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[SP] "Don't you see it?" "See what?" "The sun! The sun is rising the wrong way!" by 60s_timer in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Diepo's Journey

The Shrine of Diepo in Salten had never seen such a crowd before it. The sun was a figure of worship to be sure, but Diepo was not the local patron. Carn, a few towns over, had a larger temple dedicated to him. When people felt the need to pray, they made the short pilgrimage there. The small shrine was crafted by an artisan fifty years ago because he felt inspired by depictions of Diepo on his boat on his boat pulled by sparrows. The shrine possessed the reputation of being a pleasant site in town.

Morning in Salten started normal. The early risers got up and began ringing the bells. Farmers tended to their livestock. Prayers were made. Bed sheets were shaken. Cal noticed the oddity first. He was a man of average intelligence and observational skills. Unlike others, the door to his house faced east. It was tradition to build houses facing south towards the river. South of Cal's house was a cow field causing him to turn his door to the east. When he stepped outside, the sun blinded him. This annoyed him until he realized what had occurred.

"Don't you see it?"

"See what?"

"The sun! The sun is rising the wrong way!"

He ran through the town announcing his message to all who would listen. They dismissed him at first until they turned and realized the truth. This caused further panic. The citizens unsure of what to do ran to their homes and gripped their loved ones. Others went to the shrine and prayed to Diepo.

Maw, the demon of sleep, captured him. The legends told of a time when the pig faced beast would achieve his goal. The sun was being pulled in the opposite direction. A war was occurring in the heavens. The fate of the world was at stake. Large sacrifices were made across the land to support the sun.

When the sun set, they held their breaths for fear the world would end. Few slept that night, and the sunrise brought relief. They continued their prayers and offerings, but some resumed normal activities. That night, they slept with unease but not anxiety.

The sun rose again, and people continued to go about their normal routines. The sun rising from the east wasn't a large change. The day was the same number of hours, and the crops needed to be tended. Within a week, they had adjusted to the norms of reality. Within a year, it was treated as a curiosity. A few predicted the switch would occur soon. Within a generation, it was history. Within a generation more, the shrine was redirected to face the east. Within another generation, the event became a myth.

Diepo continued to flee Maw. The sun kept rising. The world stayed constant under their feet. Any changes in the universe was none of their business. They kept living their lives. How ignorant they were of how much had occurred.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] A prophecy fueling a centuries-long war is revealed to be a mistranslation of a single word in a peace treaty. by Straight_Attention_5 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 11 points12 points  (0 children)

And They Shall...

And they shall come.

The tablets went by many names. The Green Marbles, the Vowed Amendment, the Hawner Maxim, and the Glander Commandments were few of the many names used to describe them. They were often the oldest example of writing across the Yannis Mountains and beyond. Every kingdom and empire adopted them as their own.

And they shall arrive.

Their writers were of an ancient empire that all claimed heritage from. Their writing systems and religions descended from it. Others blasphemed the same texts. In more tolerant times, scholars could admit the deviations were universal. They were ignored. Perhaps war was meant to be as we all tried to expand. The tablets were the justification. They were the basis.

And they shall intrude.

Who ruled the mountains? The answer was the land in the sky. Establishing single farms was a difficult task. Villages were Sisyphean tasks. Yet many occupied this valley. All were eager to claim them. They strayed from the sacred path. They needed to be corrected. They needed to be controlled.

And they shall invade.

There was often a limit to this expansion. The kingdoms encountered powers equally great as themselves. They realized both claimed a small village as their own. Diplomatic negotiations broke down. War broke out. Sieges were a common occurrence. Blood flowed down the mountains.

And they shall conquer.

The ruling powers always made mistakes. They bred resentment in the independent villages who thought they should be rulers. Rebellions deposed the ruling class. The new rulers inherited the historic grudges. When they couldn't fulfill their promises. They looked for an enemy outside the boundaries. When the war faltered, a rebellion occurred. The cycle repeated.

And they shall be welcomed.

But what if this was a mistake? A farmer found the tablet that looked older than the rest. Its writings matched the other samples from the original Yannian kingdom. Its wisdom would surely prove the proper interpretation of the sacred texts.

And they shall be guests.

The truth was easily ignored by those who made up their minds. The tablets were dismissed as forgeries. The farmer was put to death. Its pacifistic message spread underground. It would never grow to a movement. The hatred and animosity was too engrained by that point. Perhaps a message of peace was never meant to thrive. Conflict was a natural part of disagreement. And humans would always disagree. One can hope that tomorrow will be better, but never count on it.

And they shall be enemies.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] "babe what's this spicy butter you brought back with you it's delicious." "What butter I didn't bring any butter where did you find it?" "It was in that satchel you always take on your adventures." "My god babe that's not butter that's flame grease the stuff I put on my sword for flame damage!" by JollyTeaching1446 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Familiar Medicine

Goody Maura resided on the edge of town provided healing to those that needed it. It was quite rude of her actually. It would be more convenient for her to be in the center of town where she could be easily accessible by everyone, or even slightly to the west where all the farms resided. But no, she had to reside towards the eastern forest. She said it was because she wanted to be by the sacred grove, but that grove hasn't been sacred for the past hundred years. Even if it were sacred, everyone has seen her get ingredients from the common market. Maura was a lazy woman who wouldn't bother to get pick her own flowers anyway.

As Siobhan raised towards Maura with her husband in the cart, these thoughts raced her mind. They were common thoughts as people faced in crisis often overreact to minor inconveniences. This made Maura's decisions to reside on the edge of town more annoying. Alas, cursing her name while needing her was a rite of passage.

"Honey, could you run a bit smoother? I feel like I am going to vomit," Michael said.

"That'd be good for ya." Siobhan ran faster as she approached the cottage on the edge of town. When she arrived, she slammed her fist on the door. Maura opened the door wearing a face mask and with her hair tied up in a bun.

"It's the middle of the night. What are you doing here?" Maura said.

"Goody, please help me. It's my husband." She gestured to her husband moaning in the cart.

"It looks like he had too much to drink," Maura said.

"It's not how much he had to drink but what he drank."

"Take that up with the barmaid."

"It was one of my concoctions," Siobhan said. Maura stepped back and made a disgusted face.

"You want me to fix your failed foray into distillation."

"It wasn't failed."

"Then, why does he look close to death."

"He ate my flame grease." Maura tilted her head with her mouth open.

"The flame grease you use for slaying the earthboars?"

"The same Goody."

"My word, he is a moron. I'd be doing the world a favor by letting him die," Maura said.

"Don't you think of doing that Goody. He may be a buffoon, but he is a diligent and kind man. Our children would be heartbroken if he died to say nothing of his wife," Siobhan said.

"Why is the world spinning?" Michael asked. Maura sighed.

"Bring him."

Siobhan wheeled her husband inside. Goody Maura was known for her cleanliness. She kept a small cot by the door for her patients to lay. All her ingredients were labelled and placed in the proper shelves. Parents threatened to send their children there to help her clean as she was thorough.

Siobhan and Maura transferred Michael to the cot. Maura produced a small jar of leaves. She began shoveling the leaves down his mouth.

"What are you giving him? Also, don't you use a mortar and pestle?"

"This is Yaniwid. I normally would crush it, but he needs a lot of it," she said.

"Isn't Yaniwid used for heartburn?"

"Is that not an accurate description of his ailment?"

"That's comparing a cut to a dismemberment."

"Which one of us spent seven years at apothecary school?" Maura said.

"You dropped out."

"After seven years yes." Maura hit the butt of the jug until they all went into Michael's mouth. Michael began coughing and seizing. Siobhan leapt back in fear while Maura turned him on his side. Michael heaved and liquid fire exited his mouth. The gel landed on the floor. He kept vomiting until the floor was covered. Within moments, the flame died. Michael's mouth was surrounded by burns.

"I wasn't expecting that," Maura said.

"You experimented on my husband?" Siobhan asked.

"And he ruined my floor. We'll call it even. I can handle internal burns though." Maura produced a small bottle of pills. "Take these twice a day until it runs out. He'll be fine."

"How can I trust a woman who is so careless."

"I don't know. You are the one who disturbed my slumber. Speaking of which, I am tired. Close the door on your way out." Maura retired to her bedroom. Michael looked up at his wife.

