Saber

Post Your Pikcha

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Now It's Personal [experiments in rhythm]

X

Red vortex, twisting through the ether;
seeking solace in consumption, satiation in mindless subjugation.
Words uttered mean nothing to another,
slow slices biting sorrow and a mute message.
I never was a perfect fit for your heart, a jagged piece, obsidian threads tethered us together.
Blind eyes beg for release from burning tears.
I can not progress, only gather the fragments left to me.

Cracks in The Sky//Core Catastrophe

@pugbutter, @Kessir Tarkin, @13org, @OppositionJ, @Empress, @Vashonn.

Dropping a line to let everyone know that there's an open period for the collabs, today, between 3 (Eastern Time) and 9PM. If any of you are raring to go, now's the time to slip by the established order and get things underway.

I'd like to get this section of posts done within the next day. If, for some reason, you can't manage that due to time restraints or other interference from everyday life; let me know.

Otherwise, at the moment, collab possibilities are up in the air.

I know it has taken some time, and I hope it hasn't diminished anyone's interest in CiTS. I've said it a lot, but regardless of the time taken; I will not be disappearing from this thread or announcing (anytime) that it is dead. I know that some of you may be losing patience, but that's exactly why this window is being opened.

Hope to hear from you guys in the Discord.

Much love,
Saber.

Cracks in The Sky//Core Catastrophe

Collaborations are underway. Sorry for the delay, I've been dealing with a lot as of late.

At least the first collab should be done tonight, assuming everything goes as expected. From there, I'll be going down the line and (hopefully) getting another one started//completed.

Hit me up on the Discord if you have any questions or the like.

Now It's Personal [experiments in rhythm]

Hey, there. This is something I used to do a lot on older RP sites. The original title was '30 seconds//experiments in rhythm' and it was a lot like what I'm going to be doing here. Admittedly, these weren't written in 30 seconds. The 'poetry' below is, however, something I write on a timer. I give myself about two minutes and stop as soon as that time is up. I decided to start this back up because I miss writing poetry and I want to get back into it...and I really need a familiar outlet. They may not all necessarily rhyme. Think of these as something more akin to a 'freestyle rap'.

Check it out, if you want. Feel free to add your own entries, if you're so inclined. I won't be giving them titles, for now; relying, instead, on the Roman numerals until I get bored of them.

Feedback would also be nice.

Here are entries I-IX. Enjoy. More to come.

I

Ever by the wayside,
shunned by unloving eyes,
torpor is my only placation, stolen by empty words,
shame the only refuge in a fallen house of cards.
What truth exists for those without a voice,
waking through the night, screaming silence the only choice,
nothing exists, nothing lost, nothing gained.
A ghost all that remains,
simple singing visceral drops,
a crimson reminder of what has been lost.

II

Some sold soul told me the truth,
there is no peace, no rest; nothing moves.
Time flows because we will it to be,
a truth that any blind oracle could retrieve.
Insects marching over the tower sundered,
reaching higher for no reason but 'another'.
We were nothing, in those golden moments,
trapped in our pride, becoming our own opponent.
Nothing becomes nothing, something breaks apart,
touching tentatively the essence of heretical art.

III

Heavenly viscera spills from hemorrhaging skies,
stars drained and darkness wanes from the unfettered sarcophagi.
Death shrieks across the border unseen, bringing plague and rage,
one blade turned against another, culling the silver-tongued sage.
Whispers control those that remain, cast amidst their haranguing,
seeking to drive away a life-long struggle of longing.

IV

Turning slowly on the precipice,
considering the consequence,
nothing so simple as cessation,
something so painful as perpetual propagation,
turned aside to the shining side,
a shadow cast through the fading smile's lie,
projecting perfect pitches to placate the pallid day,
take a step...take a step and fade away.

V

Tentative bonds bred from momentary disconnection, umbral songs,
silhouettes dance to the tone-deaf tune, under twisted trees that were weeping all along,
join their masquerade or find mercurial solitude,
turned away and lost cold in the earth, speaking through dirt with gratitude,
peace forgotten in the face of regret's gleaming grin,
precise and empty, it all begins again,
the steps similar, a waltz with the dead,
reminiscence torn from the moment bled,
colored by nostalgia, infected by the stygian.

