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Post by Stephanie (swordlilly) on Dec 22, 2023 13:58:38 GMT -5
Huh, that's super weird! I've never gotten that error before. However, I do know that sometimes game score submissions don't go through if the URL is "http" rather than "https." I wonder if that could be the issue?
I enjoyed reading your entry, by the way! Especially how you represented the Petpet's subjectivity through the narration. xD
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Post by June Scarlet on Dec 22, 2023 14:57:03 GMT -5
You know, I've gotten that or something similar when I was redeeming prize codes at grundo's warehouse a couple weeks ago. But the item did show up in my inventory. I wonder if it's a similar problem, and it did submit without it showing it submitted? Of course, I think neomailing the editor was the smart thing to do.
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Post by Kat on Dec 23, 2023 1:18:36 GMT -5
Admittedly I was super disappointed this wasn't a Christmas/Holiday-themed story. I'd submitted a starter that involved Reina being kidnapped probs over the SAP but that would've been for the next writer to decide haha. Mine was only tangentially holiday-themed but did take place during the season. I was kind of dry on ideas on the STC in general anyway. I'll be resubmitting my starter - it's one I've tried from last year but which I'll modify, somewhat inspired by one story from The Sandman (which hasn't been adapted to Netflix yet but is related to another series - Dead Boy Detectives). A Brightvale University student spends their holidays alone in the school dorm with only the caretaker for company. |
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Post by Kat on Jan 2, 2024 18:53:57 GMT -5
RielCZ, happy belated Day of Giving. I got you your holiday-themed starter. 
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Post by RielCZ on Jan 4, 2024 13:15:17 GMT -5
Yay, merry belated Day of Giving!  I watched the Hey Arnold! Christmas Special enough times to know this was gonna turn into a "find the missing person for Christmas" story so I decided to try to do something else for the second slot.  ..."Oh dear," Estelle finally spoke after her brief, soul-sucking pause. "I'm sorry, Connac, but please leave your apron on the counter and get out of my store. You can no longer be under my employ."
The Lenny just glared back at her. "I--no, no, what? I'm sorry if I offended you--"
"It's too late," the Blumaroo interrupted sadly. "You've asked me the forbidden question. It's in your contract of hire that you must never ask about the secret behind my cookies. You have broken it, and must now leave."
Connac remembered this now... he remembered the clause had been odd, but hadn't realized a single slip-up would lead to his firing.
"I'm sorry..." his former employer trailed. "And don't worry too hard, I'll give you a good reference letter, let me know where you apply next."
Dumbfounded, Connac did as she asked. He slowly walked past the counter, lost in the crowds of Neopets.
But then an upset confidence got the better of the Lenny. "OK, what is it?" he asked trying to keep his composure, striding back toward Estelle. "I worked for you for just over 2 years, and there is NO way you're going to survive even ONE DAY without a helping hand in this holiday rush. Do you not like me and you were just trying to find any reason to get rid of me? Is it that you can't tell me because you are doing something illegal? Or are you under some magic oath? Or--"
Estelle's eyes went wide, horrified, and she flinched.
So it was something to do with magic.
"Of course I like you, Connac, you did great work in my kitchen..." She bit her lip. "And you've lasted far longer than any of my apprentices -- they always ask right away what makes my cookies so good."
"Trust me, Estelle," Connac reassured, trying to maintain a casual demeanour through his serious tone. "Whatever it is, I can handle it. I love baking and your holiday cookies are the best in Neopia. I'm with you. Er... as long as it's nothing illegal," he added with a chuckle.
After a pause, the Blumaroo breathed a heavy sigh. "Alright... go deal with the rest of customers, and when you're done for today, meet me back here. I will tell you about the 'baker's curse' I'm, er, I suppose now both you and I, are under..." Anyway, I think the winner of the second slot was good and pushes the story in an overall better direction than my entry. And I just submitted a third entry that should help the story follow a plot not dissimilar to that of Arnold's Christmas heh. EDIT: Darn my third slot entry where Connan gets the Christmas present of his dreams only to trade it away later for info about Estelle's sister didn't place. Here it was if anyone was interested. ***
The next morning, during a hearty breakfast of cereal and Borovan, Connac received a knock on the door of his NeoHome. He opened the door to reveal his best friend, Sammie, a Darigan Aisha.