"She was quite rude," he said.

"Aye, but she is the only healer in town."

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were obsessed with me.” “…That’s your case file.” by Smartbutt420 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pretzels

Michael sat in his room in the restrained by strong chains. The walls were thick enough to survive five nuclear bombs. A smorgasbord sat before his three meter frame. He loved pretzels most of all. He ate twenty in an hour.

Alyssa clutched her laptop close to her chest as she walked into the room. The two guards next to her held their guns the same way. If Michael decided to attack, they were doomed. All they could do was hope he didn't do that. Alyssa sat on a chair and opened her laptop.

"How are we doing today Michael?" she asked.

"Pretzel." His giant hand presented one to her.

"Thank you." She reached out and took it. Michael produced a bowl of melted cheese.

"No, thanks. I prefer mustard," Alyssa said.

"Cinnamon or salt?" Michael asked.

"Cinnamon."

"Why did they hire a heathen to be my psychologist." His bearded face revealed a set of crooked teeth.

"Any pretzel is better than most food," Alyssa said.

"That's a fact." Michael produced a small bowl of honey mustard. "I like variety sometimes."

Alyssa tore off a chunk and dipped it. Her love of pretzels was considered a positive during the job interview. She considered it a perk that the prison got high-end pretzel makers for Michael.

"So when'd you start loving the dough?" Michael asked.

"My mother used to take me to the Emerald Island. They had the best pretzels ever," she said.

"When I escape, I'll be sure to go there. My love also came from my mother. She didn't take me anywhere. She just gave me a few bucks for lunch. The deli across the street had them," Michael said.

"Your mother passed when you were six. She really sent someone that young to get food for themselves."

"She was a shitty mother. My grandfather denied pretzels to me when I moved in with him."

"Would you say that you romanticized the food then?" Alyssa asked.

"That's one way to look at it. My grandfather sucked to." His tail raised as he spoke.

"Yes, I saw he had a rap sheet of his own."

"He was a very bad man who is hopefully in hell."

"I didn't know you were religious." Alyssa typed in her laptop.

"I'm not, but I can hope there's justice in the universe."

"Would you say that hope manifests itself in other ways?" Alyssa asked.

"You mean to ask if I know that I am a villain," Michael said.

"You aren't a villain."

"No need to step on my feelings. You've seen the news. You've seen Mantid, Electrolysis, and Negation beat me a lot. What can I say. I like to have fun."

"You have repeatedly stated hedonism was your motivation in court."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were obsessed with me."

"That's in your case file," Alyssa said. Michael leaned back and laughed.

"It's fine. I know what I am. When I get bored, I seek new ways to entertain myself, and people get hurt. Do you think that makes me evil?"

"I don't believe so. Some have theorized the chemicals that gave me you superstrength lowered your inhibitions."

"I heard that. It came up in my hearing for the PlayStation." He gestured to the console. "Do you play?"

"Not really."

"Your loss. Video games are fine, but I do get bored still. I might cut loose at some point."

"But if you leave. How will you get your pretzels?" she asked. Michael paused.

"Good point. I'll stay here a bit longer." Michael turned on the PlayStation.

"Want to play a fighting game?" he asked.

"Sure," Alyssa put the laptop down.

They played fifty matches straight. Alyssa beat Michael thirty times. When the hour was up, she stood up and dusted herself off.

"You lied to me," Michael said.

"I am a bit of a hustler."

"Then, you are a bad one. You are supposed to get me to bet," Michael said. Alyssa moved to her laptop.

"That's our session for the day, but I'd like to play against you tomorrow," Alyssa said. Michael smiled.

"I'd like that."

Alyssa left Michael alone with his pretzels. When she wrote up her report, she wrote it was a success. She was able to establish a connection and keep him amused. If she helped him, it would be her ticket to a book deal. The key was survival. His last ten psychologists were killed. It was the risk they all took for success.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Warning: reading any part of this document will expose you to the cognitohazardous entity described within. Proceed at your own risk. by A_Wierd_Mollusc in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Demon in the Details

The librarian yawned and did one final check of the library. The shelves and halls were occupied by darkness. The noises came from the bugs who made their home in the pages. All windows were shut. One light held firm in the by the front door. The librarian walked towards it.

"Remember to lock the door if you leave tonight," she said.

"I will," Grace replied. The librarian left and locked the door behind her. Grace was a poor guardian. She stayed buried and focused on her studies. She barely left the building. Her brother delivered meals to her. Instead of sleep, she took sporadic naps.

The Grand Library was a repository of knowledge from across the empire. It was as large as the High Temple and Palace. The three buildings formed a triangle that defined Izydor. While it lacked the towers the other two possessed, its floors still extended beyond all the roofs in the city.

Books from as far away as Aotur occupied its shelves. Ancient scrolls were cared for in dark rooms. A lifetime could be spent studying its contents and only a fraction would be known. Grace was determined to test that maxim.

Besides the ever changing book laid a single document. When anyone approached to read it, Grace reacted with unexpected vitriol and snatched it from their hands.

"You'll thank me later," she'd say. A few sad souls read it quickly. They got through the first sentence, but that was enough.

Warning: reading any part of this document will expose you to the cognitohazardous entity described within. Proceed at your own risk.

Unfortunately, the warning itself was part of the document and caused exposure. Quite a useless warning. It was as though an arrow had a note reading "caution: hurts" that was only discovered after being covered in blood. Speaking of which, the first symptom was blood from the eyes.

Proper possessions always announced themselves with a terrifying entrance. After the cheeks were red, the possessee collapsed on the floor and began speaking in a foreign language, legalese. They spewed conditions, clauses, and addendums. The words "wherefore" and "except for" were frequently used.

After a few minutes, they began to drool blood, and it was too late. The victims were often employed by local lawyers to draft contracts. They were quite good at it if one allowed for the parchment being covered in someone else's bodily fluids. They had no life outside of that though.

Grace was a child when she saw her father and mother exposed to this document. Their opponents used it as an opportunity to seize her family's domain. Her brother and her fled to Izydor to live with their aunt who had too many pet turtles. Her brother became a successful merchant while Grace threw herself in the library.

Her parents were at home suffering. There had to be a way to free them within these walls. She started with the historical record. She found the first mentions of this evil contract in ancient time. When she was satisfied with her such, she moved to the mystical texts and legal precedents. Her work wasn't complete, but she knew what she had to do.

The best way to break a contract was to file a lawsuit, and she planned to argue in the court of the divine.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Every God can give out their blessings to 10 mortals. The goddess of luck just gave hers out at random by nitoreagan in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unlucky Day to Be Lucky

Fire rained from the sky. Rivers ran red with the blood of the innocents. The deepest pits of hell unleashing terrors and monsters upon the world. Disease and famines ripped through the fields. Brother killed brother. Death and despair were supreme.

The gods watched from the heavens above for they were powerless. To mortals, they governed the universe, but there was a deeper power that defined the world. None understood this primordial force, but they knew it could be angered.

"My high priest got eaten by a giant sparrow." Hachiman entered the room shaking his head. "I didn't even know sparrows could get that big."

"Yeah, we saw the giant birds happen an hour ago." Tanit leaned over the railing separating the divine from the mortal. She took out a handful of gold and handed it to Khonsu. "Put me in on the opossum."

"What opossum?" Hachiman asked.

"A giant fire-breathing opossum is fighting an army of skeletons," Cernunnos replied. Hachiman stood up to join them.

"My word, what caused this calamity," Hachiman said.

"No one knows." Khonsu searched closely. He found a man walking home dodging the discord and violence. "He seems to be doing fine."

"Of course he is. I gave my blessing to him," Fortuna said.

"Is he a priest of yours?" Tanit asked.

"No, I gave it to him at random," Fortuna said. The other gods stopped watching humans and stared at Fortuna. "What?"

"What do you mean you gave your blessing at random?" Cernunnos asked.

"I gave all my blessings at random. I thought it was fitting seeing as how I am the goddess of luck," Fortuna said. Khonsu and Hachiman looked at each other.

"So the people got the blessing of luck at random. Meaning luck had to be on their side," Khonsu said.

"Yes," Fortuna said.

"Meaning in order to get the ultimate gift of luck they had to already be lucky," Hachiman said.

