Valentine's Day Vignette

[hoytti]

This Vignette will be open from February 14 -17. Rules and guidelines available here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?25691-Vignette-Rules-amp-Rewards).


It's Valentine's Day on Althanas. What does your character do today? Do they have a valentine?

Do not start till 12:00am EST.

[Tobias Stalt]

"Wading through shallows is not how I wanted to spend this day, Stalt," Camille spat. Tobias grunted as he reached into the muck and grasped at something. "Most women spend this day with someone they actually like," she went on, "yet here I am, with you."

"Aye," Tobias managed, tugging now with visible effort. "Here you are. Will you stuff it, woman? I'm working, and you're getting paid to stand there." Camille gaped at the statement. Tobias forced a triumphant grin, then exhaled loudly. His body shook from the tremendous effort, and the soldier fell backward with a splash. "What the hell..."

"Who was it that assigned you this detail?" Camille raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. Her gaze softened as she watched Tobi exert himself, undecided about whether to help him. "Here, let me..." she stepped forward, extending a hand toward her counterpart. He held up a hand.

"It's fine," he said as he lifted himself back to his feet. "Just relax." He smiled brightly, and Camille blinked. "I'm sorry," he told her, "for bringing you out here on today, of all days. You probably had someone more important to be spending time with." After a moment of collecting himself, Tobias set about tugging at the lodged object again.

Camille shook her head, "no, no, it's not like that," she stammered, "I mean, I could be anywhere right now, but this isn't so bad, I guess." She watched the young man thoughtfully, all the while wondering what he was on about. Tobias seemed determined. She had seen this several times, but he generally had a straightforward goal. "That is, I don't mind being here."

"With me," he muttered.

"Aye," she admitted, glancing sidelong at the sky. The sun had begun to dip into the horizon, bleeding a hazy orange over the water that surrounded them, "with you. At least the beach is nice and the sunset is pretty."

Just as Camille finished commenting, Tobias freed his quarry and began to stumble quickly backward. The subsequent splash caused the woman to throw her hands up in front of her. "What the devil...!?"

Tobias gripped tightly at his prize, grinning stupidly down at his lap. "I got it," he announced, "I got it!"

Camille took a cautious step forward, looking down at the soaked youth. "is that... a shell?" She crouched down next to him to examine what he'd found, and as the dying sun's rays caressed the surface it lit up. A myriad of colors from each side of the spectrum shimmered over the shell like a confined aurora. "Bloody hell," she hissed, "that's absolutely beautiful!"

Tobias rose slowly, wiping his eyes with one hand as he held the shell out with the other. "This is for you," he stated flatly. The Solider had begun to wonder if the sunlight were lighting up Camille's face, or if it had turned bright red. "Go on," he insisted.

Shivering, Camille accepted the shell. "You brought me here for this?" The question was filled with wonder, as though she had not expected that sort of gesture from Tobias. He stared blankly at her in response. Searching his eyes, Camille looked past the disturbing emptiness and took a step toward him.

"I found it the other day," he said when her eyes were centimeters from his own, and Tobias forced himself to breathe normally. The azure color of her eyes entranced him. Their closeness like a drunkenness, he found himself in a daze. "I thought you might like i-"

Camille swallowed the rest of his forced conversation in the kiss, wrapping his neck in her arms. Tobias felt the scraping seashell at his neck, but made no move to force Camille away. His eyes slowly shut, and Tobias wreathed the woman he loved in both arms. Tiny waves broke against their legs, and the sky began to twist in the death throes of twilight. Purples and grays collided with warm oranges and yellows, splashing on the canvas of sky and bathing the sea in radiance around the lovers.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Tobias rasped breathlessly as they broke away. He never took his eyes off of her. Camille looked down to her seashell, entranced by the dancing gleam that radiated around it. "I'm glad you said yes," he added after a moment, "I wouldn't have known how to give that to you otherwise."