"Happy Day of Giving!" Sammie exclaimed as she strolled into the room, shut the door, and thrust a red envelope into Connac's wings.
The Lenny accepted it but gave her a skeptical look; Sammie could be quite the practical joker, and the Day of Giving wasn't until next week.
"My Day of Giving gift to you has arrived early!" the Aisha announced through a wide grin. "Really, truly, open it open it!" She could hardly contain her excitement.
Connac tore open the envelope to find a nice little personalized snowflake greeting. And inside that was TWO TICKETS TO THE NEOPIAN PHILHARMONIC SEASONAL CONCERT ON THE DAY OF GIVING!
The Lenny squeed and did a happy dance. His favourite band! On his favourite day of the year! Tickets had long sold out weeks ago while he was busy with the Christmas rush at the bakery... she must have thought of him and bought them early.
"I knew you'd like iiiiitttt," she said as she did her best to wrap one of her small arms about his shoulders. "Especially considering you complained to me you didn't get one before they were sold out." They shared a laugh. "But see, had you waited to open it on the Day of Giving, it would already be too late," she continued warmly. "Yanno, gotta prep your travel to Tyrannia, what you want them to sign, decide who your plus one is going to be..." she trailed, a touch mischievously.
Connac thanked her profusely and they hugged. "This is the best material gift I could have possibly gotten!"
"Anyway, what's new with you?" Sammie asked pleasantly as they took a seat at his table.
After a brief hesitation, the Lenny decided he would tell her about the situation with his boss -- Sammie was his best friend, after all, and he frequently told her about his successes being Estelle's apprentice.
"Well, something came up at work," he started... I am not sure whether I can reuse it, alas. |
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Post by Gelquie on Jan 5, 2024 19:26:51 GMT -5
I like today's STC entry! I'm glad someone called Connac out for what he was doing in the previous entry. xD I was going for some bits of what they did too (with variation), but I think today's entry is way better than mine. Still, I'll post mine, because I don't think I can re-use the idea. That's what Connac presumed anyway, from that odd encounter one evening. The busy Month of Celebrating brought early starts and late finishes, and this was especially true with the Day of Giving rapidly approaching. It was never normally a problem for Connac, who enjoyed his nightly walks.
Of course, he never expected trouble on Roo Island.
"Words travel far, Connac," came a sudden, terse voice behind Connac. He whirled around but whoever was behind him was faster, and grabbed him by his shoulders and held him in place.
He found himself face to face with what he assumed was a Blumaroo, donning a cloak and wreathed in the shadows of the night. He thought he could place orange coloring, with red and black marks... Almost like Count Von Roo. But he knew he didn't leave that late, the marks were slightly different, and besides, the voice he heard was feminine.
"What do you hope to accomplish, spreading word around town about Celeste, as if she were the rumor of the day?" the stranger spoke sharply.
"Wha? I-I'm looking to find her," Connac stuttered out.
"Looking to stir up trouble, is what I'm seeing," the stranger sneered, freeing one hand in order to tilt his chin up so that Connac could meet her eyes. "Chasing ghosts and breaking Estelle’s heart all over again. And on top of that sending word to all the wrong people."
"The... the wrong people? Do you mean they kidnapped-?"
"This is a warning," the stranger snapped. "Leave well enough alone. Or perhaps you might just be next." She stepped back, clasping her hands in front of her. "This will my be only warning."
Connac took his chance to look the figure up and down, glimpsing as much of her as he could in the soft moonlight. With his eyes adjusted to the dark, he indeed confirmed the appearance of a Halloween blumaroo. As she was talking, he thought he saw a glimpse of a fang. But now, what got his attention the most, was her clasped hands, lightly clawed... and slightly shaking.