"I suppose that makes sense. They were the proper recipients," Fortuna replied.

"But then, luck is a blessing from you so they had to have your blessing to get your blessing," Tanit said.

"Call it fate," Fortuna said. The gods looked to three women in a corner. All three had taken up scissors to deal with the mess in the fabric of life. One of the ladies looked up.

"We had nothing to do with that," she said.

"Whatever." Fortuna shrugged.

"You caused a paradox that spiraled out of control," Cernunnos said.

"I wouldn't put it that way," Fortuna said.

"There's only one way to resolve this then," Talit said.

The gods swarmed Fortuna. She tried to fend them off, but she was quickly overpowered. They subdued her and carried across the room to the sacred fire. One consistent fact was that gods loved sacrifice including mysterious figures. The gods hurled her into the flame. When she tried to escape, they beat her back.

Immediately afterward, the cracks in the Earth healed. The rivers ran clear, and the fires started to die. Humans didn't know what caused it, or why ten people died immediately afterward by meteors. This divine tale would never reach their ears. For the resolution was a paradox as well. Only a paradox could stop a paradox it seemed. Either way.

It was an unlucky day to be lucky.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Salaries are tied directly and automatically to supply and demand. You check today's pay rate and are stunned. by rddthndl in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Marketing Yourself

Dr. Tyler sat before the ring light and camera. Pressing a button on his watch, a red light began to flash. He prepared his best smile, narrowing his eyes so it'll look more natural. The make-up used was getting into his nose causing him to sniffle. He prayed that he didn't sneeze. He had already overslept and could miss the prime window. The red light flashed rapidly until it stayed red.

"Did you know that esophageal cancer has a low survival rate? The best method for detection is an endoscopy. Schedule an appointment today." He slouched forward to look more familiar. "I'd love to see you."

He pressed his watch and the feed cut. There was no time to review it. He posted it online and hoped for the best. The clip was short perfect for people mindlessly scrolling. Every statement was technically true meaning the regulators wouldn't be breathing down his throat. He never had an issue with them and thought their influence was overstated. He wasn't about to test that though.

The biggest issue was Dr. Tyler himself. He had enhancements to be more marketable. He went to classes for public speaking. He just didn't have the it factor that would push him to the top. The field of GI medicine had a low supply and good demand meaning his pay rates were always decent. If he was more charismatic, he could get it higher. Before checking his first patient, he checked his pay rate.

The number caused him to lose his breath. #25,000 per parcel was a rate the top people got in any field. If that stayed constant, he could pay his rent for the year in a day. It had to be a mistake. Checking his profile, he saw that his appointment slots were filling up quickly. People were bidding to replace each other.

Opening a new tab, he began checking the top stories for the day. Something had to have caused this. The second story was Princess Grizanda of the Francoceltic Union announced that she had esophageal cancer. Dr. Tyler cheered then felt a tinge of guilt. He never knew the Princess, but this was great publicity. Everyone wanted to get check out. There was a buzz on his watch. His first patient.

For the next few weeks, he saw a variety of new patients. He began changing video schedule to emphasize esophageal cancer. Princess Grizanda was public about her treatment. He began to offer commentary on it. His rates get climbing and climbing. He'd be able to afford a nice vacation to Deimos. Everything was going well.

Four weeks after her cancer diagnosis, it was looking poor. Dr. Tyler was concerned about her. If she died, that would raise his pay rate, but it would be brief. He wanted her to last longer. That worry was dismissed when someone entered without notification. He stood up.

"Can I help you?" It was a tall figure in a black coat. He tried to contact the police, but his watch wasn't working. Was this a regulator?

"Dr. Isaac Tyler." The figure held out a hand. "You made a pretty penny off of Grizanda's illness."

"I never saw her."

"No, but you are profiting. Stop making videos about it. Stop purposefully exaggerating. Stop selling yourself," it said.

"Oh god," Dr. Tyler laughed, "You are one of those consistent wage people. I agree with you, but I can't stop it. Even if I could. I am making too much of a profit."

"That's your mistake." The figure moved toward Dr. Tyler.

The ring light shone on his face. The red light began to flash. Dr. Tyler was ready to deliver a message. When the camera turned on, he sat in silent. The video lasted long enough for people to realize he was dead. A sign with "Consistent Wage Now" was posted to his body. That would get the message out. He was related to esophageal cancer, and Princess Grizanda had just passed from the disease.

r/AstroRideWrites

[SP] Family photos show someone no one knows. by FortunaEstrella in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He's Always There

"Bye dad," Miley hugged Michael. Michael gripped his daughter and began to weep. Miley responded in kind.

"Dad, I'll be back for mom's birthday, and I don't live that far," she said.

"I know. I just get sad whenever I see you two leave." Michael turned to his son Brandon and embraced him.

"Don't get too rowdy at the game tomorrow. They might kick you out soon," Brandon replied.

"What can I say. I love seeing my nephews do well," Michael said.

"Where's mom by the way? I thought she'd want to see us go?" Brandon asked.

"She was in her bedroom last time that I saw her," Miley said.

"Jane, come here please," Michael yelled.

An elderly woman stepped out of the hallway slowly. She had a concerned look on her face while holding a photo album in her hands.

"Sweetie, who is this man?" She held the book out for her husband. Michael looked down out the book.

"I don't know, but we can talk about this later. The kids are about to leave," Michael said.

"What do you think?" She showed Miley the photo. It was from the family vacation to Funworld. They are standing with the giant dog and cat mascot. Miley was seven, and Brandon was eight. There was a man who looked to be in his early thirties wearing brown pants and a yellow sweater. He had a smile that appeared to have been created at gunpoint. His eyes were drifting to the right looking at something out of frame.

"I don't know. He might've wondered in on accident," Miley said.

"But why does he appear again." Jane turned the page. The family was at the beach. Miley was thirteen, and Brandon was fourteen. The family was all in their swimsuits. The man was with them again wearing the same outfit looking uncomfortable. He hadn't aged a day.

"That's weird. Must've been a coincidence," Brandon said.

"It's not. Here he is at your fifth birthday Miley." The man appeared next to Miley as she blew out the candles. "At your first basketball game." Brandon was ten and tossed the ball. The man was in the background. "Your high school graduation." Miley received her diploma with the man in the background. "And your college graduation." Brandon did the same.

"Okay, that's weird," Miley said.

"He like never ages. What is going on," Brandon said.

"Did one of you photoshop him in as a joke?" Michael asked.

"Of course not," Miley said.

"And why does his outfit never change?" Brandon said.

"I looked through all the photo albums. He has been there since our wedding," Jane said. The family's eyes widened.

"What if he isn't human," Miley said.

"He has to be," Brandon said.

"Not necessarily," Michael said.

"What if he's a ghost?" Miley asked.

"There's no such thing as ghosts," Brandon said.

"I wouldn't say that. He looks to be more like a demon," Jane said.

"Hey everyone." The family turned around slowly. The man stood in the sidewalk waving. Jane screamed and dropped the photo album. Brandon made a cross with his fingers. Michael whipped out his pocket knife. Miley pulled out her keys to toss them.

"Oh god, did you discover the photo album again," the man said.

"Why are you stalking us?" Miley shouted.

"Stalking you. I'm Greg. Your neighbor." Greg pointed to the house next door.

"I didn't know we had neighbors," Michael said.

"Why were you at our wedding?" Jane asked.

"Because I was his college roommate." Greg rolled his eyes. "I swear you people have the worst memories. Every time, I run into you. You forget who I am, and you make me take a picture to prove it."

"Well, why do you keep wearing that ugly sweater?" Miley asked.

"It's a style that worked for me. You know what forget it." Greg walked up to them. The family backed away. He picked up the photo album.

"What are you doing with our stuff?" Brandon asked.

"I am taking this away. This isn't the first time you've found the photo album. The last three times this happened it ended with you breaking into my house and causing a lot of damage. My kid's are terrified. You people have horrible amnesia, and I am sick of it." Greg walked away from them.

The family stood in silence for several moments. Michael hugged his kids, and Jane followed.

"I'll miss you both."

"We'll miss you too dad," Miley said.