"I'm glad you asked me, Tobi," she replied happily, "I... had begun to think you only saw me as a friend."

"Occupational hazard," he snorted. His eyes rarely blazed with passion anymore, and Camille had been disheartened by his bleakness. The way he kissed her dispelled every fear in her heart. "I love you," Tobias said, and his eyes shut as the words came out like a bandage from a wound. "I love you, " he repeated, this time opening his eyes to look at her.

Camille stared. "You love me?" She mouthed the words after she said them. The sun shifted again, blanketing them in the deep crimson that came just before darkness. Tobias put his arm around her shoulders and began to lead her from the water.

"I do," he said, and the stars began to sparkle in the sky. "Let's get back. It's turned dark on us." Gently the wind sang it's silent song, caressing them with a soft coolness. Tobias smiled softly.

"I love you, too," she managed to say as they walked. Each step that followed echoed in the silence, and when Camille glanced up at Tobias she saw tears streaking his cheeks. A smile stretched on his lips, but Tobias didn't look back at her. Camille felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, and she leaned her head into the Soldier's chest. "Happy Valentine's Day, Tobias."

[Amber Eyes]

She stood. Though there wasn't much energy left in her weary body, still she stood. The window that overlooked the courtyard must be lying to her. He should have come by now. It was the day of love, and he held all of hers. Any moment now surely he would appear, some sort of gift in hand.

All the days they spent together coursed through her thoughts. She could see them cuddled beneath the sheets, wrapped up in each other's warmth. She envisioned the walks through the gardens with their hands entwined as laughter filled the air. The happiest moments of her life belonged to him. Surely he felt the same.

Kyla felt her face flush red, how silly it was to stand here all day, waiting for him to show up. No, she must go about her usual business and put it from her mind. If he showed she would be doubly excited. She dressed quickly and made her way to the Ixian lunchroom where she sat with the other generals though she listened very little to the conversation.

After lunch she met with the new recruits for her team of soldiers. Two were bad apples on first inspection but there was one who held some promise. She eagerly informed Sei that he should be placed upon the roster. Still she wondered. Where in the wide world was he? Perhaps he was held up in Salvar on an expedition, perhaps he got lost in the seas near Alerar. Perhaps he just didn't want to come.

The mystic went about her day, pen to parchment, sword to sword, responding as required to questions asked. Her duties were fulfilled and dinner was called, but her appetite was gone from her. Her heart was breaking though she did her best to calm it. She gave up hope somewhere in the middle of her stew.

She was just about to retire when Sei Orlouge's 'voice' entered her mind. "Kylana, you have a visitor"

Her body seemed to spring to life in perfect harmony with her mind. It must be him. She ran through the lunchroom, hitting a body full force and falling to her butt. She stood, noting no injuries and proclaimed her apologies.

Jensen smiled and waved her on her way as he mumbled something about silly girls under his breath.

She rounded the corner and jogged up the steps to the sounds of her own echoing footsteps. Her heart seemed as though it would burst from her chest as she passed Joshua Cronen at the landing. She gave a timid smile as she brushed past, her mind focused on only one thing.

She opened the office door and at first Sei was all she could see. He stood, his smile wide as he nodded his greeting. It went unnoticed as the woman scanned the room, her breath finally released. He looked well from the journey with cheeks red from the sun. He was every bit as handsome as she remembered.

In a single step she closed the distance and pulled him into her arms. "It has been far too long." She pulled herself back to hold him at arms length and took in all the features that had begun to fade from her mind while he was away. "I thought you might not make it."

He grinned, "I wouldn't have missed it. I know how much it meant to you, your letters left no doubt."

Sei gave an excuse that fell on deaf ears and left the room. There was much to talk about.

Kyla noticed for the first time just how much he changed, his hair was longer, and he had grown at least five inches since he took his leave. She squeezed a calloused hand where a babies smooth skin had once been. "Its good to have you home."

He squeezed back. "I would be no place else today, I love you mom."