"...Who are you?" Connac dared to ask.
"You don't need to know that to do as I say," the stranger huffed. "Heed my warning well, and mind your words."
With that, the stranger turned and ran off into the night.
Connac stared for some time, barely managing to catch his breath. Yet despite his fears, he couldn't help but stare. This was the first major lead he had. She clearly knew more than she was willing to say. And it brought so many more questions, ones that he was certain would keep him up at night anyway… He couldn’t let this go.
As the strange Blumaroo was about to turn a corner out of sight, Connac steeled himself, and... |
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Post by RielCZ on Jan 11, 2024 17:26:04 GMT -5
I thought my penultimate slot twists were pretty good but also brought the story back into a darker tone heh. ...Connac held out his makeshift lamp, desperate for a glimmer of what was down here. Were they a friend, or a foe?
Alas, the creature was shrouded in the dim depths of darkest chocolate that seemed to swallow what little light emanated from Connac's torch.
And then the Lenny heard a giggle. "Oh Connac, dear Connac..." a feminine voice started icily.
Connac froze. She knew his name. And the voice was... familiar. Where had he heard it?
"You know this was all part of the Master's plan, hmm?" it rang again, seemingly from the other side of the cavern.
The Lenny turned and started to run. And that's when it hit him.
The voice belonged to the elderly Aisha.
He scowled. She was in on this the whole time!
Connac tripped and fell over a gumdrop, which was just enough time for her to catch him. He held up his torch, and saw her twisted, sickening face, madly grinning from long ear to long ear.
He panicked and tried to struggle free, but she was surprisingly strong, and kept him pinned down with her weight.
"You really are naive, aren't you..." she started, her voice slick like melted chocolate. "Searching in vain for 'Celeste', despite Estelle saying not to dredge up the past. You didn't once stop to think that maybe, just maybe, Estelle wanted the memory of her sister to STAY buried?"
Connac just glared at her, unable to form a coherent thought.
"I have worked directly under Master Kiko here at the Chocolate Factory for a long time," the Aisha continued. "Just like Estelle -- that Blumaroo you know and believe to be spreading joy everywhere she goes." She smiled wryly at his look of shock. "What, you don't think Master Kiko would only sell the amazing Chocolate Factory cookies in one location, in all of Neopia, hmm? That's just impractical business sense. I'm the Factory's head baker, and I worked with Master Kiko to develop the PERFECT Day of Giving Cookie recipe. And under my instruction, a number of apprentice franchisees got their start in baking and would open their own shops -- with 10% of annual profits coming back to the Chocolate Factory, raised to 33% during the Month of Celebrating."
The Aisha yawned. "But enough about the numbers. Celeste was my star student, and she helped her sister get enrolled and equipped in the cookie franchisee program as well. The bakery the two of them opened together on Roo Island is by far the most successful of all the bakeries in our cookie franchisee program. If only her sister were still around..." she trailed ominously, clicking her tongue.
"So where IS CELESTE!?" the Lenny barked as he just about broke free of her grasp -- his restrainer was growing tired.
"Around the Day of Giving, several years ago, Celeste thought that she and Estelle should 'go it alone' and make it their New Year's resolution to open their own business together, a bakery completely severed from the Chocolate Factory. Celeste thought they were good enough that they could come up with their own recipes, or better yet -- that they had put so many unique spins on the Factory's recipes that they were already their own recipes, so there would be nothing stopping them."
"So what stopped Celeste?" Connac asked, his voice hardly above a whisper.
