Peredhil

Peredhil creaks in, Ancient that he is, and begins pondering change. I've been with the Pen is Mightier than the Sword since before our first web site. Sometimes it's useful to reflect on what the goals were, however unstated, and what they are. My views on the Pen: 1) The Pen is a place to grow as writers, and therefore as people. The emphasis and focus is on the person, in my opinion. Many creative types, in my experience, are very sensitive and intelligent as well as creative. Thus, the Pen draws many who've been wounded by life, coming together to heal. It is therefore my belief that the more nurturing and 'family'-feeling we are, the more people will feel free to express themselves and become better writers. There are many boards where people post, rack up post counts, or argue. Here at the Pen, the focus is on writing. 2) Respect. Here at the Pen, we respect others, whether we like them, understand them, or agree with them. We cherish differences because perception of depths only comes from more than one point of view. We state our opinions - and allow others to not agree. We think before we write. When speaking on a sensitive issue, we not only review it for what we think it says, we attempt to see it for how others may receive it - and adjust accordingly. We debate issues, not people. When giving feedback and criticism, we correct the work, not the person. We try to always be aware when correcting a work, that this is the results of someone's time, and often the best expression of incoherent feelings (and attempted communication of those feelings) they could do. Therefore, we remain aware that no matter how 'silly' or 'simple' it may seem to us, it's important to them. Many creatives feel misunderstood, or unable to recognize their worth because they are aware of how much they aren't. When reading, we respect the effort enough to acknowledge it, knowing the fear that no one understands or cares. 3) It's all about the quality of writing, not the quantity. In the past, chats were conducted in galaxynet #thePen on IRC. There have been conversational threads, and even single emoticon-posted replies to acknowledge a point - but the overall rule-of-thumb has been: Let's post for everyone, the students, the workers, those with much time and those with little. Which leads to in my senile way to: 4) Bandwidth. This site is a gift of love donation. Love of you'll, and love of writing. In return, we acknowledge that server space is not infinite. That sometimes servers will be down, or if we're really really popular, all the connections will be full. We keep our Avatars and Signature graphics small and occasional, so that those with limited time and bandwidth can have a change to read, not to just wait on pictures to load. We respect the limitations bandwidth imposes on others, even if we have a T5 connection ourself. 5) Roleplaying. The stresses and issues of life bring some here to escape. Others just like the freedom and fun of roleplaying. Still others like to try on characteristics in an online setting and interaction before trying them in their real life. In any and all cases, the Pen for the most part has respected people's characters/personae. If someone wants to be a gecko - let them be a gecko, roleplay them as a gecko. If you use their character in a story, try to use it as they would. If you have a doubt - send them the intended post in a PM and get their insight and feedback - we ARE here to help each other grow. On another tangent, be sensitive to how others perceive themselves. I would never try to tame or collar someone like Canid - her character is an embodiment of the freedom and intelligence of the wild wolf - self controlled, but never controlled by another. Someone like Wyvern has implicitly given permission to tease him about his greed. But tactfully, respectfully - and dare I say it? - lovingly. 6) All in all, I suppose it comes down to the Platinum Rule. 'Do unto others as they would have you do unto them, if that action is an personally acceptable thing for you to do.' Covers their feelings, your feelings, and the communication. Loose translation: Don't be selfish, don't feel forced by anyone into being a doormat, treat each other nicely. Feel free to comment if you wish. This is YOUR site. Your activity and words determine it's future.

LOL! Everquest and the Land of Doubles! With a name like Norrath, I should've made the connection myself.

hmmm. Depression seems in my experience to have various shades and sources. Feeling frustrated and hopeless to effect change. Feeling angry and turning within. Or biochemical - Having been raised in a family of Manic-Depressives who were still able to function, I have seen the struggles and appreciate the difference between chemical and attitude. For a very few, depression isn't a mental choice or a perception. It's a condition of the mind, just as nearsightedness is a condition of the eyes. There is no shame admitting weak eyes any more, and getting corrective help. There should be no stigmata in admitting biochemical conditions, and getting corrective help. Lastly, there are those who need depression or trauma as an excuse or to self-flagellate. That one is a choice, although a difficult trap to escape. -Peredhil

I like it the way it is. Excellent and vivid imagery

Peredhil has known people who hurt so badly inside, they seek numbing no matter the price. Easy to say don't, it's bad for you. Hard to love someone enough and weather their pain to the point they don't need the stuff.

Peredhil wanders into THIS thread confused, as he's just read the OTHER thread. Scratching his head, he ponders, "Which one is the application? Are either one?" "Who is the Mole?" Peredhil wanders away, content that Wyvern or Melba will have to sort all this out.

