Qia

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@ERode This sounds pretty doable :)

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@ERode ohh gotcha. I think her finding out could either be Bella meeting with Mathias either coincidently or intentionally (we can decide that in the possible collab?) or she could find out through a trusted informant about it :)

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

Alright, collab with Est and Yankee done.

Est, for reference on the finalized deal before I post it up:

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Anyways, will maybe wait on some words from Qia and Evierose regarding muh previous pings. Or maybe I post and kick off a proper war.

@ERode

wait sorry what previous pings? May have missed it.

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

A

_{Interactions/Mentions: VV-@Estylwen, Wren-@SporkoBug, Val-@Herald}

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Through her hazy vision, A noticed a movement. VV shifted closer to the bright, laser bars, and as A blinked slowly against the relentless pounding in her forehead, VV’s outline became clearer. The faint, unpleasant smell of burnt hair pricked at her senses and she also briefly registered the red beams of light casting soft, flickering patterns on the walls around them.

A tried to push herself up even further, but her arms shook under the effort, feeling heavy as if weighed down by stones. Her body refused to listen to her commands, and though the ache in her chest had lessened, it remained. Giving up for now, she allowed her eyes to wander, catching fleeting glimpses of the others. Yet, her focus quickly returned to VV, who had posed a question that A wondered herself.

“Why…” she whispered, feeling a fresh wave of shame wash over her as she recalled the outcome of her “duel”. The medication had numbed her feelings, that much she recalled, making her feel like she was floating in a fog. Perhaps, to fight against it, she had pushed herself too much, and instead of channelling her energy outward, it had spiralled back on her. “I didn’t mean to throw it,” she added, a little louder this time. “I wasn’t…in control.”

For once.

A hadn’t felt this lost since she first discovered her powers.

“A… A, let's leave. The doctors won't find anything good. It's just Umbra all over again. I'll destroy this door, and we can just… get away…”

A took a moment to really consider VV’s suggestion. Her eyes then darted over to Val, who chimed in with his support for whatever decision they might reach. There was something both disquieting and strangely comforting about his reaction, specifically how he seemed to calmly accept whatever dangers he might face with people he’d practically just met. As he rolled his neck, a smile appeared on his face, creating a peculiar contrast with the seriousness of their predicament.

The redhead shifted her position on the narrow mattress, her fingers weakly gripping the rough material beneath her. The thought of leaving this place behind was incredibly alluring, yet it also felt like trying to run away from a shadow, Umbra’s or her own A couldn’t exactly say. No matter where they attempted to flee, she knew the burden of being outsiders, from the Above, would inevitably follow them.

A soft crackling sound captured her focus then, and A instinctively winced a little as the commanding voice of the general boomed through the intercom. After he gave his brief instruction, A let out a tired sigh.

“Where…where would we go if we actually decided to leave?” she asked Val, her eyes wandering over to Wren after. “And if you’re anything like us, you already know that Umbra isn’t going to let us walk away without a fight.”

Which meant, they were surrounded by potential enemies with few allies.

“I think…I think we stay.” Besides, with her current state, how could she be of any real help?

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

I told myself that I will sit down and sort all of this out on Friday given the holidays atm :) so will get back to who I need to then.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

_{Interactions/Mentions:@PrinceAlexus Sya}

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“I’ll write,” Orion promised gently, his crimson eyes meeting Sya's wide blue one with sincerity. “Even if it’s just a note or a few words, you’ll hear from me. And when I do visit again, we’ll share that drink you’re so insistent on.”

When she moved to hug him, Orion remained still for a moment, once again caught off guard by the gesture. Her small frame leaned into his, and he hesitated, unsure of how to respond, before carefully placing a hand on her back. As Sya pulled away, Orion watched her with a quiet intensity, his crimson eyes following her movements as she approached the door of the inn.

“Take care, Lady Sya,” the man said softly, his voice carrying the reverence usually reserved for long-time friends.

Perhaps one day, there would be a true meaning behind those words.

For now, Orion lingered a moment longer near the door, his eyes tracing the path of her shimmering blue scales as they slipped inside the inn, disappearing into its cozy arms. The faint sound of her staff’s concerned voices carried out, blending with the laughter and crackle of fires from the town square. As Orion watched, he noticed the delicate imprint of an S etched into the snowy ground and a smile crept onto his face, brightening the early afternoon despite the lack of sun.