The Aisha grinned wickedly. "Why, you already know... Estelle, of course. Estelle disagreed and turned her sister in. And you know the saying, 'Nobody ever goes in... and nobody ever comes out.' At least, nobody Master Kiko doesn't authorize. On that subject, you think he just sold some rando a key to his factory? Of course he knew you were the apprentice of our greatest cookie franchisee, and that it might come in handy one day... like if you ever started snooping too much. Anyway, Master Kiko came and together we locked Celeste away, until she could be a good franchisee like Estelle, and admit that she was bound by magic contract to the Chocolate Factory forever... but that day never came. And now Celeste will have a tombstone made of chocolate. And though Estelle lives with regret, she knows, deep down, that she made the right call."
"WHERE IS SHE?!" Connac practically screamed at her. He was done with the Aisha's mind games, and he was going to find and rescue that Neopet whether his boss liked it or not. And, that Aisha COULD be lying and Estelle WOULD like her sister to come back! "I know Celeste still has to be here. I... I can feel it," he added. And... he could almost sense her presence. He couldn't explain it. He felt like Estelle was here, somewhere... That had to be Celeste, right?
The Aisha's demeanour darkened. "Well, you'll get to see for yourself," she scowled, "when you too are thrown into the candy brig for the rest of your life..." Part of me wants to try for an ending, but... the story seems so straightforward in terms of its resolution that there'd be practically nothing interesting I could do with it, unless I write way more than either I or Adler would want to read. Though honestly at this point I'd rather take a win than write something impassioned, rawr. |
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Post by RielCZ on Jan 29, 2024 20:20:34 GMT -5
Haven't had any luck with the creative contests lately but I'm still trying heh. Wrote this for last week's ending: ...the Turmaculus spouted and grew, and grew, one giant... nose.
Peppermint held her breath.
The beast, though initially perturbed, bellowed a boisterous laugh. "Well, it would appear that my olfactory senses have more than quadrupled in raw unadulterated strength," the Turmaculus started in his dense diction -- high-Meridellian accented, of course. He grinned properly. "Now when I consume my berries or the infrequent Petpet, the mere experience of my fine dining shall be immensely heightened. And all around these parts know the scandalously pleasant rumours about those with big noses..."
He glanced at the Elephante, her eyes still wide with trepidation -- and curiosity. "You there," he boomed, gesturing toward her with his giant nose, "with the swirly cap upon your layered head. Was my spontaneous growth -- veiled in the deliciousness of a substance akin to Meridell's finest gravy but even bolder and more ambitious in flavour, delivered to me with an uproarious dancing dinner show, the epitome of class -- the direct results of your actions? And you remain to witness my grand reaction?"
She glanced around quickly, and when she was satisfied he couldn't have been talking to anyone else, revealed her side of the story.
He thought about this a moment. "Really, the Esophagor..." He placed a paw to his chin. "I'd never once before believed that insidious mound to have a heart of gold, rather than a crust of mold. You go to your master with this and express my thanks..."
***
"And how COULD you hire Edna to do your dirty work!?" Peppermint, her arms akimbo, continued to berate the Esophagor. "And what did you add to it, anyway? He said it was even 'bolder and more ambitious' than Meridell gravy but come on..."
As she droned on, the Esophagor reflected on his experience. He never really wanted to have the Turmaculus run out of Meridell... run around Meridell and do a little destruction, sure, but even if not, no big deal.
But it sounded like he HAD succeeded in creating a culinary masterpiece after all. And to that, he was especially proud.
The Turmaculus was happy with the gift... and that made the Esophagor happy too, even if he wouldn't show it outwardly.
And best of all -- the real point of his layers of scheming -- was that he'd be permanently banned from participating in this stupid program ever again. The Elephante had said as much.
"Are you even listening?" She shook her big head. "You know what, fine, I don't care anymore. But... the Turmaculus did want to thank you and give you this in return for your gift."
Out of her satchel, she lifted the biggest, juiciest, most perfect Aquaberry that the Esophagor had ever laid eyes upon, let alone imagine. He reached out and rolled it around in his twiggy hands.
"Thaaaaannnkkk yooouuuuu, Pppeeeeppperrrmmmiiinnnttt," he droned with excitement, wiping a speck of dust from his eye. "Hhhooowwww thooouuughttffuuuullll!"