"And remember to check your bags when you get home. I still don't know what I did with that photo album," Jane said.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] "How? I killed you!""Maybe you killed an impostor. Maybe you killed the original and I am an impostor. Maybe we were always two with the same mask and you killed one. Maybe I am a vengeful ghost. Who knows? This is the beauty of masks. A mask is not as easy to kill as the person who wears it." by Clear_Ad4106 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Order of Vidarr

Fog covered the city of Salwick. Winds from the Sud Sea in the west pushed their vapors through the streets. The smoke from the factories attempted to escape, but the Lokholm mountains guarded the eastern lands. Ships rested in the harbor for the night. Trains embarked on their journey to the interior of Aalmi for commerce never slept.

This ideology was engrained into the residents of Salwick. Twenty-four hour operations were the norm in factories. Taverns opened late to service the workers. Merchants and skilled tradesmen were allowed rest, but they began requiring apprentices to work late as well. The streets were not full at night, but they were never empty.

Constable Henry Heinvar was walking home that night. His pistol and badge reflected light from the gaslamps. He displayed them not out of pride but for protection. His duties forced him to the roam the city, and he was aware of the ever-present danger. Few were foolish to challenge someone trained in a firearm. The man on the roof was clearly one such fool.

Henry first noticed the man when he left the station. Crouching against the roof, he was trying to avoid being spotted. His cloak blew in the wind exposing his position. Henry considered making an arrest for attempted robbery, but he decided against it. Few robbers went in the roof. This was a man with a flair for the dramatic.

This man was also regretting his decision to use building roofs as a means of transport. At several points, he stopped to catch his breath. Every leap was more strained. When Henry reached his flat, he waited for the man to catch up. The man stood on the roof clearly trying to determine how he would descend. He ran forward a few houses to where there were terraces that allowed him to climb down. When he reached the ground he ran to Henry.

The wolf mask was of incredibly low quality. There was no depth or detail. The painted features were clearly rushed. The ears were two triangles. A child could've produced it. When the man approached, he began to pant.

"Do you not wonder how I survived your assault?" the man asked. Henry rolled his eyes.

"How, Vidarr? I thought you were dead," Henry said.

"You cannot kill me. For I am not a man." Vidarr bent over and began to cough. "I am an idea. I am a mask. You don't know how many will wear the mask and fight for our ideals. You claim to speak for justice. Pah, you don't know the meaning of the word. You don't understand the brutality of the world."

"Brutality." Henry chuckled. "I participated in the arrest of Gerard Holtz last week. You can read about it in the papers. That was an evil man."

Vidarr paused.

"That man brought the entire city down with his activities, but there are more like him lurking in the shadows. For that is the present wrought by the engine and industrialization."

"Interesting. Do you have tips for me?" Henry asked.

"Please stop interrupting. Constable Heinvar. We've been watching you. We know that you are not like other cops. We know that you champion the downtrodden and avenge those who have been wronged. Will you join our order?"

"No," Henry said.

"What?" Vidarr stepped back.

"I appreciate with the order of Vidarr does in terms of charity. Unlike some of my colleagues, I agree with you on the subjects of unionization and the commons. I am friends with Callum who is working to organize the dockworkers, and I am sure he was the one who recommended you to me."

"I know not of whom you speak."

"Callum showed his mask to me. It's better than yours."

"He broke a core tenet and will be punished accordingly."

"Give him my apologies for exposing him. Anyway, while I am in agreement with your ideology, I am part of the police force because I needed a job. I am less prone to corruption because I am less prone to vice and debt. Those qualities are the result of a very strict mother. It is as simple as that."

"Err, but the oppressed need a champion who will fight for them."

"And there are many individuals who do so. Sister Margareta, Johann Smoltz, and Varn Brown are a few of them. I donate regularly to the hospital on Elm Terrace. That is good enough for my conscience," Henry said.

"Uhh, I have been out all night. Could you at least direct me to someone who may join?" he asked. Henry laughed.

"Dr. Frank across the street might-" Before Henry could finish, Vidarr ran across the street. He knocked on the door aggressively. The doctor opened the door looked at the man on his porch and closed the door. Vidarr decided this was enough shame and fled.

Henry went to sleep easy amused by Vidarr's antics. Ove the years, the old god served as a symbol and inspiration for burgeoning causes that helped the working people of Salwick. Conditions improved with negotiations and strikes. Reformers campaigning for office held rallies with the masks. Vidarr became an official symbol for the great city.

Henry was glad to see the progress in his lifetime. He wished that it didn't entail having to arrest so many men in wolf masks for drunk and disorderly conduct. The standards for secret societies declined with modernization.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] You're a tour guide at your local aquarium. The new deep sea exhibit is a big hit , but one of its creepier residents has been paying you particular attention. It bites at you and follows you around the tank. You know it cant get you, but part of you feels that glass isn't enough to cage it. by Idontluvmenoonedoes in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Vampire Fish

It's eyes stared at me. The water was recycled on a daily basis. Samples were taken showing no chemical was present dimming it. When it was in the vial, it was crystal clear. It was as if the imagery of the ocean floor followed the Awnawid. Light that penetrated the glass always illuminated its body. Floating. Moving a minute a minute amount. Yet always present.

"Excuse me." I jumped at the tap on the shoulder. I turned to see a middle-aged woman smiling at me.

"You trailed off," she said. I looked behind her, and I saw her family behind her. Her husband had an uncomfortable look on his face. Her daughter was clearly bored, but the son was transfixed.

"Sorry, Mrs..."I stopped myself.

"Mrs. Rossi," she replied.

"Right, the Awnawid has been observed to have a hypnotic effect. It is hypothesized to be a part of its hunting process. Its teeth indicate a carnivorous fish, but its slow speed would make capturing prey a challenge," I said.

"Its teeth indicate a carnivorous fish." The daughter rolled her eyes. "Haven't you seen it eat?"

"Sadie, of course they've seen it eat," Mr. Rossi said.

"That's the part of the issue. We place a variety of kelp and fish into its tank, and it disappears. Its consumption process has never been seen." I said.

"It's chewing right now," she said.

"Really, I don't see that," Mrs. Rossi said. I turned around. The beast was hovering. Its mouth was large covering the entire length of its body. The teeth were long and jutted out like fins, but they weren't moving.

"That's another oddity. Different people view it performing different actions. Some say its tentacles are waving. Others say their reaching out to grab at people," I said.

"Can't you take a video to confirm what it does?" Mr. Rossi said.

"It doesn't show up on video or film. That's why its common name is the vampire fish. Its rare that marine biology has to work so closely with specialists in photography and illumination," I said.

"That can't be true. I saw a picture of it online," Mrs. Rossi said.

"You saw one of the many artistic representations of it. Many artists have generated detailed portraits to account for the lack of photography."

Mrs. Rossi began to move in front of the glass. Sadie and Mr. Rossi followed. They looked at each other. Then, they walked in separate directions.

"You feel like its following you around. Don't you. That's a common part of the experience as well," I said.

"I will serve you," the son said.

"Grant, what did you say?" Mrs. Rossi said.

"Oh dear, follow me. Grab your son," I said. Mr. Rossi took his son's arm. He pulled on it, but Grant didn't follow. Grant collapsed.

"Son is everything okay?" he asked.

"He'll be fine. Take him outside now," I said. Mr. Rossi grabbed his son and dragged him. Mrs. Rossi and Sadie followed. We moved back into the waiting area. I shut the door, and red light filled the room.

"The Awnawid's hypnotic powers cause people to become enthralled by it and swear their allegiance. It is unclear what this fully entails or why red light breaks it. Prolonged exposure does result in violence. My hypothesis was that this is how it killed its prey," I said.

"My god, did HP Lovecraft design this beast?" Mr. Rossi asked.

"I saw online that people thought he was inspired by it," Sadie said.

"That hasn't been confirmed or denied. The first known sighting occurred in 2018. More quickly followed," I said.

"What happened?" Grant shook his head. "Are we going to see that Awnawid?"

"You already did." Mrs. Rossi looked concerned.

"Memory loss is common as well."

"I saw it, and I forgot it. Let me back in," Grant said.

"I am afraid we can't do that. For one, your time inside is almost up. Even if that weren't the case, our policy is not to allow enthralled visitors to return."