[BlackGhostofSeaside]

... And the duchess of character abuse strikes again!

WARNING: Contains brief, but heavy gore and gutsy, cheesy, teeny romance. There may be cases of illness, barfing, or even death after or during the reading of this massively gross Vignette! Proceed with caution.

Julius sighed as he looked out to the fields ahead, it was a sunny day wherever they were, and a week from now was Valentine’s Day! Julius knew just who he wanted…

Just beyond the hill, Ashla was carrying a dead, brown rabbit up the hill. Her cat, Fireleaf, tagged along with a slightly bigger one which was the color white. Julius got up from where he’d sat in the tall field of lush, green grasses and jogged down the hill to meet them thinking about how a week by now would be the best day ever…

~~~

This is the worst day ever! Julius thought as he jumped over a ginormous fallen tree trunk. Somehow, within the time given from last week, he and Ashla had found their ways into Dheathain and were hopelessly lost. Spending some lovely time in this jungle world meant encounters with giant bugs, vast heat temperatures, humidity to make that last one worse, giant trees and other exotic plant life, swamps, lakes, and of course… Monsters.

Julius and Ashla had tried to camp out in the cave of… Whatever that thing was, and now they were both on the race of their lives! Julius had scaled another tree - or root of a tree, and pulled out his sword out in a clean cut. He glanced from left to right, Ashla was nowhere in sight. “Ashla!” Julius called.

No reply.

Julius’ thoughts whirled around his head, what if something happened to her? What if that creature had caught her? What if she fell into a giant ditch? What if- “Over here!”

Julius turned to the right to see a soaking wet Ashla stalking out of a chunk of tree and bark. Julius sighed in relief and asked “Hey, are you alright?”

“Am I alright??” Ashla scoffed sarcastically, “Look at me!” And Julius did. She once again, was wet through, but no wounds or even scrapes appeared to take his attention on her thin body. “Uh…”

“I’m soaked through!” Ashla stomped her foot, “With swamp water!”

“Ohh…” Julius placed his finger on his lip and applied pressure. Just then, he heard the growl of familiar adversary and blinked, “No time to worry about that!” Julius raced over to Ashla and only semi-cautiously grasped her hand and raced into the thickets once again.

“Why don’t we fight it?” Ashla called from behind him, her shaky, cold hand still clenching to his.

“Well didn’t you see that thing??” Julius called back, “It’s hu-” It had been a perfect moment for him to knock himself head first into a skinny, but strong tree. He and Ashla both had fallen back into the swampy, muddy ground. Grossness splashed everywhere! Julius spluttered, soaked all over and feeling like he had to barf. He turned around from where he sat to see the original creature standing right behind them! It was twice as tall and Ashla and Julius combined and had a huge structure. A mammal like creature with a large head and barely visible hair on its grey skin. Six tusks appeared on his face, three on each side, and it had one, yellow eye. It had massive feet with four toes, some horns on the back of them all, and a small, but large trunk as a nose. It blew out, a horrid sound screeching from it and causing Ashla to cover her ears. The elephant like creature flapped its large ears rapidly, a sign of how it detested the two scrawny humans who dared to wake it, and charged.

Julius grabbed Ashla by the waist the pulled them both out of the way as the creature found itself with one of its tusks driven into the same tree Julius had hit himself on. Ashla slapped his arm as a signal that he could let go now, which he did. She then drew her sword, “Split up!” And dashed off through the swampy wasteland without Julius’ opinion to think about at all. Julius sighed and ran the opposite direction, drawing his bow and an arrow, “Well if you say so…” He ran to the opposite side of the tree just as the monster drew its tusk free. “Alright, if you wanna fight…” Julius prepared an arrow, his arms were slimy from the swamp life, but he had learned to get used to it. He took aim and then called, “Hey, el-baby-phant!” He mocked, “Eat this!” And he shot the arrow straight into one of its eyes. Of course, the creature let out another massive cry in pain and charged around with a steel arrow directly in the center of its eye.

