Oc Tober - Tumblr Posts

Oc-tober Day 10: Alice in wonderland

Prompt list by: stormyth-art

Description: Something

going to try to do this this october! get ready to learn more about my ocs :)

Kharmio_'s Oc-tober

Day 1 - Your oc introduces themselves

Taylor: "Do I have to do this?" Interviewer: nods Taylor: Taylor shifts nervously "Hi I’m Taylor Davies, I’m a junior at Greenwood high school. My birthday is April 8th 1980." Interviewer: "Anything else?" Taylor: "Uhm- I like rock and roll and I want to be a writer?" Interviewer: "Is that all?" Taylor: "Yeah… I guess."

-

Ivy: Ivy happily shakes interviewer's hand. Ivy: "Hey, I'm Ivy Aquino Santos! I'm 5'4", Filipino-American, Catholic, a Gemini I'm on the honor roll, in leadership, and I'm also a cheerleader at Greenwood High, go Robins!" throws in a little jazz hands. Interviewer: "Is that all?" Ivy: Looks up while thinking. "No, I think that's all!"

-

Chris: "I'm the uhhh ghost that's stuck to Taylor. I dunno who am I am to be honest." Interviewer: "What? She didn't mention that?" Chris: She doesn't mention a lot of things she's too shy.

-

Rodney: Sitting silently fiddling with his thumbs. Interviewer: "Are you going to say anything?" Rodney: "No." Interviewer: "Okay."

-

Bonus drawing of me interviewing them

I’ve returned, and as a gift, i bring…

MY OC-TOBER PEICES :D + a surprise

(Creds to @kharmio_ on tiktok!)

Here’s my days so far!

Day 10 - “Your OC doing something they like” with KHAOS?!

okay- If you’ve been with my blog for a good bit, you might remember what Khaos may have looked like.. (i don’t think I posted it before-) so I decided to finally attemp to redesign him! But..I don’t really think it was a “success” overall tbh..But I redesigned Khaos so that he had more of a “digital DJ” vibe, while adding more details that point up to his origins.

Day 9 - “You OC cosplaying” with Vincenzo

I was really struggling on Vincenzo’s facial expression here, I’m trying to widen my ‘facial expression’ variety, but it often leaves me with my OC having some kind of disgruntled or discomforted look.

Day 8 - “Your OC in summer” with Aiko (a Helluva Boss OC)

Aiko is a Hellhound OC I made a few months back before summer started, and I was frantically searching for an OC for this day and I found her. I had some fun with this! This was great- and I added some new details on her!

Day 7 - “Your OC in winter” with Amora

Woo boy- this was a tad bit of a struggle due to me trying to find a winter outfit that at least fit Amora’s style (y2k-esque) other than her original outfit with fluff on it AND the facial expression problem,but it was okay overall! 👍

Day 6 - “Your first OC”

Okay- you may be asking “where’s the art?” Just..let me tell you- this is from THREE. YEARS. AGO. (2021)

Ah, the old time, right when I first started doing art on my dad’s adobe cloud account…almost good times.

Day 5 - “Your Least Favorite OC”

This was a hard one! I chose this (unnamed) OC because of how much I struggled to color them or pick colors that would fit them perfectly, so I just took one palette and put it into different shades (alternating the palette’s hue, saturation, and brightness slightly) and picked from there.

Day 4 - “first design of a current OC “ with Ceylon (ONE YEAR REDESIGN EDITION 🎊🎉🪅)

So, before I started OC-tober, I redesigned Ceylon ONE MONTH LATE… it wasn’t that bad- but I made sure to give Ceylon similar features to Hibiscus and soon enough putting those on Chamomile’s redesign! Overall, this was great! ^^

Day 3 - “Style swap between OCs” with Hibiscus and NightShade

Oh boy..THIS was a hardship, and a big one at that. I was really struggling with giving NightShade an outfit that was aligned towards Hibiscus’ fashion taste- problem is..I didn’t really give Hibiscus a fashion taste, and finishing this made me feel SO ASHAMED and a bit icky that I made Hibiscus’ style “y2k-ish”, even though I knew it was something like that (say summer/beachwear with special details but blend it w/ y2k fashion.) I felt embarrassed by this…not the best day.

Day 2 - “Your OC in Your Clothing” with Axi

Meet Axi! I made them out of boredom for a random organization called “The Blades”, she wasn’t that hard to draw- but this was well done!

Unfortunately, I have reacher the 10 image limit… ;-;..but I’ll post the surprise shortly! ^^

My Day 11 of OC-tober!