“Cracked eggs,” he chuckled to himself, the absurdity of the phrase lightening his spirit, as Orion shook his head in disbelief. With a final glance at the traces of her presence, he turned away, the sound of his footsteps crunching on the snow. He adjusted the collar of his coat out of warm-blooded habit, pulling it closer against the chill he barely felt. All the while, his thoughts wandered as he walked, thinking about everything that had transpired over his short “holiday”, if calling it that wasn’t a stretch. The man had simply wanted a respite from his duties and, as always, had gotten more than he could chew. Still, he was still able to find at least a few silver linings.

He had made a friend. Although she was bolder in showing her feelings, he appreciated the connection nonetheless.

Furthermore, his relationship with Kira had transformed from just nods and sideways glances to, well…something more. They were at least talking to each other now.

His boots crunched steadily against the snow as he wandered toward the quieter outskirts of the square. The distant laughter and chatter of the town began to fade, replaced by the soft sigh of the wind threading through the narrow streets. Orion welcomed the quiet, the space to let his thoughts settle. The snow sparkled under the dim moonlight, casting a shimmering silver carpet across the ground, an enchanting sight that made the world appear enchanted —as if time itself had paused to admire its beauty.

Yet, tranquillity, as always for him, was often short-lived.

Suddenly, a sound pierced the quiet—a blend of hurried footsteps and hushed voices, carried by the breeze. Orion's keen ears picked up the urgency coloring their whispers, a subtle hint that something was amiss. With a quirk of concern etched on his brow, he quickened his step, drawn toward the commotion. It grew louder as he approached and, soon, the glow of torches flickered in the distance.

As he rounded the corner, the scene unfolded slowly before him. A group of guards stood, their bodies stiff as iron bars, weapons ready. They gathered in a tight-knit circle, voices low but animated until Orion approached. One guard’s gaze shot towards him, and he stepped forward, hand raised high.

“Halt!” the guard commanded. “Who goes there?” His eyes narrowed, a hawk sizing up its quarry, uncertain yet resolute in his duty. Orion straightened his back in turn, feeling the weight of countless stories behind his name as his reddish eyes sparkled dimly under the flickering torchlight.

“Orion Nightingale. Advisor to the prince,” he replied, “What’s the issue?”

The guard hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face, glancing nervously at his brothers-in-arms, before turning his attention back to Orion. “It’s... the princess,” he murmured. “She was attacked by…something. We suspect blightborn.” His gaze shamelessly scrutinized Orion, drawing a comparison between him and the lurking menace.

“Much like yourself.”

A fleeting shadow crossed the guard’s features, as if he sensed the irony in his words, his pulse quickening with a fear that Orion could practically feel in the energies around him. “We’re looking for her now,” he finally concluded.

Orion’s deep red eyes narrowed, revealing a tinge of annoyance at the guard's half-hearted words. He knew all too well the skepticism and disdain that men like this guard felt towards beings such as him. Yet, the urgency of the situation demanded his full attention. “Where was she last seen?” he asked instead.

The guard gulped nervously, his finger pointing toward an icy path blanketed in white. “Down that road,” he said, his voice shaking. “The… thing she was with—he threatened to tear through them like they were nothing. It got one of them, you see. One of her guards.”

Orion’s eyes flitted towards the designated trail. The snow lay like a pale blanket, but beneath its surface were traces of movement—fragile footprints and faint drag marks almost lost in the silvery glow of the moonlight. An unsettling feeling crawled up his spine, as if the very night itself was alive and watching. The air was laced with a ghostly essence of magic, a sour taste lingering like spoiled milk, making his teeth grate together in discomfort.
“Split up and search for the princess,” he ordered. “Avoid engaging any threats alone. If you stumble upon anything out of the ordinary, summon help immediately.” The guards exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting unspoken fears, but they obeyed, breaking into smaller clusters before slipping away.

Meanwhile, Orion stepped toward the path, his mind already concocting horrible images of the scene he was sure to find himself in.

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

this week might be a little busy for me cus of Christmas, but aiming to get something up by Friday

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

Important question. Is Roose pettable? Asking for science.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@Qia Ooh, do I forsee a little collab going down between Asterion and Bella....? And I think the text is just fine, I can read it. :p

@Estylwen

We shall see. Honestly depends on Savant :)

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

Left it open-ended on my end as well. Best that way I think. Edit: BTW if Bella's text is hard to read let me know. Could just be my grandma eyes reading it over xD