As it kept trying to grab it out with its trunk, Ashla jumped down from one of the many trees above and onto its head. For several moments, it seemed as if Ashla would fall off of the rampaging animal, but she held her ground. Her elvish traits gained the advantage as Ashla finally got a good balance and she drew her long sword. Julius watched in awe as Ashla jumped off the head and as she fell, thrusted her blade into the head of the beast and as she fell, the blade went too. Now, the animal’s brain was as good as being split in two as a large amount of blood shot from it and all over Ashla and anything else in the surrounding. For once she didn’t mind as the monster fell over and into Julius’ direction. Ashla was finally knocked out of the ring, but Julius had rushed over and had been able to catch her before she would have plummeted to the ground from mid-air. Now Ashla was in Julius arms which were messier than what she could ever have been! Mud, blood, and water were all over her, and she hardly even seemed human anymore! Julius couldn’t help but chuckle when she realized this too- and that she was being held bridal style in Julius’ arms…

“Hey!” She threw herself out of his hold, landing on her feet thanks to her elvish traits again. She growled, “Now what do I do?!? Look at me!!!”

Julius had to keep on laughing though, he felt so sorry for Ashla, but this was just too funny to be true! “Boy, Ashla, Julius chuckled, “You’re as dirty as an orc who just came out of a slaughter!”

Ashla just gave him the death glare for several moments, but then gave Julius the surprise as she started to chuckle as well, “I guess I do…”

Since they had won the battle, the rain forest was surprisingly silent, nothing left to be heard except for the watery grounds below them slushing as the slightest branch was pushed by the light waves produced by another branch. Julius too was a rather unpleasant sight as of now, he had no traces of blood on him, but he was as muddy as he could ever be! To make matters worse, the intense humidity of the world around them made Julius want to faint. Ashla still had it worse though, Julius could tell as he watched her begin to slouch; so as he placed his bow back and proposed that they find a civilization sometime soon, “Well… We’d better find someplace to get ourselves fixed up…”

Ashla massively nodded in agreement, her long, wet hair sticking to her body in massive degrees with sweat and clumps of mud. Suddenly, Julius remembered something that hadn’t appeared in his head since he had woken up this morning, today was Valentine’s Day! And what a “perfect” way to spend it… Julius thought as he sighed.

Ashla suddenly eyed him with concern, “Hey, are you alright?”

Julius blinked as he realized that the only bright thing left to tell from her were her two, wonderful blue eyes. They sparkled so much; it was as if her eyes had been painted this way by some kind of god. Julius felt like sighing again, but this time in pleasure; but he held himself as he cleared his throat instead. It was now or never he supposed, he was so scared to ask such a question to a girl with such beautiful eyes, but he mustered up the courage, “Uh, Ashla… Do you know what day it is?”

Ashla immediately replied, “Several weeks until your birthday? Yeah, I know, you want to spend it away from here. But I’m sure we ca-”

“-Not that!” Julius protested; yes, it was only a short while longer until his important eighteenth birthday, but that was of no importance to him right now, “Today is Valenti-“

“-Valentine’s Day?” Ashla suddenly inquired.

Julius blushed, obviously it was… He stammered as he began to speak again, slightly embarrassed for whatever reason. Ashla was not his girlfriend at all, but they both knew their feelings for each other all so well. One day? Would this one day become a sort of exception? He bit his lip and tried to speak again, slightly turning his head to the side, “U-um-uh… -A-Ash-l-Ashla, I- uh- I… Uuhhhh…”

“Let me guess,” Ashla spoke, sarcastically taking a rather stubborn pose. She’d placed her one hand on her muddy brown hip and the other was lifted in the air, blood and water still dripping off. “You want me to be your Valentine?”

Julius’ face turned from pink to hot pepper red.