(Prompts cred to @kharmio_ on tiktok)

Found these prompts and wanted to post them here as well :]

I started late but I got three done 💀

EDIT : I didn’t know this artist had a Tumblr GASP- @stormyth-art ✨✨✨

🖊️🎃 Day 1. First OC

I haven’t touched this OC in years. I made him when I was like 14-15?

I will probably be doing at least some prompts of the @kharmio_ (on TikTok) Oc-tober with my MHA ocs this month and I’ll maybe throw in some additional warmups I do once in a while, I’ll try to be regular but I don’t guarantee I’ll do all the prompts since this is my first prompt month (???)

Im overall trying to be a little more active on this acc out of all of my socials because this site seems to accept my dumb trad sketches more than others lol

Day 1 Favourite OC ft Iyashi Ketsueki ‘Foxglove’

And Day 2 an oc in my clothings (my will wood merch) ft Kaya Ruiseki

These really aren’t nice looking because I fumbled with the setting when I took a picture of the sketchbook page and art block hit me like a truck as soon as I tried sketching out some stuff for the first one on digital

Also Iyashi’s blue skin is supposed to be lighter I also fumbled over that

Day 3 : Style swap between two ocs

This time ft Kaya (again) and Soma Nemotouchi who honestly doesn’t do much

Im gaining back my art skills but art block hit me so hard I crushed so many pieces of paper I was doodling in during class it’s crazy

OC-TOBER IS HEREEEEEEE!

So, have a Kia doodle! Prompt today is: Your OC

I’ll try to do at least a doodle a day, but if I don’t post one day assume I’ve drowned in my ever growing pile of coursework :’D

Iris Cumulo as Ororo Munroe aka Storm

Day 9 oc cosplay

ARN ARMUNDSON

sixteen | he/him | Human | Nord

Oh I'm not scared mother Can't you hear he calls my name Oh boy, the sky's not speaking And the wind will never learn your name Oh no you're wrong mother And the wind and I, I think we'll run away

— Finnegan Tui

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] ~Hatred

"I know it's not ideal." 

She says that every time you both set up the small little camp built out of twigs and leaves somewhere in the woods. As if it would change the situation, make it more bearable.

"I still remember the first blanket I made you." Her smile was weak, but her eyes glistened with fondness, as she tried to cushion the floor beneath your shelter, "You were so small back then, it swallowed you whole, but eventually you grew into it. You could never fall asleep without it." 

Her smile dropped then, as if realising that everything you have ever owned, every story behind it, was lost.

"I remember." Perhaps a small condolence, but for a moment her strained smile returned.

She laid out her coat on the wet wooden floor beneath the makeshift shelter, she never asked you to take off yours for the both of you to lie in. You noticed everything she had ever done, she did for you. Even if it meant, leaving everything behind. She never hesitated.

Sometimes you wonder if she regrets her decision. If she regrets having you. When will she realise that you are a mere burden to her?

"That should do it. You go in first, munchkin." 

"Where are you going?" She always leaves to make sure you are both safe. You know she barely sleeps to keep an eye on you too, you can see it in the shadows beneath her eyes. 

So far she always returned to you, you always found each other even amidst the chaos, but what if she can't find you? What if one time, she does not return?

"Don't worry." She smiles and draws a warm hand over your cheek, as if sensing your worries, "Make yourself comfortable. It won't be like this forever. Soon we'll be back in a cozy and warm bed, behind the safety of the walls and there will be no need to run anymore. I promise."

"When?" You ask despite knowing the answer.

"When we manage to have you do the proper ritual. When the God of Mountains will accept you."

"I have to perform a great hunt for that. All I do is hide."

"All when the time is right. Sleep now. I will be back shortly."

That too was something you have heard her say a lot since you both had been forced to flee into the woods. You're no longer certain that there will ever be a right time. How can you prove yourself, when she won't let you?

“You always pretend like nothing is wrong, but they took our home from us and now want to kill us. You don’t even hate them for it. Like we deserved what happened.” You scoff, not understanding how she can remain so positive despite it all not being your fault.

She halts for a moment, the smile from before is replaced with worry. “Don’t- Arn, look at me.” You begrudgingly tilt your head to meet her gaze, “We did not deserve any of it, Fate was playing against us. The people had chosen, they are afraid and think that the new ways are giving them more security, but it's not the system that is wrong. Not only.”

“So you do hate the scholar too.” 

“It’s okay to be angry, but don’t let your heart darken from it. They won, fair and just. I agreed to the rules and we would be a bad loser if we do not respect their win. So, no, I do not hate them for it. I think it was the right time for a change.”