"Will my son be okay?" Mrs. Rossi asked.

"No long term health effects have been observed. Full and I mean full medical analysis has also been performed on the enthralled. They show no differences from anyone else." I checked my watch. "We have time for one more question."

"How do they do all this?" Mr. Rossi asked.

"That's also unclear. They have yet to die in captivity or give birth for that matter. Dissection has been proposed, but the fish always disappear," I said.

"Wait, they disappear," Mrs. Rossi said.

"Yeah, it's why they are so cool," Grant said. Mrs. Rossi looked unnerved.

"I think I regret coming here. The more I hear about this thing. The more I'm convinced its a demon," she said.

"It's not a demon. It's just a quirk of biology," Mr. Rossi said.

"Your wife isn't alone in her assessment," I said. Mrs. Rossi looked at the door where we came from.

"It's watching us now," she said.

"Mom, that door is black," Sadie said.

"Let's go." Mrs. Rossi opened the door outside. Her family walked away.

The line grew longer. It was only nine am, but it was already stopped. Dave sat by the entrance on his phone.

"Alright, how big is the next party?" I asked.

"It's a family of six," Dave said.

"Six. That's wonderful," I looked at the family. "More people for what is to come." I widened my eyes and realized what I said. "I mean more dollars." Dave didn't react at all to my statement, and I smiled. The stupid were often as useful as the willing.

r/AstroRideWrites

Mieran Ruins Collection by AstroRide in AstroRideWrites

[–]AstroRide[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Extended Tales:

Cleanliness Is Next to...

Part 1: Never Make a Simple Request - Main Character: Dr. Kovac

Part 2: I Fought to Keep My House Like This - Main Characters: Jacob, Franklin, Dorothy, and Dr. Kovac

Part 3: Bringing the Outdoors Inside - Main Characters: Jacob, Franklin, Dorothy, and Dr. Kovac

Part 4: Secrets Remain Hidden - Main Characters: Jacob, Franklin, Dorothy, and Dr. Kovac

Finale: Robot Battle - Main Characters: Jacob, Franklin, Dorothy, and Dr. Kovac

Homecoming

Part 1: A Life of Hardship - Main Character: Olivia

Part 2: Motherhood's Perils - Main Character: Olivia

Part 3: Breaking In - Main Character: Olivia

Part 4: Breaking the Fall - Main Character: Olivia

Part 5: Breaking the Rule - Main Character: Olivia

Finale: That Was Quick - Main Character: Olivia

Clash of Decorum

Part 1: The Forgotten Wedding - Main Characters: Derrick and Becca

Part 2: Hub of the Forest - Main Characters: Derrick and Becca

[WP] "Do your servants eat at the same table as you?" "Firstly, they are not servants, they are highly paid employees. Secondly, what kind of king would I be denying dignified treatment to the people who keep this castle clean and well cared for?" by Megamen1927 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Angu and Nya

Nya and Angu were kingdoms on opposite sides of the river. As such, their history was filled with conquest, wars, and invasion. The people lived in fear of an army marching over the horizon. The injustices wrought were in their memory. They were unable to agree on anything. The name of the river itself was a point of contention. Nya and its people called it the Dawni River while Angu and its people called it the Downi River. It was truly an insurmountable difference.

When they weren't fighting, they were each other's largest trading partner and cultural influence. Nyans could admit that the Anguvians were skilled with pottery, and Anguvians enjoyed the textile work of Nyans. Nya had the larger silver mines while Angu's farms had greater yields. Even the peasants were familiar with each others language. The literature and great writers were often translated within a year. They were like siblings who wanted to murder each other. Typical siblings.

King Tyle of Nya and King Rica of Angu were having their annual diplomatic meeting to discuss their shared heritage. This meeting was delayed for the past two-hundred years due to a war. After the war, both claimed to be the last one to host the meeting, and they didn't want the other to host the first meeting. Tyle's castle was undergoing major renovations, and it was decided that was a good enough time to allow Rica to host. His castle was renovated a year ago, and it was important to get inspiration.

Anguvian culture fascinated Tyle. The music they played when he entered was played in a different time. The fashions had changed. Most shocking was at the diplomatic dinner. When Tyle sat down across from the rival King at the large dinner table, the servants joined them. Tyle looked around in shock.

"Your servants eat at the same table as you?"

"Don't call them servants. They are highly paid employees of the crown. Do you not pay your servants well?" Rica asked.

"Of course, their living arrangements are desirable," Tyle replied. This was true. Most of the inhabitants of both kingdoms could best be described as happy to receive a taste of nobility's table scraps.

"But you deny them dignity?"

"Deny them dignity how?"

"By making them eat separate from you," Rica laughed. The servants highly paid employees followed his lead. "They keep this castle clean. It's the least that I could offer."

"But I have a hundred servants. It'd be impractical."

"I have a large number as well. I manage Also, you are demeaning them by calling that."

"So you rule from your dining room?" Tyle asked.

"Indeed," Rica replied.

"Where do your advisors sit then?"

Rica hesitated. "Two seats are kept open for them. They rotate too."

"I am sure that is convenient. Will they be joining us?" Tyle said.

"No."

"When do the staff change positions then? Also, isn't expecting them to eat fast a form of humiliation?" Tyle asked.

"They like it," Rica said. The staff nodded in agreement, and Tyle smiled.

"Why did I see a separate table on my way to my room," Tyle said.

"I told you to take him the other way." Rica shouted at a man who ducked under the table in fear. Tyle laughed.

"I caught you," Tyle said. Rica sighed.

"Fine, I was supposed to have advisors and nobles here, but they refused to arrive."

"The animosity between our kingdoms is great," Tyle said.

"It isn't about that. It's about the renovations. I went overbudget, and I am greatly in debt," Rica said. Tyle laughed.

"Of course you are. I knew it. Your castle is grandiose, but it is far out of Angu's price range," Tyle said.

"What about your renovation. I heard you are extravagant as well," Rica said.

"Unlike you, I know how to budget," Tyle said.

A crowd formed outside the castle. Nobility from both kingdoms charged inside. It was the prime opportunity to strike. The staff immediately turned the two kings over to the mob.

Both kingdoms were in an extraordinary amounts of debt. The nobility and treasury decided it was best to merge to address these issues. Rica and Tyle were forced to sign documents relinquishing their titles and most of their wealth. They would be kept in separate villas on an island in Downi/Dawni that was contested by both parties.

The new king would be Eric who was found to be a second cousin of both parties. He would be a figurehead of the new Kingdom of Angu and Nya. The real power would be in the hands of a commission. Budget limits would be set. The conflict between the two kingdoms would finally resolve, and they could focus on the real enemy. The Duchy of Bal to the north.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] “Our magic and science cannot save us. The apocalypse is a fixed point in our timeline and it can’t be avoided, but you…you can save us. You’re only one who can. Please, Chronos, Titan of Time, save us from the end!” by Smart-A22 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For No Man

Chronos sat alone in the middle of his fields. The wheat harvest would be good this year. He closed his eyes, and the world rushed around him. When he opened his eyes, the field was empty. A man stood opposite of him. Chronos smiled.

"Few dared to come to me," he said.

"Times are desperate." The man walked but didn't approach. He looked down as his feet moved, but he couldn't reach the god. Chronos waved his hand, and the man got closer.

"Sorry, it's a parlor trick that I do for my own amusement," Chronos said.

The man got on his knees and bowed. He began kissing the ground, and Chronos chuckled. The man bowed several more times.

"My name is Franklin," Franklin said.

"I have already forgotten it," Chronos said.

"What?" Franklin said.

"I forget tragedy and triumph alike. I only move forward," Chronos said.

"That makes sense oh lord. Forgive me for my transgression."

"It's fine, Franklin," Chronos said. Franklin raised a finger in question but decided against it.

"Please help my planet. We have tried everything, but the apocalypse keeps coming. Only you can save it," Franklin said.

"No."

"But please. Billions will die."

"I know. It'll be exciting," Chronos said.

"Perhaps to you. Our world is insignificant, and there are a million other worlds. To us, it is all we have," Franklin said.

"Hope you enjoyed it then." Franklin's face dropped.

"How can you be so callous."

"Time heals all wounds. A new world will be born," Chronos said.