“Well guys what?” Ashla gave him a scowl and crossed her arms, “No way, young man!” And she turned her back to him.

Julius immediately felt like bawling at her quick remark- just about when he actually would have let it out though, she turned around, quickly turning from being angry to… Amused?

She started laughing, and laughed even harder as she walked up to him and placed a shaking hand on his shoulder, “Kidding!” And she just kept laughing.

“What- waa??” Julius asked in surprise, “You mean-“

“Of course I’ll be your ‘Valentine’, you big jerk!” Ashla’s face was now pink, all the red being blood that was starting to dry. Her eyes were cluttering in tears of laughter at her prank.

Julius huffed, “Not funny.” He obviously was not amused.

Ashla sighed as she allowed her weight to shift into him, her sweaty and filthy self still smiling the biggest grin ever. She then pushed herself to her senses again and took Julius’ hand. Julius looked down in surprise, then almost fell over as Ashla began to drag him further into the forest, “Now let’s find some civilization, shall we?” Ashla was back to being grump now, “So we can clean ourselves off.”

Julius followed Ashla, hand in hand, as they continued on their almost hopeless quest to ever get out of her. At least they had each other, and as long as that was true he knew they would be alright. Ashla was a spunky girl. She was an Icebreaker; moody, easily upset, competitive, and somewhat bossy. However, she was also kind, generous, forgiving, and massively beautiful. Sure she was feisty, but hey, that was just how Julius liked it…

[Mordelain]

Dark and dancing deities danced across the walls. In the twilight of the small larder, Mordelain observed the strange relations between heat and ice cubes. The carefully prepared desert for Suresh’s business client was, to be frank, on thin ice.

“This is not going to end well,” she sighed.

Since dawn, the il’Jhain had been wide-awake. Preparing dishes was her calling. Sweeping floors her bane. Idyll observation of tact. Domesticity.

“Why are you dawdling?” questioned the burger. As heavy in girth as Suresh, Mordelain’s mentor, the turgid man half-barked his question.

“Give me a chance damnit,” she snapped.

Her first mistake was thinking herself above his command. Her second was turning to strike him, out of innocence and experience, and not remembering her place. No sooner than she had risen her hand, he struck hers with his whip and ended her defiance.

“Get those vats of wine up to the feasting hall now,” he resolved. With one statement, she was undone. Her aged wisdom ended. Defeat.

For a moment, the troubadour who had ended worlds was exposed. Amidst the heat and bustle of the kitchen, she was lost. Tandoori ovens baked. Spices pungent in the air. Altogether strange and curious dishes jostled and tussled in pans and on the tips of tongues.

“Yes Lahar,” she replied in earnest. It gave her enough space to breathe, and sent the obese man on his ample way.

In the idyll afforded by her subservience, the youthful Mordelain found herself with an alien moment of silence, space, and perpetual isolation. Since dawn, along with the observance of decorum, she left with the strange notion of loss. Ever since she had been born, the Tama was unknowingly bereft. Above, on the sun balcony, Suresh doted on his wife.

“Yes Lahar,” she repeated ignorantly. Her tongue lashed with barbed witticisms.

Rising from the bench, Mordelain picked up the garnished tray, heavy with idolatry of the culinary variety, and made for the exit. The feasting hall was a world away. Excess. Everywhere one where to look, Suresh had plastered his affection for Neola, his First. On this, a strange custom, ‘Valentine’s Day’, one woman in Suresh’s eyes was more resplendent and jubilant than Jya herself.

“Anything you say Lahar,” the troubadour spat. Her feet padded on the sandstone as she ascended the staircase to her mentor’s heel. Bitter to the core, the il’Jhain found herself discarded and ignored. With the concept of a relationship alien to the eunuch, Mordelain Saythrou rose to ensure Suresh, and his wife, never forgot its meaning. Rage boiled within. A sandstorm rising. Jealousy.

[Otto]

The maître d squared his shoulders, wrinkled his upper lip, and sadly shook his head.

"I am sorry, sir, but we are full up at the moment," he smoothly said.