He would be eating far better tonight than he'd ever had with a Brain Tree quester!
Being kind had its merits after all.
THE END And I wrote this for today's beginning. Not sure if the Storyteller's jealousy over NT 1000 is entirely in character for her, but it was fun to write. Also, definitely can't be revised and reused, sad. (Well I guess I can but it will never be timelier.) "Or at least, she wouldn't let the Esophagor plan his gift alone next time... The End," finished The Storyteller as the Aisha waved her paws majestically about the campfire in the Catacombs.
A Blumaroo applauded. "Another fantastic tale as always." He got up, waved goodbye, and endeavoured to exit the Catacombs. "Thanks and goodnight, Storyteller!"
"Goodnight Carl!" The Storyteller waved back before looking down, unsatisfied, at the only other Neopet who had stayed to hear the end of her story. She frowned. "The crowd's a bit thin tonight, isn't it?"
And then she heard a light snoring and realized he'd fallen asleep. Growling, the Aisha shook awake Alstaf Poogle. "Awaken ye ol' codger."
Alstaf stirred awake with a groan. "Ugh, what do you want, Storyteller?"
The Storyteller stood, arms akimbo, hands on her hips. "I want to know where all the storytellers are! Only the diehards were out tonight, and most left before the ending."
"Oh, that's an easy one," the Poogle explained, almost dismissively, even in his groggy state. "The 1000th edition of the Neopian Times just came out. Everyone will be on Roo Island at the Neopian Times printing press, celebrating at the after party of the head honcho, Missus White Weewoo." He pulled out his personalized, signed, gilded invitation.
The Storyteller frowned. She hadn't received a formal invite. She didn't even know such a soiree was happening!
"I was planning to go," Alstaf continued before seeing the Aisha's eyes briefly flare in anger, "but you're my best friend so I knew I'd stick by you!" He added sheepishly.
A pause.
"Hmph," was all The Storyteller could mutter as she folded her arms.
"Why..." Alstaf narrowed his eyes playfully. "You're jealous! You're jealous about the party, and jealous that Storytelling is going to be the last major creative contest in Neopia to reach the 1000 milestone!"
"I'm not jealous!" The Storyteller hastily rebutted. "We storytellers will have our time soon enough, and it'll be LEAUGES better than the 1000th NT!" She threw up her arms. "And we'll have the biggest party Neopia has ever witnessed!"
"Jeeaallloouusss," Alstaf droned accusingly.
The Aisha suppressed a shriek and ran her paws through her hair to calm herself down. "Well..." she started neutrally, "no use standing around in the empty caves." A new resolve ran through her. "Let's venture to Roo Island and head to that NT 1000 after party, to celebrate with everyone and congratulate Missus White Weewoo on her milestone accomplishment!" She grinned.
"Why, I thought you'd never ask!" Alstaf leapt to his feet. "That nap helped me feel like I could stay awake all night!"
The Storyteller's grin subtly darkened. Yes... she was going to visit that Missus White Weewoo, learn and expose any of that Weewoo's secrets, and give that Petpet a piece of her mind... Honestly, wouldn't mind trying to turn it into an NT short story, but instead I'mma try to update and resubmit my NT 1000 piece for 1001 and then let it die if it doesn't get in after that heh. |
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Post by Serene on Feb 4, 2024 2:28:45 GMT -5
I should try committing to the STC more often. Have tried a couple times in the past, but have tried to be slightly more consistent at submitting a few times every competition so far in 2024, when I feel like I have a fun idea. I entered a few times for the current competition, solely trying to slip in a joke about the uproar around the site regarding the Seasonal Attack peas from the Advent Calendar. Here is what I submitted in response to the opener: “What kind of partnership do you have in mind?” Mr. Chipper asked between licks of his rainbow sherbet ice cream. If there was one thing the Lutari knew for certain, it was that Reina had a keen mind when it came to successful business partnerships. Something his ice cream stand could desperately use.