That IS a clever sig.

Neat write-up.

"Really all this is getting beside the point." Peredhil started. Rune looked around the floor for the point so she could be on it instead of close. Josh interrupted with, "No no! The point is you are all useless fools if you don't take me to the Bird at once!" "What bird," Peredhil queried, holding his head. He was slightly distracted to discover neither his Ring nor his centuries of studied Arts could Heal his dizziness. "The flappy bird w'it the pair of eyes!" Rune piped up helpfully. "He flapped in and then charmed Tas' and then..." She ran down at Peredhil looked at her strangely. Reaching down, he wiped her pert nose, coming away with a flour stained thumb. "Erm. I cleaned it all up." She looked up with a wide-eyed innocent gaze and Peredhil melted. Thump, he sat on the floor. "Kipi!" Rune had never had THAT effect on someone trying to get out of trouble before. Peredhil realized that the dizziness was coming from without, not within. "Something is Wrong at the Pen," he muttered.

The perthon above me thometimeth goeth Mything in action.

Insults! I can do this! Muses briefly. You are... nice! erm... A good writer! ahhh... you you you're a smart blonde! Realizing his insults just don't have the same sting, he gives up resigned to being himself.

The person above me is a Saint of Terra

Peredhil makes shushing noises at Rune and gently slides her behind him with one mirror-shined shoe. What? I didn't hear anything. But what do you expect from a Demoness? He mock-sighs (since he put her up to all this) OoC: This came out of a conversation she and I had - and I think it's hilarious and has potential. If anyone doesn't like it - blame me. rubs his hands briskly. I'M planning on having FUN with this. Muahahaha!

Cery, take off the Weenie. To my Ancient knowledge, all Weenies are gone with the move to the new site - a celebration of y'all having made it here. You'll have to earn a new weenie next time.

The person above me is wicked uber coote and has a Red Crayon...

Peredhil enters laughing so hard he's red in the face. So I'm looking at the Pen, and I see this crayon scrawl. He begins chortling. Then I see the post in the Assembly Room about it... I can hardly wait so see what she has planned! --- Rune!!! My suggestion for this is that you post a new thing every few days, and then update your graffiti accordingly. He frowns and taps his foot in mock menace, although his twinkly eyes give him away. You DO understand "Rune is here" can't stay up there.... --- We'll post our comments if we have any here, so we won't clutter up your story. I'd put this in the Critic's Corner, but I want non-members to be able to express themselves too. Peredhil looks around. Is that okay with everyone?

The woman above me was once married to a Blue Saint.

Life is like a potted rose. slips sideways as he pictures a drunken rose but refocuses quickly. ahem. anyway. If you look down, you see crap. If you look down with perception, you see fertilizer. If you look beyond the surface, you see the network of roots and memories which lead you up. To the stiff thorny selfprotective support. If one risks a crick in the neck, you see the delicate petals opening and greeting the sun. Peredhil starts snorting as his repressed laughter burst out. Sorry, that was just SO pretentious.

Welcome back, Loremaster, in a big way. Hugs and shares a moment of silence.

