A parishioner had requested aid against the Dead. The task of returning the dead to rest was so far beyond import that it lay somewhere in the realm of the sacrosanct. Orthael inclined his head in acquiescence and summoned Judgement into his grip, though …

Out in the garden on a sunny day surrounded by flowers I sat. The aroma of roses and climbing clematis didn't blot out the smell of my own shampoo. The hum of bees busily gathering nectar an undertone to the bird song announcing their territories and call…

Rita jumped back, only getting the front end of her skirt lightly singed. "You're blue. Why the heck do you have fire powers!?"

"You're the one who wanted to fight," the blue girl taunted.

"First, I thought you had water powers, and second, I was playi…

They approached the other side of the clearing and it was Orthael's turn to rein in a jolt of shock. Shrouded in his sole focus on the Fire, he had held only a loose grip on the details of a martial engagement. Instinct and Judgement, rather than consciou…

It's amazing how the seasons seem to cycle through my life.

For a moment there is comfort, and a second later, strife.

There is warmth, and then I'm frozen; rain is followed by a drought.

Briefly I contain my feelings, till they blow the ceiling out.

Fir…

Eris stepped out of the dank cavern and into the cool night air. A gentle breeze blew past, carrying the sounds of the nearby city with it. She smiled, looking down upon the city, with all its bright lights and busy people.

Oh, if only she ever came here…

Pink hair again. It hadn't been pink since ... that time when ... and it all went normal again. I was normal. But not now. The dream tore through my mind, Aether burned into my skin, the skin changing, turning, petrifying. Pink hair falling. Eyes followin…

"My tongue may be twisted but I'll tell you no lies

Surely that's plain from the look in my eyes?

You're not making a deal with the Devil himself

Take a look around, inspect every shelf!

There must be something that catches your fancy

Go on, don…

Fiore grabbed her sword's hilt and started silently pulling it from the sheath. She just needed to get this over with. Then she could move on.

The small fawn girl noticed her and ran over. "F-Feeor-- um... Flora! Look what I found!" She smiled and held up…

Hair dark and damp were stirring in the wind

and I sat on a rock and looked at her

naked back as night made his descent.

The reddening sky background to flocks of gulls;

no voice, nor song of other son of Man

was to disturb our tendersome farewell.

I wanted to say yes

to the invitation to dinner

to the offer of company

to the slanted smile in your eyebrows

.

I wanted to say yes

to your desire for my body

the hunger in your eyes

and the scorching seduction of your skin

.

but I keep saying no

I keep c…

Oh god. I hope it's not me they're talking to. If they think I got cut by one of the Ferals, then I'm sunk. They'll kill me on the spot if they have any common sense.

"It's just a scratch, Bel." I hear a woman's shaky response and then before I realize i…

Hi everyone I'm Azel, I decided to make a post at this random site for something to do and I hope it's fun here, maybe someone will read these and want to respond! That sounds like fun!

I'm away from home now, I don't know just where I am, and I wish I co…

Beckton breathed out consciously as they approached the end of the bombe racks and risked a look back at Newkirk, who was twirling his wand restlessly. It described complex arcs of revolution and counter-revolution as it span, but gave no hint of the magi…

Hundreds of people slept peacefully in the vast, dark room. Long rows of them, side by side, covered by blankets that featured cartoons of money, of far off places, or boys and girls playing sports. Each person was plugged in to a rich cocktail of drugs c…

I'm heading on a trip quite soon

My open suitcase nearly filled

I should be glad, I shall see friends,

And, honestly, I should be thrilled.

.

But something close to nightmares loom.

Such anxious visions crowd my dreams:

My bag's misplaced; I'm lost in g…

I saw them, all of them.

I knew them.

I thought they knew me.

They were backing away. At about 2 meters, they turned their backs.

All of them.

They did not speak.

I asked them questions.

Why are you not hearing me?

What is going on?

They stepped farthe…

We ran. It had been a narrow escape. The police drones were stopped by the casino doors and the security cameras didn't cover the alleys well. Two buildings over we climbed the fire escape to watch the cruisers scream and screech to a halt, too late to ca…

After tipping his hat, the hat took their orders and went back to the kitchen. Pips let out a soft snort, shaking his head gently to and fro. "That hat's probably either your kid, or mine," he said nostalgically. "And here we all are here...at Scooper's. …

The station was usually busy, built to accommodate semi trucks and newer than the one across the road. It was late when we stopped, so the lack of traffic was not unexpected. Lights were on brightly and a lone couple drank coffee at one of the 3 booths.

…

They called it The Game. Every month a new round began, drawing thousands of competitors. Most were insane, or simply suicidal. Its ten deadly traps, called Levels, had claimed their millionth victim just last month. The billion-dollar prize was seductive…

"I think I've reached my breaking point" he said, though nobody was there to listen save for a few dust bunnies under his bed.

He had been lying there for at least four hours just sort of staring at the ceiling of his motel room. It wasn't a grimy motel,…

The alley wasn't completely dark behind the Chinese Restaurant where a brick wall faced me. Rudy.

I began the translation program.

"Hello, Rudy."

"Bonsoir, Elsha"

"Please let me in. S'il vous plaît laissez-moi entrer."

"Mot de passe?"

"I don't have a pa…

There's dust gathering on the bed frame

Interspaced with gaps left by careless and infrequent touches

A chair piled high with jackets worn but once

or crumpled on a cold floor

Sheets collect long hair on the left side

unwashed dishes pile on the right

T…

He dips his finger into the smoke, and it clings to his flesh like tar, even as tatters billow up and swirl around his hand. He lifts his hand to his face once more, inhaling the smoke in one long stream. He leans back, head tilted upward, euphoria making…