“I was hoping you would allow me the opportunity to pass out ice cream coupons now that it is my off season,” Reina said.
“Hmm, I guess I could see how that might benefit my ice cream cart, but how would that help you?”
A look of apprehension formed on the Aisha’s face. “It’s true that for most, this past year's Advent Calendar was a success, but there are some who have been… upset, to say the least.”
“Who?”
“I’m not sure, I think they’re a group of health fanatics. They claim that I should have given out more veggies this year. At least, that’s what they wrote in the letter they sent me.” Reina pulled a letter out of her jacket to show the ice cream salesman. “I was hoping that passing out some of your coupons might garner me some goodwill.”
Mr. Chipper took the letter from Reina’s shaking hands. He noticed that some of the words had been blurred, most likely from the Christmas Aisha’s tears. After he read it thoroughly, he decided he had never seen such a vitriolic letter written over a lack of free peas. The whole situation seemed far-fetched.
“Listen,” he finally said as he placed a paw on her shoulder. “This is probably just the work of some prankster who is just trying to frighten you.”
“I don’t think so,” Reina’s voice trembled. “They’ve been painting green dots all over my house too.”
Mr. Chipper sighed. He knew words wouldn't assuage Reina’s fears. “Listen, if you really think my ice cream coupons will help, I will give you a stack to pass out.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much!” Reina said. A look of relief had washed over her face as Mr. Chipper stood up.
“C’mon, I always keep a fresh stack of coupons in my cart. I’ll grab you-”
“What’s wrong?”
“My cart. It’s gone!” Mr. Chipper ran over to where he’d left his cart. In its place there was a seasonal attack pea plushie on the ground.
“Oh no! I told you,” Reina gasped. “What are we gonna do?” |
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Post by RielCZ on Mar 21, 2024 4:58:04 GMT -5
Guess who submitted a poolside STC collab today @ tttxyv   |
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Post by RielCZ on Apr 3, 2024 2:46:34 GMT -5
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Post by Stephanie (swordlilly) on Apr 5, 2024 16:58:27 GMT -5
Thank you so much RielCZ! I believe this is my first win in 2024 hehe. |
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Post by Kat on Apr 9, 2024 19:43:14 GMT -5
Trying this again (massive storytelling writer's block is terrible, -10/10 I do not recommend) First one, repurposed from an April Fool's starter idea that I had with twin magicians: A Shoyru stuck her head out from the lit window and waved the Eyrie into the house.
"Great! Come in, come in!" The Shoyru paused. "Oh, right, I guess I have to let you in."
Before Rynn knew it, the Shoyru threw open her door, grinning widely as she ushered her guest inside. Rynn looked around; the inside of the house was almost as normal as the outside.
Almost.
The shelves were full of many strange objects: a top hat and black cane, metal hoops of varying sizes, water blasters, a jester's hat, and jars filled with a viscous substance that came in different colors. The books had titles like "A Prank for Each Day of the Year" and "The Fool's Guide to Fooling". Diamond-patterned handkerchiefs and scarves were draped over the couch.
Most notably, a large framed portrait dominated one wall - that of the Shoyru in a star-studded cape, tipping the top hat and pointing the cane to whoever had been doing the portrait. However, half the portrait seemed to have torn away, though the tip of a second cane in what was left of the picture told Rynn that someone else had been in the portrait.
"I'm Danibeth," said the Shoyru, thrusting a hand out for the Eyrie to shake. When Rynn gripped Danibeth's hand, she yelped as she felt plastic giving way under her grasp, and then a jolt like static electricity.
"Ow! What was that?" Rynn wondered if the spell, or ritual, or whatever it was, had already begun the moment she stepped into the house.
Danibeth chuckled and held up the buzzer in her hand. "Sorry, one of my favorite pranks." Sliding the buzzer off her palm, she continued. "I'm a magician. Had my internship under King Roo after I graduated with a degree in illusion magic."
