Peredhil

[Elrohir] Elrohir walked briskly, his thoughts in a brown study. He was terribly late, but there were so many last minute details to which to attend before pleasure. He trusted his dad, Peredhil, would represent the family politely until he could arrive to help. Seeing a missed, but familiar face, his words burst out in surprised pleasure, "Lady of Stars!" Blushing slighty, he stopped and bowed to her "M'Lady, nearly everyone is at the social mixer, the Fall Ball. Lady Ashela is hosting it to complete her Quill Quest. Considering the chaotic timelines of our residents, I had the foresight to ask for extra invitation. If you'll take this one, please take a moment, and do drop by. You should see a few familiar faces there, and perhaps meet some new ones. If you'll excuse me?" With another bow, he hurries off. [/Elrohir] (OoC: Welcome back!)

This is one reason I look through old entries. I wonder sometimes why some works get no responses? Horrified? No clue what to say? Just think the person wants attention? This poster is right - what they show isn't love. But... They went away from the Pen thinking no one read these, no one cared enough to even say, "ouch". On this as some of this authors other words, I find interesting almost hidden messages in the choice of formatting and line breaks, once I read past the pain.

One of the deadliest traps an abuse victim is taught is that they are worthless, no one will care, and if they go for help, they'll only be hurt more. Don't talk. Don't move. Don't speak. Smile to the world while you die inside because you deserve all this somehow. Can you consider the courage it takes to break the well-forged chains of abuse? For some victims, the pain and chains are the only thing holding them together. thoughts...

saying "love" and dispensing abuse is one of the hallmarks of hatred - redefining terms until they no longer have societal meaning snaps the trap closed on a mind. A wolf caught in a trap will gnaw its leg off. Some people gnaw at themselves until life ends.

When someone constantly carries the voices of their abusers deafening their ears - How can they hear words of love?

I would say something about investing one's self esteem in others (it over burdens them when carried with their own). I would say something about laying responsibility on someone else for one's emotions (but emotions are tricksy and circumstances can force choices). I would say something about the manner in which attitude filters perception until one can only remember what they expect - such as recalling nothing done right. But. When someone has no self-esteem, correcting them is a razorblade on wounded soul. When someone has been rejected, hostility toward the source is quite natural. When someone is in pain, all wisdom and sayings are platitudes. So I'll just say I hope tomorrow lends a brightness.

What a gem. I'm not sure how I missed this at the old site, as I like Shakespeare. Might want to try changing "about" to "of" - sounded better to my ear, but it's your work!

I like this. I haven't a *clue* what it means... But I like this.

Has an almost Nordic feel to it, but I think you might work on the meter. When I say it aloud, I just can't fall into a good beat, if you know what I mean. On the other hand, good usage of figures of speech to portray the scene.

[Elrohir] Elrohir trots by and stops to welcome the newcomer. Wonderful! If you'd like there is a Fall Ball going on in the Cabaret Room, a mixer to allow people to mingle and meet. Feel free to drop in and at least get some food. Tell them I sent you. If there's a problem with that, look for Miss Ayshela! In the Assembly Room, you can listen to short stories and works in progress. Over in our most popular room, the Banquet Hall, you can feast your ears on poetry. The Library has many curious works of antiquity, well worth passing an idle hour to peruse. And of course, the Recruiter's Office is where you'd go to apply for membership. Be patient with Elder Wyvern; he has many schemes going, ever eager for geld and gals. But when he's in his office, Melba, the Almost Secretary of Initiates does her best to keep him in line. There are other rooms and chambers you'll have to explore and discover on your own - I'm late and still haven't dressed for the Ball! He jogs out again. [/Elrohir]

Going through the Minstrel Hall, I found this old post on Freestyle Role Playing which lends itself to this topic. The context, in short, is that freestyle RPing at Archmage's Universal Bulletin Board's Conservatory has been dying out. The Freestyle threads were great vehicles for encouraging beginning RP writers.

Oh. OH! I thought Elder Yui told me not to do it. Let me work something up....

sweet. The Pen needs more thoughtful science-fiction. I, for one, would like to see a link to a picture. If you put it in thread, my poor little modem might choke on it every time I loaded the thread. welcome back! -Peredhil

w00t! :woot: I've always wondered... sits to listen, waiting for the very end when Melba arrives...

Ooh! Ooh! Can I write a pompous post for this too? Can I, huh, can I?