VI

Let it be that admonishment is prominent from the self,
respite biting with teeth the phantom's demand for deceit,
bloodletting semblance, a false martyr died by the wayside,
a saint of the pavement, no miracles nearby, unsung,
dark skies ahead, press on through the whirlwind,
there's no hope for it, kick rocks and hope you avoid the hard bite.

VII

I don't know anymore; a simple nomadic whore,
despised those that advised me, turned my head blindly more,
can't stay where I want because I'm caustic,
a heartless siren trying to get by, so simple,
no sacred temple to be torn down;
eyes watch, empty as the construct falters,
no sensation,
just the temptation of absence and all that it stands for.

VIII

Wisdom never comes without price,
understanding the dimensions of solitude self-inflicted,
wounds never close without proper sacrifice,
waiting for the day long ago predicted.
Hate cools in the core, wearing the gaunt visage of sorrow,
waking up an unbearable thought, aghast at the prospect of survival,
never wanted to see another tomorrow,
understanding that I'm the only one liable.

IX

Remembrance slew resemblance,
kicking a griffin from the gargoyle's perch,
lock it all away, one day at a time, no sensation but the anesthesia's black temperance,
flesh tickled by the prick of a tainted needle, stomach starts to lurch,
the constant stepping back and forth, a short walk with no end,
lost somewhere in a forest of constricting thoughts,
just a noose in need of a quick mend,
suffering a bygone byproduct of forgotten faded watts.

Cracks in The Sky//Core Catastrophe

Hahaha, thanks. Sorry for the delay on that. I will try my best to avoid that happening again.

I figure the order is going to be discussed in the Discord. I'll leave it up to you guys, mostly.

Cracks in The Sky//Core Catastrophe

"What kind of proving ground? I'm still not entirely sure what's going on, here," Jeriah took his eyes from a particularly faded card depicting a twisted spire beseiged by lightning, closing the book automatically, "it's all kind of...I don't know, surreal?" That was, perhaps, the most mild way he could have phrased it. True, the shock of his death and removal from familiar elements still remained; but there was an eager, nigh voracious curiosity that had crept its way to the forefront.

Rose's gaze had lost its former melancholy, returning to an unreadable placidity. She folded her arms across her stomach, only slightly turning her head to face the Pariah Dream. "The Hollow Egress serves as a kind of nexus, in Navain." Sensing the coming question, she pointed a finger towards the building looming behind them. "Navain, by the way, is the place you're in. The, uh, world you're in." Jeriah nodded, but offered no interruption. "You're takin' all of this pretty well, over all, Jerry. I expect some of the others might be a bit more, uh, intense about the situation." She looked away from him, out over the field. "They're already starting to show up."

Straining his eyes offered no indication that the two of them were anything but alone. The grassy expanse had not changed in the slightest, save for the earlier fleeing of birds. "I guess you're right," he said, sighing afterward, taking a few slow steps toward the concrete monolith, "I should probably be flipping my shit about now, huh?" From the corner of his eye, he saw the Guide smile. "I guess anywhere's better than New Graeline, though. Do you want to explain some of what you're talking about? Or should I just dive into The Hollow Egress?"

She's got a point. You're being awfully chill about all of this. You did kind of die a few minutes ago, right? If that's the case, why does this place feel like a huge relief? It has to do with more than just getting away from that thing, doesn't it?

"No way, that'd be suicide!" Rose turned fully, lifting her right hand to point an accusing finger at him, "It's my job to look after you and the others, so listen up! I'm only gonna run this down, for you, once. Got it?" Jeriah nodded, placing his book-and-chain into the nook of his armpit. The girl waited a moment before finally nodding in return. "Ok, so you're currently in what could be referred to as a disjointed reality. That means that what you're seeing isn't what other people from your world are seeing. This place twists the meaning of 'time and space'. Where you're standing here, at the entrance, there are others who are just now noticing my presence. Soon, I'll be talking to them. However, I'll also, maybe, still be talking to you.

"How does that work...?"