“Why would the people like them better than us? We have been ruling over the North for generations. The scholar just arrived a few weeks prior to my coronation. It is just not fair.”

“I know the timing makes it look even worse.” She says with a tired sigh and you realise only now, that she must have been trying to appear strong for you, hiding her own frustration well, “I can’t promise you that it will all get back to how it was, that we will reclaim the throne, I think our time is over, but I can promise you, that we will no longer need to hide. That we do not need to be afraid for our lives and hide in the trees. You will sleep in safety. I will promise you that.”

You drop your head with a heavy heart. “I still hate them.” They took your big day from you, they ruined it all. How can she so easily forgive?

She hums, a sad look in her eyes. “It is your right to do so. Yet, you should try to sleep. We will discuss our options tomorrow.”

You watch as she gets up with alert eyes before disappearing into the darkness to lead any pursuers astray. She didn't even take her coat with her.

You try to do as she said. You try to make yourself comfortable, but her absence and the fear riddled with the growing hatred within your heart was making it difficult. If only you could do something to help. Make a difference yourself. But you couldn’t. You were nothing but a burden to her and powerless in a world that was ruled by power. You were only a child in the eyes of the adults around you. How can you change that?

You close your eyes, try to quiet the voices in your head. That the coat was smelling of her sweet and calm scent did help a little and soon you found yourself slowly drifting off. Afterall, it had never been about the blanket she had made for you, it was about having something of your mother close.

Even if she herself, seldom was.

[ 967 words ]

Next Part ➜

SAEL

unknown | he/him | 195 cm | Saelethir | from the Stars

Visions of you Make the vision of me seem So in touch only to see Call from the mountaintop What you desire from me You never need, you never needed anyone

— Temples

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Home

It is strange.

To walk this earth, when it no longer resembles his memory. The brightness of his surroundings has stolen his sight, along with the absence of the moon and stars. He feels lost in a world that once was his home.

Those were the most drastic changes he noticed and felt everyday. The smaller ones only occurred to him with time. For one, they seem to favour community. The more people, the better. They prefer being around others and even crave their attention and approval. This concept of needing others has never occurred to him before.

Furthermore, they can see and yet they are blind to the many things that he saw as essential. That one took him a lot of studying and listening in and it was the most difficult to understand. He still wasn’t quite sure, he completely gets it.

They don't touch him to understand him emotionally or mentally, because whenever he reaches for them, there's no response. It seems that talking is their preferred method of communication. And they do talk. A lot.

“Sael!” He heard one of them shout the name they had given him, “What are you doing moping around in the corner on your own. You can help us.”

Sael only knew who the one speaking was, because while his surroundings remained invisible to him, he could see their essence. Each one had a different colour, a different light within them. It was alive, it told Sael of their feelings too, but some shone brighter than others and the one speaking, had a weak one. He was almost certain, he called himself Ralof and his essence was a mix of red and orange.

“Come on. There is a lot to do.” The one called Ralof said and as he moved closer, Sael could see him a little better. They liked to give people names, Sael had noticed them call each other by it to get another's attention. As they now did with him too. Which is why he needed a name, they said.

It took him some getting used to. He had never been called before, there had never been a need for it. When this place was still his home, there had been only him and the lost souls of the dead. They searched him out on purpose, for the moon and the stars were connected with Sael and he was able to guide them back to them. They needed him and thus came to him willingly. He never needed to get their attention and they didn’t need to get his.

Sometimes he wonders if that is the reason why these people killed the moon and stars. They didn’t want him to guide them back – they wanted to stay down here at all cost. Sael wasn’t sure he approved of their method though and why they kept him around if there is nothing he can do for them.

When he looked for the one called Ralof, he was already gone and off to somewhere else. Sael did not see where he went, his essence too small to track. They were all moving around a lot, Sael had listened them for a moment. Sometimes they speak to each other, other times they argue. They seemed busy and at the same time, he did not know with what exactly.

Sael’s attention was grabbed when one of the brighter ones passed him by, a shining blue, it sometimes reminded him of the light of the stars. As the only clearly visible thing to him, he followed him instead. When he stopped, Sael attempted to reach out, until he remembered, that as usual, it would be a one sided conversation on his part. So instead, he put to use his many hours of observation.

“Aegon.” He called him by his name. A shout for attention, something that should work. It was strange, hearing the sound of his own voice, foreign and clumsy to his ears.

“Ah, sorry, didn’t see you there.” Aegon’s essence flickered for a moment – he was happy to see him.