Otto tried to peer over his shoulder and into the bustling room beyond. "We saw empty tables from the street..."

"Reservations, I'm afraid," the other man explained. "We are exceedingly busy tonight."

Otto and Resolve went back to the wide, lamp-lit street. South Promenade was particularly busy that night, even more full with strolling couples than usual. There were people walking the carefully laid flagstones, bending to smell the moonflowers in the central green, or finding spots away from the lampposts to enjoy each other's company in private.

Resolve hooked her bared arm around Otto's elbow. "That's three, now," she remarked. She looked sidelong up into Otto's carefully impassive, and undeniably orcish, face. "There sure are a lot of people late for their bookings..."

He slowed, and glanced down into her upturned eyes. The white dots which adorned her cheeks glimmered under the moon, adrift on a face which otherwise drank in the light. "I shouldn't have forgotten my badge," he said. Then he sighed. "I'm sorry. I was stupid to try this so late..."

They walked on in silence for a little while. Then Resolve tugged firmly on Otto's arm.

"Come on," she chirped. "I have an idea.



* * *


This street was narrow, and winding, and had replaced the smell of night-blooming flowers with that of Radasanth's carefree approach to sanitation. Boisterous voices and snippets of gruff song leaked out from a two-storeyed, slightly shambling structure. It appeared to be Resolve's destination, and Otto's too, since she was more or less towing him along. But when he recognised a few of the words, he dug his heels in and ground to a halt.

He stared incredulously at Resolve. "An orc bar?" he exclaimed. "Really?"

Her teeth flashed in a smile. "I've been meaning to check it out for a while. And I can hardly think of better company to go in with."

Otto eyed the doorway uncertainly. But it wasn't as though he'd had any success in finding a spot, when it had been up to him. "Well, if you're sure..."

"Not really," Resolve chuckled. Then, her hand vice-like around Otto's bicep, she dragged him through the door and down the narrow steps inside.

The room beyond was long, and cramped, and hazy with smoke. Rough-hewn tables took up much of the space, and looked as if their their journey from tree to furniture had begun and ended with that great precision instrument, the blunt wood axe. Old rushes rustled underfoot, and crude oil lamps burned haphazardly around the grimy walls.

It was also full of orcs. The pair had their full attention.

One by the long counter stood up. Someone had pressed upon him the importance of trousers, but he was otherwise bare-skinned. And there was a lot of skin. There had to be, to fit around all that muscle. He stalked up to Otto, throwing in a disdainful glare at Resolve along the way, and loomed in over the other orc.

"Lulgijak," he snorted; his warm breath rolled wetly across Otto's face. He gave Resolve another look, and added, "Shara kurv?"

Resolve glanced from him to Otto. "What did he say?" she asked.

Otto's knuckles turned white, as he balled his hands into fists. "He doesn't like, er, the company I keep," he muttered. "He's challenging my... orcishness."

"Physical language, orcish, isn't it?"

Otto nodded, eyes still on the expectant aggressor. Next thing he knew, he was staggering out of the way as Resolve pushed him aside, squared up to the towering beast, and raised her fists. The massive orc in front of her blinked in surprise, and then grinned.

Otto went pale. "Oh, no - "



* * *


It was well past midnight. Two figures walked, arm in arm and a little unsteadily, along a desolate street below the ominous silhouette of the Citadel; the arena was visible only by the occasional twinkle of a fire and the way its unimaginable bulk shadowed out the stars. The road they walked was wide, cobbled, and lined with sturdy fences and the marks of light industry - heavy carts, old tools, even a pitted and rusty little anvil. One of them threw back her head and attempted to sing.

"Nugak-mog, haiiii," Resolve crooned into the open sky. "Mabaj nar armaaaaaaak!"

"Armauk," Otto corrected her.

"You do it then," she giggled back.

He shrugged, cleared his throat, and filled the empty street with a gentle, bass voice. "Mabaj nar armau-uk, mirdautus vras..."

Resolve drew a bit closer. "It sounds so nice when you sing it," she said. "And sad. You said it's an old lament?"