I can say with confidence that the Fall Ball is still open to anyone. It's an ongoing event that hopefully will give everyone in the Pen that wants to join a chance to somehow explain their character, either explicitly, through interaction, or through the eyes of others. Personally, I think I may link to some a couple of other threads that contain things I've already explained. Hugs Ayshela for a fun idea

[Peredhil]After taking a turn or two on the dance floor (what a pleasure to dance with a lady who could follow a lead), he set out to mingle again. Along with everyone else, he paid hommage to Orlan by stopping to look at the couple as they entered. He ignored Rapier's wink and just smiled back at her - For a Fallen Dominion who liked it, she'd been a really great conversationalist, once she realized talk was all that was on his mind. Noting Ayshela was doing well, he started over to greet Alzorath.[/Peredhil] [Guido]So I'm snapping my paws and jazzing to da tunes - dat kid wit da licorice stick could sure lay down a lick - when I sees da ceremonial Door Wardens takin' der job too seriously. Rent-a-cops. Sheesh. Anyways, Tzimfemme is *not* one to suffer fools gladly, or unhappily fer dat matter. I try to contact Nunce, but he's still pissy about da whole suit t'ing and not talkin' to me. Dis was an emergency, and I wasn't gonna interrupt da Boss. Not tonight, not a chance. I pops da FDR off and reach fer power, den opens a quicky Portal to Elladan, makin' sure dat it is away from me and pointed toward da window. Sure enough, the splurt of fire dat gouts out fryin' da glass. Then it almost faster than now goes away. That's 'Dan fer ya, a bit itchy on surprises, but pretty quick on da uptake. "Yes?" whispers da sweet voice, and I kin hear the smile, so like any smart pig, I starts sweatin'. I make sure I don't let da fear in my voice, why put blood in da wadder? "yo 'Dan," sez I, "Got a Situation at da Fall Ball door. Da Wardens look like der hasslin' Tzimmy 'bout no invite. And da Boss is on da floor dancin' and funnin'." Da portal pops closed and as I slips my Ring back on, I can hear Tzimmy's voice down on da floor. How even her voice kin sound nekkid, I doan know. Den 'Dan is at da door, and e'ryt'ings gonna be fine. Stupid Nunce shoulda been here by now. [/Guido] [Elladan]Humming a light Mozart concerto, from our time in Vienna, I Flashed into the hallway outside the Cabaret Ballroom. I know they think me paranoid, but having seed the Pen with pinhead loci jewels when it was constructed pays off at a time like this. Really I should've just let Tzimfemme deal with the guards, but if Dad was enjoying himself, however little, I knew bloodshed would upset him. So I rounded the corner and went into combat mode. Everyone slowed into a crawl and I took it all in, from the lines of Tzimfemme's body (she really *was* restraining herself) to the dialated pupils of the Warden on the left, lusting for her to the dialated pupils of the Warden on the right, afraid and falling back on mindless training. What a waste of space. I was tempted to salt them away and feed them to one of the vampires (perhaps Tzim'?) later, but knew that it would cause waves. Some times this place is so boring. At least in Terra I'd been able to kill effectively as Dad's General of Armies. By this time I was up to them all, and let time speed until they saw me. It's always a bit distracting when the voices doppler back up the scale, but I was used to it after all this time. I'd developed the skill to avoid getting blood on my clothes, since the time that idiot had got in my way and then had the gall to spurt blood on my favorite shirt Mom had given me. By the time I'd finished destroying he and anyone who might've seen my shame, I'd almost stopped crying over the shirt. It was nice of Nuncio to work so hard to get the stains out. I rewarded him by not destroying him for touching it, and he thanked me nicely. He's a very Polite pig, I have an almost affection for him. We understand each other, as much as that is possible. "The Lady," As my sudden appearance startled them into trying to hit me with their silly swords, I repeated it for their minds. Made a point of using small words as I slipped the blades in a Water-flowing move. "The Lady is as far above you as the stars above the heavens." I let their souls see into my eyes for the briefest moment to ensure I had their attention and then turned on the smile. Stun and charm definitely. I was rather proud of myself - I must've judged it just right as neither one fouled their pants. "Not only is this lady an honored guest and Elder her, as if such beauty ever ages," Tossed the smile to Tzim who ignored it. How anyone could expect to be charming with Orlan around I don't know, "and further, is allowing me to escort her in." I offered her my arm, making sure she saw it coming. That lady moves like lightning when she wants. She gave them a measuring look, then allowed me to escort her into the Ball room. Her touch was just a feather breath of fingertips but I had all my shields in place just in case. Made sure to walk slowly so everyone could give her the admiration she deserved, then released her onto them like urging a hawk into flight. I almost shook my head at the admiring glances - the mice had no clue. I flashed a smile and then set out to mingle until I could get my back to a wall. Hadn't intended on coming, too big a crowd, but I was here now.[/Elladan]

quietly creeps in with his popcorn and soda, so quietly as not to disturb the story in progress, but drawn by its excellent beginning...