“You’re just in time to witness how marvelously I can tie a net.” Sael heard him struggle with something, then a tiny snap, “Ah, never mind, it snapped. I guess we will never know. To be honest, I don’t know why Elora has us set up decorations this early. It’s still a few weeks away and she always puts me on the most boring of tasks.

Why don’t we try something else. Something more fun. Let me see.” Aegon seems to be thinking, looking at something Sael couldn’t see.

Then suddenly, he grabbed his wrist and Sael instinctively read his feelings - there was excitement, mixed with a certain focus. He was thinking about thousands of different things at once, but all were bright and warm like his hands. At first Sael thought he liked sharing his positive emotions with others, because he was very tactile and seldom in a sour mood, but since they don’t do it to communicate with him, he wasn’t so certain why he did it at all.

Yet it wasn’t entirely unwanted, since it gave Sael a short glimpse of what they try to tell him with their many words and with Aegon, it was always a pleasant experience. Like now, he knew whatever Aegon had spotted, he was excited to share with him.

“We can choose the hanging decorations. Usually that’s what Elora does, she has a set plan for what goes where, but she always needs a ladder.” He chuckles as he pulls Sael after him, “Don’t tell her I said that.”

Aegon was also the most talkative, which was helpful, because Sael hadn't figured out how the rules of talking to each other worked yet. He was told however, that there are very strict rules to follow. Yet no one had explained to him those rules, but he doesn’t blame them. Afterall, he hadn’t told them that he mostly communicates through touch either.

“I think I will take this one, I always wanted to hang it up." He snickers as Sael hears something shuffling about in front of them, "Elora never hangs it up because it reflects the light and 'it could distract someone', but I like it."

"I like bright things."

He sees Aegon’s essence swell, glowing even brighter. "You get me." He's happy.

Not knowing what was lying there in front of him, Sael used his hands to feel about. It was a strange act in itself. Inanimate objects don’t have feelings or thoughts and yet he is touching them.

“Take the one that speaks to you the most. Whichever it is, we hang it up.” Aegon explains, “If you want me to describe them to you, let me know.”

Some were with sharp edges others were of a more fragile material, it crumbled when he touched them. Then he found one that was solid and smooth. It was thin and boney. It felt familiar. It felt like home.

He still remembers the lost souls that came to him with sorrow and grief. Anger and desperation. Their lives had ended, but their struggles followed them regardless and tied them to the ground. Touching them, it felt like the decoration in front of him. Even if the item had no feelings to get rid of, no need for him to guide it to the stars. It was familiar enough that he liked it.

“Ah, yes, that’s a classic. Good choice.” Aegon praises and with a bit more confidence, Sael draws it closer to him, “Now let’s see where we can hang it up…”

Sael took the object with him as he followed Aegon, blessed to have found a piece of home, despite it no longer resembling his memories. It seems that home was never really gone and he wonders then, where else he could find similarities. 

It made the drastic changes to this world, a little less overwhelming. [ 1.447 words ]

Next Part ➜

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

Prompt from:@oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

CW: A little creepy chase, something stinks of death, all in the fashion of halloween I suppose (I am very bad at summarising CWs, I’m so sorry.)

~Saviour

You woke up with a start.

Something that months of running for your life did to you, is being attentive to any kind of noise around you - even when you sleep.

You did not dare make any hasty movements, if whatever is making those noises is human or animal, it might not see you, if it's not… you don't know what else to do but run.

The trees rustled ahead, it was dark. You realised, you were alone. She did not return. Why did she not return?!

A sudden stomp right next to your shelter made you snap out of the sudden panic. It was close, right next to you behind the twigs and leaves built to hide you beneath. 

You held your breath. Another step, slower this time, as if it was searching. You heard it moan and creak like bending a bark. Not human!

The Underfolk can see you. It can see through the leaves and twigs, you knew you should run, but something was rooting you to the spot. You couldn't move.

You heard it bend forward, its close, confused by the barrier it cannot see. Clumsy hands started to pat around your shelter. It won't hold. What are you doing! Why can't you move!

Your heart beat rapidly, you think you forgot to breathe entirely. Another stomp and it blocks the entrance now. You stare at the cold and dark legs, like the pitch black night itself, it looked boney and … dead.

Just then, its smell reached you. Rotten and foul, you had to stop yourself from gagging by slapping a hand over your mouth to not make a sound. It's no use, it can see you anyway - your mind tried to tell you as you stared at its legs to see the exact moment, it lost its patience. You need to run! Why won't your legs move! It will break through easily.

