on her way to change her clothing. Everything ached and she tripped several times almost landing on someone on her way to the clothing trunk. Maewen sort of laughed quietly and fixed the blanket over the snoring girl and scurried away basically feeling the ground with her hands till she felt the trunk that held extra clothing. She grabbed whatever was on top and threw it on, luckily she managed to pick something that fit in some sense. She walked out in a long-sleeved dress that was too short but fit nicely everywhere else on her arms. It was a deep tan color and the calf-length was welcome in her opinion long dresses were harder to move in, especially this thick fabric meant to keep them warm. under she'd put on some tights to once again keep warm that were a few shades darker than the dress.
As she walked out she held little metal pins in her mouth and was braiding her hair with surprising speed. When she reached Les she shoved the last pin in her head holding the two braids in place on her head and out of the way. They were by no means perfect but they'd work for whatever they'd be doing. Then again they might just lay in a pile of ash at the end of it but the curls were getting out of control and covered with soot as it was. Maewen didn't feel like dealing with it right now.
Almost immediately she noticed how long the shirt was on him and couldn't help but laugh a little, "You'd think It'd be hard to find something that was long on you." She tilted her head a grin on her face. "C'mon we've got fires to make." Her hand cupped her chin for a moment as she cracked her neck, it was just what she'd needed that helped release some tension from her shoulders as well. It was almost instantly visible how her upper body relaxed. She knew this was not going to be the most fun thing and could possibly end in them having to be revived again so she wasn't really looking forward to it but as usual she tried to make the best out of what was being thrown at them. Or rather what they were being thrown into.
Experiments could be fun right?
It didn't take them very long for them to reach the alchemists tent, but outside was already too cold for her liking. Sge hated the cold so much. At least she had a dress and pants on now, warmer than the blaket she'd had previously. That and shoes, that was a big help, not having something to keep the cold from your feet was the worst feeling. Almost as bad as feeling yourself die over and over again.
Aras
He had gotten to sleep in having recently revived, about two days ago, it wouldn't be long before he would need to go back into battle. Honestly he wasn't looking forward to it. Aras preferred to be here in camp helping out when their medical staff was short handed or making sure no one attacked them here. After all as they were proving, attacking camps was a fast way to knock out the enemy. So he lifted himself out of his bed, his body had adjusted yesterday but he hadn't been sent out in the most recent of raids. After all, he wasn't exactly graceful, sort of clumsy actually, until his life was on the line then he chalked it all up to luck and the powers he wielded now.
So here he was basically hiding out in the tent, avoiding most who would tell him to go to battle, of course seeing how things were he'd be sent out by tomorrow no problem. He didn't like dying, it hurt, no one understood what it was like to feel yourself burn till there was nothing left but ash. And waking up after? No one but his fellow phoenixes knew, it was relieving to come back sure but it hurt almost as bad as the passing had. After all your lungs skill burned, your body hurt and the mental toll it took was just as hard. Was life really so important if it could just be recreated?
Shaking his head he got up off the cot, enough bad thoughts for one day. They had enough bad things actually going on currently with this war. Aras walked out, careful not to wake anyone up as he left the tent, maybe some food would be good. Out he went grabbing a bowl from the young boy in charge of handing out the gruel. Before he'd gone out they'd had bread at least. It seemed that was over. They'd been out here too long. He wanted nothing more to be home in a warm bed with a nice fire that warmed the whole room. Not one that you had to huddle around. He missed his dog too.
Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. The food is warm at least, that was happy. He wondered if anyone else was up, there hadn't been anyone in the men's tent. So maybe there was someone in the women's tent. He did vaguely remember seeing Kyrra and Isolabella around the other day. Maybe they were hungry. So he managed to convince the boy give him two more bowls. It took a minute but he'd managed. Being as careful as he could not to spill anything he stood outside the entrance. "Hey, uh Isolabella? Kyrra? I figured you two were hungry. So I uh brought what they are calling food now."
Aras just sort of hoped that they were in the tent. He didn't know, he just guessed. Things had a way for working out for him most times though. "I've got two fresh bowls if you guys want them. I also think it might be a bit warmer by the fire and there is an empty table out here.." |
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Post by Brownie on Jan 19, 2022 1:51:23 GMT -5
- - - Yoooo we do have to decide how we want the results of this to go. No matter what happens, they can't actually die which is cool, but if the goal is that this potion will help them cast fire more than once, they'd probably be asked to keep casting until they do end up combusting ~for science~ Since it's just the two of 'em at this location tho, time skipping to when they're back up isn't a big deal though i bet both Maewen and Les wouldn't be very happy about having to go through that TWICE so quickly haha
ideas?
Also I like chemistry I guess? Though technically this is still very impossible but then again we don't have any (?) organic material that can't be burnt cuz, ya know, carbon burns. It's a fantasy world it can have cool things, okay.
- - - Norris Traeterra outpost -- Pelter
He kept the notebook's pages open, holding it down under the stub of his right arm as he used the delicate scales to measure powders and pastes with his left. Norris's thoughts felt cold and sharp as the knife in his hand, working the system of equations while also double, triple, quadruple checking his measurements.