"Well, s'pretty complicated. I'll explain the more nuanced points of that once you've managed to make your way through the Egress. For now, just accept what I'm sayin' for what it is. You're going to need to meet up with the others inside that place, once they've entered, since it seems like you're gonna be the 'first' to go in. When you're in there, you guys are gonna have to cooperate to find your Anchors." Unfolding her arms, she took a few brisk steps towards the entrance. "I can't enter, there, so it's all on you and the other Dreams to figure out exactly how you're gonna accomplish that. You've all been granted Manifestations. Like your book, there. I dunno the specifics of your power, so don't ask. That's for you to discover."

"Right, got it. So why did you call it a 'proving ground'?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry, totally forgot to answer ya on that one. This place, like I said, is a nexus. In there you'll be meeting up with the others. In the center, prolly a ways down, you'll each find something called an Anchor. An Anchor serves to supplement your Manifestation, and your existence in this world; which means that you and your new 'friends' will be able to interact with one another on the same 'plane' of this world, rather than havin' to go it alone, once ya get out. It won't just be you guys in there, though. A place like this attracts all sorts of, uh, 'phantasms' I guess you could call 'em." She paused, looking around for a moment. "I'm not sure how to put it in terms other than 'a bunch of things that want to kill you and steal your existence for themselves'."

What the fuck is she on about? It makes sense, in a few ways...but there's a lot that I'm not being told. Wonder why she can't go in...or what a Dream is. I guess we'll find out, on the way...

"I know, I know, it prolly sounds like I'm avoiding giving you the big picture. I'm not really allowed to tell you a lot of what's going on, at least not until you get your Anchor. On the plus, though, once you do that there'll be a chance for you to go back home!" Jeriah nodded, but his heart felt heavy. Returning home didn't sound nearly as appealing as what the strange girl was telling him. "Of course, all of ya will have to meet up with me, as a group, when you stomp your way outta the Egress. I'll tell ya more, then, ok?" She offered him a look that could only be sympathetic and made a small motion toward the building's entrance.

"Before ya go, though, let me tell ya one more thing, ok?" Rose didn't wait for a response. "Be careful in there. The 'phantasms' aren't your only potential enemy. Pariah Dreams don't always get along. You seem like a nice kid, Jeriah. I don't want ya getting hurt or pushed around; so watch ya back. Once you start making some progress, I can fill you in on the things going on in this world and why you're all here. Ya might even be able to find a Node or two in there to communicate with me. Keep ya eyes open for anything that interests ya. Now, I gotta focus on the others. Which means it's about time for you to get started. Once you're ready, just step through the doorway. Wait around in the 'lobby' for a minute and the others should show up."

"I...yeah, sure, thanks Rose." He didn't know what else to say. Despite all she had said, there were huge gaps in his understanding. Pressing her didn't seem productive, so Jeriah simply did as he was told. Stepping through the shattered maw brought him to something entirely unfamiliar.

It looked like a hospital's waiting room. Detritus of all sorts littered the floor, and a staunch silence permeated the entire area. Jeriah tilted his head, looking back. Through the windows he did not see the grassy field, or anything at all. A shiver rolled up his spine, but the newly appointed Dream fought it down; instead bringing his book before him and opening it gingerly. He would have to familiarize himself with them, should he expect to understand anything about what Rose had called his 'Manifestation'.

That leaves a lot of questions for us, doesn't it? If we survive, maybe we'll get a straight answer out of that weird bitch, yeah? Going 'home', though? ...Don't make me laugh. Better keep sharp, Jeriah. Who the fuck knows what's going to happen, here.

Cracks in The Sky//Core Catastrophe

Alright, cool, looks like it's my turn. That'd mean everyone has posted and things are, to me, anyway, going super smoothly.

I'll probably be hitting up people for collaborations. I said, in the Discord, sometime yesterday that I'd begin work on my post today. That probably won't happen, given a few things I have to take care of, today.

For the most part, I'll be out and about. If anyone needs me, or anything of the sort, feel free to shoot me a PM. Chances are that will be the easiest way to get a hold of me.

Thinking that I'll start on the post tomorrow. If things go well, though, it may be sometime this evening.

Hope everyone is doing well. Talk to y'all sometime soon. ^^