Then, a sudden tickle runs up your arms and legs, as you look down you see the shadow of something crawling up your limbs. A bug!

Suddenly your legs work! You sprint to your feet, break through the roof of your shelter and without further ado, turn and run. You hear the creature scream surprised, a voiceless, breathless shout. They no longer have a voice.

You don't wait to hear what it tried to say.

Stomp, stomp, stomp. 

It was quicker than you, you knew that from experience. Your mother always slowed it down with the power of her god. You had no god. Only your legs.

So you ran around trees, stumbled through the darkness, over hatches and moss. Your breath was cold but your hands were warm when you held onto the cold bark of a big tree. The Underfolk was on you in a second, so you slid behind the tree, knowing from experience that it can't see its surroundings very well.

It somehow always sees you however. 

You heard its gaze snap towards you in an instant, a painful crack of its stiffened neck. Then it ran and that fast, you slid down the tree, closing your eyes, waiting for the impact. It didn't take long and you felt the shattering of the creature hitting the tree. It wailed, a quiet scream - then you heard it stumble disoriented, boney legs slipping over wet leaves.

Then it shuffled away and you heard it run back into the forest. Only then you allowed yourself to breathe. It was gone for now, but it found you once, it can find you again. Your mind instantly shifts back to your mother still out there.

What if it finds her?

You sat there for a moment longer, knowing its not wise, but you needed a moment to calm down. The leaves of the trees above rustled with the wind and you felt a small breeze pass you by. Then suddenly a tickle up your arm. Looking down, you saw a small beetle, it was crawling up towards your hand and this time you lift it up and look at it with relief.

"Thank you for waking me out of my stupor." You say to the little thing, "You are my saviour. Without you I would have probably been dead or well, sick with the Rot by now. So, thank you."

You gently place your hand down onto the forest floor so it could scurry away, but somehow, it remained. 

"You don't want to leave?" You can't help a little smile, everyone always leaves you behind, how stupid to expect a bug to stick around. "I'm sure you have better places to be than stick with me."

You try again, placing your hand onto the ground, but the very moment your hand touches the ground, a bright light pops up in front of you and you have to shield your eyes.

It is not by my choice, just to make that clear.

An ethereal voice spoke to you and slowly you lower your arm from your face. There in front of you, was a bright light, floating and blinding. 

Bramble chose to help you.

"Bramble?" You did not know who or what was speaking to you, but it sounded annoyed.

The Rose Chafer in your hand calls himself Bramble, because he likes it so much. Why he likes you, I cannot understand.

You blink, looking down at the back of your hand, where the small green shimmering beetle was still crawling merryly over your hand, wiggling its antenna.

He misses the warmth of the sun. He said you are as warm as its shine. The voice scoffed, but you could not hear any real malice behind it. 

"You know what he says?" You pull the small beetle closer to you, trying to inspect it, and see its tiny antenna wiggle in delight as you do.

"What did he say now?" You wonder, fascinated by the little thing.

You hear the voice mumble something under its breath, you only catch single words like 'humans', 'annoying', 'ungrateful'.

When you look up towards the light, you see it shift from left to right, almost like it was pacing.

He says I should help you and listen to your concerns, despite him knowing that I do not converse with humans.

You blink, looking closer at the shining light, floating in front of you.

Are you talking to a god?

[ 1.059 words ]

Next Part?➜

[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

[ new image at the end to avoid spoilers ] Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~Choice

“No.

This is unacceptable.”

After Sael had figured out how to hang things up with the help of Aegon, the yellow glowing one came over, essence flaring.

“I told you to place the nets around the room, Aegon. The hanging decorations come last, because they each have a set place. You have to consider the angle, the size and where the chairs or standing positions are about to be, so no one gets distracted or walks right through them. How is anyone supposed to enter the room with that thing right in the doorway?”

“Sael and I chose them. It’s his first Halloween, I’m sure you can let it slide.” Sael heard Aegon rustle next to him, not quite sure what he was doing, “Besides, I did place the nets.”

He heard the yellow one groan, he vaguely remembers she called herself Elora. “I didn’t mean you should cover yourself in them.”

“Well, they are kinda sticky.” He heard Aegon move around next to him, apparently struggling with something, “Wait, Sael, can you hold that for a moment?”

Still not used to being addressed through words, Sael did not immediately react or understand what Aegon wanted from him, but luckily there was no need for it. Aegon took his hand for a split second, Aegon’s irritation and confusion rushing through Sael at the short touch, but then he already let go again and what remains was a weird and sticky texture lying in his hands. It was rather unpleasant.