Norris only made the mistake of adding too much Honeyfern once, back in Harkkon's lab; a single extra drop had lit the entire desk ablaze.
Now that Norris finally had a working solution, he understood why it had taken the alchemists so long to puzzle it out. The mixture was anything but intuitive; Honeyfern's sap was known to spread flame quicker than oil, and using lipids as solvent for the sap, a substance made of water and hence polar, didn't follow the logic of known chemistry. Somehow, the chemicals in Dragon's Breath bound to the Honeyfern sap, locking it in where the two touched, forming a tight bond.
He wasn't the first to try the combination --almost every combination had been tested by alchemists at least once over the decades-- but he was the first to introduce the two slowly, with the Dragon's Breath heated until the inflammable petals glowed red-white as molten metal, quenching them in the solution of Honeyfern sap and lipids that, surely, should have exploded into fire when exposed to raw heat, but instead stuck to the petals and coated them in a thick layer of wax. The wax would harden like a mould, which could be broken (carefully, very carefully) to reveal that the Dragon's Breath petals which were immune to fire and heat, had, in that miraculous chemical chamber, burned to char.
With that obtuse but awesome discovery made, Norris set to work putting the charred petals through his tests. It was the breakthrough everyone had been searching so hard for.
Now, that didn't mean there weren't problems. In fact, Norris had a whole list of them, meticulously penned in the front of this notebook:
1. Dragon's Breath petals too small. Only 1g of powder per petal. Time consuming process, inefficient recapture.
2. Over half wax capsules broken, powder compromised. Heating lipids to free encapsulated particulates causes combustion.
3. Honeyfern sap volatile. High concentration combusts under petal heat.
4. Elixir volatile. Combusts at high temperatures, cold temperatures mixture separates, explodes. Accepted range 34-42 degrees, safe range 36-39 degrees.
5. Raw elixir doubles time until combustion. How to make more efficient? Stable?
Those were questions for the lab, however. Right now, Norris focused on the temporary station in front of him, moving the Honeyfern sap into the lukewarm fat only after taking a fifth reading. Tables were much harder to replace out in the field after all. |
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Post by Hushabye on Jan 19, 2022 5:23:03 GMT -5
[ There are already quite a few phoenixes in the field so I'll introduce the chaotic ones later and read through the Selvan posts to see where mine might fit! ]
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Post by *β’.ΒΈβ‘π₯π’πΈπ―π³π°π΄π¦β‘ΒΈ.β’* on Jan 19, 2022 10:28:18 GMT -5
Isolabella Isolabella sat next to Kyrra in silence, reflecting. She flexed her right hand out in front of herself. She had gotten a splinter from earlier that she was still trying to get out. She pressed two of her fingers together and winced.
Iso could see Kyrra stifle a laugh. She glared.
"What did you think would happen?" Kyrra asked, noticing her glare. "That the splinter would come out if you pressed it farther into your finger?" Kyrra giggled. "I would think not."
Iso tensed. "Oh you little-" No. She cut herself off. Iso was learning to be calmer. Getting mad at Kyrra won't help you.
Kyrra didn't seem to be bothered at all, in fact, she still wore a smile on her face.
Out of the corner of her eye, Isolabella could see someone moving around near the entranceway. Who did she have to deal with now? Looking over, Iso saw Aras standing at the entranceway. He had asked if they wanted food.
Iso tapped her fingers across the ground. "I-" She started before being cut off by Kyrra.
The Ash Collector nodded. "Of course, Aras, we'd like some food," Kyrra answered in her annoyingly sweet voice. Her dark hair had fallen over her shoulders.
I was going to say no. Iso thought bitterly. It wasn't like Iso wasn't hungry. She simply didn't want to risk starting a conversation with someone. That's when Kyrra said something that made her want to burn the tent down.
"Why don't you stay here for a little bit?" Kyrra asked Aras, blinking her deep brown eyes.
Iso turned to face Kyrra and shot her a sharp glare. Kyrra seemingly ignored her.
Iso sighed. "Please, stay for a while," she forced herself to say. She hoped it didn't sound unnatural. Strands of her ginger hair had fallen in her face. Iso brushed them away and adjusted her position on the floor to stop herself from slouching.(This is so short sorry) |
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Post by *β’.ΒΈβ‘π₯π’πΈπ―π³π°π΄π¦β‘ΒΈ.β’* on Jan 19, 2022 14:29:14 GMT -5
(Willing to throw Orion in there if you'd like)
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 19, 2022 16:45:40 GMT -5
( Storm is obsessed with dragons )
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Post by Brownie on Jan 19, 2022 17:51:52 GMT -5
[[ Who isn't??? ]]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jan 20, 2022 20:53:34 GMT -5
FENRIR Fenrir hurled himself into battle with the same vigor of the gods. The clash of swords, metal scraping against metal; the din and roar of combat; it was all music to his ears. Each stepped was carefully time, expertly calculated to a strange, violent dance. He whirled about, swords flashing like silver stars. Twist, block, strike. Duck, parry, slash. Each of the princeβs motions was fluid; he moved as though he was made of water, flowing, thundering and crashing through the field like a tsunami. Each target engaged by Fen found themselves swiftly dispatched; some he left alive, although incapacitated. Others, he struck down, extinguishing their life-fires. His blades were an extension of his body, wielded with deadly precision. He also utilized his wings, slamming the appendages into opponents to knock them off balance before he used the razor-sharp talons at the apex to rip and tear and disembowel.