Rynn blinked and held up the Neopian Times clipping. "Wait, but you said you needed someone to help you with a spell. Or some sort of ritual." She had been expecting a sorcerer, or a wizard. A real magician, not a stage performer.
"Yes, I did. And yes, I'm a stage magician, but I have a lot of other, more surreal tricks up my sleeve." Danibeth winked. She gestured to the ruined portrait. "I used to do shows with my sister Annibel, but..." Her voice trailed off into a snort. "We didn't exactly agree on everything, except that we had to go our separate ways. So, I'm going to start my solo career by showing that I can do our Vanishing Island trick without her help!"
"The...Vanishing Island trick?"
Danibeth held up her fingers to her face, framing them into a square. "Picture this. A whole audience on a riverbank, watching as an island in the middle of the water vanishes before their eyes! Poof! But this time, I'm gonna go bigger. It'll take more than just optical illusions, which is why I put out that ad."
To Rynn, it sounded more like Danibeth couldn't quite make it on her own and needed help that wasn't her sister Annibel. But the Eyrie kept that thought to herself. Besides, her mind was no longer on that, but on the ramifications of a disappearing landmass. What sort of spell was needed to make the Vanishing Island trick real? And how did Danibeth plan to make it bigger and better?
The Shoyru grinned widely and rubbed her hands together. Throwing one arm around Rynn's shoulder, she said, "This time, with a little help from you, I'm going to make Roo Island disappear..." A second one, this time with a...Brightvale student who just needs someone to help her with her grades A Shoyru stuck her head out from the lit window and waved the Eyrie into the house.
"Great! Come in, come in!" The Shoyru paused. "Oh, right, I guess I have to let you in."
Before Rynn knew it, the Shoyru disappeared from the window and threw open her door, grinning widely as she ushered her guest inside. Rynn looked around; the inside of the house was almost as normal as the outside. Shelves full of books, a worn couch and a coffee table strewn with an empty coffee mug and papers...the Eyrie flinched slightly when she noticed that many of the papers had angry red marks and numbers on them.
Rynn also noticed that the Shoyru wore a rumpled green and gold uniform from Brightvale University, and looked like she hadn't had much sleep as of late.
"I'm Dennelyn," said the Shoyru, offering Rynn a hand to shake. Glancing around as though someone else might be in the house with them, she added, "I'm so glad you're here. I'm wondering if I scared off other applicants with how I wrote the ad, but..." She took a deep breath. "Anyway, congratulations, you're the first to find out that I'm about to fail my magic classes."
"What?" Rynn's eyes widened like dinner plates. So much for all her anxieties about summoning dangerous creatures or whatnot.
Dennelyn chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, I know. My parents don't know yet, and when they find out, they'll cut me off and I won't be able to finish my major. Right now, I'm taking extra credit, and..." She groaned, inclining her head toward the papers on the table. "It's not going well either. So, I figured, why not perform a ritual that's sure to impress all the professors in Brightvale U?"
"What kind of ritual?" Rynn asked, her brow furrowing. The doubts that ebbed away at the sight of Dennelyn's relatively normal house were surfacing in her mind again. It didn't help, either, that Rynn was pondering the ethics of willingly helping a university student for pay.
"Don't worry, it's nothing much! I think. I did say I've done it before!" The Shoyru patted her pockets and gasped softly. "Oh, all my notes are upstairs, but the gist of it is, I'm going to teleport someone from here to a different land..." |
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Post by RielCZ on Apr 13, 2024 15:46:48 GMT -5
I submitted a starter based on Smile Withme, but I know I didn't get the tone right. (I wanted dark comedy but it was more just dark unsettling heh.) I like the magicians one Kat! (Though David Copperfield wasn't as good live as I'd hoped.) |
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Post by RielCZ on Apr 19, 2024 13:26:58 GMT -5
I didn't catch up on this week's story until last night, but it was surprisingly sweet/cute.  (And I do mean surprising, Wally was certainly set up to be vilianesque heh.) I liked the winning ending as well. Nevertheless, this is what I put in for the ending: ...When they were a safe distance away from the Battledome, Rynn and Wally collapsed on the grassy ground. They were just outside Neopia Central.