“Can you pull at it? Maybe then it gets off of me.”

Sael was uncertain how to operate further, trying to get rid of that weird thing in his hands, but no matter how he turned his hand, it stuck to him. He slowly starts to understand where Aegon’s irritation was coming from – he too felt it now.

“Now you are covering him in it too. I can’t even watch. Aegon, stop spinning.”

He heard Aegon make unpleasant noises. “Ugh, I think it’s in my mouth.”

“Because you won’t stop turning, would you just-”

“Is it someone's birthday?” They get interrupted as another member joins in on their conversation and Sael sees a purple essence floating about merrily.

“This is not the set decoration, Lorna, so don’t get attached to it.” Elora explains, a sigh somewhere hidden behind her words.

“Oh, we will keep it.” Aegon counters.

“This one is blocking the entrance and you are hanging up birthday decorations, Aegon.” Elora says, “We are not throwing a birthday party in case you forgot.”

“Well, I like them both the way they are.”

It seems eventually everyone was gathering closer and Sael had difficulty to keep them apart when they stand so close to another. There was the other brighter one among them, he saw the pink essence shine brightest among the gathered. It was easy to focus on them.

“The Seeress is right. We’re the ones having to look at it until the end of the month.”

“That’s news to me.” Lorna snorted, “Didn’t know you live here, your highness.”

“I don’t want to be the one asked all night, who’s birthday it is.” The pink one explains, “Blocking the entrance however, good choice.”

“Oh, because they have to walk through it like a haunted house. See how many dare to do so.” Ralof said, he was the red one Sael remembers.

“I was about to say it keeps the number of attendees to a good minimum, but your point makes the same statement, so I agree.”

“That means more booze for me, so I’m fine with that.” Lorna says.

“Oh, what no. We want people to come, don’t we? We put so much effort into it.” Ralof says.

“Well, some of us did, other’s just stood around looking pretty.” Lorna complains. “Even Sael picked something up and he can’t even see. What’s your excuse?”

“I arranged the celebration for the whole city. I have chosen enough decorations.”

“Show-off.”

After that, their voices mixed as did all of their essence as they moved closer. The volume was at the highest, the arguments starting again. It seems to be a common occurrence and Sael wonders why they favoured closeness if that is the outcome. Perhaps it was part of this celebration they keep mentioning.

“Hey, don’t worry about them.” Aegon says, stepping next to him, “It’s a celebration for everyone, isn’t it? I think it’s important that each of us sets up something of their own.

I mean you do want to celebrate it with us, right? It’s not a must, there are other things we could do too. I’m sure Nul has prepared some events throughout the city that are interesting too.”

It was a question, perhaps directed at Sael, perhaps not. He wasn’t certain about questions yet. Only that it made Aegon stop talking and awaiting for Sael to do so instead. He wanted him to speak – to answer.

“You-?” He wasn’t even sure how to ask back, what it was, that Aegon wanted from him. Which words, he wanted to hear.

He could see Aegons essence nudge to one side in confusion.

Letting out a frustrated breath, Sael wrecked his brain for anything else he had observed that would help him communicate with him better. He remembers that one of them, often used many and other times very few words. The yellow one, yes, Elora. Sometimes she speaks a lot, other times, she just says one word. That seems to satisfy and stop further questions almost always. Perhaps that could help.

Sael cleared his throat, trying to familiarise himself with using his voice. Then he spoke: “No.”

Aegon’s essence quirk up surprised for a moment and it made Sael wonder if that one word might only work for Elora.

“Wait, you- you don’t want to celebrate with us?” Then he let out a nervous laugh, “I mean of course you don’t have to. I was just surprised. I just thought- ah, never mind.”

“See, even Sael doesn’t want to come any more.” It was Ralof that spoke, “We should stop arguing about whoever is coming inside or not, because I say, everyone currently present, is certainly invited.”

“I can’t.” It was Nul and everyone seems to turn towards them, “I have to oversee the festivities in the city. You’d be surprised at how many go up in flames.”

“Ask the Commander to do that for you. We need you!” Ralof tried to convince them.

“I won’t miss them.” Lorna says.

“It’s Sael’s very first celebration ever. And-” It was Aegon talking into the room, but then he seems to address Sael directly, “We’d love to have you celebrate it with us. If you want to keep it small, we can do that, if you like it big or go all out and about in town, just let us know and we do that instead. However you like to celebrate it, we’re with you. If you have us.”