When there was a break in the enemies around him, Fenrir took a moment to glance about. The battle was fierce, but it was quickly becoming clear that the Selvans were outnumbered.
The sound of heavy, clanking footsteps drew Fenrirβs attention; he spun on his heel and lifted both blades, crossing them in front of his body to block the heavy iron sword that was suddenly swung at his head. The man before him was heavily armored; Fenrir could only see the gleam of his hazel eyes behind the slit in his visor. There was a wild look in the manβs eyes β a frenzy. He launched into a series of strikes, driving Fenrir back several steps. The prince measured each blow, testing the manβs defenses; he was clearly trained, and well-trained at that. Redirecting and blocking the manβs sword took a modicum of Fenrirβs focus, and he felt respect begin to swell in his chest. Truly, this was a worthy opponent. In the distance, he heard some female shout, but he ignored it. Finally, heβd decided it was time to end this little dance. The knight was skilled, but not enough. Just as Fenrir moved to parry a strike and land a blow of his own, there was a blur of motion, and a voice stating: βHeβs mine!β
Only the deeply ingrained muscle memory, built after years of practice, allowed Fenrir to twist, pulling his sword back just before it slammed into the femaleβs collarbone. He glared at her, as confused as the metal knight was. The armored man took a step back, surprised. Fenrir stared at the woman for a long moment, before he inclined his head. In a flash, heβd twisted and slashed out. The man cried out, and a sword clattered to the ground. βThere,β the prince said. βHeβs all yours.β He flared his wings, and was gone.
Fenrir circled the battlefield, looking for one individual. And there he was β this encampmentβs general, who sat astride a horse and was dressed in gaudy, golden armor. He spurred the horse into action, charging at several Traeterrans. He managed to strike a few down. Fenrir landed, and then launched into a run. In a smooth movement, he returned his left sword to its sheath at his belt and leaned down to grasp the wooden shield of a fallen soldier. The man on the horse spotted him and let out a shout. A lance was suddenly thrown towards the winged prince, arrowing straight for his chest. Fenrir twisted, lifted the shield, and caught the lance in the center of his shield. It struck the wood with a loud twang and stayed embedded. With his other sword, he cut the wooden shaft of the spear away. He never stopped moving.
He returned his last blade to its sheath and grasped a discarded lance. He sent the spear hurtling in the manβs direction. The man managed to twist enough that the spear did not fully embed itself in his chest-plate, but he could not avoid it entirely. He yelled out in shock and pain as the weapon impaled itself in his left shoulder. In the instant it struck him, Fenrir was there, bodily slamming into the man and knocking him from his horse. βSurrender,β Fenrir hissed, grasping the spear still stuck in the manβs shoulder and pressing it down further. The man cried out, but relented.
There was a few moments of hesitation, as people disengaged from the particular duels they were engaged in, before the Selvans threw their weapons to the mud and blood-soaked earth.
It was over.
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Post by Hushabye on Jan 20, 2022 22:33:58 GMT -5
[ Quick check in! I'd love to join the search for dragons! With just one of my phoenixes and maaaybe an ash collector.
Do you already have a plan as to how this would end? In a Traeterran victory, it seems, but how do we get there and what do we win? Peace, or the kingdom of Selva? And I can't remember how the war started? Just trying to get some background for a later Mokh post! ^^" ]
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jan 21, 2022 0:32:57 GMT -5
[ Yas! Join the dragon search squad. I might need to make a catalyst character who can pull the gang together and dropkick them down their path. Unless you want Fen to assemble the team, πΎππππππππ? Anyway, we'll all work it out. ]
[ The traeterrans and selvans, in my mind, have been natural enemies for a long time and use border disputes, trade or embargos, etc as an excuse to test their magical "weapons." We can discuss more of the motivations behind war in plotting as well. I imagine that both sides have a number of reasons, because war in general can rarely be boiled down to something black and white. I'm not sure how it will end. Because the story itself and the characters are so new I think it's the type of thing that would become more clear as we moved toward it. Sorry I'm not sure that I answered your questions lol ]
[ Anyway, I got home at 6:30 because I had to grocery shop and commute after work. And then my mom and I got sucked into watching Cheer for few hours haha Anyway, I'm going to get started on some posts. Not sure if I'll get all three done. But you guys are welcome to plot and create storylines that don't involve any of my characters! That way you can interact with each other when I'm working or whatever c: ]
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jan 21, 2022 0:41:45 GMT -5
- - - Yoooo we do have to decide how we want the results of this to go. No matter what happens, they can't actually die which is cool, but if the goal is that this potion will help them cast fire more than once, they'd probably be asked to keep casting until they do end up combusting ~for science~ Since it's just the two of 'em at this location tho, time skipping to when they're back up isn't a big deal though i bet both Maewen and Les wouldn't be very happy about having to go through that TWICE so quickly haha
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