Peredhil listens quietly and silently sighs. "But Kushel didn't abuse his power, he just used it for his own gains." In his experience, all abuse contained at its heart the selfish gain of the abuser. He started in surprise at hearing the Quilll Quest named a contest. He'd thought the Contest of Gwaihir was a Writer's Workshop quiz, not this rendition of forgotten lore brought from the ancient past into the present. He was glad he wasn't a Voting Elder, having witnessed the butterfly's trick. Would this count as fulfilment of the Quill Quest assigned? He waited silently to find out.

well, I liked it. As a personal standard, I try to never tease or joke with what I think might be true. Even if I'm not personally sensitive on the subject, I've found too many hearts have no defense against the truth - even when said in jest. -Peredhil

[Peredhil]he wandered peacefully through the growing crowd, although he wondered where the rest of his family might be, a designation in which he fondly included his Bodyguards. Drawn by the undercurrent of her pain, he stopped by Sam. As he murmured his delight at seeing her, he quietly recited the poem he'd heard recently by Damon, also lamenting the distance between the shared hearts of friends, but affirming love's ability to transcend time and educational institutions. Seeing the nostalgic tears mist her eyes, he stepped slightly to the left, which turned her side to the rest of the room but left her lovely profile for all to admire, allowing her a moment of privacy as he looked away. As so often happened in his life, fortune smiled in the presence of one of the waiters passing by. Peredhil carefully obtained a drink for Sam on which to sip and recover her poise, using the opportunity as he touched her hand to strengthen her barriers without rudely intruding his own thoughts. Assuring her that all here were either friends or friends waiting to happen, he moved onward pleased that another potential unhappiness had been averted to the best of his ability. He hoped this would be an enchanted evening, where people put aside their doubts and truly saw each other.[Peredhil] [Guido]I watched da Boss drift aimlessly around da room, but always being where he was needed. He never seemed to try but t'ings always was doing dat fer him. Shakin' my head just slightly, cause der was some canny birds down der, I still wondered hows he did it. Nunce' and me'd been wit' da Boss fer 'bout some twenty-one Planes since he hired us when we was on da lam and about to go under, and den he wus da one that guarded us aginst da Mob Hitters. It was eerie, he just says "excuse me" to dem, likes he does, and walks on over to da glowing door. (Found out later it was a Portal, da Boss is really good wit da Adept magics.) Everyt'in' dat could go wrong for dem did. Gats jammed or exploded on dem. I doan mind squealin', I was 'bout ready to go down, but Elrohir just grabbs us both and gives us da bum-rush across the room after da Boss. We'z both bigger dan him, but he pig-handled us like we was nuttin. Da Boss opens da door and motions for us to go first, and stands there lookin' sadly at da guys gettin' in each udders way and da roof fallin' in and da floor cavin and starts healing 'em! I couldn't believe it - dees was da best, dey hadda be to try fer Nunce and me. I'd seen'm take down a Big Bad Wolf like he was Goldilocks, but dey couldn't do a T'ING. Da Boss finally say, "'Danny-boy, I'm not going before youse", and Elladan flashes dat big spotlight grin of his and sings out, "Yes Daddy" all sarcastic-like, den bounces off a table and den hop-frogs across da room on da Hitter's heads! Dat kid has big ones, da size of cannonballs. Da Boss just looks at dey fedoras all squished down over da Hitter's eyes and says, "Dat was Rude Dan," and wez was through da door but we wasn't on da other side. We wasn't any place I'd even heard of. Undead everywhere youse looked and peoples was walkin' round on little silver chains behind dem. I pulls myself outta da woolgathering and watched Alzorath slick across da room. He was a canny one, solid. Been one a dem White Legion Knights, but stayed behind when dey all takes off to Norrath. Finally joined up with day Angels of de A-poco-lips who was runnin' da rearguard action in Terra before dat devil king, Mari, done screwed Terra up to bad to stay. I liked his action - if I