There seems to be a murmur of agreement going through the group and Sael was slowly but surely understanding what they were asking of him. They wanted to be with him and everyone else to a set time and event. A promise, a choice. They wanted him to make it. To choose to be with them.

How very strange these people behave. Sael was certain he would never stop learning about them.

So a choice he made, trying himself at another short word that he had picked up on the go, that best conveys the feelings he would usually share directly:

“Neat.”

[ ~ 1250 words ]

Prompt from:@oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Education

Sael is teaching the others about stars. (Only an Image for a change)

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ARN ARMUNDSON

Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Ritual

"Are you Ulgrim, the god of Mountains?" Even if you did not perform a great hunt yet, could the god have noticed your fight with the Underfolk? Was this your chance to prove yourself? To be of help to your mother? No longer be a mere burden?

You only further prove my point as to why I do not lower myself to the likes of you. Insulting me, is not doing you any favours. 

If its not the god of mountains you are speaking to, then who is it?

You see the little beetle turn towards the shining light in your hand, it wiggles its legs and tentacles wildly and exasperated now, as if chastising this… god?

Well, fine. That will be the last favour I will do for you, Bramble. Will you waste it for a mere human?

The beetle gives a small assertive nod.

Then let me introduce myself to you, human. It spat the last word and you doubt this will be a pleasant conversation, I am the god of Nothing, I am everywhere and nowhere, I am everything and I am nothing. Is that clear for you now?

You look at it for a moment, never have you heard of the god of Nothing before. What do they do?

As if sensing your questions, you saw the light flicker in annoyance, before it continued.

I am the wind surrounding you, tingling your skin, yet you cannot see me. I am the father of all the crawling insects you know and do not know about. I don't care what my siblings are spending their time on and I do not care for mortal affairs. They are petty at the least.

I do not have a name but the one my creatures give me from time to time and I do not have an appearance, because I see no need to be perceived. The insects know I am there without using their eyes. Humans do not, but I won't do you more than this. Speaking to you is already more than I would do for your kind.

"I-" you are speechless, a god of insects hating humans and they speak to you because of a favour from a Rose Chafer. Perhaps you were never meant for the god of mountains, perhaps this meeting was not by chance, but by Fate. "Can you hide from the Underfolk? If you are nothing, can you be invisible to other humans as well?"

The light flickers, a scoff. I just told you that I showed myself for your pity's sake alone. You wouldn't have even known of my presence otherwise. 

"And the Underfolk? Can you hide from them too?" You sat up, now eager to question this being in front of you.

It did not answer right away, instead it floated to the side, a little further away from you.

You felt the beetle tickle in your hand as it spoke to his god.

I am not-! The god snapped at Bramble, before taking a moment to calm down, You have a lot of questions, human. I promised Bramble to help you, but not to answer all your foolish thoughts.

Well, at least you know they could hide you from the humans hunting you and when you are bound to a god in any form, you could deal with the Underfolk yourself too. You could help your mother, you could have her stay.

"Then be my god! Let me perform the ritual and choose you."

The light stood still, no words were echoing through the forest, no rustling of the leaves ahead - no wind. You almost feared it would leave, so you lift the little beetle still in your hand and spoke to them:

"Bramble, tell them if they want to help me, they need to accept me in the ritual. I am of age, all I need is for them to say yes too."

The beetle tippled along your hand, a moment of hesitation as well, before they turned towards the glowing light standing still in front of you. At least you can read the beetle's reaction.

It spoke, you couldn't understand it, then the light prickled as an answer, but you did not hear it speak. Bramble spoke again, inching closer to the edge of your outstretched hand.

Then the light poofed and disappeared. You felt your heart sink, seeing your only chance gone.

"Where did they go? Did they agree?" You frantically look around, not yet giving up hope. It doesn't have to mean anything.

You watch Bramble stomp his little feet, he too seems displeased with his god, but then he pushes himself upwards and with a loud buzzing noise, sours into the air.

Fearing he is going to leave you too, you instantly spring to your feet. As you jog after the green shimmering beetle, you wonder where your mother was. What will she think when she returns and finds your shelter shattered? You shouldn't roam too far, or she might not find you, but you can't let this chance pass by either.

Making up your mind, you steer your eyes upwards, following the shimmer of Bramble, determined to not let him out of your sight. You will have this god as yours and do as any young boy your age should do - fulfill the ritual. [ ~ 893 words ]

LORNA TINKLEWALD

twenty-three | she/her | 146 cm | Dwarf | Brandurag

I cannot be bothered to be friendly And why'd you keep on calling me your baby? You ain't doing nothing to impress me So now is not the time for you to test me — Cher Loyd

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Prompt from: @oc-tober2023 ' [ I am not following the same order ]

~ Foreigner

"The Queen has lost!"