"Yes." Otto didn't expunge on what the song was lamenting, though. He felt that telling her it translated to "great torment, I have no enemies, but it is a good day to kill" would somehow ruin the moment.

Resolve tenderly rubbed her jaw. It wasn't visible in the dark, but there would be a good bruise visible there in the morning. The bar's patrons had quickly warmed to the pair when Resolve demonstrated she had a punch that any orc could respect; the fight had been quick and brutal, with the challenger being taken out back afterwards and gently revived under an ale keg. A few more of the patrons had been so impressed that they tried queuing up to take turns to fight Resolve, but Otto had quickly talked them around to sharing drinks instead of blows. Things were a little blurry after that point, but he had some uncomfortable recollections of climbing a table and singing a few choice songs from Erirag's repertoire.

He looked at Resolve. "I can't believe you laid that bloke out so fast," he said.

"I can't believe he kept trying to buy me drinks afterwards," she replied.

Otto smiled with late-inherited pride. "Orcs value strength. A good opponent is something you treasure."

They came to a halt. Rough plank fencing opened up at a wide gate, which led into a small yard in front of a couple of buildings. Otto shuffled his feet awkwardly.

"Thanks," he said, at last. "I had fun."

Resolve beamed. "Me too."

"You don't have to walk back tonight," Otto said. "I'm sure we could make up a spare bed..."

But Resolve shook her head. "I should be getting back - early start tomorrow. But thanks."

Otto nodded. Then he took her other hand in his own giant, calloused paw, leant down, and kissed her. He felt her fingers slide softly up his forearms, and he slipped his hands onto her hips. She tasted of the cheap beer from the bar, mixed with that heady perfume she wore. Unfortunately, he just tasted of the beer.

They pulled away, and Resolve scratched at her mouth. "We might need to do something about that beard," she remarked. Even in the gloom, the look of dejection on Otto's face was unmistakable, so she stood on tiptoes and kissed him again. It seemed to help.

"I'll see you next time," she said when they split apart.

Otto smiled. "I'll make a reservation somewhere nice."

[Verif]

"Reservation for two, Verif." He waited patiently as the waiter looked through
the list. His balding head barely kept his remaining hairs together, but the
man didn't mind.

Brushing his three hairs to one side he replied politely "Right this way..." He led
Verif to a well decorated room. The windows and walls were decorated with
similar red curtains and the table was made of red oak.

"Thank you lad." Verif tossed a gold coin to the man as he sat down.

"And what would you like to order sir?"

"Two of your finest ales please." He waited for the man to leave before standing
up. "Today is a very important day..." Verif whispered to himself. He quickly lit
a candle in the middle of the table, bathing a romantic light across the room.
"They call it Valentine's day. Or spend-time-with-the-love-of-your-life day." A
woman came in briefly and dropped the two ales on the table. Chugging the
first one, Verif belched loudly. Reaching for his axe he placed it on a chair across
the table.

"Happy Valentine's day." He said to the metal. Taking a cloth he dabbed some ale
onto the metal as if it could drink. "Remember that time when I tripped on that
ladies dress, and her husband demanded compensation? When I took you out,
he had another thing coming!" He laughed loudly, pounding on the oak with a
opened hand.

* * *

Hours passed and a stack of ale covered the oak table. The candle had sputtered
and darkness descended on the room. Verif laid passed out on the table with one
hand on a mug of ale. His axe, as if drunk, fell from the seat and laid flat on the floor.

[Philomel]

A brief look into the "love" life of Philomel van der Aart.

Philomel felt so horribly, uncomfortably, unreasonably dressed.