hadn't da Faerie Dragon Ring da Boss made fer us on Plane t'irteen according to Nunce, but two accordin' to me cause it was two after we joined da Boss, den I prolly wouldn't have even seen him in da shadows. Him, dat Huntress Babe, dere was enough shadow-walkers, Planeswalkers, Angels, Devils, and e'eryt'ing else you could imagine here at da Pen. It was like dat udder crossroads of da Planes, Albuquerque, where youse could find anyone and e'eryt'ing. You could really tell da newcomers here, dey would be all shocking or exotic, and find out dey was just anudder Penner here. Some of 'em couldn't take it and left, but lotsa the best relaxed and stayed. Its dat sorta place here. Wonder what was takin' Nunce so long? Da food down dere was lookin' sweet, and dat Salinye looked like she really knew how to turn a gam and cut de rug.[/Guido] [Nuncio]I couldn't believe, but I could. Guido had been using my cumberbund for a slipshot again. I don't know who was helping him cast water balloons out over the Courtyard, but one of these days they'd hit someone. In the meantime, it left me without a complete formal suit. This was SO Guido. I lament the fact that while I've entered every school of higher learning I've ever found, he's the smarter one -if you can ever get his lazy brain to think. And he refuses to lose that horrible accent of our youth, as though he's still a knee-breaker or gutterboy numbers runner. Using the Phantasmal magics I'd mastered to make up the difference was simply unthinkable. First, since this WAS formal, we'd be on duty and that meant cutting myself off to magic with the Ring. While it did cause me to be completely immune to most magics and illusions, it also denied me access to releasing my own power. Guido, of course, didn't mind, although he was a fair Eradication mage himself, when he wasn't playing with weapons or reading comic books. Further, there were just too many other noble residents of the Pen who'd see through my feeble efforts and the embarassment would simply be unendurable. I ground my teeth as I found my second best suit looking like swiss-cheese. It was him of course. He'd been using MY suits for target practice again. From the looks of it, he'd swiped Elrohir's vorpal dagger again. He just cannot accept that he can't "trick it out" as he refuses to give allegience to the proper powers. So smart but stubbornly anti-clerical. The very word vorpal gives the secret to anyone with wit to perceive, being an amalglamation of verbal gospel, not that Guido would even care. Practical he claims, but look at my suits! I'm late for the party, and I haven't a clue what I'm going to wear. If mother hadn't made me promise to take care of that litter runt I'd asphyxiate him tonight.[/Nuncio] [Peredhil]I was enjoying my conversation with Regel when he gently nudged my ribs. His dry sense of humor was always a balm on sensitive nerves. Together we planned our assault and sallied forth to do battle with absurdity. The fully Bardic Saint of Parties Elder Almost Dragonic has done it again. I felt a smile force its way onto my face as we approached. He began protesting before we even had a chance. As we laughed, I saw the ever impressive Doomgaze and once again had to acknowledge his humbling effect on me - there are limits on the pains I can heal. At the memories of other failures tried to wreath my spirit in grey once more, all the way back to the first great failure, I turned my attention back to the irrepressable Wyvern. I wonder if he suspected how his earnest efforts so helped me keep melancholy at bay?[/Peredhil]

Peredhil opens the door to the Birthday Room and enters into Jonathon Wolfe's room. Laughing at himself for being silly, he steps back out, closes the door and reopens it thinking of Lyssara. The room is decorated with EverQuest scenes of Norrath, and various pieces of graphics artwork from Lyssara's website (with small attached price tags. A small stack of commission order forms are stacked neatly near the door. Peredhil puts up the Happy Birthday banners, liking to add a personal touch, and eyes the composition. After moving a few pieces to more pleasing places, he lights the everlast candles (which drip no annoying wax onto the cake), and softly sings happy birthday to the fill the waiting room with happiness and anticipation, then exits quietly to continue about his rounds...