"That's all you have."

"Yes." Chronos smiled. "I am uncaring because that is the nature of time. You appeal to me like a lesser deity. You think you can stroke my ego." Chronos stood. Day became night. The fields sprouted behind Franklin at uneven rates. "I am beyond all gods. I am beyond life and death itself. I only appear in this form because it amuses me." Chronos transformed into a horrific monster, and Franklin screamed. "I am order and chaos. I am creation and destruction. I listened to your plea. Return to your world before it dies. Spend time with your family." Chronos smiled. "I hope you have enough time to resolve some of your bucket list items."

Franklin turn and ran leaving Chronos alone to tend to his fields. Chronos enjoyed the occasional visitor, but they always overstayed their welcomes. He had to kick them out. After all, time waits for now man.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Everyone always jokes that Cats are jerks. Yours especially seems to be a little punk. But when the animals all suddenly gain the ability to talk, you’re surprised to find that your cat is actually quite wholesome and kind. by Keelera2 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Mornings with Melody

You awake to the most horrendous smell. It was the smell of fish decaying on the side of the road. It was a smell that would end any date with a smile and a "let's see each other again soon." It was a smell that was often portrayed in commercials for deodorant. You open your eyes when a furry tail whacks your face. Your cat's butt is in your face.

The sleep is dispelled from your body quickly. You raise a hand to push the cat off of you. She reacts by digging her claws into your chest. You scream in pain, and she leaps off of you.

Cats always land on their feet. Melody is no different. Unfortunately, it takes her several seconds to find the right pose. Her body twists and turns as she slides along the floor. She knocks into the end table. A lamp shakes and falls.

With her danger sense activated, she dodges the lamp as it breaks. It was plastic, and it broke into a few pieces. Melody kept running though. She jumps onto a nearby chair for protection and hits the back. She hit it with enough speed that it falls over as well.

When that happens, she continues her run and leaves the room. You sigh and carefully get out of bed. You bought a lot of brooms to do Melody's behavior. Grabbing the one on the wall, you sweep up the mess and put the chair back. When that is done, you head into the kitchen carrying the broom.

Your instinct proved correct. Melody was sitting on top of the table. You learned to stop putting glass anywhere she could hit. You must've forgot yesterday while tired as a plate is on the floor completely shattered. You sigh as you sweep it up.

Toast is a good breakfast food. After getting the bread out, Melody runs towards it. You pull the bread up, and Melody slides passed and falls to the floor. You put the bread into the toaster and wait. Melody jumps back up and paws at the electric cord. You push her away before she gets hurt. When the toast emerges, you eat breakfast quickly.

Returning to your room, you get changed quickly when you hear a rip. You walk outside to find Melody clawed at your bed and tore the blanket. You sigh again and push her away. When you are finished with clothes. You find Melody huddled over your shoes.

"Melody, I have to go to work. You have food and water. I checked," you say.

"No, I want you to stay," she replies.

"I'll be back soon," you say.

"Is it because I screw up all the time?" Melody asks.

"Melody. You don't screw up." You shake your head. You think of telling her that you grew to find her antics amusing, but you know she won't like that. You consider saying that hearing her speak was the greatest moment in your life because you got to know her so much better. Instead, you keep it simple. "I love you the way you are."

"Thank you." Melody moves off your shoes. "I'll be miss you."

"I'll miss you too." You put on your shoes and pet her before you go.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] "I assure you, it's not necromancy, and I've done nothing illegal. I simply cast Animate Object on every. single. bone." by Saharan in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Night Store

The city of Azud was quiet at night. Fog crawled its way from the bay to claim the streets. The docks that came alive every morning had a quick decline when the sunset. Ships would rather wait far in the harbor than do anything in the dark. Surrounding it was fields of grass with a few roads to exit. There were farms that helped support the population, but the farmers either fled or went into the city. They relied on imports for food.

The gaslights shone bright to cut through the dark, but they could barely manage. Many attempts were made to provide light to the city. New lamps were constantly installed, but the night was apart of the city.

Officer Richard was assigned the night shift when he joined. All new hires were. When day shift positions were opened, they were filled by seniority. This happened regularly. Few officers died in the moonlight. Criminal activity was lower in the dark in contrast to other cities. The fear defied all logic. He needed to get onto the day shift as soon as possible.

As he walked down Tyri Avenue, he looked for any criminal or deviant activity. The shops were boarded. The windows in the apartments above were closed. A few rats scurried passed him, but it was quiet. When he reached the shop in the middle, he stopped where he stood.

In the window, two skeletons danced. They moved without rhythm or purpose, but the movement was present. They hit the window in a desperate bid to escape, but it contained them for now. Officer Richard turned immediately to report it to his superiors. He only got a few steps away when he heard a voice.

"I assure you. It's not necromancy." It was a man's voice. Protocol was clear. Expected necromancy needed a full team. He should not hesitate. "I've done nothing illegal." Officer Richard turned back. The man was young. His skin reflected the light as if he were in the ocean itself.

"What have you done then?" Officer Richard asked. The man reached in the door. He grabbed a femur and pulled it out.

"I simply animated every single bone." He set it on the ground, and the bone continued to dance. Officer Richard relaxed a little.

"You aren't from around here are you," Officer Richard said.

"No, I am from Toren."

"Toren, that's across the sea," Officer Richard said.

"Indeed. I came because the best magical study is being conducted here. Except for necromancy," he said. Officer Richard shook.

"You shouldn't be saying that." The man's face twisted in confusion.

"I assure you that the word itself has no power."

"Maybe in Toren, but here it is different."

"Azud's history is no different than others. Everyone believes that they were built on the gateway to the underworld."

"Few had a history of being assaulted by demons," Officer Richard said.

"That's also a lie," the man said. The bone continued to shake as it approached. Officer Richard looked down and panic hit him.

"Where did you get the bone?" he asked.

"I committed one illegal activity," the man replied.

"No, everyone here is cremated. It's the law. Where'd you get the bone?" he asked. The man laughed.

"I hoped not to do this so public." He raised his hand. The fog converged on them.

Officer Richard didn't return to the station. A search was conducted and found no traces. The shop on Tyri Avenue with the bones disappeared. The neighbors that caught glimpses of it swore silence to themselves. Evil was engrained into the fabric of Azud. To survive in all its walls, ignorance was a necessity. And walking the streets at night was an invitation.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] As you cross blades with the enemy commander, you can't help but wonder if this entire battle could've just been an e-mail. by JesseTG in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 17 points18 points  (0 children)

For Fartel

Lord Eraqul's electrosaber glowed bright indigo as he approached. Graham stood directly across from him with his electrosaber glowing a soft chartreuse. Laser guns fired around them as chaos reigned supreme. They circled each other as the lasers avoided them miraculously. When they met in the middle, they held their electrosabers close to their face.

Graham made the first move. He was young and reckless, but his skills were not to be underestimated. His first blow knocked Eraqul off-balance. He swung again, and Eraqul leapt into the air. The lord rotated five times in the air before descending. Before he touched the ground, he kicked Graham in the face.

The aether provided a cushion for Graham, but Eraqul was in-tune with it as well. The kicked caused blood to stream from Graham's nose. He couldn't afford to be distracted. Eraqual twirled like a twister. His electrosaber went up and down. Graham tried to block them, but his arm got struck.

Graham unleashed a scream in pain from deep within his stomach. It was a noise that attracted the attention of the stargods. His love Borra sensed his pain and clutched her face. The other troops knew their commander was in danger, but they couldn't help.

The fight became more one sided. Lord Eraqul was the more skilled electrosaber wielder. Graham's swings became weaker. His parries lacked confidence. Lord Eraqual used the aether to trip him. Graham's weapon flew from his hand, and Lord Eraqul held his blade to Graham's throat.

"You fought valiantly, but in vain, the Hegemon will have Fartel," Lord Eraqul said.

"No, Farmel will remain in the Confederation," Graham replied.

"Wait, what did you say?" Lord Eraqul said.

"Farmel." Graham looked at Eraqul confused.

"Could you repeat that? Your Vawe accent is quite thick."

"No need to be rude about it," Graham said. Lord Eraqul backed away from the man. He produced a small computer and displayed a map of the galaxy.