Peredhil: Chronos grasped her shoulder tightly and pointed to her foot. "At times we need to look away," he murmured. Tearing her gaze away from the mockery of order in the Tapestry of Souls, she looked dully at her foot. Her silver Shears. Her eyes teared slightly and her hair hung lankly around her face. In the blur she noticed a flaw overlaying the scissor blades. Bending, she squinted to see Graeson's translucent thread sprawling in untidy coils. Beside her she felt Chronos wolfish smile. "It is Time,"he said simply, and stepped back to let her work. Quickly yet smoothly she coiled the thread, feeling the opportunities of a thousand lives slip between her fingers. Grasping the shears, she hesitated as she Searched deeply the Patterns gone awry. Chronos stepped up behind her and supported her with a gently clasp around the waist. "All beginning worthwhile are birthed in blood and pain," He coaxed gently, the weight of knowledge laden in his voice. She trembled with the anticipation, but felt the love of eternity in his reassuring touch. Pinching the base of the Black Thread, where it already had begun to twine about the Temae strand, she scissored the blades. Finely she cut, so closely that she clipped the skin from finger and thumb. Her smokey blood spread like the mist of dreams absorbing into the Black Thread and etching it like acid. She quickly wove the Tapestry together in the wake of the Black Thread's disintegration until a puckered seam was all that remained in the Tapestry to mark the passage of Time's Nightmare. A puckered seam and a new slender thread, once translucent with Time, already enfused with the blood of Dreams, and now fused irrevocably with the darkness cored thread of Yui Temae. As she released Temae, Aegon's thread sprung like steel to the magnet to close the final gap. Together they embraced the new thread that ended, yet began between them. She slumped into his grasp, and suffered him to carry her to her chair. She looked ancient hag until Time's touch lifted and her ageless beauty returned. "We've done what we must to stop the madness. Is it enough?" His voice grated roughly; Time gives its strength to Dreams not lightly. "He'll be born with the salmon knowledge, the knowing wisdom, the wise weird. He is ours and theirs, a bridge belonging to all and none. Can even Time tell what we've done?" She smiled slightly and began Weaving again. "We'll have to wait and see what the Tapestry Weaves." With a gentle caress that pained them both for it's passage and finality, he strode from her chamber lest he Dream again... **** Ayden looked at Aegon carrying Graeson and his heart thumped in his throat. Aegon's face was intolerable. Transfigured by wrath, it terrified him and he felt unable to resist. Leading the way rapidly up the tower, he fled to the comfortable horror of the Master and it's known pain rather than face the unknown possibilities that followed him. It struck him with the force of a thousand hammers as he opened the door to the Forbidden. Aegon wore the face of his father, dead in the accident, relived in nightmares. Graeson watched Ayden crumple in the doorway, and let Aegon slide him down his arm to stand alone. The haunting warmth of Aegon's hand ruffling his hair contrasted with the rigid tendons of the other hand clenching bare steel. He wondered briefly as Aegon rushed to leap Ayden at Aegon's ability to be tender at a time like this. Moving forward, he bent to help Ayden. Green eyes fluttered open and locked onto his in terror. He felt himself falling. Or was Ayden flying up? As his hand touched Ayden's face, he felt Adyen's hand touch his. A silent explosion of golden-edged white with a core of darkness rushed to encompass them both. **** "One, we are One," crooned the Master as he loving reached for the final prey. The circle was closed, this was the ONE. He spun with viperish speed as the door crashed open. His Slave lay crumpled in the doorway and a sword-bearing man leapt the body to confront him, only to freeze at the sight of Yui's blood-runed body. The Master, laughing at the blade, moved for this last snack before the feast. Behind him, Yui's eyes went wide in shock as she blurred with mist. "Aegon," she moaned in torment, caught in the crucible of Dream and Time. Batting the Master out of his way with the sword's flat, Aegon rushed to her far side, and knelt to grasp her hand as he still eyed the Master. Psychic and Spells rose to hover ready at his shoulders as he mustered all his weapons. The Master leapt forward. Aegon's sword left a crimson smear of fire in the air as it swept in a vicious arc - over the Master's head. The momentum of the missed swing left him offbalance as he lunged desparately to intercept the Master's strike at the true target - his wife. Master's hand touched Yui's hand as Aegon's hand covered both - a fractional second too late. In the doorway, Graeson screamed. Reality shifted with his unleased power - and finally the Nightmare ended. *** Yui woke lazily and stretched in contentment. She gazed greedily at Aegon's naked body, tracing his powerful lines with hungry eyes. That was all that was hungry, for the Morning Sickness was clenching her stomach again. Slipping from bed, she thought longingly of Aegon's warmth. The ridges of patterned scars puckered slightly against the morning chill as she belted a long robe over her rounding form. Moving to the balcony, she greated the lemony morning sun with an upturned face. Her fingers gently massaged her the still taunt stomach muscles guarding her womb. "Are you aware in there? I had the strangest dream last night, that I was caught in your dream. Sometimes there will be the darkness rising inside me. But you need never fear that, my little tadpole. Daddy and I will always guard you with our love." She sighed in pure joy as Aegon's arms slipped around him. She leaned back into her sunshine man was like a furnace to her touch. His voice rumbled through his chest and she felt as well as heard it. "How's our little man this morning? I had the strangest dream last night." "I also." "He'll be named Graeson." "Yes." The stood silently, comfortably together. It was with a certain sadnessness that Yui felt the baby move and realized although she would share everything with Aegon, this secret feeling was hers alone. As Aegon's hands cupped and pressed, trying to feel the activity from the outside, she covered his hands with hers and whispered defiantly warning to any who would try to part the three of them. "We are One..."

oooh. I like. I like a lot. that reflects on several conversations I've had of late.

I can see why it was published. gratz

I liked this...

hey. I like that!

Laughs loud and long So people are like belly-buttons!!! there are Innies and Outies...