[Nuncio]With Peredhil off busy as usual of late, Nuncio takes Jonathon's present to the Birthday Room and sighs unhappily as he sees no one there. I think this is a graphics computer," He says to the empty air, hoping one of the "now you see them, now you don't" residents is hanging about. At no reply, he wished he had his FDR to be sure. Clearing his throat, he continues, "Umm, Guido messed with it and so it already has a drawing on it, but the Boss said it could be used over and over." "I hope you know how to reboot it." With a frown making his whiskers droop, the Giant Guinea Pig carefully places the mystical red computer, brand name "Etch-a-Sketch", on the table. After singing Happy Birthday, he scurries out to prepare for the Fall Ball.[/Nuncio] [Peredhil] (Happy Birthday!) [/Peredhil]

[Peredhil]Peredhil pauses in the alcove before the doorway and checks himself in the mirror set there. Eyes the color of wet-ashes grey look back at him. Dolce & Gabbana sweater and slacks, Metzlan alligator shoes, all in shades to complement his Ring for those who could see it. His still black hair is neatly and freshly cut, thanks to Elladan, who has a way with blades. He misses his usual Armani or Calvin Kleins, but he wants to help set a casual tone to encourage mingling tonight. For the same purpose, he's ordered Guido and Nuncio not to accompany him for his entrance. The success of Ayshela's ball is important to him. With a nod to himself for luck, he opens the door and enters the room, as he has entered so many others over the centuries. The floor gleams so brightly as to recollect the stone before the throne of Manwe, and he's forgotten the frescos inset into the ceiling. He pauses in the doorway, a slender half-elf dressed in whites and greys, angled face looking upward. The bright light glint off his hair and shoes, and from habit he dons a pair of Gargoyle sunglasses to combat it. Moving with slow grace across the floor, he greets Ayshela, taking her hands and holding her at arms length to inspect her dress, before kneeling to kiss her hands. His assurances that she looks lovely, and tonight will be a success earn him a hug, at which a smile curves his lips. His is a mouth made for smiles, although they rarely reach the depths of his eyes. Politely he moves off to talk to the caterers and greet the band, freeing Ayshela to greet the next guest, but close enough for reassurance. As he mingles, he heals minor aches and pains from habit, subtly weaving a semblance of a spell to energize the night, and prevent sore feet. He really doesn't practice magic much any more. When he enters a new Plane, he carries the resonance and frequencies of the rest within him latent, and allows the new universe to sing its song to him. Once properly introduced, he's found that his small requests, which once required Mana and Will, often come to past on their own naturally. His acceptance of others extends to the inanimate, which rarely fails to respond. His are the powers of understanding, knowledge, and healing. It has been a long journey, he reflects quietly, from his birth in Gondolin on Middle Earth, through the Undying West, passing beyond the barriers of space and time to become a Planeswalker. A long journey, through thirty-two Planes, and myriad dimensions and worlds within them. Reaching out, seeing, in his inexplicable even to him, manner the patterns of life, unlife, and death in motion throughout the Pen, he realizes the Pen is the closest to a home he's found since he left Rivendale. Taking a sparkling water to sip, he waits on his bodyguards and boys to arrive.[/Peredhil] [Guido]"Iz lookin' sexy in dees new snazzy threads" is his first thought as he passes into the kitchen. The knowledge he's one sharp-dressed Giant Guinea Pig in his tuxedo and fedora puts an extra spring in the Bodyguard's step. "Should be a great gig, whot wit all da peoples. Da Boss will like dis, and wit all da peoples being Penners, dere isn't nutting to worry 'bout." At the thought, his large eyes darken momentarily and he runs through a mental check. Faerie Dragon Ring for anti-magic, his gat in his hide-away holster, the various knifes, garrotes, and other weapons of his profession. He and his brother Nuncio had been careless once, and lost the fairy they was guarding, Don T'mezzame, a Godfather in the mob, and been on the run since. If da Boss hadn't believed in them and taken them with him when he left the world of Fractured Fairy Tales, they'd've been fish-bait for sure. With the thought, he finishes checking the kitchen with unwanted care, and moves to see the main room. A mouth of teeth flashes pearly white as he sees da kids skating the floor clean and he moves to one of the subtly hidden observation spots to keep an eye on things until the Ball begins. He'd die before he lost another contract, and do more than die for dis Boss. He was kinda special. Nun' said da Boss saw hearts, whatever that meant. He just knew da Boos loved where others didn't, and that was a more powerful magic than he could ever understand. That's why he was here early, and what da Boss didn't know wouldn't stand a chance of hurting him.[/Guido]

Good use of showing instead of telling, if that makes sense. The character of the protangonist really comes through without a lot of self-description. Heh, I have a different King of Kings, but I can still appreciate something written well. -P