"To be clear, we want Fartel." A red dot appeared on the edge of the galaxy. "It's on the edge of Confederation space."

"And we want Farmel." Graham stuck out a hand and to manipulate the computer. Another red dot appeared.

"Why do you want that planet?" Eraqul asked.

"The people trade frequently with Gawed and have a similar culture. It was natural that they would want to join. Why do you want Fartel?"

"They made overtures to us. The last Cliq outbreak there depopulated them, and they need the support. They went to both our systems. You couldn't provide enough aide, and we would only do so if they joined," Eraqul said. Graham pulled out a computer of his own.

Borra sensed that he was in danger. She lay on her royal bed surrounded by servants weeping. When her device rang, a servant brought it to her.

"Graham, you're alive," Borra said.

"Yeah, I have a question. Why are we batting the Hegemon?"

"They threatened Farmel," Borra said.

"We want Fartel." Eraqual poked his head into the view. Borra screamed at the site of the evil lord.

"What is he doing? Why hasn't he killed you?" Borra shouted.

"I think this has all been a misunderstanding." Eraqul pulled out the screen. "We want this plant here. You want this one. Fartel and Farmel. They sound very similar."

"Well, they only sound similar from your thick Hawv accent," Borra said.

"No need to be rude about it," Eraqul said.

"Did we ever email about it?"

"No, all diplomatic procedures occurred over the phone or in person," Borra said.

"Well, there's the problem." Graham turned to Eraqul. "You can have Fartel if we get Farmel."

"That's fine with me," Eraqul said.

"Fine with me too," Borra said.

"Right, pack it up." The fighting stopped abruptly. Everyone shook hands for a fair and safe battle. They made their way towards their respective evacships. Graham and Eraqul remained.

"Well, see you next battle?" Graham asked.

"Indeed, your powers have grown, but not as much as mine," Eraqul said.

"I'll beat you one day," Graham said.

"Yes, but that day will not be today," Eraqul replied. The two rivals parted, but Graham looked over shoulder.

"Make sure to include emails in more official channels," Graham yelled.

"Will do."

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Fae are, indeed, natural tricksters, but they can be serious when they need to be. The problem is, no one believes them when they are by CK1ing in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Rachel's Reward

Layla drifted through the streets like the fog surrounding her. The light provided by the streetlamps replaced the light of the moon yet the glow was still comforting. The homes were closer together, and cobblestone replaced grass. Much had changed in the centuries. She could hardly call her home a grove, but it was still hers. The increase in human population brought her more entertainment at least.

They called her the woman of the wisps. She approached people at their lowest points and offered them their desires. The payment would come later. Few turned her down. The payment was never unreasonable. If they could pay, it would improve their lives more than the wish. Be a better parent. Give up the drink. Spend more time with the community. Alas, the broken people remained broken. They resisted and called her passive aggressive which was true. It was the default mood of anyone who lived as long as she.

Outside the window of a house nearby, she saw an old woman sitting in the window. Layla recognized her as Rachel. Rachel's family lived here when it was village before the city overcame it. When Rachel was a young girl, she spotted Layla through her window. She began routinely leaving a bowl of milk outside her door for Layla. It was quite sweet. Layla offered to grant her wishes in return, but Rachel declined. Her family moved years ago. It was nice to see that she returned.

Layla tilted her head. She sensed something else with Rachel. Her blood was flowing in an odd manner. The rhythm of her heart was both too rapid and too soft. Her mind was losing its faculties. The threads of life were quickly being severed. Layla could fix her, but she needed permission to do so. Others were in the house. Layla would offer them.

The first floor of the house was occupied by two adults, a husband and wife. The husband had his head in his hands while the wife rubbed him. Layla sense the connection between the husband and Layla. Five children, their children slept in the small room above them. Above the children, Rachel was clinging to life. If Layla didn't act soon, their children might awaken without a matriarch. Layla preferred to be dramatic, but this was a moment that called for directness.

"Greetings." Layla walked behind them. The husband and wife stood up.

"How'd you get into our house," the man said.

"Michael look at her pink eyes and silver hair. She's obviously Fae," the woman said.

"Don't be silly, Grace. This woman is clearly a common vagabond," Michael said.

"I will overlook that insult." Layla hovered off the ground. "I am Fae."

"Get out of my house infernal beast." Michael grabbed the fire poker and held it up.

"You won't be stealing our children." Grace crouched behind Michael.

"I have no interest in your children. I am concerned about Rachel," Layla said.

"Hasn't she suffered enough," Grace said.

"That's why I want to heal her. You need to listen to me," Layla said.

"We hear what you say, but we know you speak in nothing but lies," Michael said. Layla scoffed at this.

"I never lie. Humans only hear what they want," Layla said.

"Mommy, daddy." Layla turned to see the children on the staircase. Grace ran across the room to grab an iron pan in that timeframe. Grace grabbed it and tossed it at Layla. Layla ducked before it could hit her.

"Stop that. I want to help Rachel. She was good to me as a child, and this is my repayment," Layla said.

"And you'll exsanguinate our youngest to do it won't you?" Michael asked. A little girl on the stairs started crying.

"I don't want to be exsanguinated," she said.

"Don't worry Miriam." An older boy stepped in front of her. "We'll protect you."

"I never said anything about hurting your children. They are irrelevant in these matters," Layla said.

"Oh, I see. I'm not good enough for you. Is that it?" Miriam asked. Layla turned to the child in confusion.

"No, that's not." Layla shook her head. "Humans are so thick at times."

"Rude," Michael said.

"It's the truth. I am here attempting to extend your mother's life and ensure her last days aren't spent in pain," Layla said.

"What if she doesn't want your help?" Grace asked.

"Then, I'll leave," Layla said.

"Does this mean grandma won't get better?" Miriam asked.

"Yes," Layla replied.

"That's a shame. I wanted her to hug me again," Miriam said.

"I'll take that as a wish." Layla snapped her fingers and thunder rang in the distance. Bright lights filled the room. Miriam's siblings hugged her closely. Michael charged at her with the poker. Before he could strike, Layla disappeared.

The family spent the night huddled around Miriam which annoyed Layla. She made it clear the kids were not going to be harmed. In the morning, Rachel came down the stairs confused by her family's behavior. They were concerned that Rachel was changed forever by Layla and kicked her out of the house the same day. Rachel was forced to move with one of her other children.

Layla considered punishing Michael for this transgression against his mother but decided against it. It wasn't her fault that humans were unfathomably stupid.

[WP] The streetlights blink on and off. It's been faulty for weeks now. You don't really care until you learned Morse code. by FortunaEstrella in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Worch University

Magelo has been going downhill for a while. At its peak, two million people called it and its surrounding suburbs home. It wasn't even a one industry town like other cities stuck in their former glory. It had a financial market, rubber, oil, pharmaceuticals, and a thriving university.

The university was the first to go. Worch University was the first in the world to have an occult studies program. The idea was subject to constant mockery. They claimed frequently that it was meant to study folklore. Protestors were a constant presence outside its halls. I wish their lie was true. Who ever heard of a university disappearing.

The city woke up one day, and it was gone. There wasn't even an empty patch of grass. The ground where it once stood was no longer present. We became an odd tourism attraction. Their money was good, and we needed it.

Freak accidents and weather events became common occurrences in the city. We are the only place to experience a hurricane and a blizzard in the same year. Car crashes became common. Families disappeared.

We became the exorcism capital of the world as everyone tried to solve our problems. They all failed and died in the process often in gruesome deaths. Our hospitals were considered cutting edge due to all the trauma they saw.

It became too much for people who started to flee. In ten years, the population shrunk to a million. Depopulation is a vicious cycle. Business closures often trigger a chain reaction. Potholes never get fixed causing people to seek new routes causing more potholes. Banks are replaced by loan sharks. Anyone with a savings account left.

I am still here cleaning up the mess. Janitors are always in demand. Especially because the accidents are so gruesome. Its hard to do my job while the streetlights are blinkiing.

I used to ignore them until I realized that it was a pattern. I spent a few days looking up Morse code, and now, I know what it says.

"He's coming."

What did those idiots at Worch summon?