All conversation instantly stopped the moment the young dwarf had stormed into the Bulky Mule. Then murmurs arose and there was uncertainty in their gazes. It had been a change that they had wanted, but was it a good change?

Lorna placed the mug down she was currently drying and raised her voice above the whispers. 

"Who took her place?"

It was not difficult for her to be heard, she always had a certain confidence. With her words, the murmurs stopped around the filled tavern, everyone wanted to hear the answer.

The young dwarf by then had walked towards a table and taken one of the filled mugs to drown it in one go.

He dried his mouth with a swipe of his sleeve, before looking into the round. "Some foreigner. From the east, I believe."

"Is that a good omen?" "What if it's a dwarf!" "More likely a dragon."

"There is nothing to worry about." Lorna quiets the many questions going around, "It is a change, that's more of a chance for us than we ever hoped. We will find out more about this foreigner and see if we can get our voices heard. We need to start early however, the sooner the better, before once more it becomes common to ignore us. Show this new ruler that we are not easily silenced and don't even give the chance for us to be forgotten."

There were nods and some 'hear, hear!' The overall worries seemed to be eased and that is when Lorna waved the young dwarf that had spoken over.

One of the barmaids addressed him and escorted the confused dwarf inconspicuous through the tavern and into the back room. Lorna was already uncovering the map that was hidden beneath a simple tablecloth. It showed the whole of northern Aestricca, the north with the fortress they reside in right now, below that the harbour city, their neighbour and far in the west divided by water, lay on another land. Their once home.

Lorna however, only uncovered the eastern part, beyond pointy mountains and the vast forest of Rania, lie Bullmar. On the map, indicated by an empty region. 

Not much was known of the east that even the map was incomplete. It was always described as harsh and unwelcoming, but then again, that's what they said about the north as well. She didn't give much about rumours.

"You said this foreigner comes from the east." She points to the empty spots on the map, "We need to find out what their aim is. Why leave the east to become a ruler of the north."

Her hand drew back over to the west. "So we can finally reclaim our home and no longer be foreigners ourselves." [ words ~461 ]

LORNA TINKLEWALD

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Prompt from: @oc-tober2023

[ I am not following the same order ]

~Food

With a wide stride Lorna walked down the street. Wherever she went, she got greeted by the others and she greeted them back.

It wasn't difficult to walk with your nose high when surrounded by the people you know and love. And Lorna loved her people, even when she didn't know any of them before circumastances forced them to flee their country together.

Many different cities and cultures mixed together under the same threat, perhaps it was the shared misery that had glued them tighter together then ever. If nothing, that was one good thing that came out it.

It was never enough to even out the negatives however. She grabbed the bag in her firm grip a little tighter, her heavy steps not once slowing down when she approached a young dwarven woman.

"Oh, bless you. I don't know what we would do without you, Lorna." The dwarven woman took the offered bag from Lornas hands, her cheeks had fallen in, her clothes were rugged and old. The people were starving and there was always something to do about it.

"It's not much, just the leftovers from the tavern, if not you, Gael would have eaten it and you know he's got way then enough on his ribs."

The young woman laughed, something that she did way too little.

"We would be off way worse without you. You have my support don't forget that."

Lorna stands just a little straighter, "It's not just food I will be giving you in the future. It's going to be freedom, a way to earn a living for yourself. A chance to live a long and happy life without a fear for the Rot."

The woman smiles, clutching the bag of food closer to her person. "Is the meeting still held tonight? I fear Derem is feeling very low again as of late, he could use some hope. Your speeches always manage to lift him up."

"It's not just words. We will force the city to listen to us, if need be. You are a capable fighter, if you want to join us, the offer still stands."

"I really want to support you, but I can't let Derem alone. I fear for him. What if it happens when I'm gone, what if the sickness has taken him?" She lets her head hang low, "I couldn't life with myself knowing I couldn't say goodbye."

"Aye, we'll be fighting for his cure as well." Lorna nods, "You support us enough for showing up to the meetings. Yours and Derems input help us alot."

"I'm glad to be of help and thank you for the food. He always looks forward to it." She smiles warmly, her eyes sunken, marred by the strain this sickness has left on so many of them.

It was time for a change and Lorna would be able to do more for these people than just bring them food. Just a few more days, and the first part of the plan, can be set into motion.

[]