She sat, grumpy and sullen, leaning back, slumped slightly, in the seat in the booth in the large, ornate restaurant. In her tense jaw her teeth grated together and her anger and embarressment were written clearly on her face in the bright pink tinge that was splattered across her cheeks. Before her was a walnut table, grand and enough for two people. Upon it was a large candelabrum, in silver with four branches holding four white candles. Two places were set for dinner, with as many pieces of cutlery as their seemed to be items of clothing Philomel was wearing - which was at least five more than she was used to.

Her dress was the insistance of her "date" for tonight; a large, fat, disgusting, stinking, arrogant, slime-covered, sweat-oozing toad of an orc. He sat across from her, clothed in a doublet and jerkin - the height of Rasadanth fashion - and smiled at her modest clothing. There were too many layers to the dress than she had liked to count, including a terribly exhausting corset. She had stockings - literal stockings pulled over her hooves, and a set of personally tailored shoes, which were no more than glittering slippers. Yet - all of this was at the insistance of her client.

For stupid, fucking Valentine's Day.

Ever since she had broken away from Mort she had been finding it more and more difficult to find jobs that were just sex and did not require for her to kill. She had found Mister Draak, a Secret-Trader, Monk and troll, who knew almsot everyone in his area of the city, he claimed. Yet he did not seem to know the people who could serve as her clients. Therefore Philomel had struck out on her own, night-searching and had gotten in contact with this particular rich orc who had the willingness to pay what she charged.

The orc burped, right in her face. Stench of sour milk, rotting fish, burnt toast and badly cleaned teeth and tusks caught the faun-whore's sensitive nose. She used all her strength to stop herself from spluttering, and then retching.

"Uhhh, lovely meal..." she said quickly, trying to cover her inability to breath with a cough.

This seemed to please her client. He grinned stupidly, from ear to ear, and looked as cutely cheerful as a wolf pup about to die.

"My pleasure," he said in a perfect, high-class voice. "My honour, Miss ..."

"Nightingale," Philomel said fast, reaching forwards to sieze the nearest fork as the starter came. "Just call me Nightingale."

The orc paused, then nodded a little. "Yes, of course. Miss Nightingale ... I am Lord Fartstarter."

[Amber Eyes]

Tobias Stalt- Good use of the concept. It was a lite and refreshing read about two people realizing their feelings are mutual. It is a story that has been done before, but you made it your own. Your mechanics were mostly clean, but watch out for tense changes mid sentence. I would have liked to know a bit more about the character’s history, but you got me hooked so well done.


Amber Eyes- exp only


Blackghostofseaside- I enjoyed the read, it was true to the prompt and a unique way to spend Valentine’s day. There were a few mechanics issues, mostly with comma usage. Nothing that detracted from the reading though, so good job. Julius and Ashla have an interesting dynamic that always makes for a good read. Keep up the good work.


Mordelain- This was an excellent look at an atypical valentines day. Your mechanics were mostly clean. The story was a brief look at a bigger scene and it made we want to know more.


Otto- Great use of the prompt. I really enjoyed the whole story, and I don’t think I’ll forget the visual of Resolve decking an orc anytime soon. The post was mechanically sound. Overall well done.


Verif- I think many characters on the site would enjoy the company of their weapons more than that of other people. Well played. The mechanics were mostly sound and I enjoyed the story. If it were a bit longer the reveal of his ‘date’, and you played up him talking to it a bit more the whole thing would have been much funnier, but it did make me chuckle.



Philomel- It was certainly a unique take on the prompt. I enjoyed the read. You had a few mechanics issues, mostly just simple typos. Philomel is a very unique character and it makes reading her fun, just keep in mind that the reader may not understand references that aren’t explained, such as your quick mention of Mort.


The winner of our special Valentines Day Vignette is Otto!
The runner up is a tie between Tobias Stalt and Mordelain!

Rewards-

Otto- 700 exp and 200 gp
Mordelain- 400 exp and 150 gp
Tobias Stalt- 240 exp and 150 gp
BlackGhostofSeaside- 100 exp
Philomel- 100 exp
Verif- 100 exp
Amber Eyes- 600 exp

[Silence Sei]

Exp/GP Added