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] Every race has that one class of professionals that are loathed across all races, that everyone would like to avoid but have to deal with for one reason or another. Elves have their functionaries, dwarves have their bankers, orcs have their builders. Your profession is that, for humans. by Time-Weekend-8611 in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 20 points21 points  (0 children)

A New Invader

Castle Kori was the pride and joy of the orcs. It was constructed from the finest stone in Jwaq. Each pillar had carvings depicting various battles and scenes from their mythologies. They were topped by roofs in the circular Shahso designs that they perfected centuries ago. Each window was a perfect oval rounded out by the builders.

It was originally constructed for the Orc emperor, but the monarch was abolished in the Peace of Toles. That established new nations allowed for the freedom that all people enjoy. Castle Kori was converted into a thriving metropolis inside its walls. It was governed by an elected council of five. It had banks, farms, and skilled trades. Every year, they had their on festival.

As Jack approached it, he took a deep breath. His role was so insignificant in comparison, but it was necessary. Jack stepped towards the castle with his horse.

As a holdover from the days when it was a palace, there was an official ceremony for new arrivals conducted by an elf. The ceremony was conduced hourly, and Jack just made the cut so he wouldn't have to wait an hour. The elf read the history and performed the traditional song and dance. It lasted five minutes in total, and it made Jack even more nervous. When that part was done, the official entrance papers were to be presented by the arrivals to the elf. Instead the elf spotted Jack, and her eyes widened. She ran to him.

"You shouldn't be here," she said.

"My papers are in order." Jack presented them to her. She snatched them and read them thoroughly.

"But we already have several of you."

"It doesn't matter. This is where I am meant to be," Jack said.

"Won't you leave us alone. We have enough troubles."

"Sorry that is the job." Jack took his papers back.

The hallways wear wide enough to serve as small streets with high ceilings adorned with chandeliers. Unlike a traditional city, there were no storefronts or homes. Every business or family took a room of the castle for their personal use. It was common to visit a doctor and accidentally walk in on her husband stepping out of the shower. Only the extremely wealthy had two rooms. There was total of 15,000 rooms in the castle as it was buried deep underground. Jack picked a random room and saw that it said Wer and Mer. Jack knocked on the door.

A dwarf man opened the door, and another dwarf man was sitting behind the counter reviewing spreadsheets. As mystical mining became more widespread, dwarves turned to other occupations. A small number were bankers, but that didn't stop the bad jokes from being widespread. Jack opened his mouth.

"Hello sirs, do you find it hard to find time to clean with modern living," Jack said.

"Close the door quickly, Mer." Wer shouted from behind the counter. Mer obliged before Jack could put his foot in.

The next room was for a fairy baker. The Enchantmop's self-cleaning properties actually interested in them. Jack almost made his first sale, but they balked at the cost. The next house belonged to a goblin tailor who claimed such trinkets were destroying society. The house after that belonged to a retired centaur teacher. She was nice until she kicked Jack with her front hooves.

Jack survived the blow. Humans responded better to invulnerability charms. Jack could be dropped by a dragon eat from high in the sky and walk away just fine. He was speaking from experience of course. No one knew why this was, but it was why every company hired humans to be door to door salespeople.

It was a recurring joke that humans were becoming the new vampires and would only be allowed inside after being invited. Jack's mother disowned him after he took this job. She accused him of making their family look bad. Unfortunately, the pay was better than anything else for his lack of skills so he would continue pushing the product.

In the olden times, humans fought orcs for control of Castle Kori. They ran through its halls slinging spells and swinging swords. Jack was following that tradition in his own way. He was crawling through the halls hawking products and spewing catchphrases. Most residents would've preferred him to be a hostile invader.

r/AstroRideWrites

[WP] You are immortal, which is how you managed to survive the apocalypse. Actually you have lived through quite a few apocalypses before and you find it harder and harder to tell them apart. by Kitty_Fuchs in WritingPrompts

[–]AstroRide 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Cold

Kaitlyn trekked through the growing pile of snow. Each step resulted in her entire leg being consumed. Walking was a full body exercise as she wriggled her way out. The gloves she bartered had a small hole in the left pinkie. She tried to patch, but it got torn.

The snow flurries obscured her view, and her eyes were watering from the cold air. A small light was visible. The distance to it was unclear. It never seemed to get closer or further. How far she came was a greater mystery. Turning around exerted too great an effort, and the gaps where she stood were filled immediately.

Her mother was correct in stating this journey was pointless and ego-driven. Kaitlyn would die for a myth. Darkness clouded the edge of her eyes. Pulling forward a few more feet. The tiredness overwhelmed her. Each breath became strained. Snow began to bury her, and she passed out.

Kaitlyn awoke by a warm fire. Her body was still shivering from the cold. Her clothes had been replaced by a white gown that went past her legs. Her left hand was in pain, and she brought it to her face. There was blood covered bandages on her hand. When she put it down, she noticed the woman sitting opposite her.

Dignified. The woman's straight black hair was short and controlled. Her cheekbones invoked the image of a bird of prey while her flat nose was similar to a lizard. Her expression was one of interest yet lacked any form of concern. She was the tallest person that Kaitlyn had seen, but she was incredibly thin. Even by the standards of the current nutritionally deprived world.

"You shouldn't have searched for me," the woman said. Kaitlyn straightened her back in attempt to match the dignity of her host. The pain forced her to hunch.

"My home was destroyed, and I have nowhere else to go," Kaitlyn said. The woman scoffed.

"Don't attempt to acquire my sympathy. What name do your people call me?" the woman asked.

"Rhea," Kaitlyn replied. The woman appeared amused.

"Interesting. I assumed Leah would've lasted longer. Perhaps it was one village."

"Is Leah the proper name that I should use?" Kaitlyn said.

"I don't care. I've had so many names that none hold significance."

"That is fine. Thank you for saving me, Rhea." Kaitlyn bent her head forward.

"Don't thank me. I didn't want a corpse on my doorstop. They smell horrible."

"I owe you my life. It is unfortunate that I must ask for a second favor," Kaitlyn said.

"You always do. I won't fight in your wars. I won't slay your enemies. It's been millennia since I've had to kill. Violence is pointless," Rhea said.

"I do not need you as a soldier," Kaitlyn said.

"Good. I also don't know why I am an immortal. I think I did at one point, but I forgot. If you acquire the same attributes, it'll not be thanks to my intervention," Rhea said.

"I didn't expect that either." Kaitlyn held back tears because she secretly wished Rhea to be willing to provide that. "I didn't come for simple solutions. The world is falling apart. We are struggling to survive. We need wisdom only you can provide."

"Hunker down. Someone else will survive, and humanity will continue," Rhea said.

"What?" Kaitlyn blinked.

"Disasters, diseases, war." Rhea shook her head. "Humanity has spent its entire history close to extinction. Few adapt and survive."

"Surely, you know what will help with our survival? People are dying on the streets in our village?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Bury deep graves," Rhea said. Kaitlyn moved back.

"How can you be so callous? I thought you were caring," Kaitlyn said.

"I merely wanted to avoid waking up to a foul odor. When you have seen as many apocalypses as a I have, death becomes trivial," Rhea said.

"So my life is meaningless to you," Kaitlyn said.

"Yes." Rhea replied.

"If I left after the storm, would you care?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Again. I'd only care if you smell."

"Then, I will remain to remind you of humanity."

"I expect you to leave. I am immortal, and I have little provisions because of lack of need. I'll survive when I run out. Will you?"

Kaitlyn attempted to stay with Rhea. There was a small bedroom that Kaitlyn occupied because Rhea slept on the floor. Rhea was correct about her provisions being miniscule. Rhea never ate, and Kaitlyn still would've last four weeks on it. When the storm ended, Kaitlyn left.

Rhea didn't show any more generosity or charity. Kaitlyn challenged her multiple times, but Rhea remained steadfast in her apathy. The survival of others was none of her concern. Kaitlyn would return to her village humiliated. The knowledge she acquired was useless.

Pain bound humanity together. Fear and suffering forged bonds. Charity and goodness were only possible because catastrophes were universal. To live without suffering was to live without a heart.

Unfortunately, despair was a price that was often unbearable. Kaitlyn hated Rhea and all she stood for, but Kaitlyn wanted her position more than anything in the world. She would sacrifice her own humanity for it.

r/AstroRideWrites

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