"You saved my life!" Wally exclaimed between heavy breaths. "Thank you thank you thank you."
"When you said, 'Safety not guaranteed,'" Rynn started, catching her breath as well, "I guess you were telling the truth after all."
"Safety not guaranteed," Wally repeated absently, his mind back on his ad. "I have only done this once before."
Rynn blinked and sat up. "What happened to your previous attempt, anyway?"
"Oh? Right, that thing..." the Bruce trailed, his gaze fixed on the sky. "It was so cute I just had to keep it for myself." His beak curled into a kawaii smile. "Honestly, Rynny-Wynny, I needed someone else around to remind me of my end goal of selling it to make ALL the Neopoints, lest I fall victim to keeping it and adding another cute toy to my collection."
The Eyrie rolled her eyes and, smiling also, collapsed back onto the earth. "Well... are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That that cloud looks kind of like a faerie?" Wally pointed up at an arguably faerie-shaped cloud.
"Huh, it does," Rynn agreed. "But no... I think we both know that this Rainbow Battle Duck is far too powerful to be sold. If it falls into the wrong paws, like it did with the Tax Beast... who knows what would happen."
"Sounds like fodder for a story for you to write," the Bruce said with a playfully wicked grin. He rolled over onto his belly and looked up into her eyes. "But... you're right. We need to hang onto this beautiful creature. She is too dangerous to be let loose in Neopia. If Dr. Sloth or Vira or dare I say Fyora get their grubby hands on something like this..." He shook his head.
"Yeah," was all Rynn could muster in response as she laid back down. But she wasn't unhappy, per se, and had kept smiling through his little spiel. This whole adventure had certainly felt like a story... but without the sale of the Battle Duck, she couldn't afford to quit the Golden Dubloon and make writing her day job, let alone to open her own book store. 20,000 NP just wasn't enough for her dreams.
She wasn't unhappy. But she was pensive. Wistful, maybe. "Guess I'm not getting that bonus, huh?"
"Well... about that."
***
The Pirate Eyrie, sitting at the kitchen table of her NeoHome, looked out the window at the setting sun before turning her eyes back to her laptop.
And then she let a sidelong glance fall on the Rainbow Battle Duck, still in its miniaturized version, right beside her keyboard.
"No no, I couldn't possibly keep it," she'd said to Wally when he offered it to her.
"Silly Rynny, I already own one! And I know that if I own two, two will become four, and four will become ten and soon I'll have spent all my savings to make cute Rainbow Battle Ducks and buy accessories for them!" He giggled sheepishly. "So really, you're doing me a favour by taking the little dude. And I know that, one day, you'll make your dreams come true. You'll get published. And get published again. And eventually, a few years from now, you'll own that bookstore of your dreams. Whenever you see this ducky, remember my words and why you stopped by 107 Warwick Way. Not for 20,000 NP. But to spark the change in your life that you need."
Rynn nodded to "L'il Dude" and looked back at her computer screen. She was going to finish this story and get it published in the Neopian Times. For Wally, yes. But mainly for her. For the bonus given to her by that eccentric Bruce wasn't just the Battle Duck -- it was the determination to make her dreams a reality. 20,000 NP may not have been enough, but it was enough for a start.
And so she started to type.
The setting sun's brilliant orange glow illuminated the darkening sky with an ethereal beauty. Wispy purple clouds swirled through the air, like whirls of paint created by an artist of unimaginable skill. Normally, this would be a welcome sight after a hard day of washing the dishes at the Golden Dubloon, but Rynn had another task ahead of her before she could rest...
THE END |
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(And I do mean surprising, Wally was certainly set up to be vilianesque heh.)